Gov. Cuomo is said to be planning visits to Israel and Puerto Rico in the coming months, partly to drum up business for New York.
It would mark his first travel outside the mainland United States since he became governor, and his first visit to Israel since 2002.
We say good for him. And we hope the governor firms up his plans soon.
For one thing, the announcement of a visit to Israel by a prominent US politician would come as welcome support to a Jewish state now under ferocious attack from Hamas.
At a time when Israeli citizens are taking to bomb shelters because of a non-stop Palestinian rocket barrage, they need to know who their friends are.
The announcement of a Cuomo visit at this time would also be a welcome slap in the face to the boycott-divestment-sanctions movement. The BDS movement aims to choke off Israel’s economic lifeline and turn it into a pariah nation that nobody defends, visits or does business with.
Finally, it would be a significant rebuke to the growing chorus of BDS adherents within Cuomo’s own party.
Recall that at the 2012 national convention in Charlotte, Democrats loudly jeered a line in the party platform recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Recall, too, that this week an Obama official delivered a speech in Tel Aviv blasting the Israelis at a conference that had just been interrupted because of an attack of rockets fired from Gaza.
In short, this is one time that a trip overseas by a state politician would be more than a junket. It would even be more than a boost for a politician with his eye on the White House.
As governor of the state with the largest Jewish population in America, Cuomo is in a unique position to send a message the Israelis — and the Palestinians — need to hear.
So by all means, governor, visit Israel. The sooner you do, the stronger your message. Israel could use the show of solidarity.
And so could your own Democratic Party.