Editor’s note: This op-ed is by Don Keelan, a certified public accountant from Arlington.
If one were to have read New York City’s former Mayor Ed Koch’s comments, made this past spring and summer, a conclusion might have been that the mayor dislikes President Obama with a passion.
Koch did not mince words. As far as he was concerned, “President Obama would not hesitate to throw Israel under the bus.” The former mayor was relentless with his criticism of the president’s position on Israel—not only did he rip away at the president in his weekly blog, but he went active politically—in New York’s 9th Congressional District.
You may recall that the 9th Congressional District–with its heavy concentration of Jewish voters — had a recent special election to send a new representative to Congress.
The 9th was the district that former Congressman Anthony Weiner had all locked up–until he unzipped his outer garments, in the Congressional gym, for the world to witness on the Internet.
Last November, the pro-Israeli 9th District had given Weiner, a Democrat, a huge win, 22 points over his nearest rival. It was nearly impossible for the district to ever go to the Republicans–that was until Mayor Koch became combative with his party’s White House occupant.
So what does Koch do? He gets behind the Republican candidate for the 9th District’s congressional seat. He shares with the voters his May 23, 2011 column: “…I do believe he (President Obama) favors a better relationship with the Muslim countries, even if it is at Israel’s expense.”
Koch went on with his rhetoric and noted:
“President Obama’s remarks have lifted up the spirits of Palestinians, who now believe he has given them the upper hand. Supporters of Israel, Jews and Christians, Democrats and Republicans, now is the time to make your positions known. Members of Congress, you are not potted plants. Let the president know you disagree with him. We must stand strong for Israel in this time of danger.”
The voters of the 9th had become so outraged at the president’s position on Israel that they sided with Koch, and the Republican, Turner, was victorious.
The point here is that Koch had overplayed his hand, and by doing so trivialized and polarized a complex situation that has been a major concern for U.S. presidents back as far as the Truman Administration. Issues such as: secured borders, settlements, water rights, partition of Jerusalem, right of return, Palestinian statehood, Israel’s right to exist.
Such issues and others need keen minds and objective negotiators at work–and not the vitriolic comments from a former mayor, who only throws more gasoline onto “the fire.”
The president has travelled a long way since his early days in office when he felt that he had to be cordial to Near East and Middle East dictators. Nevertheless, history will inform us as to whether President Obama is dealing with the Palestinian-Israel issue correctly — and in 2011, it has taken on an even greater significance, if that is possible.
Layered upon the Gaza, West Bank and Israel negotiations, the administration needs to contend with the ultimate outcomes of the uprisings in Egypt, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, Libya and Bahrain, euphemistically referred to as the Arab Spring. Not to be left unnoticed are the troop withdrawals from Iraq and Afghanistan.
And if this was not all-consuming for the president, then add the two big unknowns–Iran and Pakistan–both with nuclear arms capabilities and lurking unrest among its citizens.
In September, Mayor Koch attended a United Nations-sponsored function for delegates, held at New York City’s 42nd Street Public Library. He heard Mr. Obama mention in his remarks that he supports Israel. Writing in his Sept. 26, 2011 blog, the former mayor announced, “I’m now on board the Obama Reelection Express.”
Spoken like a true politician. Now, Mr. Mayor, get on board your city’s Uptown A Train Express and stay on it for a while–your comments only inflame an already combustible environment.
