Hochul Says Her Job Would Be 'Easier' If Netanyahu Loses Election

New York Governor Kathy Hochul stated that her work leading the state would be significantly easier if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were to lose the upcoming election.

In an interview with Politico Magazine, Hochul asserted that Netanyahu's "overreach" in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks has created challenges within New York. "I went to Israel right after Oct. 7. I saw a lot of pain there. But I actually cautioned the government there, in private conversations, not to overreach," Hochul said.

She continued, "The world is with you when it comes to the brutal assault by a terrorist organization known as Hamas on innocent Israeli people. An overreach could change that dynamic, and that’s what’s happened." Hochul emphasized the anxiety many New Yorkers feel about the current high levels of antisemitism.

New York is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. Hochul stated, "A lot of people are anxious about antisemitism, which is sky-high right now... And I take that personally, because I represent everyone."

Her comments come as Israelis are voting in an election that is viewed as a referendum on Netanyahu's leadership since the October attacks. The race is closely contested between Netanyahu and former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.

Hochul also expressed her view that Netanyahu is impeding the creation of a secure Palestinian state. "We have to have leadership there that understands the security of Israel is paramount — critically important to me, but also the world — but to have a safe Palestinian state as well, which has been talked about my entire life," she said. "I still believe that this can happen. I believe we have to get people of goodwill who can make this happen, and as long as Netanyahu is sitting there, that is not in his interest to do that. It’s just not, and it won’t happen."