12 Responses for "JTA’s Ron Kampeas goes 1-on-1 with Barack Obama"

1. I Randoolph S. Shiner April 9th, 2008 at 6:26 pm

   Brilliant interview.The only thing that I would have liked to know was what he thought about the role and responsibility is of other Arab states vis a vis the Palestinians. Why should this problem be 100% Israel’s? It did not create it alone.

   On the whole, Mr. Obama’s answers and commentary were music to these common-sense- starved ears. When asked “which camp” he’s in, his answer was “I’m in the common sense camp”. The equation is very simple, Mr. Obama: security = peace for Israel and the entire region. The question is not who will say “no”, but who will be the first to say “YES”. Any bets that it’s the Jews who do it first? Re-read what Tony Mc Peak said in 1976 and then ponder it a bit. Then kindly go to my piece on Tony McPeak.(randyscornerdeli.blogspot.com/2008/03/on-tony-mcpeaks-article-and-statements.html) I will represent to you that this is a valid view of a reasonable, common sense Jew who was raised in a Reform Temple in Chicago and who has found peace at a liberal Modern Orthodox shul in the west coast. So I have lived both lives and heard all the arguments. And none make sense, except one: common sense.

   Thank GOD that you had the balls to run. Good for you. May God bless you and keep you always. Can get you a Corned Beef on Rye? Yellow mustard? Fine This one is on the house, brother.

   Randy Shiner

2. mandy orleans April 9th, 2008 at 11:58 pm

   the arab countries are artificial creations of colonial powers. there is no difference between so called palestinians jordanians iraqis syrians etc they are all arabs and should have 1 country. you dont see seperate countries being created for syrian Jews, iraqi Jews yemini Jews etc. they were all lumped into the zionist nut house called israel and given 1 country.

3. meir April 10th, 2008 at 6:51 am

   If there weren’t any arabs in Israel, the world including O. Hussein Obama would not be able to beat Israel over the head with the nonsensical palestinian issue.
   No arabs
   No problem
   Transfer is the Answer!!

4. Carole April 10th, 2008 at 6:55 am

   A thoughtful & thought-provoking interview.
   Finally common sense without pandering. As Obama states, open discourse on the Israeli-Palestinian issue exists in Israel. Many American Jews, despite the rhetoric from the Jewish establishment organizations, are also willing to engage in a dialogue on this subject.
   He also understands that a key to regional peace & security is the ability to engage all countries in the region without compromising our moral obligations.

5. Marc April 10th, 2008 at 7:22 am

   Obama says Palestinians deserve CONTIGUOUS LAND MASS, which means ISRAEL DESERVES TO BE DIVIDED IN HALF. Is this an objective, fair position to promulgate? Peace does not require any negotiations or concessions. Peace requires that the Muslims stop trying to intimidate and kill Christians and Jews.

6. Gary April 10th, 2008 at 7:46 am

   Does anyone want to Buy a Bridge?

7. Emanuela April 10th, 2008 at 1:46 pm

   Gary has it right. I am glad someone is pointing out the huge inconsistency: you don’t have to be a Harvard lawyer to figure out that contiguous land for Palestinians means dividing Israel in half. Obama is engaging is the usual liberal doublespeak to appease the far left nutcases who would gladly see Israel destroyed. And why are Palestinian children and their welfare only Israel’s responsibility? Israel is first and outmost reponsible for its own children. Why are Palestinian children taught and indocrinated to kill and maim Jews and yet Israel is resposible for their welfare?

8. meir April 10th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

   then why dont the big mouth israeli know it alls speak up?

9. Bob Martin April 11th, 2008 at 12:02 am

   Get past the smooth baritone doubletalk. Obama is not our friend. His statements show that he is woefully ignorant of the actual situation here in Israel. Obama’s goals are indistinguishable from those of Sayed Qutub. The only solution is massive Aliyah. Israel needs to EXPAND the borders, not shrink them.

10. MARLA April 11th, 2008 at 11:45 am

    IT IS ABOUT TIME FOR SOME STRAIGHT TALK. ISRAEL IS NOT THE 51st STATE. IF THEY CONTINUE TO PUT SETTLEMENTS IN JERSULEM AND ELSEWHERE, IT IS OBVIOUS THEY DON’T WANT PEACE. IT IS TIME FOR THE DEBATE….WHY DO WE SUPPORT ISRAEL?

11. Michael Several April 11th, 2008 at 1:33 pm

    When Ron Kampeas talks about the pro-Israel lobby, he is not speaking for me. I am not only pro-Israel, but pro America and those who advocate looking at the Middle East through Likud’s eyes have done incredible damage to my country’s national interest. As the Iraq Study Group noted, my country needs to be fully engaged and consistently engaged in the Peace Process, and if necessary pressure Isreal. Kurtzer’s suggestion about cold-shouldering Israeli leaders is rather mild. More could be done: joining the rest of the world in declaring settlements as illegal under international law; going to the UN and getting a Security Council resolution against the continuing settlement activity; re-evaluating our relationship with Israel to make our obligations compatible with the benefits we derive.

12. Arkady April 11th, 2008 at 3:57 pm

    Isroel is the only US friend on Middle East. It is the only country in the rigeon that people were not dancing on 9/11. It is the only US friend that knows how to fight terror.
    If you get together Mrrs. Carter, Farracain, Haim Jakson they of cause would apploud. Who but this polititions already harmed America?
    Give Mr. Shapiro, Obama advisor Rothshield’s 1932 hat. But remind , please, that Rotshield did not get a “personal” gas chamber