Former Mayor Ed Koch Rips President Obama's Israel Policy; Endorses Republican To Send Message
NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch is crossing party lines to endorse a Republican candidate for Congress, citing what he called President Barack Obama's "hostility" towards Israel.
"President Obama imposes conditions on Israel -- says the '67 Lines -- and doesn't impose any conditions on the Palestinian Authority, which now includes Hamas, a terrorist organization," Koch said.
Koch held a press conference Monday morning in which he threw his support behind businessman Bob Turner, who is running for the 9th Congressional District seat vacated by the scandal-scarred Anthony Weiner.
1010 WINS' Stan Brooks Hears From The Former Mayor
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Turner will be running against Democrat David Weprin.
"I disagree with him on the way he views the State of Israel and what I perceive to be his hostility," Koch said.
Koch said the President's demands on Israel would have a negative affect on its national security and was critical of his policy because it doesn't make comparable demands to the Palestinians.
"I want to send a message that's not the vision that New Yorkers and Jewish and Christian supporters of the State of Israel have," Koch said.
Stan Brooks of 1010 WINS' spoke with one Republican supporter of Turner who said Koch's endorsement will help.
"This will make a lot of people take up and notice Bob more and see that he is a different candidate," he said. "I think it'll help people in Queens look at this in a serious note -- especially the Democrats, the independents and I think this could turn the tide."
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