AAI Alert: Palestine: Peace Not Pandering
More than two weeks before its release, former President Jimmy Carter's upcoming book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" is already fodder for political pandering on the left and right. In the book, the Nobel Peace Prize winner asserts that, "Because of powerful political, economic, and religious forces in the United States, Israeli government decisions are rarely questioned or condemned." Eager to prove his point, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) released a statement saying, "With all due respect to former President Carter, he does not speak for the Democratic Party on Israel…We stand with Israel now and we stand with Israel forever…It is wrong to suggest that the Jewish people would support a government in Israel or anywhere else that institutionalizes ethnically based oppression, and Democrats reject that allegation vigorously." DNC Chairman Howard Dean joined in, saying, "On this issue President Carter speaks for himself, the opinions in his book are his own, they are not the views or position of the Democratic Party. I and other Democrats will continue to stand with Israel in its battle against terrorism and for a lasting peace with its neighbors." Perhaps most disappointing is the response from Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), who reportedly called Carter to chide him for the book's title. Conyers represents thousands of Arab Americans and has always been counted on as a voice of reason on Middle East issues.