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Obama's half brother visits Israel
Akiva Novick
Published: 11.05.11, 14:50
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30 Talkbacks for this article
1. what a soap opera
yoni ,   tel aviv   (05.11.11)
So Obama has a white middle american grandma, black kenyan father, jewish half brother and another brother who is a Kenyan terrorist? am I getting the whole picture ?
2. yes Yoni, this a real soap opera
Daniela   (05.11.11)
i only hope in a happy end :)
3. Prez. 0's Brother
JC   (05.11.11)
Well, well, well, who would have thunked. Nice set-up tho?!
4. Pollard
Mike Carmel ,   Rishon le Zion   (05.11.11)
Pollard is an AMERICAN citizen, serving time in an AMERICAN jail for spying for a foreign country against his own country - AMERICA. The fact that he is Jewish is completely irrelevant. Therefore his case is purely and simply an AMERICAN issue and Israel should keep well out of it. If they decide to keep him in jail then that's their decision. If they decide to release him then that's their decision. But they may decide also to prevent him from coming to Israel - just like Vanunu can't leave Israel. It's really UGLY watching Israeli politicians grovelling to Obama to release this man from his own country's incarceration.
5. So how many wives did this dude have?
Dan ,   USA   (05.11.11)
And why do otherwise intelligent appearing women seem to have fallen for him so?????
6. self-recognized?
Paul ,   USA   (05.11.11)
The article didn't say if Ndesandjo considered himself Jewish or just "having a Jewish mother". If the former, then kewl, if the latter, then this is probably orchestrated pandering before the election.
7. just wonder how many siblings nobama
ghostq   (05.11.11)
has? just wondering, too many brothers from part of diffrent families, and he is willing to make them part of the political agenda? wow talking about shady morals.
8. No.4 Mike
Madeleine ,   Rehovot Israel   (05.11.11)
Thepoint is, the material Pollard handled in no way compromised American security, Nevertheless and despite the fact that spies, whose activities did indeed harm American interests and compromise agents in the field, were given lesser priosn terms, Caspar Weiberger - known for his Anti-Israel stance - decided to make an example of Pollard and basically saw to it that he was incarcerated for life and the key thrown away. Murderers get lesser sentences and are elgible for early release subject to their prison terms reduced for good behaviour etc. You really are quite vicious about it, aren't you?
9. what a story!
jared ,   us   (05.11.11)
10. #5 Dan
BEN JABO ,   ISRAEL   (05.11.11)
Easy answer, their genes replaced their brains
11. Polard versus M. Vanunu
Silhouette ,   Monaco   (05.11.11)
#4 you hit right into the Israeli hypocrisy. While the establishment in Israel cry as hard as they may trying to ask for justice in the case of Polard; the same solidarity is not extended to Mordecai Vanenu. Thus whats goog....for....is terrible...good....for..
12. @ # 4
Sheik Rattle & Roll ,   USA   (05.11.11)
Thank you. I couldn't of said it better. They don't realize that they are backing Obama into a corner by publicizing the issue and making an American traitor a hero for betraying his country. Just because he is Jewish doesn't mean squat to the American public. He was entrusted with top secret material that he allegedly sold to a foreign power which is a capital crime that could of warranted death. If Obama releases Pollard he will lose public support fast.
13. #11 Different on so many levels
Rod ,   Fargo N.Dakota   (05.11.11)
Vannunu fled the country of Israel ,Vannunu is not in prison.On the other hand the Israelis at whose embassy he was wouldn't let Pollard in.Number 2 Pollards case reviewed by the infamous U.S. spy Aldrich Ames who tried to pin the intelligence he gave to the Soviets onto Pollard. That was later discovered by FBI when when even after Pollard was incarcerated Russian citizens who were U.S. assets continue to be executed by the Soviets.BTW on his in last book Weinberger admitted the Pollard case was over blown and that Pollards release would be fine with him.
