Search Results for “carter Peace Not Apartheid”

Young Israel Calls On YU and Cardozo Law School to Rescind Invitation to Jimmy Carter

April 9, 2013 7:00 pm 5 Comments

The National Council of Young Israel today called on Yeshiva University and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law to withdraw an invitation to former President Jimmy Carter to attend an award ceremony at the law school on April 10. Carter is slated to be the recipient of the International Advocate for Peace Award, which is an award that is given each year by the school’s Journal of Conflict Resolution. “The National Council of Young Israel strongly urges Yeshiva University, the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, and the school’s Journal of Conflict Resolution to do the right thing and rescind the invitation that has been issued to former President Carter,” said Farley Weiss, the president of the National Council of Young Israel. “We believe that honoring President Carter as an International Advocate for Peace Award may be consistent with this organization’s past of honoring another demonizer of Israel, Bishop Desmond Tutu, but it does not mean that bad decisions should be repeated over again; rather, they should learn from the past and honor those who truly deserve to be honored. We would further like to hear from Yeshiva University and Cardozo Law School, which is my wife Jessica’s alma mater, that steps will be taken by the university to prevent the recurrence of such honorees in the future.” “Mr. Carter’s well-known animus and bias towards the State of Israel has earned him widespread condemnation from Jews and non-Jews alike, and he is certainly not deserved to have any honor bestowed upon by him by an entity that has ties to the Jewish community and the Jewish State,” continued Weiss. “We hope that Yeshiva University and Cardozo will do the right thing and reconsider its decision to permit Mr. Carter on campus and not allow its students to pay honor to someone who has done much to hurt the honor of the State of Israel.” In April 2008, Carter deliberately and wantonly ignored the wishes of the United States government when he traveled to Syria to meet with Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas’ terrorist organization. Carter not only met with Mashaal but embraced Hamas, a terrorist group that has repeatedly called for the destruction of the State of Israel. This action by Carter was not one for conflict resolution, but was a slap in the face to Israel, the U.S., and Jews everywhere. Carter has also shown his repeated denigration of Israel not just through his actions, but through his words as well. In 2006, Carter wrote a book entitled “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” Carter’s use of the word “apartheid” in the book’s title was outrageous. Although apartheid is the rule of dominant minorities, Carter inexplicably used the divisive term to describe Israel, a country which is by no means ruled by a dominant minority. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Yeshiva University’s Cardozo Alumni Set Up Website To Protest Scheduled Jimmy Carter Appearance

April 7, 2013 6:57 pm 15 Comments

A group of concerned alumni of Yeshiva University’s Cardozo law school has set up a website to oppose former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s appearance there on Wednesday, and has sent out the following email to alumni. On Wednesday April 10, 2013 – that is this Wednesday -, Jimmy Carter will be honored at Cardozo to receive the International Advocate for Peace Award from the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution. Jimmy Carter has an ignominious history of anti-Israel bigotry. He is responsible for helping to mainstream the antisemitic notion that Israel is an apartheid state with his provocatively titled book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid”, the publication of which prompted mass resignations from the Carter Center. He has met numerous times with leaders of the terror group Hamas whitewashing their genocidal goals and undermining US efforts to isolate Hamas. And Carter’s record of slandering Israel is so voluminous that both CAMERA and Alan Dershowitz have written books refuting his lies. While Carter may be credited for the role he played in the Camp David Accords as President of the United States and the resultant cold peace between Israel and Egypt that ensued, that event took place close to 30 years ago. Since the end of his presidency, Jimmy Carter has exhibited extreme antipathy towards Israel – and by extension the Jewish people – that places him firmly in the camp of the likes of Walt and Mearsheimer. It is simply unconscionable for a Jewish affiliated school to honor someone who has played such a high profile role in demonizing the Jewish state. We therefore urge you to condition any continued support of Cardozo, be it financial or otherwise, on the cancellation of this event. Please also take 2 minutes out of your busy schedules to contact the Dean of Cardozo and President of Yeshiva University to express your outrage. Contact details are below. Professor Matthew Diller, Dean of Cardozo: Tel – 212-790-0310; Email – [email protected] Professor Richard Joel, President of Yeshiva University: Tel – 212 960 5300; Email – [email protected] We have established a website at www.shameoncardozo.com where you can find more information. Please share and forward this email with your friends. Silence is complicity. The Coalition of Concerned Cardozo Alumni (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

Jimmy Carter Says Mideast Peace Is ‘Vanishing’

