Palestine Peace Not Apartheid

In a book that has engendered enormous controversy, Jimmy Carter, the president who brought Israel and Egypt together in the historic 1978 Camp David peace accords, assesses the state of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Carter writes with the purpose of jump-starting what he sees as stalled negotiations, saying that both sides are unwilling to take the necessary steps forward. While crediting the Israeli people for showing a clear willingness to make reasonable concessions, Carter is pointedly critical of Israeli policies, especially regarding the settlements, the separation wall, and the occupation of Gaza and the West Bank. While Israel grants rights to Palestinians within its old borders, Carter uses the word apartheid when he writes of the occupied lands, charging that Israel has deprived Palestinians of their basic human rights, violated accords and resolutions, and acted unilaterally to avoid negotiating. As for the Palestinians, Carter says the time has come to recognize the reality of Israel, to put an end to terrorism, and to stop honoring suicide bombers as heroes. Carter credits Israel for its lively culture of debate, and notes a reluctance in America among the powerful political, economic, and religious forces to openly address the difficult questions and issues he raises. He sees his book as part of that necessary debate, with the end goal a true and durable peace that will bring security and self-determination to both Israel and Palestine. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.