Former President Carter: A Rational Mind On The Middle East

Former President Carter met this past week with two leading members of Hamas who won the election after Arafat passed away.  The United States and Israel disapproved of Carter's visit, but he was not impressed.  In fact he said "I consider myself immune from such restrictions."

 

Mr. Carter is the most knowledgeable person on the Israeli-Palestinian problem and is the one person who could broker an agreement between them.  Bush and Israeli leaders have their nose out of joint because Carter has accused Israel of reneging on the U.N. resolutions that they agreed to concerning land and the building of settlements in the West Bank on Palestinian land. 

 

I wrote a post on Jan 27 concerning Hamas, saying that they would have to be a part of the process in any peace deal.  Unfortunately, however, Israel and the U.S. won't talk with them.  The fact is that they will have to be a part of the process regardless of what Israel and the U.S. thinks.  It is best to include them sooner rather than latter and put an end to the blood spilled on both sides.

 

It is to be noted Carter did not represent the U.S. when he met with Hamas.  The purpose was to agree on a dialog to get some things going.  He had two request of Hamas.  (1)  Hamas halt its rocket attacks against Israel.  (2)  That it agree to a meeting with Israel Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai to discuss a prisoner exchange.  Hamas claimed they would respond to Carter's requests. 

 

Bush and Israeli leaders could learn something from Carter if they were really serious about trying to bring peace to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.  The so called "road map" has failed so far and the road to peace will get bumpier as long as the attitude is hands off.  President Carter has the right ideas; President Bush and the Israelis need to follow his example.