By Itzhak RabihiyaNetanyahu spoke with her and her husband Michael Haley in his Jerusalem home. Netanyahu and his wife hosted the couple for lunch Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara hosted this afternoon (Thursday, 27 June 2019), at the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem, US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley and her husband Michael Haley for lunch. Netanyahu said : "The entire people of Israel appreciate the extraordinary way that you represented our alliance between America and Israel and the way you defended Israel and the truth in the UN. You were a great champion of this alliance and you have the enduring gratitude of all the people of Israel, really heartfelt. Thank you." Ambassador Haley said:"Thank you for your hospitality and your friendship but more than that, thank you for your partnership. There have been some really great things between these two administrations and it has forever bonded us. We look forward to many, many more years of strength and partnership between Israel and the United States." President Rivlin met with Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo President Reuven Rivlin met today, Thursday 27 June Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York, who is visiting Israel. This is the third time Governor Cuomo has visited Israel in his current role, following visits during Operation Defensive Shield in 2014 and following a wave of anti-Semitic attacks in New York in 2017.  The president thanked the governor for his constant and vocal friendship and support for Israel over many years. “You are a true friend,” the president said. “Welcome back to Israel and to Jerusalem, our capital! It is good to see you, as always,” noting that the two share the same views on the US-Israel relationship and the vital importance of preserving bi-partisan support. Speaking about anti-Semitism and BDS, the president said, “like you, I am concerned about rising anti-Semitism and appreciate everything you are doing to combat it. We must show absolute opposition to racism and discrimination of any kind. This is also my view on BDS, and we appreciate your Executive Order to withhold funds from BDS supporters.” The president also spoke about the strong ties between Israel and New York: “Every time you come, there are even more areas of cooperation between Israel and New York. We work closely together on technology, cyber, digital health, law enforcement and academia. We also both have densely populated areas that are targets for terrorism, and can learn much from each other about this.” Governor Andrew Cuomo offered his condolences to President Rivlin on the death of Nechama and said “Mr President, when we first met in 2014 we talked about anti-Semitism as a concept. The difference in just five years is frightening. Now there is world-wide anger and intolerance, where any difference is demonized. NYPD reported an 83% rise in anti-Semitism over the last year. Our Jewish community is an intrinsic part of New York State and we are doing everything we can to fight back.” The governor also noted that he was accompanied on his visit by his three daughters as a personal statement of the importance he and his family attach to Israel. “We are family,” he told the president. Attached photo credit: Haim Zach (GPO) | 
