For violating unwritten law, Carter gets it from all sides

Editor's note: I will be moving over to the other blog.
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Monday, January 22, 2007

Jimmy Carter, a devout Christian, has violated the 11th commandment, "Thou shalt not criticize Israel, for anything, ever." The continuing fallout from Palestine, Peace not Apartheid, in letters to the editor, resignations from the Carter Center, ("14 quit Carter Center board to protest book," Jan. 12) and attacks from columnists, constitute graphic proof of the accuracy of his conclusions regarding Jewish influence on American public debate.

In recent days, The Post's letters columns have featured a letter accusing this former president (who won a Nobel Peace Prize for refereeing the Camp David Accords) of either not knowing the facts or being prejudiced. Another suggested that his book was financed by Arab money. This is the same man described by Golda Meir as "a great friend of Israel."

Another, long letter from the national director of the Anti-Defamation League (Dec. 29) accused Mr. Carter of "repeating the canard of Jewish control" (of American foreign policy). This letter assured us that a careful distinction is made between legitimate criticism and anti-Semitism. No examples of "legitimate criticism" were offered. He was apparently unaware of The Washington Post's Richard Cohen's statement "that Israel's American supporters have immense influence over (U.S.) foreign policy is inarguable" (cited in Haaretz).

The truth of Mr. Carter's recent comment, "There's a tremendous intimidation in this country that has silenced our people, not just individuals, not just folks running for office. It's the news media as well," is evident every day. Europeans are much more sympathetic to the Palestinian cause and, of course, are accused of being anti-Semitic.

Americans, with access mainly to U.S. media, have no knowledge of The Council of Europe and Amnesty International's accusations of Israeli war crimes of disproportionate retaliation or of the horrific "collateral damage" resulting in the death of women and children as Israelis tried to kill suspected Hamas leaders. Israel is far, far ahead in the body count. How many Americans ever have seen the 20-foot wall dividing Arab families on TV?

No rational American elected official, candidate for office or prospective political appointee ever can question any action of Israel, or even consider publicly the possibility of reducing our financial or military support, without expecting prompt accusations of anti-Semitism. The prime minister of Israel, Ehud Olmert, stated candidly (Economist, Aug. 5), "Thank god we have AIPAC, the greatest supporter and friend we have in the whole world."

This is most frightening when considered in the context of the possible threat to Israel from a nuclear-armed Iran. President Bush has said, "We will not allow Israel to fall." If that time comes, will our elected officials have the courage to deny the demands of AIPAC and the rest of the Israel lobby?

DAVID F. SWEENEY