In Focus: Carter to Meet with Hamas Chief
The former president plans to meet with Khalid Mashid, the exiled political leader of Hamas. We shouldn't be surprised.
Jimmy Carter’s willingness to meet with Khaled Meshal, the Syrian-based political leader of Palestinian Hamas, should come as no surprise to those familiar with the former president’s main preoccupation with the Arab-Israeli conflict: the absence of religion in it. In Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid
“With some hesitation I said that I had long taught lessons from the Hebrew Scriptures and that a common historical pattern was that Israel was punished whenever the leaders turned away from devout worship of God. I asked if she was concerned about the secular nature of her Labor government.”
Now picture that scene, if you will. The dim evangelical peanut farmer lecturing the Menshevik kibbutznik about the divine duties of the chosen people. Meir had just witnessed the pogromization of an Olympic Village on German soil and so was probably in no mood to hear how apostasy and secularism were to blame for Jewish misery. But leave it to Carter to never miss an opportunity to miss the point.
Carter now believes that suicide-bombers and the cult of death which characterizes Gaza’s ruling Islamist party are the unintended consequences of wicked Israeli behavior; the building of settlements, the construction of the security wall, and presumably the heathenish Tel Aviv nightlife. He has advocated for U.S. recognition of Hamas, and renewed aide to the government it controls, even though that means American taxpayer money could well go to underwriting terrorist or rocket attacks against Israeli civilians. He also thinks that an organization which grew out of the Muslim Brotherhood and calls for the destruction of Israel and the implementation of sharia law is just waiting to be engaged as a “partner in peace.”
This isn’t the first time Carter has met with Hamas’s senior leadership. He did so in Ramallah in 2006, after the group won the Palestinian legislative elections. CNN reported his observations at the time:
“They told me they want to have a peaceful administration. They want to have a unity government, bring in Fatah members and independent members,” Carter said. But he added that “what they say and what they do is two different matters.”
So it is.
When the Nobel laureate gets together with Mashal, he can ask him if he still thinks it was “courageous” of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to sponsor a Holocaust denial conference in Iran, or geopolitically wise to threaten a third intifada whilst also claiming to negotiate the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Azmot. Or perhaps, in keeping with his role as high-minded metaphysical counsel to the Levant, Carter can inquire as to whether or not Hamas’s problems with civil war and European sanctions might be related to its failure to live up to the true precepts of the Koran.
Allahpundit at Hot Air writes: “Exit question: Which prominent Democrat will be tasked tomorrow with phoning Jimbo to explain why it’s not a good idea for someone who thinks Israel is an apartheid state to be huddling with terrorists in an election year? Will it be Obama himself?”
PoliGazette notes: “First Carter accuses Israel of being an Apartheid state, then he goes to meet with the leader of an organization which sole purpose is to destroy Israel and to kill all Jews. As John Bolton said, “[i]t’s about par for the course from President Carter, demonstrating a lack of judgment typical of what he does.”
And Fausta has a photo-studded compendium of Carter’s past kibitzes with unsavory figures.
Michael Weiss is the New York Editor of Pajamas Media. His blog is Snarksmith.
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22 Comments
1. Hotpatch 6:So one mindless old fool is going to meet with a mindless killer. They will at least have one thing in common – the mindless part.
Apr 9, 2008 - 2:26 pm 2. john:Wont this idiot ever go away? Although I guess there is some symmetry in it. After all, Carter is the one who was almost single handedly responsible for letting the Ayatollahs come to power in Iran after his failure to support the Shaw. Maybe he can fix the mess he made.
Apr 9, 2008 - 2:26 pm 3. Anonymous:zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Apr 9, 2008 - 2:42 pm 4. cfbleachers:Under the grant of authority by whom, is this despicable cretin meeting with sworn enemies?
If he goes under no grant of authority, for what purpose does he travel? Is this an exploratory visit on behalf of one or more of the candidates for elected office? If so, then why hide the fact? If not, then they should loudly renounce his repetitive treason.
He may not speak on behalf of me, I have not elected him to any office. What can he say, what would he promise? How could he come to any point in a meaningful conversation, if he has no advance knowledge of any candidate’s willingness to concede points or argue on behalf of them?
