New York governor apologises after suggesting Israeli destruction of Gaza justified

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has apologised after making remarks which suggested Israel had justification to destroy Gaza following Hamas's attack on 7 October.

"If Canada someday ever attacked Buffalo, I'm sorry, my friends, there would be no Canada the next day," Hochul said during a speech on Thursday at a United Jewish Appeal-Federation event in New York.

"That is a natural reaction. You have a right to defend yourself and to make sure that it never happens again. And that is Israel's right."

In a statement on Friday night, she said she regretted "using an inappropriate analogy that I now realise could be hurtful to members of our community", and apologised for her "poor choice of words".

"While I have been clear in my support of Israel's right to self-defence, I have also repeatedly said and continue to believe that Palestinian civilian casualties should be avoided and that more humanitarian aid must go to the people of Gaza," Hochul added.