In a telephone interview, Koch told NY1 that he is backing Turner to send a message to President Barack Obama about his stance on Israel. An official announcement is to come Monday.

The Democrat in the race, David Weprin, has argued that he is so pro-Israel, it doesn't make sense to vote against him to protest Obama's Middle East policies. Congressman Gary Ackerman, a Democrat who is supporting Weprin, called Koch's approach "deeply irresponsible."