Dear Residents and Friends of the Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson,
It deeply saddens me to reflect on the horrific terror attacks on the State of Israel as Israelis were completing their seven-day-long Jewish festival of Sukkot on Saturday. Hamas terrorists based out of Palestine fired thousands of missiles on indiscriminate targets and then breached fences separating Israel from Gaza in order to unleash a bloody terror attack. We are all well aware of the details of civilians being slaughtered, babies beheaded, women raped, and hostages abducted.
Please keep in your thoughts and prayers the innocent civilians purposely targeted and slain. Also, appreciate the pain and fear of the families whose loved ones were taken hostage. New York State has a large Jewish population – our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members. We shall stand with them during this darkest of hours for the State of Israel. Eleven American citizens have been confirmed dead during the attack and an unknown number of American citizens may be held hostage. We pray for their well-being and safe release.
I have ordered all Village of Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY flags on four municipal properties flown in the half-mast position until Friday COB. Regarding queries about official proclamations of support, I have never felt appropriate for the Village Board to engage in geopolitical or even national matters via empty resolution gestures that won’t lead to any concrete solutions (same position we held in regard to Ukraine’s fight against Russia). Our flag lowerings are our one-time symbolic gesture of support. We acknowledge fact that we stand with Israel -- our longtime ally in the Middle East. Terrorism is a global scourge that the world community must eradicate.
With heavy heart and on behalf of your Village Board,
James A. “Jimmy” Gagliano
Mayor