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Christianity Today, April, 2007 |

GLOBAL PROGNOSIS

Throwing Rocks at Israel

Ex-President Carter's new book is both misleading and dangerous.

David Aikman | posted 3/28/2007 08:40AM

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One of the deadliest Carter suggestions in PPNA is that Palestinian suicide bombers will refrain from their terrorism against Israeli civilians only "when the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for peace are accepted by Israel." But at Brandeis University, Carter told students, "That sentence was worded in a completely improper and stupid way." He apologized, saying future editions would include changes in the sentence.

Mr. President, fellow born-again Christian, despite this expression of regret about those words, your role as an impartial "man of peace" has never been more in question.

Related Elsewhere:

Alan Dershowitz lists some of the errors he found in Carter's book in his blog and an op-ed. He has challenged Carter to a debate.

A video of Carter's speech at Brandeis University about Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid and his essay, "How I See Palestine," are available at the Carter Center website.

Kenneth Stein, one of the 14 who resigned from the Carter Center over the book, wrote about his problems with Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.

Newsweek interviewed Carter about the reaction to his book and his views on other current issues.

Aikman's other Global Prognosis columns are available on our site.

Reviews and articles on the book include:

Jews, Arabs and Jimmy Carter | This is a strange little book about the Arab-Israeli conflict from a major public figure. (The New York Times)

Jimmy Carter's Book Stirs Criticism, Complaint | Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid charts the Arab-Israeli peace process from President Carter's time in the White House in the late 1970s to present day. Transcript available. (NPR's Day to Day)

What Would Jimmy Do? | A former president puts the onus for resolving the Mideast conflict on the Israelis. (The Washington Post)

Jimmy Carter Fires Back at Longtime Aide Over Book | Former President Jimmy Carter faced new criticism Friday over his controversial book on Palestinian lands when a former Middle East diplomat accused him of improperly publishing maps that did not belong to him. (Associated Press)

Carter: "Apartheid" Is Apt For West Bank | Former President defends book title, says he was never invited to debate (CBS News)

Carter Defends Gaza Theory at GWU Speech | Despite the storm it ignited, former President Carter held fast on Thursday to his accusation that Israel oppresses the Palestinians on the West Bank and Gaza and seeks to colonize the land. (Associated Press)

Christianity Today articles on Carter include:

Was Israel a Mistake? | Three views (including former President Carter's). (Books & Culture, Jan/Feb 2007)

Servant in Chief | Jimmy Carter's journey from the White House to building houses (Philip Yancey, May 21, 2002)

Georgia: Can Jimmy Carter Say 'Farewell'? | Although former President Jimmy Carter announced he was withdrawing from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), that's not an option for individuals, says the denomination's president (December 4, 2000)

Best Ex-Prez | A Different Way to Lead (September 20, 2003)

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April 2007, Vol. 51, No. 4

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Kay	Posted: April 11, 2007 8:32 AM

I admit to not having read Carter's book but anyone who lives in the US and thinks there is not a very strong pro-Israel lobby surely is living in denial. Many of us have had the experience of being called anti-Semitic because we question some of Israel's policies. "Bill" is correct is saying that many Israelis do not support their government's policies. Agree or not with Mr. Carter but give the man some credit for knowing something about this issue.

Sam	Posted: April 11, 2007 7:38 AM

In a rather odd bit of irony, the suggested reading list at the end of the rather biased article tends to make Carter's case well. The phrase, "it is Carter's overwhelmingly anti-Israel bias that has offended many" doesn't convince me that Aikmen has read the book. It is honest and brutal about Israel in places, but that hardly reflects "overwhelmingly anti-Israel bias." For the first time in my life, I think Carter finally gets it! How evangelicals can continue to be silent about the plight of Palestinian Christians, including those whose lives are impacted by Israel, makes no more sense than our silence about Sudanese troubles. Thank you Mr. Carter for being brave enough to say what you have said.

Jonny Clark

Posted: April 11, 2007 6:56 AM

I have visited Israel and the Palestinian territories on 3 occasions in the last 4 years for the purpose of seeing with my own eyes the situation. I struggle to believe David Aikman has done the same. The Wall that has been built has undoubtedly grabbed much land for the State of Israel, it separated Palestinian family members from each other, some of whom are Palestinian Chritsians, and friends of mine, and has generally made life intolerably hard for the Arab population. Walls will only ever be destructive in the long term while in the short term they may give momentary protection to one side. Come to my home of Belfast and you will see what I mean. Bad article, bad research, can we have an alternative view from CT please...Jonny Clark, YWAM Belfast

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