October 22, 2012 1:17 pm 11 Comments

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter said Monday during a visit to Jerusalem that the prospect of an Israel-Palestinian peace accord is “vanishing,” blaming Israeli settlement of the West Bank. Carter, a longtime critic of Israeli policies, called the current situation “catastrophic” and blamed Israel for the growing isolation of east Jerusalem from the West Bank. He said a Palestinian state has become “unviable.” “We’ve reached a crisis stage,” said Carter, 88. “The two-state solution is the only realistic path to peace and security for Israel and the Palestinians.” Carter is currently on a two-day visit leading a delegation known as the “The Elders,” which includes the former prime minister of Norway and the former president of Ireland. The group met with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But they didn’t meet with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Carter said that the delegation didn’t request a meeting because they haven’t been granted meetings on previous visits. Netanyahu has pledged support for a Palestinian state but peace talks with the Palestinians have been frozen for most of his tenure. Carter criticized him for not doing enough. “Up until now, every prime minister has been a willing and enthusiastic supporter of the two-state solution,” he said. The Palestinians say they will only return to the negotiating table if Israel freezes settlement construction on occupied lands claimed by the Palestinians. Israel says talks should resume without preconditions. As president, Carter brokered the historic peace treaty between Israel and Egypt. But since he left office, he has become increasingly critical of Israel. His 2006 book, “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” claimed that Israel’s settlement of Palestinian land was the primary obstacle to Mideast peace. The book sparked widespread outrage in Israel. Carter and the delegation also expressed concern about the ongoing divisions between the main Palestinian parties, Fatah and Hamas, and vowed support for a Palestinian observer state status bid at the United Nations General Assembly in November. The group departs for Egypt on Tuesday, where they will meet with newly elected Islamist President Mohammed Morsi. (AP)

Op-Ed: Israel Needs Our Support, Not Just A Veto

February 20, 2011 3:28 pm 10 Comments

The War of Independence, Sinai War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, First Lebanon War, First Intifada, Second Intifada, Second Lebanon War, Gaza War: this is only a partial list of the wars and conflicts that have been afflicting the Israelis for the past six decades. This doesn’t include close to two hundred suicide bombings with close to one thousand killed and tens of thousands wounded. This excludes thousands of missile, rocket and shooting attacks that have killed many, while causing physical and psychological damage to hundreds of thousands. This leaves out the constant threat of Iran that looms on its citizens every day, the fear of yet another war or the fright those mothers and children live with, in fear of another murderous suicide attack. It is perhaps one of the longest conflicts in history; one that has already involved the entire world and one that has no light at the end of the tunnel – no solution in sight. Ever since Ronald Reagan pursued democracy and made Israel America’s best friend, the American Presidents have largely tried to distinguish themselves as Israel’s friend in the White House. He drew the line in the sand after some US Presidents put intense pressure on Israel to give up its right of self-defense with some refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist (to some extent). Indeed, Israel has literally become a prerequisite for any President prior to taking office. President Obama visited Israel when he was the Democratic candidate as did McCain, and it has now become an unofficial primary state for the GOP candidates. Yet, peace is still farfetched as everyone scrambles to find a solution to the conflict. It has become the duty for every president to present a peace plan to end this ongoing fiasco once and for all. President Carter perhaps foresaw Israel’s disintegration as the solution to the Mideast crisis. Following his mishap of replacing an American ally in Iran with an Islamic Radical regime, he felt that the region can use more of his “cure” to eliminate the “apartheid regime.” President Clinton didn’t seem to have a solution. He pushed for the Oslo Accords, an agreement that didn’t outline any milestone pact or solution for the conflict other than demanding Israeli concessions. President Bush, most particularly Condoleezza Rice, decided on a “Two State” solution – where two people would live side-by-side in peace and harmony. This resolution, often criticized by neoconservatives – even amongst his cabinet, never materialized as it didn’t make any sense. Finally, President Obama decided that he would shower Israel with some “tough love” – sometimes seen as outright hatred – to resolve this issue. The United Nations forever had a similar way to Carter’s way of dealing with this problem: the destruction of Israel. As many liberals believe, Israel is evermore the obstacle. George Soros, Richard Goldstone and Mohamed Ahmadinejad have one thing in common – their hatred to the lone Jewish state. The UN Security Council has one solution ever since – condemn Israel. Whether it was a war Israel was waging against Hezbollah, rocket launchers in Gaza or a flotilla laden with arms from Turkey, Israel was rebuked for their response. However, Israel knew that it can rely on the United States’ veto power. It knew that America was protecting

