By: Hassan Mahmoud
Source: The Star Ledger
Date: December 30, 2006

Rare courage: It's refreshing that you published Jimmy Carter's commentary "Remove walls on Mideast debate." This might give some comfort to those who believe that the major news outlets are reluc tant to criticize Israel's policies due to the extraordinary lobbying efforts of the American-Israel Political Action Committee and that it would be almost suicidal for members of Congress to espouse a balanced position on Israel and Palestine and suggest that Israel comply with international law. No wonder some call Congress an Israeli-occupied territory. Unfortunately, those who call for a fair settlement of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which would help the people of the region and protect American interests, have been maligned as anti-Semitic.

Carter is a compassionate man of peace who builds homes for the downtrodden unlike those who start illegal wars and evict people from their homes and destroy them to usurp their lands. In defending the rights of Palestinians, Carter is in a good company with those courageous individuals who defended the rights of Jews when they were persecuted in Europe.

-- Hassan Mahmoud, Westfield