Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Ex-Israeli PM Says Netanyahu "Broke Rules" By Endorsing Romney
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 7, 2012
Modified Nov 7, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Getty Images
By
Jen Chung
Published Nov 7, 2012
Modified Nov 7, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert brought up President Obama's re-election while talking to the Jewish Federation of New York and found it the perfect opportunity to blast current prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's support of Republican candidate Mitt Romney. Olmert said, "Obama was a friend of Israel before he was elected and will remain so now... After what Netanyahu has done in the past few months - it needs to be asked whether the prime minister has a friend in the White House? I'm not sure."
Olmert, who was found guilty of one charge of corruption (not guilty on two others) and is possibly seeking to head back into higher office, also criticized how Netanyahu was happy to support Romney at the urging of Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, "That same billionaire used the prime minister to promote his own presidential candidate. This is a serious violation of the basic bilateral rules, especially when it comes to allies such as Israel and the US."
The NY Times' Lede blog adds, "Several observers detected more than a little awkwardness in video of Mr. Netanyahu with the American ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, on Wednesday, in which he seemed to force a smile as he said, 'I want to congratulate President Obama on his re-election.'"
(Interestingly, Israeli military and intelligence seem to support Obama's stance on Iran, versus Netanyahu's).
Adelson spent $70 million to support Romney—and another $30 million on other PACs. According to Politico, his two big issues are "the security and prosperity of Israel, and opposition to unions, including the so-called card-check proposal that would make it easier for workers to organize."
He reportedly told Romney, "I want to tell you something: I’m not looking for an ambassadorship. I’m not looking for anything, except if I’m fortunate enough to be invited to another [White House] Hanukkah party, I want two potato pancakes, because last time I was there, they ran out of them." Anyway, Adelson won't be getting White House latkes any time soon.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro said today, "The relationship between the president and the prime minister is a good relationship... They work very well together. They meet frequently. They met nine or 10 times. They spoke on the phone regularly. Their teams work extremely well together. I know that President Obama looks forward to an opportunity to visit Israel."
Tagged
benjamin netanyahu
ehud olmert
election 2012
israel
president obama
sheldon adelson
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
These are the NYC neighborhoods that will get free 2-K next fall
All of Staten Island and the Bronx will be eligible for seats.
By
Karen Yi
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. ET
Modified Oct 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
News
Early Addition: Get to know Wanda, the donkey in the Met's 'La Bohème'
Because she's 18 years old now, here are your early links: The RHONY castmember mentioned in the Epstein Files, killing rats with carbon monoxide, Selena Gomez says don't vape and more.
By
James Ramsay
Eric Adams' NYC buildings boss Eric Ulrich heads to trial, 3 years after arrest
By
David Brand
and
Samantha Max
Need help with mental health or addiction services? NYC has a new tool.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYC sues personal injury law firm accused of bogus trip-and-fall claims
By
Walter Wuthmann
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .