Christie 'Missed Opportunity' to Gain Jewish Support A prominent Jewish media outlet is castigating New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie for failing to mention Israel in his address at the Champions of Jewish Values International Awards Gala in New York.
Christie spoke for 18 minutes at the May 18 event before a gathering of mostly Jewish dignitaries — including Israeli Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, Nobel Prize-winning activist Elie Wiesel, and casino magnate and Republican benefactor Sheldon Adelson.
"No one understands any longer who America stands with or against," Christie declared, attacking the Obama administration’s foreign policy.
But not only did he make no reference to the Middle East peace process, he never even mentioned Israel by name.
"One would think that this would be an easy, shining moment for Gov. Christie to gain support and traction for his future presidential campaign by appealing to the Zionist Jewish world," The Jewish Voice said in an opinion piece.
"Unfortunately, he missed his opportunity and in fact caused harm to his future prospects."
Christie already had raised the ire of many in the Jewish community when he referred to the West Bank as the "occupied territories" in a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas in March.
"He had the chance to atone for this 'slip-up,' and instead he has worsened his position among Zionist Republicans," The Jewish Voice opined.
"This can only severely hurt Christie's campaign in the upcoming election if he cannot find ways to redeem himself."
Texas Gov. Rick Perry also spoke at the awards gala in New York and did mention Israel, saying "Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state."
The Voice added: "Christie will lose important allies, such as major GOP donor Sheldon Adelson, and will find it difficult to navigate his presidential course if he does not open up about critical political matters such as allegiance with Israel."
Poster Comment:
Obama's foreign policy is a sham. ;)