In this book, Carter succeeded in transparently describing the middle-east crisis through his personal experience, while avoiding hypocrisy and bias. Thus, the text presents an objective and highly ordered presentation of a very misinterpreted reality...

Nobel Prize Laurate Jimmy Carter wrote the necessary. Some might not agree with the book, but truth be told this is a must read with those who are obssessed with the holocaust, but cant see the jews commiting the same atrocities they love to complain about.

Islamization: How it Works

Islam is not a religion, nor is it a cult. In it's Greatest form, it is a complete, total, 100% system of life. The goal is Dar es Salaam.

Islam has religious, legal, political, economic, social, and military
components. The religious component is a beard for all of the other
components.

Islamization begins when there are sufficient Muslims in a country to
agitate for their religious rights.

When politically correct, tolerant, and culturally diverse societies agreeto Muslim demands for their religious rights, some of the other components tend to creep in as well. Here's how it works.

As long as the Muslim population remains around or under 2% in any given
country, they will be for the most part be regarded as a peace-loving minority, and not as a threat to other citizens. This is the case in:

United States -- Muslim 0.6%
Australia -- Muslim 1.5%
Canada --
Muslim 1.9%
China -- Muslim 1.8%
Italy -- Muslim 1.5%
Norway -- Muslim 1.8%

At 2% to 5%, they begin to proselytize from other ethnic minorities and
disaffected groups, often with major recruiting from the jails and among streetgangs. This is happening in:

Denmark -- Muslim 2%
Germany -- Muslim 3.7%
United Kingdom -- Muslim 2.7%
Spain -- Muslim 4%
Thailand -- Muslim 4.6%

From 5% on, they exercise an inordinate influence in proportion to their
percentage of the population. For example, they will push for the introduction of halal(clean by Islamic standards) food.. They will increase pressure on supermarket chains to feature halal on their shelves -- along with threats for failure to comply. This is occurring in:

France -- Muslim 8%
Philippines -- Muslim 5%
Sweden -- Muslim 5%
Switzerland -- Muslim 4.3%
The Netherlands -- Muslim 5.5%
Trinidad &Tobago -- Muslim 5.8%

At this point, they will work to get the ruling government to allow them torule themselves (within their ghettos) under Sharia, the Islamic Law. The ultimate goal of Islamists is to establish Sharia law over the entire
world.

When Muslims approach 10% of the population, they tend to increase
lawlessness as a means of complaint about their conditions. In Paris , we are already seeing car-burnings. Any non-Muslim action offends Islam, and results in uprisings and threats, such as in Amsterdam , with opposition to Mohammed cartoons and films about Islam. Such tensions are seen daily, particularly in Muslim sections, in:

Guyana -- Muslim 10%
India -- Muslim 13.4%
Israel -- Muslim 16%
Kenya -- Muslim 10%
Russia -- Muslim 15%

After reaching 20%, nations can expect hair-trigger rioting, jihad militiaformations, sporadic killings, and the burnings of Christian churches and Jewish synagogues, such as in:

Ethiopia -- Muslim 32.8%

At 40%, nations experience widespread massacres, chronic terror attacks,
and ongoing militia warfare, such as in:

Bosnia -- Muslim 40%
Chad -- Muslim 53.1%
Lebanon -- Muslim 59.7%

From 60%, nations experience unfettered persecution of non-believers of allother religions (including non-conforming Muslims), sporadic ethnic cleansing(genocide), use of Sharia Law as a weapon, and Jizya, the tax placed on infidels, such as in:

Albania -- Muslim 70%
Malaysia -- Muslim 60.4%
Qatar -- Muslim 77.5%
Sudan -- Muslim 70%

After 80%, expect daily intimidation and violent jihad, some State-run
ethnic cleansing, and even some genocide, as these nations drive out the
infidels, and move toward 100% Muslim, such as has been experienced and in some ways is on-going in:

Bangladesh -- Muslim 83%
Egypt -- Muslim 90%
Gaza -- Muslim 98.7%
Indonesia -- Muslim 86.1%
Iran -- Muslim 98%
Iraq -- Muslim 97%
Jordan -- Muslim 92%
Morocco -- Muslim 98.7%
Pakistan -- Muslim 97%
Palestine -- Muslim 99%
Syria -- Muslim 90%
Tajikistan -- Muslim 90%
Turkey -- Muslim 99.8%
United Arab Emirates -- Muslim 96%

