Ed Koch Urges New Yorkers to Replace Weiner with Pro-Israel GOP Candidate

In defiance of the Obama administration's Israel policy, long-time Democrat and former New York mayor Ed Koch is urging voters in Queens and Brooklyn to "make history" by replacing disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner with a pro-Israel Republican candidate. According to Koch, he wants "put a shot across Obama's bow."

The New York Post reports:

Koch -- a staunch ally of Israel -- said he would "vote for Bob Turner" if the Republican-Conservative candidate backs Israel and opposes cutbacks to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

"If Jewish New Yorkers and others who support Israel were to turn away from the Democratic Party in that congressional election and elect the Republican candidate to Congress in 2011, it might very well cause President Obama to change his hostile position on the state of Israel and to re-establish the special relationship presidents before him had supported," Koch said in his weekly commentary.

Koch is reportedly furious with the President over asking Israel "return" to its 1967 "borders" and for considering cutting entitlement spending.

But the Post suggests Koch's comments might become a thorn in the side of the man "hand picked" by Democrats to fill Weiner's shoes -- Assemblyman David Weprin.

Weprin has reportedly received the backing of the Independence Party and it should come as no surprise he has already garnered the support of the union-backed Working Families Party.

To further complicate the matter, Turner, a retired media executive, could face funding challenges as Democrats hold a 100,000-voter registration advantage in the district. Based on the odds, Republicans reportedly might not be keen on pouring money into the candidate unless he "catches fire."