ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 23 (UPI) -- New York Gov. George Pataki reportedly provided money in his state budget to help the Jewish group, Hadassah, expand its hospital in Israel.
"It's long been said New York is the only city and state with its own foreign policy, but this is something new even for us," Edmund J. McMahon, of the Manhattan Institute, told the New York Post.
If approved, it would be the first time the state's Dormitory Authority, which has been around for six decades, has undertaken a project outside New York.
The funds are earmarked for Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Ein Kerem, Israel, where Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is hospitalized after suffering a devastating stroke.
The Post report did not specify a dollar amount for the budget provision, just saying bonds would be sold.
