Jack Kemp’s passing late last week, of cancer at age 73, didn’t get as much attention as you’d think it would. After all, we’re talking about a guy who ran for president (in ’88) and vice-president (in ’96, with Bob Dole), played professional football (an NFL quarterback, no less), and spent virtually his entire life in the public eye.

I guess with so much going on these days – economic turmoil, Swine flu, “American Idol” heating up, Jessica Simpson’s fluctuating weight (poor dear) – a guy like Jack Kemp snags precious little ink when he dies.

But I vividly recall being in attendance at Chizuk Amuno Synagogue 11 years ago when Mr. Kemp spoke passionately and eloquently at an Associated gathering about his deep commitment to Israel and how being a Zionist informed him as a human being.

“People sometimes say to me, `Why would a guy from suburban Los Angeles have had this love affair with human rights and Israel?’” Mr. Kemp said. The answer was touring Auschwitz in ’72 as a freshman congressman, he said, and later visiting the Jewish state, receiving a tour of the country from future Israeli President Ezer Weizman, then an Air Force general.

“You don’t have to be Jewish to love Israel or the Zionist dream. … Israel stands as a beacon of hope in the Middle East,” Mr. Kemp said. “When it comes to supporting Israel, there’s no Republican Party or Democratic Party. There’s only one party – the United States party.”

Not surprisingly, Mr. Kemp, a Republican known as a “progressive conservative,” wasn’t too keen on the Oslo Accords. In fact, he felt that Israel was already receiving too much of the blame for the collapse of Middle East peace process.

“Israel gave up the Sinai, the oil fields, Hebron, 490 towns and villages, and seven cities,” he said. “And now Israel alone is being called into account for the failure of Oslo.”

You might not agree with all of Mr. Kemp’s views on the Middle East or other matters (I certainly don’t). But looking back on everything that has transpired since that brisk November night in 1997 when he spoke at Chizuk Amuno, it’s hard to disagree with a lot of his comments. Israel still gets most of the blame for everything, and the Palestinians are still viewed as victims, even though their so-called moderates admit in public that they will never, ever recognize a Jewish state. So much for peace accords.

Thank God for friends like Jack Kemp. We need more of ‘em.