"Gov. Kathy Hochul's Emotional Journey: Grieving Father's Sudden Death in Israel"
New York Governor Kathy Hochul experienced an emotional trip to Israel, where she met with Israeli leaders, toured the Gaza Border, and learned of her father's death while en route. Hochul witnessed the aftermath of the attack on Kfar Aza, a kibbutz near the Gaza border, and expressed her support for Israel's right to exist and defend itself. She met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog to discuss rescuing hostages and providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Despite representing a large Jewish population, Hochul acknowledged protests against Israel's treatment of Palestinians but emphasized the heinous nature of the recent attack. Hochul made personal stops at the Western Wall and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to pray for peace and her father. She credited her father for inspiring her political career and plans to visit her family in Florida upon returning from Israel.