100% will usher in the peace of 'Dar-es-Salaam' -- the Islamic House of
Peace. Here there's supposed to be peace, because everybody is a Muslim, theMadrasses are the only schools, and the Koran is the only word, such as in:

Afghanistan -- Muslim 100%
Saudi Arabia -- Muslim 100%
Somalia -- Muslim 100%
Yemen -- Muslim 100%

Unfortunately, peace in never achieved, as in these 100% states the most
radical Muslims intimidate and spew hatred, and satisfy their blood lust by killing less radical Muslims, for a variety of reasons.

'Before I was nine I had learned the basic canon of Arab life. It was me
against my brother; me and my brother against our father; my family against my cousins and the clan; the clan against the tribe; the tribe against the world, and all of us against the infidel. - Leon Uris, 'The Haj'

It is important to understand that in some countries, with well under 100%Muslim populations, such as France, the minority Muslim populations live inghettos, within which they are 100% Muslim, and within which they live by Sharia Law. The national police do not dare even enter these ghettos. There are no national courts nor schools nor non-Muslim religious facilities. In such situations, Muslims do not integrate into the community at large. The children attend madrasses. They learn only the Koran. To even associate with an infidel is a crime punishable with death. Therefore, in some areas of certain nations, MuslimImams and extremists exercise more power than the national average would indicate.

Today's 1.5 billion Muslims make up 22% of the world's population. But
their birth rates dwarf the birth rates of Christians, Hindus, Buddists, andJews, and all other believers. At current rates Muslims will exceed 50% of the world's population by the end of this century.

Adapted from Dr. Peter Hammond's book: Slavery, Terrorism and Islam:
The Historical Roots and Contemporary Threat

Jimmy Carter exemplifies altruistic behavior and equality of ALL men. Finally an unprejudiced person in authority speaks the truth.

Zionists may argue that he's lying and his book is biased. But I implore you to read this book with an open mind. He was an integral part of the mid-east peace process, and as such has merit to write a book of this nature. It is completely free of bias. He points out the flaws of both sides, as well as the good on both sides. His book is not Pro-Israel, or Pro-Palestine...it's Pro-Peace.

If you want an unbiased analysis of the Mid-East, by a man involved in the process, this is the book for you.

In addition to this remarkable book by Jimmy Carter, I strongly recommend `The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy'. It is completely bewildering how general public and the government allowed being stupefied till such degree by fabricated justification for many Israeli actions.

It's great to see someone with the status that Jimmy Carter holds, still care to make what is wrong with the world right. A majority of this country did not re-elect President Carter for a second presidential term,(Your loss) but years later he is still making an impact on the lives of people all over the world. That is who we need in office, someone who is sincere enough to care when the cameras are not on, and when lobbyists are not whispering in your ear. President Carter....thank you for your efforts with Palestine and all the other numerous causes you strive to make right.

Abominable. That is what Jimmy Carter's book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, is. His book is probably one of the worst I have ever read on Israeli and Middle Eastern affairs. In all honestly, the book needs to be removed from every bookshelf in the county. Instead of promoting peace, it does just the opposite.

Throughout his book, There were a few things that consistently irritated me. For one thing, on almost every page Carter refers to Israel has being occupied land or territory.

For someone who claims to know a lot about Israel and the Middle East, Carter knows very little or nothing at all.

If he would study his Bible more, he claims in his book he teaches Sunday school, he would know that the land the Jews now live in was promised to them by God thousands of years ago when God led Abraham out from the Ur of the Chaldees and led him unto a land that he was going to show him. (Gen 12:1-7)

Upon his arrival in the land of Canaan, it is never referred to as the land of Palestine in the Bible, God promised Abraham that his descendents would inhabit the land forever. And nothing. Absolutely nothing would ever change those promises. (Gen 15:1-21)

Something else that bothered me about his book was, was that he consistently blamed the Jews for most, if not all, the trouble in the Middle East.

One gets the impression, after reading Carter's book, that the Israelis can do no right, and that the Palestinians can do no wrong.

