Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
by Jimmy Carter
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Book Reviews of Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
Book Review: Book needs to be trashed
Summary: 1 Stars
Abominable. That is what Jimmy Carter's book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, is. His book is probably one of the worst I have ever read on Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs. In all honestly, the book needs to be removed from every bookshelf in the county. Instead of promoting peace, it does just the opposite.
Throughout his book, There were a few things that consistently irritated me. For one thing, on almost every page Carter refers to Israel has being occupied land or territory.
For someone who claims to know a lot about Israel and the Middle East, Carter knows very little or nothing at all.
If he would study his Bible more, he claims in his book he teaches Sunday school, he would know that the land the Jews now live in was promised to them by God thousands of years ago when God led Abraham out from the Ur of the Chaldees and led him unto a land that he was going to show him. (Gen 12:1-7)
Upon his arrival in the land of Canaan, it is never referred to as the land of Palestine in the Bible, God promised Abraham that his descendents would inhabit the land forever. And nothing. Absolutely nothing would ever change those promises. (Gen 15:1-21)
Something else that bothered me about his book was, was that he consistently blamed the Jews for most, if not all, the trouble in the Middle East.
One gets the impression, after reading Carter's book, that the Israelis can do no right, and that the Palestinians can do no wrong.
He makes mention that he received the Nobel Prize for peace several years back, I was scratching my head wondering how such a person could receive such an award when, in all honesty, he does not promote peace, but dissension.
Something else that bothered me tremendously was the fact that Carter kept bringing op the dividing of Israel into two states. Many people have been duped into believing that if Israel were divided into two states, one for the Palestinians and the other for the Israelis, that this would resolve the Middle East conflict, and that every thing will suddenly be like paradise. Sorry. It won't happen that way.
Numerous treaties and resolutions have been signed over the course of more than 15 years, and yet no peace has come.
The Palestinians claim that once their fake Palestinian state has been set up, that peace will finally come to the Middle East. Who do they think they are fooling?
Peace. True and everlasting peace will only come to the Middle East and Israel when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is sitting on the throne of David, in Jerusalem.
Book Review: Good Ideas, BUT They Could've Been Published in an Article
Summary: 3 Stars
Former President Jimmy Carter did a lot to advance Middle East peace, and he relies extensively upon personal meetings he had with Israeli and Arab leaders. I liked that "behind the scenes" aspect of the book.
However, the book is very repetitive and at times rambling. The book, 247 pages, could've been half that.
That criticism aside, I believe President Carter adds a useful voice to the Arab-Israeli peace process and the internal development of American policy toward the relevant players.
Drawing on his extensive dealings with the Arab and Israeli leaders over the course of four decades, President Carter surveys the development of the peace process during his presidency and then during those after.
From my perspective, the book was not particularly controversial - certainly no worse than what some "revisionist/reform" Israeli historians have written about their nation's relationship with Arabs.
I believe the book could've been condensed into an article, but it nevertheless adds to the discussion by providing a framework for a just, sustainable peace in the region (I don't support or oppose his framework necessarily, but it's good that he proferred an idea - something others should do instead of attacking his motives or charging him with anti-semitism). He believes UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 should guide future peace negotiations, and he believes that any "land-grabs" by the Israelis should be offset by Arab-annexations of now-Israeli land. Moreover, President Carter believes that a limited right to return should be granted to the displaced Palestinians with the rest being given just compensation.
The ideas aren't as radical as some in the media portrayed. The time has come for a discussion about America's role in the peace process and its foreign relations regarding Israel and the Arabs. Whether you agree or agree with President Carter, he adds to the discussion - a benefit.
And on a side note, the font is huge - as is the line spacing, so the book is a FAST read.
All said, do not buy this book for full price. Buy it hugely discounted (I got it for $1.00) or, dare I say this on Amazon.com, pick it up from your local library.
Book Review: carters anti-Semitic tirade is way off base! fiction.
Summary: 1 Stars
This anti-Semitic tirade is more proof that not only is carter is a moron and a hypocrite, he is outside the relm of the real world. While he idolizes terrorists like arafat, pol pot, castro, kadaffi, mao, kim il song, kim jong il, the ayatollah who destroyed iran and then began attacking the world he does not support Israel's tiny little democracy a state by the way that treats arabs better than they are treated in muslim countries..
Heres some of the truth about gaza!After the 1948 Arab invasion of Israel failed, Egypt refused to allow a Palestinian state orr self-determination in Gaza. Egypt used Gaza as a base for fedayeen raids on Israel, while ruling with an iron fist, preventing Palestinians from entering egypt. Egypt's main goal was to use its population as cannon fodder against Israel.
