The Full Transcript of Forward Editor-in-Chief's Interview With Obama

[Little Tich]

Source: The Jewish Daily Forward

Here is the transcript of Jane Eisner’s interview with President Obama on Friday, August 28 in the Oval Office. The questions have been edited slightly for clarity. His responses are published here in full.

JANE EISNER: You have been generous in explaining the Iran deal to all sorts of people, so I want to focus on two specific issues that are really concerning me and I know others in the Jewish community.

The first is rooted in the legitimate fear that Iran will use some of its sanction relief to fund nefarious actions in the region, especially against Israel. In his statement opposing the deal, [New York] Senator [Chuck] Schumer said restrictions should have been put in place limiting how Iran can use these new resources. I’m wondering what kind of further assurances you can give Israelis and their supporters that those resources — the Iranian resources — will not put them in more danger.

And how does that not spur on a conventional arms race in the region?

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: Well, first of all, Jane, I think it’s important to recognize that the reason that Iran came to the table to negotiate a “no nuclear weapons” pledge was because of unprecedented sanctions that we were able to structure. Congressional sanctions have been on the books for years. They have not been effective in changing Iranian behavior. What was effective was, when I came into office, our ability to mobilize vigorous multilateral support for sanctions and very vigorous enforcement of sanctions. And as a consequence, the Iranian economy really cratered. And obviously, that’s now been compounded by the severe drop in oil prices.

So, by definition, they were going to get some of their own money back as part of a deal. That was their incentive to engage with the world community in the first place. It’s estimated they’ll get about $50 billion. But as we’ve said repeatedly, the bulk of those dollars they are going to have to use for propping up their economy and getting it back on an even keel.

There have been protests inside of Iran that don’t get reported on much here because teachers aren’t getting paid and pension limits aren’t being fulfilled. And so we anticipate — and this is based on careful analysis by Treasury and Jack Lew — that most of that money will be going to spur on their economy.

Read more: http://forward.com/news/320091/read-the-transcript-of-forward-editor-in-chiefs-interview-with-barack-obama/

[tecelote]

1. The real problem with the Iran deal is it might lead to Peace.

'Sorry to have used such strong language. I know Peace is not to be mentioned in America anymore.

Profits trump Peace every time!

- maybe the "T" should be capitalized.

[shira]

10. Yeah sure....all the death to America/Israel threats by Iran's leaders...

....since the talks ended definitely point to peace on the horizon.

[oberliner]

2. Israel isn’t just an ally, it’s not just a friend — it’s family.

Well said.

[King_David]

3. +1

[King_David]

4. He squashed any accusation of "dual loyalties "with that ...

I've seen such accusations and hints of such even here on DU...

[geek tragedy]

5. The Israeli government and the domestic Israel Lobby are doing everything

to undermine that.

"Pro-Israel" is more and more being coded as "the Republican position" and becoming ideologically a rightwing position.

Iran? The pro-Israel position is belligerence, unilateralism, and military confrontation.

Palestinians? The pro-Israel position is to oppose any meaningful diplomatic effort to create a Palestinian state--the pro-Israel position is that our job is to support whatever Israel decides to do.

Settlements? The pro-Israel position is to oppose restrictions on settlement building.

AIPAC, AJC etc? Partisan Republican operations at this point. Contrast their vehement denunciations of leftwing conferences discussing the "one state solution" vs the mainstreaming of the one-state solution within the Republican party.

In US politics, Chuck Schumer and his flunkies like Steve Israel are the only Democrats who are considered as "pro-Israel" as the least pro-Israel Republican. If you vote against the wishes of Israel's government, how can you be considered as pro-Israel as those who vote 100% of the time in line with what Israel's government wants?

As is the case with every other ideological/partisan issue, once a position becomes branded as a Republican one and infused with rightwing ideology, there will be increased polarization.

[oberliner]

6. Only in your mind

Almost all Congressional Democrats consider themselves to be Pro-Israel and almost all of them support the Iran deal.

Almost all Congressional Democrats consider themselves to be pro-Israel and every single one of them supports diplomatic efforts to create a Palestinian state and a two-state solution.

In fact, many prominent pro-Israel Democrats have devoted much of their Congressional career working towards this goal.

Almost every pro-Israel Congressional Democrat as well as the President have spoken out against settlements.

AIPAC's number one point with respect to the peace process is: AIPAC strongly supports a two-state solution and works tirelessly to bring peace to the region. A two-state solution – a Jewish state of Israel living in peace with a demilitarized Palestinian state – with an end to all claims is the clear path to resolving this generations-old conflict.

Countless US Democrats are voting in support of the Iran deal despite the fact that the current Israeli government opposes it. As Obama said, this is a policy disagreement between close friends (or family members).

[geek tragedy]

7. and yet, for all of their support of Israel, they are no longer considered as pro-israel as Ted Cruz

AIPAC pretends to support a two-state solution, just like Netanyahu.

But, the Republican National Party's platform calls for a one-state solution. It's an explicit repudiation of the two-state solution.

