Haitian-American legislator condemns terrorist attack on Israel

A leading Haitian-American legislator here has condemned the terrorist attack on Israel and prayed for the victims of the tragedy.

“My heart aches for the hundreds of lives lost during yesterday’s brutal assault, as I pray for recovery of the thousands wounded and the safe return of the abducted Israelis,” New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC). 

“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,” added Bichotte Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, who also represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn. 

“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,” she continued. “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.”

On Tuesday, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff indefinitely starting on Wednesday in remembrance of the lives lost as a result of the recent terrorist attacks against the State of Israel. 

“New York stands in solidarity with Israel and the Jewish community,” Hochul said. “I am proud to serve as Governor of the State that is home to the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, and I am committed to doing everything in my power to make sure that this community is supported and protected today and every day.” 

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 in order to prevent the proliferation of hateful content. 

On Saturday, Hochul also directed New York State landmarks to be illuminated blue and white in solidarity with the State of Israel. 

The governor has also spoken with a broad range of Jewish community leaders and elected officials to offer support during this critical time, and is working with the US Department of State to ensure New Yorkers currently traveling in Israel can return home safely. 

“As New Yorkers grieve loved ones impacted by the abhorrent Hamas terror attacks, it’s critical we provide the security necessary for Jewish communities here in New York,” Hochul said. “Immediately following the Hamas attacks, I deployed the New York State Police to increase security measures to protect synagogues, yeshivas, cultural centers and other at-risk sites. 

“Now, it’s time for social media companies to do the same: monitor the speech on your platform and crack down on incitements to violence – before it’s too late,” she added. 

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 this weekend and the hundreds of innocent civilians who were murdered, we are seeing the immense scale and reach of this tragedy. 

“Sadly, we now know that at least 11 American citizens were among those killed—many of whom made a second home in Israel,” he said. “It’s heart wrenching. These families have been torn apart by inexcusable hatred and violence. We also know that American citizens still remain unaccounted for, and we are working with Israeli officials to obtain more information as to their whereabouts. 

“My heart goes out to every family impacted by the horrible events of the past few days,” Biden added. The pain these families have endured, the enormity of their loss, and the agony of those still awaiting information is unfathomable.”