If he is only going for his own self-aggrandizement, please… let people who have shown more objectivity, clarity of thought and diplomatic skill do our bidding, at a time and a place of our choosing.
And if this grandstanding grifter wishes to “pre-sellout” our greatest friend and ally…setting up a fait accompli for the deterioration of our relationship with Israel…then, he must believe he has a comrade in arms, where Brzezinski, Malley, Power, Lake, and the like can mop up when he is done with his “front work”.
Apr 9, 2008 - 2:57 pm 5. ddc:Carter, outside of Habitat for Humanity, is a complete non-factor.
Apr 9, 2008 - 3:37 pm 6. dp:hearty congrts to (thank god it was only one term) carter for the fine work he did while president and for taking the initiative with hammas. given what his diplomacy has wrought in iran and zimbabwe (think ayatollah ali al-sistani and mugabe) we have much to look forward to in gaza
Apr 9, 2008 - 4:08 pm 7. Ben:Mr. Peanut may carry this message to Meshal for me: As-Samu-Alaikum.
Apr 9, 2008 - 4:40 pm 8. Roark:Jimmy Carter…I’m still trying to figure out exactly how he got elected.
Apr 9, 2008 - 4:45 pm 9. Dark Helmet:Roark, Because Ford kept falling down Air Force 1 steps.
I highly encourage all of you to read Zell Miller: Deficit of Decency. It was recomended by a great American Patriot, Jerry Reed.
Apr 9, 2008 - 6:38 pm 10. Danube of Thought:This is a good time to recall Carter’s important role in ensuring the ascension to power of Robert Mugabe, and his joyful welcome of Mugabe to the White House.
Apr 10, 2008 - 8:44 am 11. M.E.:I remember well the ill-fated times of Jimmy Carter: only few years before I emigrated from the Soviet Union and I could appreciate the mediocrity and political insignificance of this personage that nearly made me lose my faith in American Democracy. And now this putrid mummy collaborates openly with the Arab terrorists and other criminals. Does a limit of indecency, cowardice and hypocrisy exist? This man demonstrates no. He found in Hussein Obama a disciple who is worth of him. I believe in American Democracy but the sinister personages like Jimmy Carter, Ted Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi & Barak Obama are symptom of an illness. I hope it isn’t lethal.
Apr 10, 2008 - 11:02 am 12. Disgusted:Dhimmi Carter,the self-righteous Jew hater should invite Pastor Jeremiah Wright Jr. on this trip thereby doubling his credibility. Please, Carter, don’t cancel this trip even if the State Department condemns you for speaking to a terrorist organization which is against official American Government policy.It doesn’t matter; you are smarter and BETTER than the entire Administration. This proposed meeting should have a very positive effect on the popularity of the Democratic candidates for President-Clinton and Obama. On second thought, why not envite Hillary and Barack to accompany you on your mission. I’m sure they will be thrilled with your invitation. There is no fool like an old fool. Isn’t the damage you caused to our country in Iran in the ’70’s enough? At least if you stayed home in Plains, Goergia growing peanuts, you would be producing something useful.
Apr 10, 2008 - 2:38 pm 13. ddc:B.O. ,if he is elected, will be Jimmy Carter II.
Apr 10, 2008 - 7:25 pm 14. Chris R.:And as with Jimmy Carter, BO will be a one term disaster.
That old coot can do as he likes, same as the rest of us. He’s free to travel, say strange things, and behave badly if he wishes. It’s too bad he wishes to do all those things so publicly and frequently.
I’m not exactly thrilled about taxpayer money being spent on his visits to the world’s biggest cretins. As a living president, he has a secret service detail and support from our embassies and other government assets. Our Consumer Product Safety Commission can’t get enough money for badly needed inspections of toxic imports, especially for children’s toys, but Mister Peanut can go off spending our cash while working against us at the same time.
I say we cut him off, let him hire his own bodyguards. If he’s gonna be dumb, then he better be tough. I won’t go as far as saying that he deserves a free IED or suicide attack from his pals, but I won’t shed any tears if bad things happen to him while he’s hanging out with his murderous friends.
