Eager to set the record straight about his controversial book, Jimmy Carter addressed a crowd of eager students, faculty members, and a noticeably absent Alan Dershowitz this past week at Brandeis University. Originally scheduled as a debate between the the two, Carter decided he didn't want Dershowitz there. Dershowitz gave his rebuttal on campus after Carter's talk.
In case you're wondering as to the crowd's overall reaction to Carter, you can be rest assured. Carter received only applause, and loud applause at that.
In response to a question, Carter apologized for a sentence in his book that he acknowledged seemed to justify terrorism by saying that suicide bombings should end when Israel accepts the goals of the road map to peace with Palestinians.
"That sentence was worded in a completely improper and stupid way," Carter said. "I've written my publishers to change that sentence immediately in future editions of the book. I apologize to you personally and to everyone here."
But he defended the use of the word apartheid in his book title.
"I realize that this has caused great concern in the Jewish community," he said. "The title makes it clear that the book is about conditions and events in the Palestinian territory and not in Israel. And the text makes clear on numerous occasions that the forced separation and the domination of Arabs by Israelis is not based on race."
As the audience was silent, he spoke of roads Palestinians could not use and of the more than 500 checkpoints in the tiny West Bank.
He suggested that a group of Brandeis professors and students visit the occupied territories for a few days and meet with leaders and private citizens "to determine if I have exaggerated or incorrectly described the plight of the Palestinians. "
Playing the part of the manipulative politician, Carter even managed to defend his Dershowitz decision by saying, "I didn't think Brandeis needed a Harvard professor to come."
Oh Jimmy. You're just too clever for us Jews. Or maybe just for those at Brandeis.
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