He makes mention that he received the Nobel Prize for peace several years back, I was scratching my head wondering how such a person could receive such an award when, in all honesty, he does not promote peace, but dissension.

Something else that bothered me tremendously was the fact that Carter kept bringing op the dividing of Israel into two states. Many people have been duped into believing that if Israel were divided into two states, one for the Palestinians and the other for the Israelis, that this would resolve the Middle East conflict, and that every thing will suddenly be like paradise. Sorry. It won't happen that way.

Numerous treaties and resolutions have been signed over the course of more than 15 years, and yet no peace has come.

The Palestinians claim that once their fake Palestinian state has been set up, that peace will finally come to the Middle East. Who do they think they are fooling?

Peace. True and everlasting peace will only come to the Middle East and Israel when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is sitting on the throne of David, in Jerusalem.

I have always had my reservations about Jimmy Carter. I did not like his presidency, its legacy nor how he handled the Hijacking towards the end of his presidency.

That said

I found this book to be the best, all around go-to book that explains EVERYTHING concerning Israel, its neighbors and the history of the conflict and how it leads up to today. Carter's bias is little and generally he gives both sides and history a very fair shake, so fair in fact that I have read many inflamatory comments and reviews that he is a Jew hater, israel hater or arab hater. This books sits next to The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt and a few books by Niall Ferguson in my library in my study.

If you want a concise, fair and truely balanced view of what problems exist in the middle east then by all means read this book! He took pains to back every bit that he could with UN resolutions in his appedix.

This book is easy to read and clearly explains the history and present day situation in Palestine. It is President Carter's assessment, and his ego is evident, but overall this is an interesting book, particularly if you're just starting to learn about this area of the world. I read it in a couple of hours and plan to read it again to pick up more detail. I found especially interesting the internal politics of the countries bordering Palestine.

The book leaves many questions unanswered. The issue is not that simple and even though Carter tried hard, he wasn't able to (or for that matter, no one could) find a resolution to the conflict that has plagued the Middle East for decades. What is required is sincerity, commitment,vision and fair play; unfortunately none of the leaders in the region are willing to embrace these much touted values.

Carter's book illuminates many of his frustrations that have lingered since the Camp David Accords. This is quite the interesting read. It is Carter's perspective on Israeli/Palestinian issues and his solution for their future peace. There are some things that this book is and that it isn't. It isn't a history book or rather it is history light. It is a quick read and moves lightly through the Levant. Carter skims the surface of many issues and doesn't go very deep in his analysis. I wished he would have brought in more of Sadat's and Begin's perspective on the Camp David Accords. He missed an opportunity to better expand this area. Carter wants to put back in force UN resolution 242 (boundary issues and land swap) and UN resolution 338 (cease fire and implement Resolution 242). In his book, Carter lays the lion share of this burden on Israel and not the Arab community. This is the premise of his book and also its' major issue with Zionists and Israel apologists. Israel can certainly do more proactive things to help peace along but they cannot do it alone or unilaterally. As long as terrorism exists provocations will lead to response. Terrorism containment is the direction that I felt Carter's book should be going and not trading land for peace.

There seems to be a certain dread that stands as the premise for Israel's statecraft and their very existence. Expecting them to stand around and do nothing, while the international community vacillates on opportunities and then seems to be inexhaustibly understanding of terrorist violence, is probably not going to happen. The book certainly gives a different point of view along with opening up many other problems and possibilities. Carter isn't anti-Semitic and does have a legitimate right to state his case and propose a solution. He is the only President to do anything really constructive in the direction of peace in this troubled area. This book, problems and all, is still worth the short time to read even if it's only to get Carter's persective. 3.5 stars.

