ALBANY, NY (October 7, 2025) — Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered flags on New York State buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, October 7, to honor the victims of the Hamas attack on Israel two years ago. Additionally, she directed that landmarks across the state be illuminated in yellow to show solidarity with Israel and the 48 remaining hostages still held captive.
“Two years after the horrific attack on the people of Israel, we stand with Jewish people in New York and around the world today and every day, and remember the victims of that tragic day and those still held hostage today,” Hochul said. “As the home of the largest Jewish population outside of Israel, we mourn this tragedy and continue to pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages, an end to the war, and a lasting peace.”
Landmarks to be lit in yellow include One World Trade Center, the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, the Kosciuszko Bridge, the H. Carl McCall SUNY Building, the State Education Building, the Alfred E. Smith State Office Building, Empire State Plaza, the State Fairgrounds’ Main Gate and Expo Center, Niagara Falls, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Mid-Hudson Bridge, the Grand Central Terminal Pershing Square Viaduct, Albany International Airport Gateway, the MTA LIRR East End Gateway at Penn Station, the Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal, and Moynihan Train Hall.
Following a recent antisemitic attack in Manchester, England, during the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, Hochul directed the New York State Police to increase patrols at religious sites and conduct outreach to Jewish communities statewide. Heightened uniformed patrols will continue throughout the week, with the state’s Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit and special operations teams fully engaged.
In Westchester County, County Executive Ken Jenkins also directed that flags on county properties be lowered to half-staff on October 7 in remembrance of the victims. “Westchester joins communities across New York State in remembering the innocent lives lost during the October 7 attack,”
Jenkins said. “We stand with our Jewish neighbors in mourning this tragedy and in praying for peace, healing and the safe return of all who remain held hostage.”
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.