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NY governor says Mamdani should focus more on New York City, less on Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLuke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrive to a news conference in the Staten Island borough of New York, April 27, 2026. (AP/Seth Wenig)
New York Governor Kathy Hochul encourages New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to focus more on the city government and less on Israel.
Hochul is asked by The New York Times if Mamdani’s anti-Israel rhetoric could make Jewish New Yorkers uneasy.
“I encourage him to — ‘Let’s focus on blocking and tackling of city government,'” she says.
“That’s where I believe the main focus should be,” Hochul adds.
Hochul also vows to “throw my body against any antisemitism.”
Hochul is a moderate Democrat, while Mamdani is on the far left, putting them at odds on some issues, although the two have maintained a cooperative relationship.
Hochul campaigned in support of Mamdani during his run for mayor.
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