Jimmy Carter Offers Jews An ‘Al Chet’ & Asks For Forgiveness

December 21, 2009 8:07 pm 16 Comments

Former US President Jimmy Carter is asking for forgiveness of the Jewish community for forgiveness for any stigma he may have caused Israel. The following are excerpts of the seasonal message which was released exclusively to the JTA, [link to complete letter at end of YWN article] “…..I have the hope and a prayer that the State of Israel will flourish as a Jewish state within secure and recognized borders in peaceful co-existence with its neighbors and with all the Moslem States, and that this peaceful co-existence will bring security, prosperity and happiness to the people of Israel and to the people of the Middle East of all faiths. “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. As I would have noted at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but which is appropriate at any time of the year, I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so.” JUST A FEW CARTER HIGHLIGHTS IN THE PAST 2 YEARS: It should be noted that although Mr. Carter has released many anti-Israel comments over the years, he has been actively involved in trying to obtain the release of abducted IDF Soldier Gilad Shalit. Most recently he met with Chacham Ovadia Yosef Shlita, as well as delivering a letter to the Shalit family written by Gilad. In 2008, Carter passed a photo of missing IDF Soldier Guy Chever to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad asking for assistance. CARTER NOT HELPING ISRAEL: In July 2009 Mr Carter visited Hamas-controlled Gaza, and told the media that he was “holding back tears” in his description of the difficult situation, calling upon Israel to end the blockade and stop treating Gaza residents like “savages”. Carter blamed Israel for the “humanitarian crisis” that exists in Gaza today. On that same trip to Gaza Carter delivered a letter to Hamas from the Shalit’s to give to their captive son. In December 2008, Carter met with Syrian President Assad and then called on Israel to give the Golan Heights to Syria. In December 2008, Carter caused quite a stir when he scheduled a meeting with senior Hamas terrorist Khaled Meshal, currently exiled in Damascus. Carter was slammed by many people – most notably then US Democratic hopeful Senator Barack Obama. While speaking to Jewish leaders in Philadelphia, Obama reiterated his support for Israel, stating Hamas is a terror organization and until they renounce terrorism and recognizes Israel’s right to exist, meeting with its leaders is unacceptable. In January of 2007, Carter apologized to a US Jewish audience over a passage in his controversial book ‘Peace Not Apartheid.’ “Asked if he was justifying terrorism in a passage in the book calling on Palestinians to cease terrorist attacks if the Israelis agree to abide by international law, Carter said, ‘That sentence was worded in a completely improper and stupid way. I apologize to everyone here. Throughout the rest of the book I call on all Palestinians and Israelis to terminate violence against civilians.’ He promised subsequent editions would be changed,” the Jewish Week had said in a report. LINK to complete letter on the JTA website. (Dov Gordon – YWN)

Young Israel Movement Calls On Obama & Dean To Cancel Carter Convention Speech

August 21, 2008 3:01 pm 10 Comments

The National Council of Young Israel today called on Senator Barack Obama and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean to rescind the invitation extended to President Jimmy Carter to address next week’s convention in Denver. In a letter sent to the presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee and the DNC Chairman, NCYI President Shomo Z. Mostofsky, Esq., and NCYI Executive Vice President Rabbi Pesach Lerner cited Carter’s anti-Israel statements and actions as the reasons behind their request. “Over the past several years, President Carter has repeatedly and relentlessly undermined Israel’s position on the world stage,” wrote Mostofsky and Lerner. “He has blatantly disregarded the standard code of conduct on issues related to international affairs, always to the detriment of Israel and its citizens. Affording Mr. Carter a prime speaking engagement on the Democrats’ brightest stage is an affront to the State of Israel, and to all American Zionists, whether they are Christians or Jews.” The full text of the National Council of Young Israel’s letter appears below: August 21, 2008 Hon. Barack Obama Obama for America P.O. Box 8102 Chicago, Illinois 60680 Hon. Barack Obama United States Senate 713 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Hon. Howard Dean Democratic National Committee 430 S. Capitol Street SE Washington, DC 20003 Dear Senator Obama and Chairman Dean: We are writing to express our profound disappointment at the decision to add former President James Carter to the list of speakers at next week’s Democratic National Convention. We ask that you rescind President Carter’s invitation to address the convention in Denver. Over the past several years, President Carter has repeatedly and relentlessly undermined Israel’s position on the world stage. He has blatantly disregarded the standard code of conduct on issues related to international affairs, always to the detriment of Israel and its citizens. Affording Mr. Carter a prime speaking engagement on the Democrats’ brightest stage is an affront to the State of Israel, and to all American Zionists, whether they are Christians or Jews. Mr. Carter’s transgressions against Israel are well known and well documented. In April 2008 he deliberately and wantonly ignored the wishes of the United States government when he traveled to Syria to meet with Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas’ terrorist organization. The fact that he embraced Hamas, a terrorist group that has repeatedly called for the destruction of the State of Israel, the obliteration of the United States, and the annihilation of the Jewish people, was a slap in the face to Israel, the U.S., and Jews everywhere. In addition, let us not forget Mr. Carter’s 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” in which he condemned Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians and criticized American Jews for what he called their efforts to curb any debate on the issue by exercising their power. In his book, Mr. Carter examined the history of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and was highly critical of Israel’s policies. A great deal of the controversy surrounding the book focused on Mr. Carter’s use of the word “apartheid” in the book’s title. Although apartheid was the official policy of racial segregation that was used in South Africa to discriminate against non-whites, Mr. Carter said that it is an appropriate term to describe Israel’s policies in relation to its treatment of the Palestinians. Further, it was just several months

