During an interview with the Algemeiner, the Obama-supporting former New York Mayor Ed Koch blasted former Senator Chuck Hagel’s potential nomination for secretary of defense:
In a recent interview with The Algemeiner, former New York Mayor and staunch backer of President Obama’s re-election, Ed Koch, strongly opposed the possible appointment of former senator Chuck Hagel as America’s next defense secretary, due to the latter’s perceived hostility towards Israel.
“I believe it would be a terrible appointment,” he said, “and so do apparently most of the Jewish leaders who have expressed themselves.”
Explaining his opposition to the appointment, which is looking increasingly likely to materialize, Koch said that it would lead Arab states to believe that President Obama was seeking to create distance between his administration and Israel.
Koch is one of the first pro-Israel Democratic leaders to publicly oppose the possible nomination, but he’s not likely to be the last. Politico’s Josh Gerstein has an good rundown of the pro-Israel community’s concerns about Hagel, which are numerous. He’s best known in those circles for espousing paranoid theories about the “Jewish lobby” and opposing tough sanctions on Iran.
Hagel has his former membership in the Senate club going for him. But the biggest obstacle to Hagel’s possible appointment will be if pro-Israel Democrats line up to oppose him.
What's this? A Jew – excuse me, Jewish – former mayor blasting Hagel in a Jew – excuse me, Jewish – newspaper? Hagel, Walt, Mearsheimer and the usual Israelaphobes and Jewaphobes will seize on this as futher 'proof' of their theories. Whaddya say, Dub? n nAnyone want to start a pool as to how many comments it takes for some trool to start lambasting the AIPAC agenda? How about the first use of Israel Firster?
What I cannot understand is why US jews are so loyal to the Democratic Party willing to endanger their mother country just to satisfy the Democrats ? Why the hate for Christian evangelicals ?Obama from the start are already exhibiting contempt for Israel and the jews. His muslim heritage nrequires that as for Muslims Jews are their mortal enemy. n
"Koch said that it would lead Arab states to believe that President Obama was seeking to create distance between his administration and Israel." n nThere should be distance between the US and ALL of its allies. Our foreign policy must be independent.
There should be distance between HillelA and the US — at least as much as the distance between HillelA and reality.
Are we aware of the definition of the term "ally" and "allies"? Do we even know what the word means? n nMy guess is HillelA does not — and if our foreign policy is independent and distant from our allies, well then they really aren't allies…..
Right independent. That is why we tolerate the Muslim brotherhood visit to the White House yet Obama will go out of his way to avoid Netanyahu.
Sorry, but what can one say about people like Ed Koch (Dershowitz is in the same bag) who despite all his hand-wringing about Obama not being good for the Jews nevertheless pulls the lever for Obama and even urges other Jews to do the same. Now he tells us that Obama's probable Defense Secretary is basically a closet anti-Semite and that he is deeply disappointed. Clearly, this man despite his advanced age should spend his remaining time on this earth talking to a shrink and not making anymore public statements. Much like the Bourbons he has both forgotten nothing and learned nothing.
Even Hillary I suspect is bias against Israel, yet the US Jews are among the ardent followers of hers.
I like Ms. Goodman's point about the Pro-Israel Democrats — and that is the true wild card here. Obama is trying to split and divide the GOP and doing a fairly good job of it, but if he in the process manages to split off a good chunk of his own party, forcing them to make a choice between being Jewish and being a Democrat, with most of them making the choice for Israel rather than Obama, he may have done more than just shoot himself in the foot.
Wont be surprise if many will choose to be better Democrats.
ed koch a useful idiot proving that our co-religionists are not all that smart. n
Also useful idiots are those Jews who voted for Obama because Koch says so inspite what their brain is telling them.
Ed Koch is a useful idiot
Hey Koch!!, but you assured us that obama loved Israel! what happened idiot?
You were the idiot because you believe him instead of studying Obama`s pronouncement and deeds against Israel. Did it not ever occur to you that if Obama will meet with the Muslim Brotherhood at the White House and will not give Bibi the time of day something is wrong ?
I agree with the Wahington Post that Chuck Hagel would make a very bad choice for Secretary of Defense for many of the reasons stated and that Flournoy is a much better choice. n nI would add that Chuck Hagel's comments are racist and condescending . Imagine anyone saying the NAACP or LA Raza intimidate many people. n nDefense Secretary is a job that needs someone who is very strong yet diplomatic not a hothead. n nI am very disappointed that Charles Schumer has decided to remain silent on this matter. n nI think many New York voters should seriously consider never voting for him again.
He nominated Hagel so he could impliment his anti Israel policies, nothing easier than that. This man Obama hates Israel no matter what you apologists for him says. If he is willing to let Iran develop nuclear weapons, let the Muslim Brotherhood take over Egypt at the expense of Mubarak na US ally and Israel what more do people want as proof ?
What is so frustrating with the U.S. Jews is their fanatical love for the Democrats and hatred for Christianity. I am talking about the secular Jews. Usually second and third generations of immigrants have some loyalty to the country of their parents and grandparents. Secular Jews mostly do not.
bs'd nAnd the rest of us hightailed it out of Dodge when Mr Obama was elected the first time. Like our father Yacov, we could read the smile on the man's face and understood it was time to leave.