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By Newsmax Wires
(November 10, 2025 / Newsmax) Republican gubernatorial candidate Elise Stefanik was honored Sunday night in New York City with the Zionist Organization of America's Maccabee Warrior Award, recognizing her "leadership in combating antisemitism."
The award came just a week after Stefanik officially launched her campaign for New York governor, setting up a high-stakes race against Democrat Kathy Hochul, whom she called "the weakest and worst governor in America."
In her fiery acceptance speech, Stefanik invoked the Hanukkah story of the Maccabees, calling it a lesson in faith and resistance.
"The Maccabees proved that courage, faith, and conviction can defeat tyranny and darkness," she said.
"The ZOA is an organization of modern-day Maccabees — proud, unapologetic defenders of the Jewish people and the Jewish state."
She paid tribute to Omer Neutra and Itay Chen, New Yorkers murdered by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, whose remains were only recently returned home.
"Because of the tireless efforts of President Trump, these hostages were returned," she said, vowing continued prayers for those still missing.
Stefanik, who led the historic congressional hearing on antisemitism in higher education, revisited the viral moment that turned her into a national conservative star.
"I asked a simple question to the presidents of Harvard, MIT, and Penn — does calling for the genocide of Jews violate your university's code of conduct?" she said.
"One after another said, 'It depends on the context.' Let me be clear — it does NOT depend on the context."
The exchange, she said, "set off a global reckoning" and "delivered accountability in higher education that we are still just beginning."
Introducing Stefanik, Dr. Miriam Adelson praised her as "a brave lady" with "the guts to say the truth."
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