Former president Jimmy Carter has come out with a new book about solving the Middle East conflict. “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work” (Simon & Schuster) comes more than two years after the publication of “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid” (Simon & Schuster, 2006), which was met with a flurry of criticism from pro-Israel groups that claimed the book provided a biased portrayal of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Just last year, Carter, now 84, met with Hamas representatives in Cairo — despite warnings that doing so would embarrass America and undermine Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. And last December, Carter announced his intention to meet with Hezbollah representatives, though the Iranian-backed militant group ultimately turned down the offer.
Yet, “We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land” is surprisingly unprovocative — except in its defense of “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.” The new book’s central premise is that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only good option. Dotted with personal anecdotes, the book gives a brief overview of the conflict, America’s role as peacemaker and the existing frameworks for peace, from Oslo to the conference in Annapolis, Md. It also summarizes events in the region since the 2005 withdrawal from Gaza.
On behalf of the Forward, Jeremy Gillick, a fellow at Moment magazine, spoke with Carter by telephone. They discussed Carter’s books on the Middle East, the recent war in Gaza, the Obama administration’s newly appointed Middle East envoy, George Mitchell, and why Carter says Hamas must be part of the region’s peace negotiations.
Jeremy Gillick: Your last book earned you a good deal of criticism, especially from some in the Jewish community. Was this book in any way an attempt to make amends or repair that relationship?
Jimmy Carter: No. I’d be delighted if people that got irate about the first book would read this book and see that it’s very balanced. And I did spend some time in the beginning of this book describing that when I became president, I appointed a commission that built the [U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum] and I did away with the secondary boycott, [which targeted American companies that did business with Israel]. When I wrote the first book, there had been no debate in this country between the Israeli point of view and any other — and for more than five years there hadn’t been a single day of peace talks between Israel and its neighbors. And it did precipitate a debate. And I’m not crediting the book for this, but we then moved to the Annapolis session. So at least it did kind of break the ice.
What did you learn from the reaction to your last book, and how did that influence the content — or the cover — of this one?
This time, they wanted to have a picture of me on the cover without the [separation] wall. The first book was designed to show without exaggeration the plight of the Palestinians. This one is designed to prove that we can have peace in the Middle East, even though we did have some setbacks since the book was completed.
Is there something new about the suggestions the book offers?
There are a couple of factors: Hamas has expressed to me and publicly a willingness to accept any peace agreement negotiated between Mahmoud Abbas and Israel, provided it’s approved in a referendum by the Palestinians. I also recommend that enough land be given to Israel from what’s now Palestine to accommodate about half of the Israeli settlers, and that the land Israel gives to Palestine, as I discussed with Ariel Sharon in 2005, should be a corridor between the West Bank and Gaza. One of the most propitious developments is Obama’s election, and he has appointed a superb envoy in George Mitchell, who takes a much more balanced position concerning Israel and the Palestinians than some of our previous envoys.
When did you last speak with Mitchell, and what advice did you give him?
I gave the first copy of my book to [then] President-elect Obama on the sixth of December. When I called Mitchell to congratulate him, he asked me to send a copy and we express-mailed one, and he called me to say he had received it. So, they’re familiar with what I say in my book, but I’m not alleging that they’re going to adopt it.
Do you think you balance your sympathy pretty well between Israelis and Palestinians?
I do. My sympathy with Israel has been there for 30 years. But I have gotten to know how the Palestinians are suffering under occupation, and I’m kind of a lonely voice in this country — not in Israel, by the way, and not in Europe—pointing out the plight of the Palestinians. When I went around to sell the previous book I went to six different university campuses, the most notable of which turned out to be Emory and Brandeis. And they have both now sent delegations of students over to the occupied territories, and [students in those groups] have agreed publicly… that I did not exaggerate how bad the situation is for the Palestinians.
To what extent has your faith informed your work and interest in the Middle East?
