Westchester County Executive and Rye guy George Latimer is expected back in Westchester Thursday along with a group of fellow elected officials after completing a three day mission to Israel with The Westchester Jewish Council (WJC).
WJC said in a statement the trip was to “demonstrate Westchester County’s strong and bipartisan support for the State of Israel in its right against terrorism”. Latimer acted as the trip’s “Honorary Mission Chairperson”. The group toured Kfar Aza to see the carnage from Hamas, met with the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, spent time at Hadassah Hospital to offer comfort to the injured, visited the headquarters for hostages and missing persons and met with Israeli Opposition Leader, the Hon. Yair Lapid.
“For me this is a sobering trip,” said Latimer. “The land of many faiths – mine and others – always compels. But hearing and understanding the psyche of the region is more important. And we’ve heard compelling voices from every day people.”
Latimer is Catholic and attends The Church of the Resurrection.
“Much to discuss when I return,” said Latimer.
Latimer is expected to launch a primary challenge against sitting Congressman Jamaal Bowman. The Jewish community has been dissatisfied with Bowman, and that dissatisfaction has only been made worse since the start of the war.
The delegation of elected officials from Westchester County that have been on the WJC trip include (in alphabetical order):
- Hon. Justin Brasch, President, White Plains Common Council
- Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Community Leader and Rabbi in Residence, UJA
- Hon. Margaret Cunzio, Westchester County Legislator
- Hon. Vedat Gashi, Chairman of the Board, Westchester County Board of Legislators
- Hon. Ellen Hendrickx, Town Councilwoman, Town of Greenburgh
- Hon. George Latimer, County Executive, Westchester County
- Hon. Amy Paulin, Assembly Member, NYS Assembly
- Hon. Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Council Member, New Rochelle City Council, Mayor-Elect City of New Rochelle
- William H. Schrag, President, Westchester Jewish Council
- Tali Strom, Senior Community Mobilizer, UJA
- Hon. Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, County Legislator, Majority Whip, Westchester County Board of Legislators
