Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid

I am not prone to praising liberals, however President Carter is clearly a man of substance, character and integrity. You do not have to agree with his politics to appreciate the fortitude of the man that tells the truth as he sees it in the face of populist dogma. The man has taken personal risk in sharing a view of the middle east conflict that is just not told in the mainstream US media. President Carter, akin to Thomas Sowell and Thomas Friedman, has the rare ability to boil down the facts and present them in a fair and even handed manner that is understandable to the layman.
My mother always shared with me that it takes two to have an arguement. Yet the popular media in the US typically shows only one side of the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. I have always wondered why, given the news that I read and see on TV, so many in Europe take issue with the Israeli government. I know have that understanding.
Just to be clear, the violence against innocents perpetrated by the Palestinians is unacceptable under any circumstances. However, it becomes much more understandable (although unacceptable) as the only tool available to an oppressed, occupied and impotent people.
Now I see more clearly that there is plenty of blame to go around on both sides. Further, there is a glimmer of hope that peace is available if both sides want it bad enough. President Carter makes it clear that the Israeli electorate wants it, but is held captive by the right wing which wields political power in excess of their actual numbers.
As the oppressor and the clear power in the region, it is up to Israel to make the first move and get back to the negotiated Camp David accords. This will not happen until the Israeli majority excises the power of the right wing that is holding their government and, thus, the entire region captive.
If the US people, through our government, put pressure on the Israeli government to honor their commitments, peace could blossom. There is hope.

A refreshingly open discussion of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, discussed by someone intimately involved in the pursuit of peace.

Carter nailed it. What an amazingly sharp mind, eloquent storyteller, and all-round ethical human being. Anyone disputing him on the topic of Israeli treatment of Palestinians is either deceiver or deceived.

It is an idiosyncratic feature of the U.S. that the discussion of the Israel-Palestine conflict has been so ideologically driven. In no other country, including Israel, has the discussion been so one-sided. Litterature on the topic that is considered mainstream abroad has traditionally been given the silence treatment. But, for perhaps the first time, it is not possible ignore an unwanted book on the topic. For this reason, "Palestine: Peace or Apartheid" is an important contribution to the discussion.

This book is well researched and presented with first hand information. I respect Mr.Carter and his candid report on the situation, never befor a prominent US citizen ever took time to visit the place and get the facts from both sides of the parties. It is sad to see that there were several occasions where both parties came very close to a peaceful agreement, but never honored eachothers words. I am sincerely hoping that this book will initiate a dialogue between the two parties and bring new hope and peace to the region which is very dear to people of all faiths.

I can describe this book in a word: WOW! I thought I was knowledgeable about the subject matter particularly by comparison with the average person but Jimmy Carter gives insight about the inner workings behind the scenes.

As a person who once thought that the Palestinians were a bunch of terrorists, that opinion doesn't survive the application of objective logic. I now know that this is simply how they have been portrayed by partisan politicians, the media, and during election year speeches.

I think everyone should read this book before assigning blame because there is plenty to go around. It is a complex situation which requires objectivity which is not possible until one knows the whole story.

The most powerful aspect of the book is the description of the living conditions of the Muslims and Christians in the occupied territories. I almost wanted to cry for them.

I shudder to think that my tax dollars have been used to lend blind support to these atrocities. The saddest thing is that so many people have been trained to look down on someone simply for questioning current policies. Any ideal worth standing for can easily withstand such questions. When a light is shined on the corner of a room, the only thing which scurries away is that which should not be.

This book points out things each side has done to exacerbate the problem so to say it is biased is short-sighted. It is simply honest and provides a clear road map for a solution. To call it a must-read would be a gross understatement.

President Carter has exhibited an extraordinary courage in writing this book which qualifies him for a second Nobel Prize

Good time, a bit long winded for some topics or some sub-topics more like.

Knew where it was going and the entire book is based around a conclusion or suggestions of how to move forward.

yes

no

This is a must read, we have a responsiblity to know where our tax dollars are going and who our government is supporting. Isreal is an Aparthied state and Mr. Carter explains this perfectly in this book that is based on true documented facts.

This book points out specific lawful points in this conflict. For example UN resolutions without inferring bias and leaving the reader with the ability to cross reference the situation from a Judicial perspective.

JC provides an independent on the ground view of the conflict and proposes possible and best options to resolve the conflict in the most civil manner without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs.

JC also touches although lightly on key factors such as numbers of people affected by this conflict on both sides of the fence. Many people have died, the numbers help on taking a humanistic approach to a simple yet over loaded topic. It leaves one with thirst for understanding the massive immigration of "International non native Jews" to this small geographical region. It provokes thought on how natural resources in the area must be distributed to provide for the people living in this land and leaves me to wonder if the Israelite ever think about the "Final Solution" when they were on the chopping block, and how this affects their view and association with other peoples.