14. And what should Israel do about America's spies, Mike?
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (05.11.11)
Mike writes in high dudgeon about Pollard for "spying for a foreign country". But if Israel has abandoned any attempt to obtain classified data in the US, the reverse can't be said. It's broadly assumed that the large CIA station in Tel Aviv doesn't limit its activities to exchange of intelligence. Wikileaks cables have confirmed activities to obtain very sensitive information about Israeli communication and other matters, and not by asking. The US' X-Band radar installation in the Negev is ostensibly intended to watch for Iranian missiles, but they also watch everything flying in Israel's skies. And Israel's presence at that site is restricted, so the US tells Israel only what it chooses. It's also generally known that several US spies have been caught in Israel and quietly shipped home. Maybe if Israel held on to them and exposed their activities it would shed a very different light on the Pollard affair.
15. "Jewish genes" everywhere
Michael ,   California, USA   (05.11.11)
It is impossible to count, of course, but the fact is Jewish women have delivered over the years children to fathers of many, many races. Whether by free will or through coersion, "Jewish genes" have been extensively mixed in populations. It has been happening throughout the very long Jewish history and continues to happen in our times. One mathematical model I heard about computed there are more than one billion people alive today who can trace their roots to Jewish genes, as does Mr. Mark Ndesandjo. In view of such large numbers, the Orthodox definition of who is a Jew is worthless, utterly meaningless. Only the cultural definition of who is Jew makes sense to me, a person who identifies her/him self with Jewish history and culture, no matter what the racial or religious background.
16. Madeleine no 8
Mike Carmel ,   Rishon le Zion   (05.11.11)
No Madeleine, not vicious - just pointing out the hard dry facts as they stand. Israeli politicians are making fools of themselves by ranting on about Pollard all the time. Look at comment # 12 and see what I mean. In addition to that they are also guilty of double standards because if they pander to release Pollard then they should also let Vanunu emigrate. As you say, both have served their time and both betrayed their OWN respective countries. Bleating about being Jewish and therefore eligible for Israeli citizenship doesn't give you an excuse for betraying your OWN country.
17. #12 look up the meaning of traitor and stop showing how igno
Rod ,   Fargo N.Dakota   (05.11.11)
A Traitor is someone who gives info to an enemy country during time of war with that country
18. how did this kenya man get so many wives and americans
(05.11.11)
what did he have to make him so appealing to these people, these women, and why do these women want to shre him with so many others. this is something i would never do and think it reminds me a tv program sister wives on tv in the usa, one man has several wives living with him, and lots of kiddies, stupid!
19. Obama's brother visit Israel
Harold ,   USA   (05.11.11)
This guy represents the Obama Family so there is not need for President Obama to do the same.
20. 19
birdi ,   israel   (05.11.11)
you dont honestly think we are going to believe your hogwash of a talkback. this is obama's half-brother, who has telephone contact with his brother...thats all. he does not represent the obama family 1 iota. stop with your stupidly.
21. 15 Michael
ORA ,   JERUSALEM   (05.11.11)
The last 2000 years the Jews have nor common history nor culture. Please tell me how you define Judaisme,
22. You Have GOT To Be Joking!
David H ,   Marietta USA   (05.11.11)
Does Barry even know about this dude?
23. Madeleine/#4/Pollard
Miriam ,   USA   (05.11.11)
Having read NSA /NSC/FBI/ CIA assessments of the 1 Million + TOP SECRET docs that were "SOLD" by Pollard to Israel thanks to his handlers including Rafi Eitan he put his country (USA) in great jeopardy but did it for the money, not ideology only accepting Israeli citizenship after he was sentenced. How could Ms Madeleine claim to know better than all those involved in attempting to assess the grave damage done to the US? she states "in no way compromised US security"??? His punishment suits the crime and he deserves the time. The only vicious thing here is the arrogance to assume that what he did for money deserves any 'leniency'. He got his just reward.
