Israel Doesn't Accept "The Ultimate Goals of the Roadmap for Peace"? Lawprof Steve Lubet pointed to a letter by Emory Prof. Melvin Konner:

I ... call your attention to a sentence on p. 213 that had not stood out for me the first time I read it: "It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for Peace are accepted by Israel."

As someone who has lived his life as a professional reader and writer, I cannot find any way to read this sentence that does not condone the murder of Jews until such time as Israel unilaterally follows President Carter's prescription for peace. This sentence, simply put, makes President Carter an apologist for terrorists and places my children, along with all Jews everywhere, in greater danger.

The chapter in which the sentence appears is available here, and I too find it hard to read the sentence other than how Prof. Konner does. In context, it doesn't just seem as an objective political description of the "terrorism will go on until this-and-such happens, so Israel should do this-and-such because of this practical reality." Nor does it seem to be a call on Arabs and Palestinians of the "acts of terrorism should stop now, but since I realize that you won't do it now, at least you might insist that they stop when this important step is accomplished."

Rather, it seems to be a statement of what the Arab and Palestinian community have a moral obligation to do: Make clear not that they will end terrorism, but that they will end terrorism when Israel makes certain concessions. Are Prof. Konner and I mistaken here?

The Washington Post reports:

In particular, some students [in the audience at Carter's talk at Brandeis University] challenged Carter on a sentence that has brought him much grief. On Page 213 of his book, Carter wrote: "It is imperative that the general Arab community and all significant Palestinian groups make it clear that they will end the suicide bombings and other acts of terrorism when international laws and the ultimate goals of the Roadmap for Peace are accepted by Israel."

This sentence, the students noted, suggests that suicide bombings are a tactic of war, to be suspended only when peace is achieved. Carter agreed -- and apologized -- and said this sentence was a great mistake on his part.

"The sentence was worded in an absolutely improper and stupid way," Carter said. "I apologize to you and to everyone here . . . it was a mistake on my part."

I blogged about this item earlier, so I thought I'd blog about this response on Carter's part.