In op-ed, Jimmy Carter says the U.S. must recognize Palestine
Former President Jimmy Carter is urging the Obama administration to grant American diplomatic recognition to the state of Palestine before the president's term is over in January.
In an op-ed for The New York Times, Carter writes that Palestine, which already has diplomatic recognition from 137 countries, needs to achieve full United Nations membership. In 2009, Obama reaffirmed elements of the 1978 Camp David agreement, signed by Israel's Menachem Begin and Egypt's Anwar Sadat, which called for the "withdrawal of Israel armed forces from territories occupied" during the 1967 war. Obama called for a total freeze on settlements illegally constructed by Israel on Palestinian territory, and in 2011 said the borders of Israel and Palestine "should be based on the 1967 lines."
Carter argued that because Palestinians are being displaced and many live under Israeli military rule but do not vote in Israel's national elections while 600,000 Israeli settlers in Palestine have Israeli citizenship and the benefits of the country's laws, Israeli policy is "hastening a one-state reality that could destroy Israeli democracy and will result in intensifying international condemnation of Israel." He said he continues to support a two-state solution, and The Carter Center will soon host discussions between Israeli and Palestinian representatives "searching for an avenue toward peace." A resolution must be made that acknowledges the right of both Israel and Palestine to "live in peace and security," Carter said, as well as the demilitarization of the Palestinian state and a possible peacekeeping force under the U.N. Read Carter's entire op-ed at The New York Times.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
Who are the markets backing in the US election?
Talking Point Speculators are piling in on the Trump trade. A Harris victory would come as a surprise
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: November 3, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published