Kathy Hochul on AIPAC
TL;DR
Governor Hochul strongly supports Israel and aligns with mainstream Democratic stances, largely avoiding direct conflict with AIPAC.
Key Points
She affirmed in June 2024 that she "stand[s] strongly with Israel" after visiting the country post-October 7th.
Her administration exists alongside a state-level PAC launched in 2024 to boost candidates who "value the American alliance with Israel."
The Governor stated she was intentionally not weighing in on a high-profile Democratic primary involving a candidate heavily funded by pro-Israel PACs in 2024.
Summary
Kathy Hochul, as the Governor of New York, has publicly aligned herself firmly with support for Israel, stating she "stand[s] strongly with Israel" and mentioning a visit there following the October 7th attacks. Her emphasis on this strong relationship signals a position generally congruent with the mainstream Democratic Party consensus, which typically includes a cooperative stance toward the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and its political goals. While she has not made AIPAC a central focus of her public messaging, her administration operates within a political context where significant pro-Israel advocacy groups are influential in New York politics, including the launch of a state-level PAC mirroring AIPAC's function.
This broader context is illuminated by recent electoral activity in New York, where a state-level political action committee explicitly founded to back candidates valuing the American alliance with Israel has launched, resembling a state-level analog to AIPAC. Furthermore, the Governor carefully navigated questions about a contentious primary involving a candidate supported by AIPAC, choosing to decline weighing in on the primary contest itself while restating her foundational support for Israel. The Governor’s political focus was redirected toward general election goals and broader statewide issues, suggesting a deliberate strategy to maintain broad support without engaging directly in the internal debates surrounding the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions
Governor Hochul has not made a specific, detailed public statement directly about AIPAC itself. However, she strongly affirms her support for Israel, which aligns with the central mission of the lobbying group.
Kathy Hochul's stated position is one of strong, consistent support for Israel. She emphasized this stance after the October 7th events and noted a prior visit to the country.
When asked about a contentious New York primary involving a candidate backed by pro-Israel PACs, Kathy Hochul stated she was intentionally not weighing in on primary contests. She redirected the focus to her strong support for Israel and general election priorities.