Speaking of Christians and Jews (see the post immediately below), former president Jimmy Carter has apologized to Jews for actions he acknowledged have stigmatized Israel. Carter said that he should not have named his book, “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,” and that Palestinians in the disputed West Bank are not experiencing apartheid. He added:
We must recognize Israel’s achievements under difficult circumstances, even as we strive in a positive way to help Israel continue to improve its relations with its Arab populations, but we must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel.
Cynics have suggested that Carter’s apparent change of heart has something to do with the fact that his grandson, Jason Carter, is seriously consideing a run for Georgia’s state Senate from the district representing suburban DeKalb County. The district includes an area around Emory University that has a substantial Jewish population.
Carter reportedly denies such linkage. He states that Jews make up only 2 percent of the overall population of the district in question. The district is currently represented by a Jew, David Adelman. President Obama has nominated Adelman to be ambassador to Singapore.
Young Carter calls his grandfather’s words “a great step towards reconciliation,” and adds that, for his part, he “intend[s] to reach out to all people in District 42 and work hard to earn their trust and their votes.” I dislike the kid already.
Let’s give the last word on this to Abraham Foxman, national director of the the Anti-Defamation League. Foxman reportedly said: “If it turns out that President Carter’s love for his grandson brought about an epiphany in his relationship with the Jewish people, that’s fine.”
Gut gezugt.
Notice: All comments are subject to moderation. Our comments are intended to be a forum for civil discourse bearing on the subject under discussion. Commenters who stray beyond the bounds of civility or employ what we deem gratuitous vulgarity in a comment — including, but not limited to, “s***,” “f***,” “a*******,” or one of their many variants — will be banned without further notice in the sole discretion of the site moderator.