I still teach the Bible every Sunday I’m home in Plains, Georgia, at the Maranatha Baptist Church. Precisely half of my lessons each year are from the Hebrew text, and the other half are from the New Testament. I have taught the history of the Israelites, the Hebrews, the Jewish people, ever since I was 18 years old. So I know the promise that Abraham received from God. I know about Isaac and Jacob and all the members of the family, I know what the history is and, like other Christians in this country, I have a deep affinity for the right of the Jewish people to live in the Holy Land.
Were you surprised by the eruption of war in Gaza?
No, I could see it coming. I went there [last] April and helped to work out the cease-fire that began on the 19th of June and that was obeyed almost completely by the Palestinians for five months. Israel didn’t do what it promised to do: provide adequate food and medicine and so forth. When I saw that the cease-fire was going to expire on the 19th of December, I went back over there. I spent a good deal of time in Lebanon because [the Carter Center] plans to monitor the Lebanese election, but I also went to Damascus and met with the Hamas people. They informed me that they would cease the rockets if Israel would start supplying the necessary food, water, fuel and medicine. My representatives made this proposal to Israeli leaders in the defense department, who said they would only supply 15% of the normal level of supplies — the level that was maintained when Israel was in charge of Gaza, which is about 750 trucks a day.
Did anyone gain anything from this war?
No. Hamas was strengthened, and I don’t think that Israel achieved any substantial goal. I don’t even understand what their goal was. And the news reports say that about 60% of the tunnels are still intact. They must have been deep in the ground. I don’t really understand them, but I’ve seen some of them.
You’ve seen some of the tunnels?
I haven’t been down in them, but I’ve seen where they come out.
One of the book’s main points is that Hamas can change and therefore should be spoken to directly. Do you think it’s possible to reach a peace agreement without talking to Hamas?
No, but I don’t think it’s possible to talk right now. Hamas is going to have to show that it can accommodate its differences with Fatah, and that’s completely possible.
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"Hamas is going to have to show that it can accommodate its differences with Fatah, and that’s completely possible." Hamas has used the Gaza invasion to kill Fatah members all over Gaza. It has also shot Fatah members in the kneecaps. The UN just stopped sending aid to Gaza until Hamas returns the supplies they stole from the UN. I'm not sure why Jimmy Carter thinks that Fatah and Hamas "can accommodate their differences, but its recent actions make it highly unlikely.
The usual Carter haters are out in force here. Carter doesn't have an antisemitic bone in his body. But G-d forbid he break ranks with Avigdor Lieberman, and the hounds are on the trail, upset that a different sound has penetrated their echo chamber . . . . .
So many intelligent voices, and none have stumbled on the solution that every Palestinian 5 yr old child knows. The illegal occupiers must move out and give ALL of Palestine back. You can have Israel or peace, but not both
Question: Why is the Forward regularly shilling the 'thoughts' of that most incompetent of American Presidents, Jimmy Carter, on any subject? Oh, excuse me, how silly, we're speaking of the The Forward, that bastion of Liberal-Left orthodoxy.
Carter, for some reason, loves the people who after (9/11) danced in the streets to celebrate the killing of over three thousand Americans. All freedom loving peaople and Nations, must fight to destroy RADICAL ISLAM, for they have one goal, to destroy Western Civilization. Carter is anti Israel, period. Carter, received millions of dollars from the Muslim Nations, some are US enemies. Shame on you Jimmy, you should have never been elected a US president. WWW.jackadler.com
Why do you give creedence to this dispicable paid Arabist. Do you not understand what support this vile man gives to the Anti-semites in this great country of ours. The soft ball questions given to him was a disgrace. I am a veteran of WWII, and I know how ashamed I was at his action towards his own diplomatic people taken hostage by Iran. His action was disgraceful letting those people remain hostage by a third world country at that time for 449 days. Action then would have probably prevented the situation we are in today.
As a public service I think the Forward should publish the ties Carter has to Arab governments, paticularly Saudi Arabia including the gifts he has received both personally and for his foundations. Alan Dershowitz wrote an extensive article about these gifts. The article appeared in Frontpage magazine. The public shoud be aware of exactly why Carter takes some of the positions he does which comply with the Wahabee concept of how the region should be governed.
The Israelis should build a statue to honor Mr. Carter because he was elemental to the peace with Egypt. Though I think the title of Carter's previous book obnoxious, I am in favor of any leader who tries to help solve the Arab - Israeli conflict. What an endless mess.
Daniel Pearl and the Normalization of Evil By JUDEA PEARL This week marks the seventh anniversary of the murder of our son, former Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl. My wife Ruth and I wonder: Would Danny have believed that today's world emerged after his tragedy? The answer does not come easily. Danny was an optimist, a true believer in the goodness of mankind. Yet he was also a realist, and would not let idealism bend the harshness of facts. Neither he, nor the millions who were shocked by his murder, could have possibly predicted that seven years later his abductor, Omar Saeed Sheikh, according to several South Asian reports, would be planning terror acts from the safety of a Pakistani jail. Or that his murderer, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, now in Guantanamo, would proudly boast of his murder in a military tribunal in March 2007 to the cheers of sympathetic jihadi supporters. Or that this ideology of barbarism would be celebrated in European and American universities, fueling rally after rally for Hamas, Hezbollah and other heroes of "the resistance." Or that another kidnapped young man, Israeli Gilad Shalit, would spend his 950th day of captivity with no Red Cross visitation while world leaders seriously debate whether his kidnappers deserve international recognition. No. Those around the world who mourned for Danny in 2002 genuinely hoped that Danny's murder would be a turning point in the history of man's inhumanity to man, and that the targeting of innocents to transmit political messages would quickly become, like slavery and human sacrifice, an embarrassing relic of a bygone era. But somehow, barbarism, often cloaked in the language of "resistance," has gained acceptance in the most elite circles of our society. The words "war on terror" cannot be uttered today without fear of offense. Civilized society, so it seems, is so numbed by violence that it has lost its gift to be disgusted by evil. I believe it all started with well-meaning analysts, who in their zeal to find creative solutions to terror decided that terror is not a real enemy, but a tactic. Thus the basic engine that propels acts of terrorism -- the ideological license to elevate one's grievances above the norms of civilized society -- was wished away in favor of seemingly more manageable "tactical" considerations. This mentality of surrender then worked its way through politicians like the former mayor of London, Ken Livingstone. In July 2005 he told Sky News that suicide bombing is almost man's second nature. "In an unfair balance, that's what people use," explained Mr. Livingstone. But the clearest endorsement of terror as a legitimate instrument of political bargaining came from former President Jimmy Carter. In his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," Mr. Carter appeals to the sponsors of suicide bombing. "It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Road-map for Peace are accepted by Israel." Acts of terror, according to Mr. Carter, are no longer taboo, but effective tools for terrorists to address perceived injustices. Mr. Carter's logic has become the dominant paradigm in rationalizing terror. When asked what Israel should do to stop Hamas's rockets aimed at innocent civilians, the Syrian first lady, Asma Al-Assad, did not hesitate for a moment in her response: "They should end the occupation." In other words, terror must earn a dividend before it is stopped. The media have played a major role in handing terrorism this victory of acceptability. Qatari-based Al Jazeera television, for example, is still providing Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi hours of free air time each week to spew his hateful interpretation of the Koran, authorize suicide bombing, and call for jihad against Jews and Americans. Then came the August 2008 birthday of Samir Kuntar, the unrepentant killer who, in 1979, smashed the head of a four-year-old Israeli girl with his rifle after killing her father before her eyes. Al Jazeera elevated Kuntar to heroic heights with orchestras, fireworks and sword dances, presenting him to 50 million viewers as Arab society's role model. No