Under the leadership of President Donald Trump, all 20 Israeli hostages detained by Hamas in Gaza have returned safely to their loved ones, marking a significant diplomatic victory and a moment of morality. In response to this development, prominent figures in New York, including mayoral candidates and political leaders, have expressed their thoughts and support.
Former New York Governor and current mayoral candidate running independently, Andrew Cuomo, stated that the release of the hostages is not only a diplomatic success but also a moral imperative. He referenced a quote by Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel, saying, “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.” Cuomo emphasized the importance of rejecting indifference and recognizing the value of every life.
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa highlighted the immense anguish endured by the hostage families during the 738 days of waiting and expressed relief that they can finally breathe a sigh of relief. He emphasized that peace should always be the ultimate goal, and the end of the war is worth celebrating.
Current Mayor Eric Adams, who has announced he will not seek reelection, also issued a statement, expressing joy in the reunification of the hostages and hoping that this event will bring lasting peace and justice to both Israel and Palestine.
Governor Kathy Hochul of New York also released a statement, mourning the pain caused by the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and acknowledging that the return of the hostages brings some solace to their families. While Hochul’s statement did not directly mention President Trump, she thanked the American side for its efforts in securing the release of the hostages and looked forward to the ceasefire bringing critical humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, ushering in a “new chapter of lasting peace and freedom.”
Republican Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis stated bluntly that the release of the hostages proves that Trump is a truly visionary leader who can bring about “lasting peace” in the Middle East.
Congressman Mike Lawler also pointed out that Trump’s strategy of “peace through strength” has been effective and called for continued efforts to account for the bodies of the 28 hostages killed by Hamas, including two American citizens.
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman praised Trump’s leadership, stating, “Only Trump could have accomplished this, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership.”
In contrast to the enthusiastic responses from other political figures, New York State Assemblyman and Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani initially did not comment on the release of the hostages, attracting media attention. On Monday morning, he participated in a 5K charity run in Brooklyn to raise funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). In the afternoon, he expressed his views on the hostage release and ceasefire, describing the reunions of the families on both sides and the cessation of bombings in Gaza as “meaningful.” However, he also criticized Israel for causing a significant humanitarian disaster with its military actions against Palestine.