Pipes told JNS that if someone associates with a group that is designated by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization, it should be a simple decision for a U.S. attorney not to lend him his support.
Christie’s critics also point to his 2011 appointment of Sohail Mohammed, an attorney in the Qatanani trial, to a state Superior Court judgeship.
Jacob Toporek, executive director of the New Jersey State Association of Jewish Federations, took a nuanced approach. While the Jewish community looked into Christie’s relationship with the state’s sizable Islamic community, it concluded that the governor is generally supportive of Jewish community concerns, he said.
“It would have been better if he’d not used the [‘occupied territories’] phrase, but I certainly don’t doubt his sincerity and support for the State of Israel,” Toporek told JNS.
Christie has not officially announced his candidacy for the 2016 GOP nomination but is one of a handful of nationally recognized Republican politicians already crisscrossing the country speaking with donors and activists at conventions and battleground states. He had been considered the most electable potential GOP candidate until revelations last September that his staff was responsible for lane closures on the George Washington Bridge as retribution against Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich for not supporting Christie’s reelection.
Pipes was unsure about whether he would attend the Boteach gala, but is adamant that he would not support Christie in a presidential race.
“I’m against him,” said Pipes. “I’m a Republican. I like the general field of Republicans, but I am against Christie, and will do all I can to bring attention to his unsatisfactory record.”
(JNS/Washington Jewish Week)