AN RNC RESOLUTION TO COMMEND THE NATION OF ISRAEL FOR ITS RELATIONS

WITH THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

WHEREAS, Israel has been granted her lands under and through the oldest recorded deed as reported in the

Old Testament, a tome of scripture held sacred and reverenced by Jew and Christian, alike, as the acts and

words of God; and

WHEREAS, as the Grantor of said lands, God stated to the Jewish people in the Old Testament; in Leviticus,

Chapter 20, Verse 24: “Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth

with milk and honey”; and

WHEREAS, God has never rescinded his grant of said lands; and

WHEREAS, along with the grant of said lands to the Jewish people, God provided for the non-Jewish

residents of the land in commanding that governance must be in one law for all without drawing distinction

between Jewish and non-Jewish citizens, as contained in Leviticus 24:22, and

WHEREAS, the Nation of Israel declared its independent control and governance of said lands on May 14,

1948, with the goal of re-establishing their God-given lands as a homeland for the Jewish people; and

WHEREAS, the United States of America, having been the first country to recognize Israel as an independent

nation and as Israel’s principal Mideast ally, has enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with

Israel and her people; and

WHEREAS, indeed, Israel is the United States of America’s greatest friend in the Mideast; and

WHEREAS, the roots of Israel and the roots of the United States of America are so intertwined that it is

difficult to separate one from the other under the word and protection of almighty God; and

WHEREAS, there are those in the Middle East who have sought to destroy Israel from its inception as a

nation; and

WHEREAS, those same enemies of Israel also seek to destroy the United States of America; and

WHEREAS, the United States of America and the nation of Israel have enjoyed cordial and mutually

beneficial relations since 1948, a friendship that should continues to strengthen with each passing year.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Republican Nation Committee that the committee by this

resolution commends the nation of Israel for its relations with the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the members of this body support Israel in their natural and God-given

right of self-governance and self-defense upon their own lands, recognizing that Israel is neither an attacking

force nor an occupier of the lands of others; and that peace can be afforded the region only through a united

Israel governed under one law for all people.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Speaker of the House of

Representatives and Senate Leadership and each of the legislatures of the states within the United States of

America with the request and recommendation of this body that a similar resolution to that stated herein be

proposed within their respective bodies.

As Approved by the Republican National Committee, January 13, 2012



Page 2

Marco Rubio--one-state solution supporter.

Scott Walker--one-state solution supporter.

Ben Carson--one-state solution supporter.

Donald Trump--ha ha ha!

The rightwing jerkoffs at AIPAC have had zip to say about that. Ditto AJC. Chuck Schumer won't even criticize the Republicans over that.

Why? Because being pro-Israel means de facto opposition to a Palestinian state, even while paying it lip service and (of course) laying 100% of the blame for the lack of a Palestinian state at the feet of the Palestinians, not the Israelis who don't want such a state to exist.

[oberliner]

8. It depends who you ask

I think there is more than one way to define Pro-Israel and I would bet that President Obama would agree with me on that score.

[King_David]

9. I do not think THE VAST MAJORITY of Democratic Party Congress members or candidates would agree with

YOUR views on Israel as expressed here on DU , nor would anyone expressing such views on Israel as yours have been expressed here be allowed to be expressed on any Democrat campaign EVER and nor would they ever be linked to on any website.....whereas the views expressed here by us Pro-Israel posters are EXACTLY what the vast Majority of Congress members and even Obama express on a daily basis.


THAT IS FACT.

President Obama :

'Israel isn’t just an ally, it’s not just a friend — it’s family.'

[shira]

11. Obama is the best proof of being pro-Israel, stating Israel is family.

An anti-Zionist or anti-Israel, pro-BDS POTUS would absolutely choke on those words; much less, never consider uttering them.

In contrast, never in our lifetimes will we see Jeremy Corbyn saying anything like that. Ever.

[geek tragedy]

12. why doesn't AIPAC object to Republican support of a one-state solution? nt

[King_David]

13. You should find a candidate that supports your view on Israel

Organize rallies
Organize support
Get him / her elected ( won't happen )
And it won't be a Democrat either - our party are strong supporters of the Jewish State.

Sux for your position on Israel I guess.

[geek tragedy]

14. President Obama is about 90% of what I want on I/P.

We'll have to see how "supports Israel" is defined going forward.

At the rate AIPAC and the Lobby are going, nothing less than doing exactly what Israel's government wants counts as supporting Israel.

By the way, you dodged my question, I can only surmise intentionally, because we both know the answer--AIPAC is a rightwing organization that really doesn't believe in the two-state solution.

[King_David]

15. President Obama

" Israel isn’t just an ally, it’s not just a friend — it’s family."

His credentials on Israel are impeccable.


Bernie Sanders the first Jewish president- his cred is impeccable on Israel- so much so the extreme left media accuses him of Dual Loyalties, of being a hidden Israeli citizen .

Hillary - no problem with her Israel cred.


The Democratic Party reps Israel file is absolutely zero like your opinion and almost 100% like the pro Israel posters in this group.

You should seek out alternative candidates who's radical views on Israel are more similar to yours - only problem is they are 100% unelectable in The USA .

[geek tragedy]

16. Will you change your mind about that if Obama

decides to vote for the French resolution at the Security Council?

[King_David]

17. Go back and read what you've written here about Israel

You versus Obama and every single Democratic Party rep or candidate have diametrically 100% opposite views on Israel whereas my views on Israel is identical to almost all of them .

[geek tragedy]

18. You've been awful quiet re: the Iran deal. nt

[King_David]

19. Like the Democratic senators, I support it with reservations

Best we gonna get but I don't trust Iran at all and hope revolution and democracy come to Iran sooner than later.

Not quite about it at all - I have no problem with my Democratic Party policy on Israel... Hence I can support my party.

If I felt so strongly about Israel as you do with such diametrically opposite views to the Democratic Party as you have on the issue , I wouldn't be able to support the Democratic Party.

President Obama
" Israel isn’t just an ally, it’s not just a friend — it’s family."