Israel's conquest of the Sinai in the 1967 Six-Day War forced a change in tactics but not the goal. When Egypt took back the Sinai in 1982, it REFUSED TO TAKE BACK GAZA (as Israel requested). As with every issue during the Camp David negotiations Carter sided with Egypt.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's Egypt allowed smuggling of weapons into Gaza, while continuing to clamp down on individual Palestinians. Its overriding goal remained to use Gaza as a means to delegitimize Israel, while talking publicly of "humanitarian"needs.
The smashing of the border wall with Egypt may finally force Egypt to take some responsibility for its policies. The smashing of the border wall with Egypt may finally force Egypt to take some responsibility for its policies. Surely Gaza can get its supplys from Egypt? Why should Israel have the responsibility of providing ALL services (which it still does) to a territory ruled by a group sworn to Israel's destruction, and from which it is attacked several times daily? (1 killed in Dimona) Egypt would be given leeway in dealing with Hamas that the Arab world will not allow to Israel.
Unfortunately there is little likelihood that Egypt will change and take forward-looking policies. Had Egypt welcomed and absorbed Arab refugees as Israel did with all the Jewish refugees from Arab countries, the situation in Gaza and elsewhere could have been far better.
Book Review: Carter being honest.
Summary: 4 Stars
Before I get into my review, it's important that I state my position on Jimmy Carter. I believe that at this point in Mr. Carter's life, that his legacy is set. I don't feel that he needs to curry favor with one group or another, and that monetary gains are secondary to him. His humanitarian efforts over the past 20 years shows where his priorities are.
As I read "Palestine Peace not Apartheid" I felt sincerity coming from Mr. Carter as he discribed the various relationships that are playing out in the region. The book is not only about the Israel and Palestine, but also about Palestine and it's Arab brothers.
Carter paint a clear picture that Palestine is getting the short end of the stick at every turn. Amoung it's arab brothers (Jordan, Egypt, Syria)Palestine is used as a pawn in their negotiations with Israel. And the power struggle that takes place within the hierarchy of Palestine leadership, makes it difficult for the Palestine to achieve the most modest of goals. In addition, Carter outlines the relationship between israel and all the U.S. presidents and U.S. policy over the past 30 years.
Israel is of course the worst offender. They are almost always heavy handed in their dealings with the Palestine leadership, and the people of Palestine. Israel control the legal system, courts, judiciary as it relates to a citizen of Palestine bringing a grievance against Israel. Needless to say the court rules in favor of Israel in most, if not all instances. Isreal control the commerce & trade within the Palestine territory, thereby controling wealth & poverty levels within the territory. The water supply is disproportionately allocated to the minority Israeli population. These are the disparities that breed terrorism.
Carter suggest that the leadership of Israel is not fully in tune with the citizens of israel. Many of the citizens would like a return of some of the occupied lands. Many Israelies would like a more fluid relationship with Paslestine, they believe it's the continued occupation that breeds Palestine terrorist.
Carter tries to give a balanced look at the situation, and I believe he was successful. His depiction of Palestine as an apartheid state is 100% accurate.
Book Review: Sensitive Issue, Tough Solutions
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of the most sensitive issues of our time, Israel and Palestine. Though many people love to condemn Jimmy Carter for writing this book, it is one of courage and sadly is the the truth. One only has to examine both sides of this conflict and the Zionist agenda. Not all Jews are Zionist but the government of Israel is.
Calling out the Israeli Government for their control over the Palestinians is not Anti-Semitic, it is the moral thing to do. Jimmy being a good Christian man sees this and morally knows better. Israel and America is not a black and white issue because there are so many gray areas in between.
Also, with the growing movment of Christian Zionism, and this cults undying support for the nation of Israel, has caused much bias and division in the Christian Church. After all, if your a Christian that opposses any of Israel's actions, you are a nonimal Christian. Christian Zionism is also politically involved with the liazon between America, AIPC and Israel. The focus has become one of Biblical Prophecy than Jesus Christ Himself. Sadly, I don't think Jesus would be proud of Christian support for heinous actions in Israel toward the Palestinians. Israel is not to be worshipped, only God Himself. Jesus was not invloved in politics and nor should Christians be.
Point blank, the Palestinians are an oppressed people with terrorism used as an excuse to round them up like cattle. Sadly, to critique Israel as a nation, one is reduced to being Anti-Semitic. But wait!!! Arabs being descended from Abraham through Ishmael are a Semitic people as well.
Israel became a nation in 1948, they will be held responsible as any other nation. I do not see anywhere in the Torah that people are to treat other people in this way, this they will be held accountable. I believe the Jewish government is, Godless.
Jimmy Carter is a good man, and woe unto them that call good evil and evil good.