This book should probably be named Carter's lamentations because his chapters are intertwined with complaining about the failures that have lingered after the Camp David Accords. There are some things that this book is and isn't. It isn't a history book or rather it is history light. It is a quick read and moves lightly through Levantine history. It is Carter's perspective on the Israeli/Palestinian issues and the direction they are heading. He skims the surface of many issues and doesn't go very deep in his analysis. This is so he can hurriedly move forward to his proposed solution to bring peace to this troubled land. He wants to put back in force UN resolution 242 (boundary issues and land swap) and UN resolution 338 (cease fire and implement Resolution 242). In his book, Carter lays the lion share of this burden on Israel and not the Arab community. This is the premise of his book and also its' weakness. Israel can certainly do more productive things to help peace along but they cannot do it alone or unilaterally. As long as the Arab world allows terrorism to exist provocations will lead to response. There seems to be a certain dread that stands as the premise for Israel's statecraft and their very existence. They cannot stand around and do nothing while the international community dithers away opportunities and then seems to be inexhaustibly understanding of terrorist violence. Yes there have been lost opportunities and human rights failures on all sides, including the U.S., but in the peace process terrorism needs containment and then true peace can have a chance. This is the direction that I felt Carter should be going. Trading land for peace won't work unless there is a reciprocal removal of terrorist activity. Golda Meir's response to Richard Nixon seems to sum up Israel's current position when she said, "Jews are used to collective eulogies, but Israel will not die so that the world will speak well of it".
Carter is not anti-Semitic and does have a legitimate right to state his case and propose a solution. He is the only President to do anything really constructive in the direction of peace in this troubled area. This book, problems and all, is still worth the short time to read even if it's only to get Carter's persective. 3.5 stars.

This book should probably be named Carter's lamentations because his chapters are intertwined with complaining about the failures that have lingered after the Camp David Accords. There are some things that this book is and isn't. It isn't a history book or rather it is history light. It is a quick read and moves lightly through Levantine history. It is Carter's perspective on the Israeli/Palestinian issues and the direction they are heading. He skims the surface of many issues and doesn't go very deep in his analysis. This is so he can hurriedly move forward to his proposed solution to bring peace to this troubled land. He wants to put back in force UN resolution 242 (boundary issues and land swap) and UN resolution 338 (cease fire and implement Resolution 242). In his book, Carter lays the lion share of this burden on Israel and not the Arab community. This is the premise of his book and also its' weakness. Israel can certainly do more productive things to help peace along but they cannot do it alone or unilaterally. As long as the Arab world allows terrorism to exist provocations will lead to response. There is a certain dread that stands as the premise for Israel's statecraft and their very existence. They cannot stand around and do nothing while the international community dithers away opportunities and then seems to be inexhaustibly understanding of terrorist violence. Yes there have been lost opportunities and human rights failures on all sides, including the U.S., but in the peace process terrorism needs containment and then true peace can have a chance. This is the direction that I felt Carter should be going. Golda Meir's response to Richard Nixon seems to sum up Israel's current position when she said, "Jews are used to collective eulogies, but Israel will not die so that the world will speak well of it".
Carter is not anti-Semitic and does have a legitimate right to state his case and propose a solution. He is the only President to do anything really constructive in the direction of peace in this troubled area. This book, problems and all, is still worth the short time to read. 3.5 stars.

I just finished reading it and thought that it was great. Mr. Carter does a great job of relaying his personal thoughts on the issue, from the perspective of a man who is arguably the most knowledgeable American on the subject. My only wish is that it would contain some context outside of his own observations, like reports in the news that could correlate with his insights.

As someone who has not (yet) been to the Middle East, I can't imagine a better and more informative way to learn more.

I wrote extensively on the subject here, including some favorite quotes:
[...]

Former President Jimmy Carter did a lot to advance Middle East peace, and he relies extensively upon personal meetings he had with Israeli and Arab leaders. I liked that "behind the scenes" aspect of the book.

However, the book is very repetitive and at times rambling. The book, 247 pages, could've been half that.

That criticism aside, I believe President Carter adds a useful voice to the Arab-Israeli peace process and the internal development of American policy toward the relevant players.

Drawing on his extensive dealings with the Arab and Israeli leaders over the course of four decades, President Carter surveys the development of the peace process during his presidency and then during those after.

From my perspective, the book was not particularly controversial - certainly no worse than what some "revisionist/reform" Israeli historians have written about their nation's relationship with Arabs.

