New York Governor Kathy Hochul apologized Friday night after she said during an event earlier in the week that if Canada attacked New York the way that Hamas attacked Israel, the U.S. would wipe out Canada.
Hochul made the remarks about the October 7 Islamic terrorist attack against Israel during an event on Thursday at the United Jewish Appeal-Federation of New York in Manhattan. Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 Israelis, wounded thousands more, and took hundreds hostages.
“Call out Hamas for what it is and it is a terrorist organization that must be stopped,” she said. “No one, no country should live with that threat, that specter over them.”
“And for those who don’t understand this dynamic here in our own state, in our own country, I’ll give you an example,” she continued. “I’m from Buffalo, anybody realize that? If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I’m sorry my friends, there would be no Canada the next day. Right? Right.”
“I love Canada, but we did have the War of 1812. They did burn Buffalo,” she added. “So there might be a little conflict here. But think about that. That is a natural reaction. You have a right to defend yourself and to make sure it never happens again. And that is Israel’s right.”
WATCH:
NY Gov Hochul last night on local opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza:
“If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I'm sorry my friends, there would be no Canada the next day.
“That’s a natural reaction. You have a right to defend yourself and to make sure it never happens again.” pic.twitter.com/UCHUBmU6ka
— Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) February 16, 2024
Hochul issued an apology late on Friday following online outrage from the far-left.
“I regret using an inappropriate analogy that I now realize could be hurtful to members of our community,” she said. “That was never my intention, and I apologize for my poor choice of words.”
“While I have been clear in my support of Israel’s right to self-defense, I have also repeatedly said and continue to believe that Palestinian civilian casualties should be avoided and that more humanitarian aid must go to the people of Gaza,” she added.