Carter & Hamas

April 16, 2008

Sometimes I just don’t get Jimmy Carter. But then I guess a lot of Americans never did. He made it to the top office in the land, but he landed not very well in the position as it turns out. Once again, Carter is seemingly doing the unpopular thing. Maybe that’s just his calling- who he is. Who knows?

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met an ex-minister in Hamas’ government on Tuesday, defying Israeli leaders who shunned the Nobel Peace Prize laureate over his contacts with the Islamist group. Naser al-Shaer, who served as deputy prime minister in the Hamas-led government that the United States and other Western powers boycotted, was greeted by Carter with a hug and kisses to both cheeks, a member of Carter’s delegation said.

Carter has angered the Israeli government over plans to meet Hamas’ top leader, Khaled Meshaal, in Syria, and for describing Israeli policy in the occupied Palestinian territories as “a system of apartheid” in a 2006 book.

Carter, who brokered Israel’s first peace treaty with an Arab neighbor, Egypt, signed in 1979, met Israel’s ceremonial president Shimon Peres on Sunday but was shunned by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other policymakers.

Hamas seized the coastal territory by force in June after routing Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ more secular Fatah faction. Abbas then sacked a Hamas-led unity government and appointed a Western-backed administration in the West Bank. Abbas’s authority has been limited to the occupied West Bank.

Carter told reporters earlier he had wanted to visit Gaza, but his request was rejected. Carter did not say who turned down his request, but a member of his delegation said it was Israel. “I haven’t been able to get permission to go into Gaza. I would like to. I asked for permission. But I was turned down. But maybe we can find a way to circumvent that,” Carter said.

Well, I wonder who denied the request? Duh!

All of the border crossings between Israel and Gaza are controlled by the Jewish state. Egyptian forces are stationed at Gaza’s southern border, which is largely closed.

I am sure that once this mess is oiver, Jimmy-boy will find a new controversy! Meanwhile back in the state Pope Benedict XVI is getting most of the news.

Written by Ernie · Filed Under Daily Commentary