I believe the book could've been condensed into an article, but it nevertheless adds to the discussion by providing a framework for a just, sustainable peace in the region (I don't support or oppose his framework necessarily, but it's good that he proferred an idea - something others should do instead of attacking his motives or charging him with anti-semitism). He believes UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 should guide future peace negotiations, and he believes that any "land-grabs" by the Israelis should be offset by Arab-annexations of now-Israeli land. Moreover, President Carter believes that a limited right to return should be granted to the displaced Palestinians with the rest being given just compensation.

The ideas aren't as radical as some in the media portrayed. The time has come for a discussion about America's role in the peace process and its foreign relations regarding Israel and the Arabs. Whether you agree or agree with President Carter, he adds to the discussion - a benefit.

And on a side note, the font is huge - as is the line spacing, so the book is a FAST read.

All said, do not buy this book for full price. Buy it hugely discounted (I got it for $1.00) or, dare I say this on Amazon.com, pick it up from your local library.

I read this book in one sitting and then immediately ordered JIMMY CARTER: THE MAN FROM PLAINS on DVD(Excellent, excellent movie and companion to the book!) President Carter talks clear, proven truth in book and movie. Unless you,ve read the book or seen President Carters' movie, make no comment until you have. You will also see that both are incredible! Carter is a true American Hero, who is truly trying his best to make the world better. Get the book and the movie and see for yourself. You will be deeply and forever moved by President Carters' heartfelt and true message. Superb!

Shame on the author. He knows nothing about Middle East and yet offers his BS opinion. It's a total disgrace.

President Jimmy Carter has come down to realize that Israel is the guilty party in the making of Palestine. Unfortunately this is too little and too late because Israel has provided a favorable arena to the Muslim extremists,who are a small minority.Israel has helped in grooming these Muslim extremists by constantly providing a reason to fight and take revenge.This blood bath of the 20th and 21st century is another form of biblical crusade.Again,USA is fighting a proxy war for Israel and I think most Americans including Jimmy Carter have come to realize the truth.

Well written and researched by the man who did some amazing work for peace in the Middle East. Despite unsupported critcism from those who have an agenda, this is a brave and honest history of peace and betrayal in the Middle East.
Well worth reading if you want the truth about why the unrest continues.

Nothing can say more about this book than the company it keeps. Look at the books bought by people who bought this book and you see the strain of anti-Semitism throughout. Carter spreads the claptrap that the US is at fault for Palestinians strapping bombs on their children and the mentally infirm due to our support of Israel. He fails to make a connection between cause and effect -- ex: Israel building a fence causes suicide bombers, when it is clearly the bombers that created a requirement for the fence -- in an Orwellian explanation of past events that strip them of their true context to fit his world view. Don't waste your money on this book or the ones bought by its adherents.

Jimmy Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid" is a very refreshing statement when one realizes that virtually no comments of this nature have been uttered previously by an American political figure of this stature. He clearly supports a two state system as a solution for solving the decades old issue of conflict between Palestine and Isreal. His historical timeline is carefully, skillfully and accurately crafted even to the point of exposing the United States as a major factor in the continuation of this struggle, often in devious ways. His stature as a world statesman is significantly enhanced by his bold assertion of both the dangers in continuing present conflicts and the hope that still remains if facts are faced and the "people of the land" on both sides are heard with appropriate response. This is not a book to be treated casually. It is a marvelous product of an unselfish and giving proponent of peace. It is easy to see why so many persons who turn a blind eye to Israel's continued breaking of international law and the United States looking the other way would be enraged.

This anti-Semitic tirade is more proof that not only is carter is a moron and a hypocrite, he is outside the relm of the real world. While he idolizes terrorists like arafat, pol pot, castro, kadaffi, mao, kim il song, kim jong il, the ayatollah who destroyed iran and then began attacking the world he does not support Israel's tiny little democracy a state by the way that treats arabs better than they are treated in muslim countries..


