America’s support for Israel is like death and taxes; it is certain. Like pandering to corporate interests, it is a policy shared by both republicans and democrats. Regardless of who occupies the White House, it is a foregone conclusion that the Israeli ambassador will always be welcome.
It is therefore refreshing to hear someone who occupied that very house to speak his mind and call a spade a spade. Jimmy Carter, besides being an ex-President, is a well-respected diplomat, and recently he spoke about a terrible taboo, Israel’s nuclear program. He stated that the country has more than 150 atomic weapons. The story can be read here.
Even though the world has known for a long time that Israel has a considerable, undeclared nuclear arsenal, this is the first time that such a well-known figure, one who still has access to daily intelligence briefings, has publicly acknowledged it. He also went on to say that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians constitutes “one of the greatest human rights crimes on earth”.
Better late than never, but Mr. Carter has shown courage and character. Of course, this will not lead to even a minor tweak in American policy, but perhaps it will lead some people to take a more balanced and fair view of this tragic situation.
It is therefore refreshing to hear someone who occupied that very house to speak his mind and call a spade a spade. Jimmy Carter, besides being an ex-President, is a well-respected diplomat, and recently he spoke about a terrible taboo, Israel’s nuclear program. He stated that the country has more than 150 atomic weapons. The story can be read here.
Even though the world has known for a long time that Israel has a considerable, undeclared nuclear arsenal, this is the first time that such a well-known figure, one who still has access to daily intelligence briefings, has publicly acknowledged it. He also went on to say that Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians constitutes “one of the greatest human rights crimes on earth”.
Better late than never, but Mr. Carter has shown courage and character. Of course, this will not lead to even a minor tweak in American policy, but perhaps it will lead some people to take a more balanced and fair view of this tragic situation.
Predictably, this didn’t make headlines in the U.S. If it had, it would likely have read Former President Goes Senile.
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