Carter – at it again

Last week, the documentary entitled Jimmy Carter: Man from Plains was released in select theaters throughout the country. The film documents former president Jimmy Carter’s 2006 book tour for his controversial book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. The book generated much debate and the new movie highlights some of that controversy.

Unfortunately, this movie is one more media output, like Walt and Mearsheimer’s Israel Lobby, that seems to be adding another legitimizing voice to a case against Israel. Therefore, it is as important as ever that we be prepared to handle discussion and comments on this film when it comes to the MetroWest community.

It is preferable that this movie comes and goes out of the theaters without much attention. Therefore, the advice is NOT to bring attention to the movie or encourage people to see the movie or read the book. The movie is considered less of an unfair portrayal of Israel than the book, but nonetheless is not a fair presentation.

The Community Relations Committee offers some background and talking points to assist you in responding to those in your community who approach you about this:

1. It is not helpful to discredit the quality of the film, to call Carter an anti-Semite, or to protest the film.
2. Carter comes off looking like a well-intentioned but ultimately a one-sided and unsophisticated analyst.
3. Carter has lost his credibility with regard to this complex conflict in that he lacks balance and objectivity. He sees Israel as an oppressor out to colonize Palestinian land and as the cause for continued regional conflict. However, the fact is that Israel continues to offer land for peace, engage in peace initiatives, and call for a two-state solution.
4. All recent Israeli government administrations have supported a two-state solution, conditioned on the participation of a Palestinian partner who will renounce terrorism, not seek the destruction of the Jewish State, and accept previously negotiated agreements. Palestinian terrorism and extremism, and the hostility of Hamas and Hezbollah towards Israel are the real reasons there is no peace in the Middle East. There will be peace only when the Palestinian people repudiate their extremists in favor of a course of moderation.
5. In his analysis, Carter fails to acknowledge that the Israeli-Arab conflict is set against the backdrop of growing religious radicalization. Islamic movements are gaining momentum and power, and using democratic processes to gain control. Israel’s enemies are waging a public opinion campaign to delegitimize its existence and the right of the Jewish people for a national homeland in Israel.
6. Carter implies that the work of the “Israel lobby” has stifled his ability to get his message out. This is proven ridiculous in the film in that he is promoting his book on a nationwide tour of the college campuses and media outlets.
7. America’s continuing bipartisan support of Israel is not a result of pressure by a Jewish ‘cabal.’ Rather, U.S. support is based on the fact that Israel is a democracy whose citizens share common interests and values with the American people.

The film is screening in our communities at the same moment as a U.S.-sponsored Middle East Summit is taking place – perhaps timed to affect the proceedings. Our hope is that there will be movement toward a two-state solution and that all parties will work to bridge differences and reach agreements. A two-state solution would help provide greater security and an environment for both the Palestinians and Israelis to strive to fulfill the national aspirations and dreams.