Sunday, January 28, 2007

"Ethan Bronner states that “the biggest complaint against” Carter’s book is its use of the word “apartheid” in the title, “with its false echo of the racist policies of the old South Africa.” In fact, the comparison of Israeli policies in the occupied territories with South Africa is commonplace among informed commentators. For example, the editorial board of Israel’s leading newspaper, Haaretz, observed in September 2006 that “the apartheid regime in the territories remains intact; millions of Palestinians are living without rights, freedom of movement or a livelihood, under the yoke of ongoing Israeli occupation.” In addition to Haaretz, those sharing Carter’s view include the Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu, the father of human rights law in South Africa; John Dugard, a South African professor of international law; and the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem, among many others. Bronner’s opinion demonstrates the truth of Carter’s assertion that Americans get only one side of the story. Geoffrey V. Gray
Jupiter, Fla."