RJC: Remove Carter From Democratic Convention Program

August 20, 2008 2:02 pm 13 Comments

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) today called on Sen. Barack Obama and the Democratic Party leadership to remove former President Jimmy Carter from the program at the Democratic National Convention. Yesterday it was announced that Carter is scheduled to speak at the Convention in Denver on Monday, August 25, 2008. Through the years, President Carter has consistently demonstrated by his statements and actions a troubling anti-Israel bias. In April 2008, despite strong protests by Israeli leaders, the U.S. State Department and several Democratic leaders, Carter met with Hamas leader Khaled Meshal in Syria. In an August 2006 interview with Der Spiegel, Carter ignored Israel’s right to defend its citizens and borders. Instead, Carter claimed Israel’s attack was “unjustified” and that “Israel looks upon this as a justification for an attack on the civilian population of Lebanon and Gaza.” In 2006, Carter also published an error-filled, egregiously biased book entitled Palestine: Peace not Apartheid. Carter said publicly that Israeli treatment of Palestinians is “one of the greatest human rights crimes on earth.” “Jimmy Carter’s long history of anti-Israel bias has rendered him unfit to address the Democratic Convention. It is incumbent upon the Democratic Party leadership and Senator Obama to remove Carter from the program in Denver. The Democratic Party and Senator Obama’s continued embrace of Carter and his anti-Israel bias sends a troubling message to the Jewish community. It stands in stark contrast to the GOP and John McCain’s pro-Israel stance,” said RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks. “Additionally, Senator Obama should reject Carter’s superdelegate vote. The hand that shook Khaled Meshal’s should not be allowed to rise in support of Senator Obama’s candidacy for president.” (YWN Desk – NYC)

Jimmy Carter…..just acting himself

May 4, 2007 8:27 am 5 Comments

Former President Jimmy Carter urged students at a Southern California university that have a history of strained relations between Jewish and Islamic groups to set differences aside and work together to find solutions. “I’d like to see the leaders form a combined group and take my invitation to go to Palestine and see what’s going on for yourselves,” Carter told a crowd of about 3,300 students and faculty at University of California, Irvine on Thursday.

Former President Carter apologizes to Jews

January 27, 2007 8:12 pm 8 Comments

Former US President Jimmy Carter has apologized to a US Jewish audience over a passage in his controversial book ‘Peace Not Apartheid.’ “Asked if he was justifying terrorism in a passage in the book calling on Palestinians to cease terrorist attacks if the Israelis agree to abide by international law, Carter said, ‘That sentence was worded in a completely improper and stupid way. I apologize to everyone here.

Former President Carter getting some heat

January 14, 2007 10:00 am 4 Comments

Fourteen Jewish members of the Carter Center resigned Friday as Board of Councilors over Jimmy Carter’s controversial book in which the ex-president blamed Israel for the failure of Middle East peace efforts.

Carter damages Israel�s and his own image

June 1, 2006 9:01 am 1 Comment

WJW: Last week, former President Jimmy Carter penned an op-ed in USA Today titled, �Israel�s New Plan: A Land Grab.� He chastises Israel for its attempt to �colonize� Palestinian land and paints the Palestinian leadership as champing at the bit to negotiate a peace deal with recalcitrant Israelis.