Heres some of the truth about gaza!After the 1948 Arab invasion of Israel failed, Egypt refused to allow a Palestinian state orr self-determination in Gaza. Egypt used Gaza as a base for fedayeen raids on Israel, while ruling with an iron fist, preventing Palestinians from entering egypt. Egypt's main goal was to use its population as cannon fodder against Israel.
Israel's conquest of the Sinai in the 1967 Six-Day War forced a change in tactics but not the goal. When Egypt took back the Sinai in 1982, it REFUSED TO TAKE BACK GAZA (as Israel requested). As with every issue during the Camp David negotiations Carter sided with Egypt.
Throughout the 1980's and 1990's Egypt allowed smuggling of weapons into Gaza, while continuing to clamp down on individual Palestinians. Its overriding goal remained to use Gaza as a means to delegitimize Israel, while talking publicly of "humanitarian"needs.
The smashing of the border wall with Egypt may finally force Egypt to take some responsibility for its policies. The smashing of the border wall with Egypt may finally force Egypt to take some responsibility for its policies. Surely Gaza can get its supplys from Egypt? Why should Israel have the responsibility of providing ALL services (which it still does) to a territory ruled by a group sworn to Israel's destruction, and from which it is attacked several times daily? (1 killed in Dimona) Egypt would be given leeway in dealing with Hamas that the Arab world will not allow to Israel.
Unfortunately there is little likelihood that Egypt will change and take forward-looking policies. Had Egypt welcomed and absorbed Arab refugees as Israel did with all the Jewish refugees from Arab countries, the situation in Gaza and elsewhere could have been far better.

President Carter dares to say what the media, politicians and others refuse to discuss. A must read for all who want unbiased, current information on a very important subject.

Jimmy Carter is, in my judgment, the ultimate American analyst of the middle east and his book gives both sides of the dispute with emphasis on the Palestinian side. Excellent work.

Before I get into my review, it's important that I state my position on Jimmy Carter. I believe that at this point in Mr. Carter's life, that his legacy is set. I don't feel that he needs to curry favor with one group or another, and that monetary gains are secondary to him. His humanitarian efforts over the past 20 years shows where his priorities are.

As I read "Palestine Peace not Apartheid" I felt sincerity coming from Mr. Carter as he discribed the various relationships that are playing out in the region. The book is not only about the Israel and Palestine, but also about Palestine and it's Arab brothers.

Carter paint a clear picture that Palestine is getting the short end of the stick at every turn. Amoung it's arab brothers (Jordan, Egypt, Syria)Palestine is used as a pawn in their negotiations with Israel. And the power struggle that takes place within the hierarchy of Palestine leadership, makes it difficult for the Palestine to achieve the most modest of goals. In addition, Carter outlines the relationship between israel and all the U.S. presidents and U.S. policy over the past 30 years.

Israel is of course the worst offender. They are almost always heavy handed in their dealings with the Palestine leadership, and the people of Palestine. Israel control the legal system, courts, judiciary as it relates to a citizen of Palestine bringing a grievance against Israel. Needless to say the court rules in favor of Israel in most, if not all instances. Isreal control the commerce & trade within the Palestine territory, thereby controling wealth & poverty levels within the territory. The water supply is disproportionately allocated to the minority Israeli population. These are the disparities that breed terrorism.

Carter suggest that the leadership of Israel is not fully in tune with the citizens of israel. Many of the citizens would like a return of some of the occupied lands. Many Israelies would like a more fluid relationship with Paslestine, they believe it's the continued occupation that breeds Palestine terrorist.

Carter tries to give a balanced look at the situation, and I believe he was successful. His depiction of Palestine as an apartheid state is 100% accurate.

Jimmy Carter is a fool--simply put his attitude toward the Jews and Israel is wrong--Jimmy Carter is Un-American! This book is anti Israel trash.

This is one of the most sensitive issues of our time, Israel and Palestine. Though many people love to condemn Jimmy Carter for writing this book, it is one of courage and sadly is the the truth. One only has to examine both sides of this conflict and the Zionist agenda. Not all Jews are Zionist but the government of Israel is.
Calling out the Israeli Government for their control over the Palestinians is not Anti-Semitic, it is the moral thing to do. Jimmy being a good Christian man sees this and morally knows better. Israel and America is not a black and white issue because there are so many gray areas in between.
Also, with the growing movment of Christian Zionism, and this cults undying support for the nation of Israel, has caused much bias and division in the Christian Church. After all, if your a Christian that opposses any of Israel's actions, you are a nonimal Christian. Christian Zionism is also politically involved with the liazon between America, AIPC and Israel. The focus has become one of Biblical Prophecy than Jesus Christ Himself. Sadly, I don't think Jesus would be proud of Christian support for heinous actions in Israel toward the Palestinians. Israel is not to be worshipped, only God Himself. Jesus was not invloved in politics and nor should Christians be.
Point blank, the Palestinians are an oppressed people with terrorism used as an excuse to round them up like cattle. Sadly, to critique Israel as a nation, one is reduced to being Anti-Semitic. But wait!!! Arabs being descended from Abraham through Ishmael are a Semitic people as well.
Israel became a nation in 1948, they will be held responsible as any other nation. I do not see anywhere in the Torah that people are to treat other people in this way, this they will be held accountable. I believe the Jewish government is, Godless.
Jimmy Carter is a good man, and woe unto them that call good evil and evil good.