mainstream Western media outlet dared to expose Al Jazeera efforts to warp its young viewers into the likes of Kuntar. Al Jazeera's management continues to receive royal treatment in all major press clubs. Some American pundits and TV anchors didn't seem much different from Al Jazeera in their analysis of the recent war in Gaza. Bill Moyers was quick to lend Hamas legitimacy as a "resistance" movement, together with honorary membership in PBS's imaginary "cycle of violence." In his Jan. 9 TV show, Mr. Moyers explained to his viewers that "each [side] greases the cycle of violence, as one man's terrorism becomes another's resistance to oppression." He then stated -- without blushing -- that for readers of the Hebrew Bible "God-soaked violence became genetically coded." The "cycle of violence" platitude allows analysts to empower terror with the guise of reciprocity, and, amazingly, indict terror's victims for violence as immutable as DNA. When we ask ourselves what it is about the American psyche that enables genocidal organizations like Hamas -- the charter of which would offend every neuron in our brains -- to become tolerated in public discourse, we should take a hard look at our universities and the way they are currently being manipulated by terrorist sympathizers. At my own university, UCLA, a symposium last week on human rights turned into a Hamas recruitment rally by a clever academic gimmick. The director of the Center for Near East Studies carefully selected only Israel bashers for the panel, each of whom concluded that the Jewish state is the greatest criminal in human history. The primary purpose of the event was evident the morning after, when unsuspecting, uninvolved students read an article in the campus newspaper titled, "Scholars say: Israel is in violation of human rights in Gaza," to which the good name of the University of California was attached. This is where Hamas scored its main triumph -- another inch of academic respectability, another inroad into Western minds. Danny's picture is hanging just in front of me, his warm smile as reassuring as ever. But I find it hard to look him straight in the eyes and say: You did not die in vain. Mr. Pearl, a professor of computer science at UCLA, is president of the Daniel Pearl Foundation, founded in memory of his son to promote cross-cultural understanding. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123362422088941893.html
The Forward continues to show its true colors, coddling rather than confronting far-left anti-Israel antisemites. Carter is a virulent anti-Semite. The recent excellent article by Judea Pearl in the Wall Street Journal on January 3, 2009, "Daniel Pearl and the Normalization of Evil", describes properly describes Jimmy Carter: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123362422088941893.html
Hamas used the Gaza invasion to shoot and kill Fatah members. They also shot some Hamas members in the knees. Hamas has stolen food and supplies from UN trucks. Yet, Jimmy Carter thinks that it completely possble for Hamas and Fatah to work out their differences. Jimmy Carter responded to criticism of his last books with antisemitic fantasies of Jewish influence. That was completely unnecessary.
Carter says 750 trucks per day carrying necessary supplies to Gaza represent 15% of what is actually required. Thus, what Hamas proposes is allowing 5000 trucks of "humanitarian" goods be transported across their borders on a daily basis. Whew! What kind of homeland security corp are we talking about to weed out the rockets, mortars, and AK-47s Hamas uses to arm its 12 and 13 year olds? Either Carter is the most unbelievably naive 84-year old man on the planet or he has been so thoroghly brainwashed by Fatah and Hamas that his point of view is absolutely without merit.
all of comment are written by neoconservatives, which i see as dishonest embarrassment of jewish race that only strengthen negative stereotypes of us as people.
I read and reread this interview with Jimmy Carter and though there is much to question I will limit myself two to critique: The first is Hamas comes to some sort of agreement with Abbas then it wants a referendem to sanction it. I have asked myself what will the referendem say that both can agree on and the answer I came up with is a proposal that will be worded in such a way that is acceptable to everyone except the Jews. A sample is an ostensable statement supportave of the Jews, to quote "right of Jewish People to live in the Holy Land". What happened to the Jewish State Mr. Carter? President Obama in his interview on Al Arabiya stated that he does not want to predict how long negotiations are going to take and the solution was tied to the problems in the wider Muslim and in particular Iran, Pakistan and Afganastan. It was a good interview I'm surprised the Forward didn't run it, then again I don't manage to read every issue.
