Carter to Israel, Gaza

By JTA June 8, 2009

Jimmy Carter will visit Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

The former U.S. president was in Lebanon to monitor Sunday’s elections. Media have said that he will continue this week to Syria, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

Some accounts say the tour will be private, while others say he will be promoting peace moves in the wake of last week’s address to the Muslim world by President Obama.

Carter in the past has angered Israel with what is perceived as his pro-Palestinian tilt. He also has brokered communications between Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza by Hamas terrorists, and Shalit’s family. The Jerusalem Post said that Carter would meet with Israeli President Shimon Peres; the two are old friends.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO