Criticism Mounts Over Governor Hochul’s Response to Americans Stranded in Israel

While Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has organized rescue operations, hundreds of Americans, including New Yorkers, remain stranded in Israel amid ongoing missile attacks from Iran. Local families vented frustration, accusing Governor Hochul of inaction as calls for help went unanswered.

One Long Island resident, whose teenage relative is in Israel, expressed outrage: “Hochul is doing nothing. It wouldn’t even cross her mind to assist constituents in a war zone.”

Meanwhile, DeSantis partnered with Grey Bull Rescue to facilitate the evacuation of approximately 1,500 Americans from multiple states. With Israel’s airspace severely restricted, many are resorting to land or sea routes, including ferrying to Cyprus or traveling through Jordan, to reach safety. DeSantis’s operation has arranged four chartered planes to evacuate those needing help, with two flights already arriving in Tampa.

A devastated relative of a New Yorker stranded in Israel described her frustration: “She should be doing what DeSantis did—partner with private groups to rescue her citizens. Instead, she’s silent despite New York having the largest Jewish population in the U.S.” Her father’s medication is running out, and her brother was able to escape due to DeSantis’s efforts.

She called on Hochul to leverage her resources, saying, “Please help your constituents who are in a life-or-death situation abroad. The silence is deafening.”

Another local couple, whose 18-year-old is stuck overseas, echoed this sentiment, wishing Hochul acted. Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik condemned Hochul’s lack of response, calling her “the worst governor in America” for failing to communicate or coordinate evacuation efforts.

Hochul’s spokesman defended her stance, stating she remains a “steadfast ally to Israel and New York’s Jewish community,” and that her office is engaging with other state governors to coordinate potential travel plans if commercial flights remain unavailable.