There is a difference between "jews living in the Holy Land" and a Jewish state, which has meant the expropriation of thousands of Palestianians from their homes and land, and which, in order to continue to exist, must have a discriminatory immigration policy.
Carter is a phony turncoat, caused a lot of harm to Israel and tries to whitewash it now.
Jimmy Carter has been clearlt anti-Israel. Recently in his tour of tv cabble and PBS (Charlie Rose) constantly minimizes the Hamas rocket attacks against Israel. While he condemns Israel defendign themselves. Jimmy Caqrter is very much discredited and no longer influencial. Just watch how Charlie Rose made fun of him in the interview. Hia "new peace plan" is a carbon copy of the Saudi plan, but like many other thinga Carter takes credit for it. I guess Jimmy Carter needs to sell his book since he is now only left with less money from dwindling oil revenues from Saudi Arabia an other Arab regimes.
We Jews are our own worst enemies. The Forward gives Jimmy Carter a platform for his anti-Israel views, and worse, with softball questions. I wonder if an Arab newspaper would allow Dershowitz to air his views of the Arab-Israeli conflict? Lee R.
neoconservative jews don't care about america. they only created this ideology because left rejected zionism. jews should support israel but not be dishonest israel-firsters.
liberal jews do care about both israel and america and no israel-firsting and they believe in human nature and they are not greedy and they are tolerant
Sergey which country do you put first? Russia?
i would never support putinism because it questions human nature and believes in humans being ruled by fear rather than love. those who believe that people need fear to be good are just not able to be decent human beings
Sergey-you didnt answer the question. Putin is not a country
Sergey, I am not a neoconservative. I never voted for Bush. I support a two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians. I think the settlements should be dismantled.
Amnesty International is certainly not "neo-conservative". They have also said that Hamas is executing their opponenets and shooting them in the kneecaps.
I say what I think. I don't base my comments based on what non-Jews will think of me.
My grandmother is Jewish and Susan since you never voted for Bush you are fine. My Jewish grandmother does not have positive opinion of Hassids and neocons either
Tax his land, Tax his bed, Tax the table At which he's fed. Tax his tractor, Tax his mule, Teach him taxes Are the rule. Tax his work, Tax his pay, He works for peanuts Anyway! Tax his cow, Tax his goat, Tax his pants, Tax his coat. Tax his ties, Tax his shirt, Tax his work, Tax his dirt. Tax his tobacco, Tax his drink, Tax him if he Tries to think. Tax his cigars, Tax his beers, If he cries Tax his tears. Tax his car, Tax his gas, Find other ways To tax his ass. Tax all he has Then let him know That you won't be done Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers, Then tax him more, Tax him till He's good and sore. Then tax his coffin, Tax his grave, Tax the sod in Which he's laid. Put these words upon his tomb, ' Taxes drove me to my doom...' When he's gone, Do not relax, It's time to apply The inheritance tax. Accounts Receivable Tax Building Permit Tax CD L license Tax Cigarette Tax Corporate Income Tax Dog/cat License Tax Excise Taxes Federal Income Tax Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA) Fishing License Tax Food License Tax Fuel Permit Tax Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon) Gross Receipts Tax Hunting License Tax Inheritance Tax Inventory Tax IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax) Liquor Tax Luxury Taxes Marriage License Tax Medicare Tax Personal Property Tax Privilege Tax Property Tax Real Estate Tax Service Charge Tax Social Security Tax Road Usage Tax Sales Tax Recreational Vehicle Tax School Tax
State Income Tax State Unemployment Tax (SUTA) Telephone Federal Excise Tax Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax Telephone State and Local Tax Telephone Usage Charge Tax Use Tax Utility Taxes Vehicle License Registration Tax Vehicle Sales Tax Watercraft Registration Tax Well Permit Tax Workers Compensation Tax STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY? Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians!' And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?!?!?!? I hope this goes around THE USA at least 100 times!!!!! YOU can help it get there!!!! GO AHEAD - - - BE AN AMERICAN !!!