The former President Carter describes the history of the major players in the Middle East in relation to israel and offers his solutions to bringing about peace. He is obviously a smart man and this book is concise in its approach to offering solutions with the different players involved. What I enjoyed are some of the small incidents that he experienced on his trips, that I wont reveal here, but offer some interesting humor to this book.

I gave this two stars because if you're going to build an anti-Israel rant, this is a good one to read because (a) I could see how he twists the facts, by emphasizing the facts that make Israel look bad and downplaying the reality of Arab terrorism and (b) it is short and a fast read.

Having said that... other reviewers have taken apart Carter's factual claims so I'll just make a few observations here and there:

*Carter's actual remedy is fairly noncontroversial, and probably no different from what most supporters of Israel would endorse (a two-state solution with the Arabs getting most of what they lost in 1967). But the problem is: how do you enforce it? Israel is a centralized state and thus might actually comply with a peace treaty. But the Arabs have so many small militias (Islamic Jihad, Hamas, etc.) that even in the incredibly unlikely event that every single one of them signs on to a peace treaty, part of that group will probably splinter off into its own little jihad cell, engaging in terrorist attacks in Israel and thus depriving Israel of the benefits of any treaty. If the war in Iraq has taught us anything, it is that a few well-armed malcontents can make a nation ungovernable.

*Carter writes as if Israel has been steadily gobbling up territory, based on the movement of Jews into the occupied territories. But in fact, Israel has been gradually giving up territory, with lousy results. First they gave Sinai to the Egyptians (which hasn't worked out so badly). Then, in the 1990s, they gave a chunk of the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority; the Palestinian Authority responded with the 2000 war. (Carter's description of these events is bizarre; he states that Israel got "much more" than Arafat, even though Israel was the nation giving away land for promises).

Then they basically gave Gaza to Hamas; Hamas responded with the current mini-war. When Israel has given up land, it has generally not gotten peace, or even the approval of Carter (who treats each award of land to the Arabs as a provocation because of its inadequacy). So why should Israel fall for the same trap again?

*Carter admits that Arabs had "no real commitment to establish a separate and independent nation" in the 19th century. Instead, "Strong ideas of nationhood began to take shape among the Arabs only when they saw increasing numbers of Zionists immigrate to Palestine." In other words, the so-called "Palestinian people" only exists because of anti-Semitism. If that is the case, why should their so-called nationalism be accommodated?

*Carter complains that Israel has withheld taxes "collected on behalf of the Palestinians." If Israel is so malevolent, why is Israel giving money to Arabs who are trying to kill them?

*Carter treats the 2000 war against Israel mostly by ignoring it. He writes that in 2006, the Arab leader Abbas informed him "that there had been no opportunity for a Palestinian leader to participate in peace talks for the past five years..." Carter simply does not mention that the absence of peace talks might have something to do with the fact that the Arabs were busy conducting suicide bombings inside Israel.

*Carter is obsessed with U.N. resolutions requiring Israel to give up the "occupied territories." Given the U.N.'s repeated singling out for Israel for attack (including the "Zionism = racism" resolution in the 1970s) isn't the U.N. essentially a kangaroo court? Most of its members are either dependent on Arab oil or have good reason to fear Arab terrorism (especially after the spread of al-Qaeda).

*Carter mentions that Hebron has 450 Jews and 150,000 Arabs. If Israel has been engaged in ethnic cleansing, obviously it hasn't been very successful.

