New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is traveling to Israel in a gesture of solidarity as acts of anti-Semitism spread across the nation.

Cuomo announced the trip Wednesday during a speech to Orthodox Jewish students, parents and teachers advocating at the state Capitol for increased funding for religious schools.

Cuomo says the visit this weekend will send a message of support to the Jewish community. It will focus on technology and security collaboration with Israeli leaders.

Cuomo denounced local and national incidents of vandalism and threats in Jewish cemeteries, college campuses and community centers as “repugnant,” and said a special task force is working to hunt down those responsible.

Cuomo shared a similar message earlier in the morning at the Sidney Albert Albany Jewish Community Center.

(AP)