Ex-President Carter offers apology to Jews

[Freddie Stubbs]

By GREG BLUESTEIN (AP) – 13 hours ago

ATLANTA — Former President Jimmy Carter apologized for any words or deeds that may have upset the Jewish community in an open letter meant to improve an often-tense relationship.

He said he was offering an Al Het, a prayer said on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It signifies a plea for forgiveness.

"We must not permit criticisms for improvement to stigmatize Israel," Carter said in the letter, which was first sent to JTA, a wire service for Jewish newspapers, and provided Wednesday to The Associated Press. "As I would have noted at Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but which is appropriate at any time of the year, I offer an Al Het for any words or deeds of mine that may have done so."

Carter, who during his presidency brokered the first Israeli-Arab peace treaty, outraged many Jews with his 2006 book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid." Critics contend he unfairly compared Israeli treatment of Arabs in the West Bank and Gaza to the legalized racial oppression that once existed in South Africa.

more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jbsZguu729ClJ-oEgGYnptaa8cIAD9CP9SI80

Carter reportedly told JTA, a Jewish news service, that the letter is not tied to the recent announcement that his grandson will run for state senate. Jason Carter wants to replace outgoing state senator David Adelman, in a seat that the JTA characterizes as having a large Jewish population.

more: http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wabe/news.newsmain/article/1/0/1592473/Atlanta/Carter.Asks.Jewish.Community.for.Forgiveness

[pokercat999]

1. Carter should stick to building homes for the poor. He's at his

best there. Politics....not so much.

[Freddie Stubbs]

5. Well, with this statement he seems to be improving

[timeforpeace]

15. No, his grandson is running for Congress in a heavily Jewish district. Anti-semitic hypocrite.

[SOCALS]

18. Carter is a good

grandfather and is trying his best to help his grandson to get elected. I commend that

[Selatius]

2. Be that as it may, there is no justification for colonizing the West Bank the way Israel has done.

The fighting has been going on for decades, but somebody has to be the bigger man in the dispute and lower the guns first. As long as Israel continues to build colonies in the West Bank or expand existing ones, there can be no real progress.

[blondeatlast]

6. +1. nt

[Echo In Light]

9. +1

[comtec]

3. I think Carter handled this the best possible way

He got the message out 3 years ago, and he Atoned in a way that people will be reminded of WHY he was atoning, on a holiday for atoning.

I am not a fan of the Palestinians, NOR the Israeli's. I think they are both equally culpable at this point.

But it is always good to call the Israeli's out when they are wrong A N D the Palestinians when THEY are wrong!

[AngryAmish]

4. IF he beleived what he said and wrote, no apologies are necessary or appropriate

So was he lying then or is he lying now?

[kctim]

7. Both

Lying then to sell his book and lying now because he doesn't give a rats ass about Israel. Probably some kind of money making deal behind it, he is a typical politician.

[katkat]

8. Carter

Jimmy Carter, one of the few people willing to talk the truth about the ethnic-cleansing Israelis. I'd like to see the latter apologize to the Palestinians, that'll be the day. No conscience whatsoever in Israel, no regard for human rights except in little pockets like B'Tselem.

[kctim]

10. Oh yeah

He is pro palestinian because he speaks the "truth" according to your views and some other freakin yahoo is speaking the "truth" because they are pro Israel. Take which ever biased BS "truth" you want and have fun with it, I don't give a crap about either side and don't care one bit what they do to each other.

The OP is about more BS from carter, who is a typical politician in it all just to make money.

[ldf]

19. well, aren't you just all warm and fuzzy today?

we get it. you don't give a shit. period. blah blah.

:puke:

and a merry xmas to you, to.

so far carter has proven to be the most honest president we have had in MY lifetime, which is going on 58 years.

and he is one of the few so-called "christian" politicians that actually walks the walk. i held that against him, in the beginning. but even as an atheist, i realize i was wrong. the man has a good heart, and wants what is best for all involved.

[FLAprogressive]

13. +1

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. Perhaps he has simply seen the error in his ways

[emilyg]

12. One of his

relatives is running for office here in Ga.

[PCIntern]

14. Another "shrewd move" by the master himself...

Sorry, I know many here love Carter. You should all live and be well, but I beg to differ.

[emilyg]

16. I don't love Carter.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. This ball is now in the Jewish Community's court

by the way, it is a sin before god not to accept an Al -Het.

As far as I am concerned, accepted, but I am not a leader or anything like that.