Has Jimmy Carter been examined for Alzheimer’s and other mental health and nervous system disorders? If he is ill my money’s on CJD, aka brain-wasting disease.
Apr 10, 2008 - 9:46 pm 15. Frank S:If Carter goes to Syria, he violates the Logan Act, he’s broken the law, and he can go to JAIL. I have e-mailed my two state Senators and the DOJ about this. On anouthe note, I’m ashamed that he is an Ex-President of The United States of America.
Apr 10, 2008 - 10:23 pm 16. showmevagabond:I am at a loss to wonder what this puny intellectual expects to accomplish that has been considered or attempted by every US administration including his own since 1948
Apr 11, 2008 - 9:41 am 17. tanstaafl:How much longer do we have to watch Jimmah try to reinvent himself from the one term doofus of the late 70’s ?
Last I heard, he was going to appeal to his good buddy Omar al-Bashir (you know, the guy who paid the janjaweed to slaughter people in Darfur ?) because he was getting the cold shoulder and couldn’t go some places in Sudan he wanted to go.
I’m surprised he didn’t hop on over to Zimbabwe to kiss Mugabe on the cheek.
Another key role, certifying the “legitimacy” of one of the elections of Oogoe Chavez.
Many Iranians still hate Jimmah as they believe he had a key role in the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini.
Apr 11, 2008 - 6:12 pm 18. Norm London:How do you spell traitor? J. Carter. Meeting with terrorist should be considered as treason! It is incredible that he was ever elected president. He is a disgrace to the office of president and should be arrested for treason.
Apr 11, 2008 - 6:55 pm 19. Anne:The problem with Carter, I think, is that he has bought into a false image of Christianty (he says he is one) and a false image of Christ (distorted) that is based on a selective reading of the Bible. Jesus spoke the truth, but NEVER pacified EVIL or ‘negotiated’ with EVIL people. He was uncompromising! Just because he is LOVE and always spoke of Loving, doesn’t mean he tolerated EVIL or minimized it…OR compromised. He did not. We do not have to LOVE EVIL! Carter is a fool and he does more damage than good. Would he have us ‘love’ Hitler, in the manner that he is demonstrating HIS love? I think not. I belive he is in dangerous territory. He is in league with the Devil, and the Devil will have his due. Carter, for all of his good works with Habitat with Humanity, is going to do much more harm, than good.
Apr 11, 2008 - 7:00 pm 20. Bernardo:The Democrats sure have a knack for picking screwball candidates for POTUS. And, they now have another one coming down the pike.
Apr 12, 2008 - 1:22 pm 21. Cole Younger:I was at Panmunjom the day the Great Man and his wife crossed the Military Demarcation Line into north Korea as he began the epic journey during which he used his superlative negotiating skills to end the north Korean-provoked military crisis of 1994. The former President was vigorous, alert and keenly interested in the detailed briefings he received from both the American Embassy – Seoul, and the Commanding General of US Forces Korea. Jimmy Carter is a great man and an outstanding American emissary to the world.
I’m lying through my teeth about Carter’s capabilities. I was there, and Jimmy’s body was there but I’m not sure where his brain was.
Carter was a doddering, senile, closed-minded coot who apparently completely disregarded the critical information he received, and who treated with disdain and a cavalier, elitist attitude those who provided direct support in preparation for the Pyongyang trip. His inept attempts at diplomacy set the stage for the many north Korean-induced crises in the ensuing years. He brings continued dishonor and disgrace to the office he so badly damaged during his ill-managed administration.
Mr. Carter should confine his public activities to helping build houses for the poor…and nothing more.
Apr 12, 2008 - 7:27 pm 22. Steve-0:Jimmy the wimp idiot. He is trying to salvage any thing from his failed presidency and so probably thinks that he is looked at as some kind of peacemaker. I became a republican because of his weak, sloppy presidency. Thank God for Ronaldus Magnus, who was a great president. He had to clean up the idiot Carter’s mess. Carter is a continual joke and his actions are getting worse and worse. I think he should be jailed for sedition.
Apr 13, 2008 - 9:12 am