Air Force One With Obama, Bush, & Hillary Clinton Heading to South Africa For Mandela Memorial

December 9, 2013 8:46 am No Comments

President Barack Obama has taken off for South Africa to attend a national memorial service for anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela. Obama and his wife, Michelle, boarded Air Force One under cold, rainy skies Monday morning for the long flight. The occasion presented an opportunity for a rare get-together of American presidents. Former President George W. Bush was already on board the plane, along with former first ladies Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton. Former President Bill Clinton was traveling separately from Rio de Janeiro, where he was attending a Clinton Global Initiative event. And former President Jimmy Carter also planned to join the group in Johannesburg. George H.W. Bush is the only living president who will not attend. His spokesman said the 89-year-old no longer is able to travel long distances. The American leaders will join dozens of other dignitaries and tens of thousands of mourners at the memorial service at a Johannesburg stadium. Mandela will be buried Dec. 15, following a state funeral in his hometown of Qunu. Obama has called Mandela a personal hero, and his own political rise has drawn inevitable comparisons to the former South African leader. Each was his nation’s first black president and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize — though those close to the U.S. leader say he is aware of the vast differences in the politicians’ experiences. “President Obama would believe that the challenges he has faced pale in comparison to those faced by President Mandela,” Valerie Jarrett, Obama’s senior adviser, said in an interview this summer before the president made a trip to South Africa. Mandela was hospitalized during Obama’s visit, preventing a meeting between the two men. Obama did, however, meet with several members of Mandela’s family and made an emotional visit to Robben Island, standing with his wife and two daughters in the tiny cell where the South African leader spent 18 of his 27 years in prison. Obama and Mandela met in person only once, a hastily arranged 2005 meeting in a Washington hotel room when Obama was a U.S. senator. A photo of the meeting hangs in Obama’s personal office at the White House, showing a smiling Mandela sitting on a chair, his legs outstretched, as the young senator reaches down to shake his hand. A copy of the photo also hangs in Mandela’s office in Johannesburg. The two men did speak occasionally by telephone, including after the 2008 election, when Mandela called Obama to congratulate him on his victory. The U.S. president called Mandela in 2010 after the South African leader’s young granddaughter was killed in a car accident. Obama also wrote the introduction to Mandela’s memoir, “Conversations with Myself.” Mandela had already shaped Obama’s political beliefs well before their first encounter. As a student at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Obama joined protests against the school’s investments during South Africa’s apartheid era. In 1981, Obama focused his first public political speech on the topic. “The day that he was released from prison gave me a sense of what human beings can do when they’re guided by their hopes and not by their fears,” Obama said in remarks shortly after Mandela died. “And like so many around the globe, I cannot fully imagine my own life without the example that Nelson Mandela set, and so long

Olmert Seeking to Avoid Meeting Peanut Man, But Will Meet Other Israeli Officials

April 10, 2008 9:52 am 13 Comments

Former US President and Nobel Prize laureate Jimmy Carter will be arriving in Israel on Sunday, planning to meet with Palestinian Authority officials to discuss ongoing regional peace efforts. According to a Yediot Achronot report, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s staff has been contacted to arrange a meeting but the prime minister is not particularly interested in meeting the former president. Carter will be meeting with President Shimon Peres, Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Yisrael Beitenu Party leader Avigdor Lieberman. He will also be meeting with opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu, and Ministers Eli Yishai and Ami Ayalon. Carter’s views comparing apartheid in S. Africa with Israel in his latest book are well known and he has never been known as a friend of Israel, rather he is a staunch supporter of Israel’s enemies. It appears he may be trying to do an image make-over, planning a solidarity visit to Sderot during his stay in Israel. In a somewhat related matter, Israel recently rejected an offer from the senior citizens club, Jimmy Carter, Desmond Tuto, Kofi Anan and Mary Robinson, the former president of Ireland – seeking to act as intermediaries between Jerusalem and Ramallah. Danny Gellerman, Israel’s former UN Ambassador, who was involved in rejecting the request mentioned above, describes Carter as “two-faced, an anti-Semite and anti-Israel,” Yediot reported. (Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

OU Upset That Condi Consulted With The Peanut Man

October 31, 2007 2:01 pm 6 Comments

The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, expressed deep concern today over news reports that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has consulted with former president, Jimmy Carter, in preparing for the upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Annapolis. President Carter’s most recent book, “Peace, Not Apartheid” was widely condemned as biased by a wide spectrum of the American Jewish community and by friends of Israel of all faiths – as reported HERE on YW. UOJCA Director of Public Policy Nathan Diament stated: “Rather than outreach to someone who always finds Israel at fault and always excuses each and every Palestinian failure, including terrorism and the targeting of civilians, it is better to find Palestinian leadership willing to step up and deliver peace, not violence. To date, as National Security Adviser and Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice has held firm to clear principles – that the U.S. must stand with her democratic allies in the face of Islamic terrorists – which led to her being a stalwart supporter of Israel. We pray she remains committed to these principles even today and would distance herself from those who reject them.”

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