24. and Michelle's cousin, Val Jarrett's great-grandpa...
Sue ,   Los Angeles   (05.11.11)
Trying to present (the anti-Israel) Obama as pro-Israel, the Re-Elect Obama campaign is in full swing today, pandering to Jews and other ethnic voter groups (they're also resurrecting the "Dream Act" to court the Hispanic vote). In the last campaign, they dug up a cousin of Michelle Obama who is a rabbi, and during Passover 2011, all of a sudden, his aide Valerie Jarrett said she recently found out she had a Jewish great-grandfather. They probably sent the half-brother to Israel in response to the (for them, very disturbing) results in the new Hebrew Union College survey showing that Obama's support among Jewish voters has dropped almost 30 points since 2008 (Google "Survey Confirms the Depth of the Political Divide among Jewish Voters").
25. Why would Israel's ally treat Pollard like this ...
Lee ,   Manchester UK   (05.11.11)
i still cannot believ tha tthis man is still rotting in a US since i was 16 ... i'm now 41! The White House treats it's enemies with more humanity and respect.
26. #21ORA, You wanted a definition.
Michael ,   California, USA   (05.11.11)
Good approach ORA. Let's start defining, and "Culture" should be first, before we define "Judaisme," agree? Culture is a complex term as you can easily convince yourself of online or in dictionaries. The American College Dictionary, which I use at home, has this to say: " ... the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings, which is transmitted from one generation to another. ..." By this definition, Obama's half brother is not of the same culture as I am when it comes to Jewish history and its broad background. If you wish to dig this topic, I suggest you try to define Culturally what Ashkenazi and Sefaradi mean, and what Israeli means. I am sure you will find such definitions much more relevant to defining who is a Jew than the Orthodox genetic approach.
27. Pollard is a traitor to the United States
Z   (05.12.11)
Anyone who spies on his country is a traitor and should be punished as such - harshly. Similarly, Azmi Bishara is a traitor to Israel for spying on Israel, and Israel has every right to treat him as such. Spying is spying, whether it is on behalf of someone who appears to be tied to a friendly country (but might be a mole working for someone else), or whether it is on behalf of someone who is clearly an enemy. He who spies on his country is a traitor. Pollard is a traitor and should remain locked up.
28. To: #27
BothWays ,   Israel   (05.12.11)
Is 'training' to become a spy also a crime? After all, you did say "spying is spying"; ...guess we got lock up all of the CIA, Shabak, MI-5, FBI, Mossad and round up all the ol`KGB folk as well. Hey, it's just a job - just don't get caught at it, huh?
29. NDESANDJO NEVER DISCUSSED POLLARD
Norman Kaplan ,   Beijing, China   (05.30.11)
Sir, – The article “Obama’s Jewish half-brother tells Metzger he’ll appeal for Pollard” (May 12) by Gil Hoffman in the Jerusalem Post stated incorrectly that a discussion about Jonathan Pollard took place in a private meeting between Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger and Mark Obama Ndesandjo. Ndesandjo, a US citizen, was visiting Israel as my guest. I personally attended, from start to finish, the meeting that is the subject of Gil Hoffman’s article and can tell your readers categorically in the strongest possible terms that it focused exclusively on Ndesandjo. Nothing political was discussed. Jonathan Pollard never came up. No representative of the Israeli or world press was present during or after the meeting, and no press interviews were granted to anyone by Ndesandjo or me in Israel or subsequently. The press spokesman of the Chief Rabbi’s office, Avi Blumenthal, who was cited in the article, was not present at the meeting, nor did any of our party meet him or speak with him before or afterward. NORMAN C. KAPLAN Cleveland, Ohio
30. Obama and his brother trying to
Moragh   (06.08.11)
get into the race to gobble up American tax-payers money. Wht a set-up and what obama won't do to make sure he serves another 4 years. Get tht no-good president out of the white house and forget he ever had an american title such s President. President, Yah, my foot!
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