Republican Senators Urge Governor Hochul To Bring Home New Yorkers Stranded In Israel

By Idy Perl

Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt and members of the Senate Republican Antisemitism Working Group sent a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to arrange transportation for New Yorkers who are stranded in Israel due to the war with Iran. 

As Israel and Iran enter a ceasefire, the senators are hopeful that the worst is over and that New York can now arrange for stranded Americans to safely return home. The senators pointed at Florida governor Ron DeSantis, who coordinated with nonprofits to deploy planes to Cyprus and brought home 1,500 Jewish Americans who had been stuck in Israel.

"Florida figured out a way to get their residents back. There is no reason New York State can't do the same," Senator Bill Weber, member of the Antisemitism Working Group, said. "With the news of a cease-fire and safe flying now possible, there is no reason to delay. Let's do this together, Governor."

"We respectfully urge you to take immediate action and organize emergency flights to bring stranded New Yorkers home safely," the letter states. "With Israeli airspace closed and commercial travel disrupted, New York must do our part to get our residents home to safety."