The Middle East Conflict

I don’t know how closely you follow the conflict in the Middle East but obviously it isn’t getting any better.

I was listening to the radio a few days ago and heard an interview with former President Carter’s Grandson. In this interview, the Grandson pointed out the many books that President Carter has written ( over 40) since leaving the Presidency.

Most of us are aware of the efforts of the “Carter Center” to assist developing countries to embrace democracy, but I have never read any of his books. The discussion then shifted to one of his books, “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.”

This book was published in 2006-2007 and details the decades long struggle for peace in the Middle East. Apparently, when this book was published, the word “Apartheid” created quite a stir.

I decided to buy the E-version of the book for my I-Pad. I have just completed reading it, and I must admit, it was quite a revelation. If this book had been published today, it could not be more relevant.

If anyone is interested in the chaos that exists today, in that region of the world, I highly recommend reading this book.

In summary, President Carter states, “the only rational response to the continuing tragedy is to revitalize the peace process through negotiations between Israeli’s and Palestinians…” Sound familiar?

He goes on to state, “ it may be that one of the periodic escalations in violence will lead to a strong influence being exerted from the International Quartet to implement its Roadmap for Peace.”

He goes on to outline his key requirements for peace in the region:” (a) The security of Israel must be guaranteed (b) The internal debate within Israel must be resolved in order to define Israel’s permanent legal boundary and (c) The sovereignty of all Middle East nations and sanctity of international borders must be honored. Again, familiar?

This sounds simple, but in my lifetime it still remains unresolved.

Jess Sweely

Madison, Va.

September 24, 2024

The Middle East Conflict

I don’t know how closely you follow the conflict in the Middle East but obviously it isn’t getting any better.

I was listening to the radio a few days ago and heard an interview with former President Carter’s Grandson. In this interview, the Grandson pointed out the many books that President Carter has written ( over 40) since leaving the Presidency.

Most of us are aware of the efforts of the “Carter Center” to assist developing countries to embrace democracy, but I have never read any of his books. The discussion then shifted to one of his books, “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid.”

This book was published in 2006-2007 and details the decades long struggle for peace in the Middle East. Apparently, when this book was published, the word “Apartheid” created quite a stir.

I decided to buy the E-version of the book for my I-Pad. I have just completed reading it, and I must admit, it was quite a revelation. If this book had been published today, it could not be more relevant.

If anyone is interested in the chaos that exists today, in that region of the world, I highly recommend reading this book.

In summary, President Carter states, “the only rational response to the continuing tragedy is to revitalize the peace process through negotiations between Israeli’s and Palestinians…” Sound familiar?

He goes on to state, “ it may be that one of the periodic escalations in violence will lead to a strong influence being exerted from the International Quartet to implement its Roadmap for Peace.”

He goes on to outline his key requirements for peace in the region:” (a) The security of Israel must be guaranteed (b) The internal debate within Israel must be resolved in order to define Israel’s permanent legal boundary and (c) The sovereignty of all Middle East nations and sanctity of international borders must be honored. Again, familiar?

This sounds simple, but in my lifetime it still remains unresolved.

Jess Sweely

Madison, Va.

September 24, 2024