Palestinian Invitation to Cuomo Is Declined

[Jefferson23]

August 12, 2014

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and top New York lawmakers departed for Israel on Tuesday night to express support for that country in the Gaza conflict, but not before receiving an unexpected, and not entirely welcome, invitation: to visit territories that Palestinians regard as part of their future state, including East Jerusalem.

No time, the governor said. No thanks, his fellow travelers said.

Mr. Cuomo and the legislative leaders kicked off what they called their unity mission to the Jewish state with a news conference at Kennedy International Airport, an Israeli flag, flanked by the flags of the United States and the State of New York, behind them.

“Our message is simple and is clear,” the governor said. “We stand with Israel, and we support Israel’s right to defend itself in this conflict.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/13/nyregion/palestinian-ambassador-invites-cuomo-to-visit-occupied-territories.html?_r=1

[msongs]

1. alternative answer: sorry, Palestinians don't donate as much $$ nt

[ellenrr]

4. yeah, also don't vote in NY. nt

[Scootaloo]

2. The message is indeed very clear

especially once you realize "defend Israel" is sort of like the nixonian "law and order." dog-whistling for brutalizing a community.

[ellenrr]

5. ++

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. "Simple"? Yeah. ( As in simplistic.)

Clear? Not so much.

This much is simple and clear though: everyone in that delegation ( excepting Zuckerman) is up for re-election this year.

And Cuomo and Klein have contested primaries in September.