Former New York City Mayor Ed Koch, who recently criticized President Barack Obama, saying he was soft on Israel, has now, in the view of some, done a �180? and is praising the president.
�I�m not an enemy of President Obama. I like him, always have, campaigned for him,� Koch told CBS 2?s John Slattery on Wednesday. �But the fact is I want him to change his position.�
The 86-year-old said he�s for a two-state solution, but he objected to President Obama requiring Israel to go back to pre-�67 borders, without requiring Hamas to give up its pledge of terrorism.
�I said I wanted to send a message. Don�t take the Jewish vote for granted. I think I did send that message.�
When asked if thinks he�s done a 180 on the subject and on his support of the president, Koch said, �I know I haven�t� to each.
In a closely watched Queens congressional race, Koch, a Democrat, supported Republican Bob Turner for the seat vacated by Anthony Weiner, leaving Democrat David Weprin in the lurch. Koch said that backing of Turner was also a message.
�But on the issues of Israel, Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid, we�re in accord,� Koch said.
At the United Nations on Wednesday, Obama urged resumption of negotiations, saying Israel and Palestine should live side by side in peace.
�I think his speech was excellent. I applaud it and hope he will go further,� Koch said.
Koch is now both pro-Israel and pro-Obama, after a short time of mild discomfort regarding the president. He also pointed out that in the last presidential election Obama got 78 percent of the Jewish vote.
(Source: WCBSTV)
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4 Responses
Koch didn’t change his position; he’s a politician, that’s all. There never is a position. Time to break out the Depends, Ed.
I despise Ed Koch for a number of reasons, but I have to say I heard him on the radio a few times last week. He was very clear that he is a Democrat, he is not anti-Obama & he said he would not vote if Obama doesn’t change his position toward Israel. I don’t see he’s said anything different now. Obviously, he’s looking to find anything that makes him more pro-administration in respect of Israel. So Eddie liked Obama’s UN appeasement speech? That’s his right.
The biggest problem is that Obama is a liar. It doesn’t matter what rules he’ll say he’ll play by, when HE is holding the ball it’s his game. Remember that in 2012 & vote ON HIS RECORD.
do u know when bibi is adressing the united nations today
I wonder what Obama and his thugs threatened Koch with.