I gave this two stars because if you're going to build an anti-Israel rant, this is a good one to read because (a) I could see how he twists the facts, by emphasizing the facts that make Israel look bad and downplaying the reality of Arab terrorism and (b) it is short and a fast read.

Having said that... other reviewers have taken apart Carter's factual claims so I'll just make a few observations here and there:

*Carter's actual remedy is fairly noncontroversial, and probably no different from what most supporters of Israel would endorse (a two-state solution with the Arabs getting most of what they lost in 1967). But the problem is: how do you enforce it? Israel is a centralized state and thus might actually comply with a peace treaty. But the Arabs have so many small militias (Islamic Jihad, Hamas, etc.) that even in the incredibly unlikely event that every single one of them signs on to a peace treaty, part of that group will probably splinter off into its own little jihad cell, engaging in terrorist attacks in Israel and thus depriving Israel of the benefits of any treaty. If the war in Iraq has taught us anything, it is that a few well-armed malcontents can make a nation ungovernable.

*Carter writes as if Israel has been steadily gobbling up territory, based on the movement of Jews into the occupied territories. But in fact, Israel has been gradually giving up territory, with lousy results. First they gave Sinai to the Egyptians (which hasn't worked out so badly). Then, in the 1990s, they gave a chunk of the West Bank to the Palestinian Authority; the Palestinian Authority responded with the 2000 war. (Carter's description of these events is bizarre; he states that Israel got "much more" than Arafat, even though Israel was the nation giving away land for promises).

Then they basically gave Gaza to Hamas; Hamas responded with the current mini-war. When Israel has given up land, it has generally not gotten peace, or even the approval of Carter (who treats each award of land to the Arabs as a provocation because of its inadequacy). So why should Israel fall for the same trap again?

*Carter admits that Arabs had "no real commitment to establish a separate and independent nation" in the 19th century. Instead, "Strong ideas of nationhood began to take shape among the Arabs only when they saw increasing numbers of Zionists immigrate to Palestine." In other words, the so-called "Palestinian people" only exists because of anti-Semitism. If that is the case, why should their so-called nationalism be accommodated?

*Carter complains that Israel has withheld taxes "collected on behalf of the Palestinians." If Israel is so malevolent, why is Israel giving money to Arabs who are trying to kill them?

*Carter treats the 2000 war against Israel mostly by ignoring it. He writes that in 2006, the Arab leader Abbas informed him "that there had been no opportunity for a Palestinian leader to participate in peace talks for the past five years..." Carter simply does not mention that the absence of peace talks might have something to do with the fact that the Arabs were busy conducting suicide bombings inside Israel.

*Carter is obsessed with U.N. resolutions requiring Israel to give up the "occupied territories." Given the U.N.'s repeated singling out for Israel for attack (including the "Zionism = racism" resolution in the 1970s) isn't the U.N. essentially a kangaroo court? Most of its members are either dependent on Arab oil or have good reason to fear Arab terrorism (especially after the spread of al-Qaeda).

*Carter mentions that Hebron has 450 Jews and 150,000 Arabs. If Israel has been engaged in ethnic cleansing, obviously it hasn't been very successful.

It is interesting - in fact revealing and more than a bit sad - that this useful little book was so controversial at the time of its release. That controversy reflects our society's stubborn reluctance and inability to consider objectively, discuss openly, and address pragmatically and morally the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Mr. Carter's book makes a fine contribution to a discussion that is still waiting to happen. With characteristic humility and sympathy, he asks our political leaders, the Jewish community, and, yes, also the Palestinians and Arab world to deal more honestly and realistically with resolving how these two peoples can live peacefully in this tiny space. He provides the reader a good background on how the situation has developed up to today and rightfully implores that the Palestinians be treated with justice and decency. The book is an easy read that is nevertheless richly enlightening.

This was a required reading for my class in International Relations. I never knew the depth of President Carter's efforts toward peace between Palestine and Israel. It is amazing how close to a settlement things seemed on so many occasions.

One major fact that Carter left out of his biblical timeline at the beginning of the book is the birth of Ishmael. This is a major key to understanding why and how this conflict began in the first place.

A must read for history, political science majors or anyone interested in a lasting peace between these two rivals. We had to write a paper on what OUR solution to this situation would be.