Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine appeared on "Mornings On 1" Wednesday to discuss critical issues affecting his borough and the city, including the Israel-Hamas conflict, a rise in hate crimes in New York and the Second Avenue subway expansion. 

Levine said a display of shoes set up in Manhattan to remember hostages held by Hamas emphasized the need to keep their stories in the media, especially as the city begins to see a rise in hate crimes targeting Jewish and Muslim residents. 

Levine acknowledged his own personal ties to Israel and the trauma many New Yorkers are experiencing but stressed the importance of citywide unity. 

“Whatever our disagreements on the conflict, we cannot let it tear us apart as a city and we cannot allow anyone to be targeted here because of their perceived faith or identity,” he said. 

Shifting focus to infrastructure, Levine welcomed the news of $3 billion in federal funding for the Second Avenue subway expansion saying that "this gets us halfway to what the remaining cost is.” 

He also highlighted the project's potential to improve transit access, particularly in East Harlem and the Bronx. 

“This is going to be a game change for transit access and East Harlem, parts of which really are a transit desert. And I don't think everyone understands that we're now going to have a connection to the 4, 5, 6 line from Second Avenue. There'll be access for the Bronx directly, they can now change at 125th. Really, it's going to be a major win for transit,” Levine said. 

The borough president did acknowledge concerns about construction disruptions but remained optimistic that once completed, people will be appreciative of the transit improvements.