NEW YORK, CMC – Haitian-American legislator Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has condemned the “terrorist attack” on Israel and said that her heart aches for the hundreds of lives lost during the “brutal assault.
“I pray for the recovery of the thousands wounded and the safe return of the abducted Israelis. I stand in solemn solidarity with Israel and all its people who have lost loved ones while unequivocally denouncing these appalling attacks perpetrated by Hamas,” Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC).
“New York houses the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, and my deep sympathy goes out to our affected communities and neighbors during this tragic time,” added Bichotte Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, who also represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.
“This unfathomable assault on innocent civilians – on one of the holiest Jewish holidays – is an atrocious act of cowardice. I join our nation in condemning this inhumane terrorist attack against the Jewish people in their homeland as we offer our utmost support.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff indefinitely starting Wednesday to remember the lives lost due to the recent terrorist attacks against the State of Israel.
“New York stands in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community. I am proud to serve as Governor of the State, home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel. I am committed to doing everything I can to ensure that this community is supported and protected today and every day,” she said.
In the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in Israel, Hochul directed the New York State Police to increase patrols and outreach and reiterated calls for social media companies to strengthen platform moderation to prevent the proliferation of hateful content.
Hochul also directed New York State landmarks to be illuminated blue and white in solidarity with the State of Israel.
US President Joseph Biden said in a White House statement, “As we continue to account for the horrors of the appalling terrorist assault against Israel…and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy.
“My heart goes out to every family impacted by the horrible events of the past few days. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable,” Biden added.
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