Jimmy Carter’s oddly-titled book makes a questionable investigation of the crisis between Israelis and Palestinians. He assigns disproportionate culpability to the Israelis as derailing the peace process. When he chooses not to blame Israel outright, his perspective does lend some crucial insight to the historical dilemma in the volatile Middle East. But Carter allows his many fair and accurate assessments in the book to be washed out by continually returning to his agenda of taking aim at Israel as the overwhelmingly guilty culprit of the current stalemate to peace initiatives. Throughout his book, he places strict accusation upon Israelis for systematically perpetuating the oppression of Palestinians and their cause for statehood by colonizing the occupied territories. By extension he seems to qualify the violence of the Palestinians as a viable response to settlement activity. In doing so, Carter chooses not to demonstrate clearly how it is extremists and hardliners on both sides that have committed atrocities and share equal blame for the impasse. In all fairness, Carter deserves great praise for his accomplished devotion to peace and humanity around the world. His facilitation of the 1978 Camp David peace treaty between the Israelis and Egyptians stands as a bedrock achievement, but this book on the Middle East should not be read as a definitive authority for how to view the complex differences preventing a breakthrough in the peace process. For a deeper, more evenhanded understanding of the turmoil, readers should consult Jeffrey Goldberg’s powerful memoir Prisoners: A Muslim & A Jew Across the Middle East Divide.

Controversial when published due to its title and criticism of the Israeli/American positions, I found the book reasonably even-handed but containing nothing much in new insights or ideas. The necessity of the 2 state solution, the illegality and counter-productivity of the wall and additional settlements, the requirement that the surrounding Arab states - including Iran - acknowledge the right of Israel to exist - all are well known and accepted by moderates on both sides. Carter has, nonetheless, played a long and positive role in seeking peace in the region, and deserves the Nobel Prize he received for his work there, and elsewhere in his post-presidential years.

I figured it was long past time I learned a bit more about the Middle East conflict, so decided to read Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by former US president Jimmy Carter. Who better to explain the issue than the individual who has probably spent more time and energy working towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict than anyone alive (he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 in part for these efforts). As I expected, the issue is a complicated and twisted mess. But Carter does a nice (if somewhat dry) job outlining the situation, the history, and the points of view of the parties involved.

And of course, because he doesn’t take sides and holds Israel’s feet to the fire regarding United Nations Security Council Resolution 242 … he was branded as an anti-Semite after the book came out (because the only reason someone could possibly have for criticizing the policies of Israel is if they hate the Jews … or something). However, I will grant his critics that the subtitle of the book is unnecessarily provocative, and of dubious historical accuracy (the roots of apartheid were entirely racial in nature, while those in the Middle East are also historical, cultural, religious, economic and political).

Today, the Middle East continues to be engulfed in turmoil. This, despite the fact that everyone knows that the solution involves:
1. An independent Palestinian state.
2. The departure of Israelis from the occupied territories.
3. That the Arab world recognizes Israel’s right to exist.
4.That both sides declare an end to violence.

Unfortunately, the likelihood of these actions taking place anytime soon seem very slim due to the lack of political will.

For all the controversy it engendered, I wasn't surprised by anything in this book, nor was it a particularly captivating analysis or innovative plan for the Middle East.

The book is useful as a brief sketch of the recent conflict and the involvement of American diplomatic efforts. Criticism that it is heavy on the negative role of Israel is understandable and justified but easily explained by Carter as an antidote to the overwhelming influence of AIPAC and the mass media on the discussion in America. That criticism also ignores the many instances in the book in which Carter confronts Palestinian wrongdoing, as well as overshadowing his effusive praise for Begin, Rabin,Sharon, and Olmert, despite severe differences throughout the years.

First of all, rest in peace Jimmy Carter ❤️ I wish I knew more about him before reading this, but this book left me incredibly impressed. His combination of great intelligence and love for all people. He really was the definition of living in God’s image.

Prior to this book I had little to know knowledge of this conflict other than a youtube video or two, college protests, convos with Penelope, and instagram infographics. This book was a great 101 that left me feeling like I know my stuff (I even took notes in it so I could remember the things I learned better). I read in another review that it was “top down” and I fully agree that it is a very specific point of view on the conflict with a focus on specific conversations with leaders, but sense I have been growing interested in politics and specifically foreign affairs I found that incredibly interesting. I felt like I got to learn the logistics of what these negotiations look like. Its like reading the news but I like the news. But again, for a better understanding of the life of an average Palestinian I will need another book.

My only small complaint with this book is that the timeline got confusing at points to me. Like I felt like I was trying to make a storyline in my head and there were a lot of names and dates jumbled up. But I suppose theres no way to fix that issue lol. Especially because there is so much back and forth in this conflict between new hope for peace and things going downhill.

I also felt myself thinking the whole time why is the US and the United Nations not putting pressure on Israel? Perhaps I just don’t know enough about being allies, but I found it confusing that the Jimmy Carter would condemn Israeli leaders in peace talks all he wanted, but Israel never had any concern about the US when they continued to move more settlers into Palestinian territory or do a ton of other things. Idk I guess I want to learn more.

I liked that Jimmy Carter’s perspective was one that showed a deep love for Israel and Palestine. He definitely is more critical of Israel but his tone makes the book really accessible to all people.

Another thing to cross off the knowledge list, P

I just finished reading Jimmy Carter’s controversial book on the Palestine-Israel conflict. It’s both fascinating and accessible. Everyone should read it, no matter where they stand on this divisive issue. President Carter, responding to some of the vitriol that surrounded his book tour, said that we need to have a discussion and his book opens up space to have that discussion. I heartily agree.

Carter provides much needed historical and political context to the problem, covering the issue not only from the dominant Israeli / US point of view but also from Palestinians, surrounding Arab nations and his own personal intersection with the region through his faith, his presidency and his work with The Carter Center. In the conclusion, he writes “voices from Jerusalem dominate in our media, and most American citizens are unaware of circumstances in the occupied territories” (Carter 2006:209). This book helps bring other pieces of information and experience to the table.

A common theme throughout the book is Carter’s insistence that the United States needs to talk to both its friends and its supposed enemies. Diplomacy is paramount. While you surely can talk to your friends, it’s imperative that you reach out to people with whom you disagree. The U.S. did that with its deadliest enemy, the Soviet Union, but in recent years and under the George W. Bush administration, it has failed to practice this fundamental tenet of international relations. Carter writes, “A major impediment to progress is Washington’s strange policy that dialogue on controversial issues is a privilege to be extended only as a reward for subservient behavior and withheld from those who reject U.S. demands” (Carter 2006: 202-203).

He also writes about how the White House and U.S. Congress have been less than vocal in response to illegal Israeli actions, partly due to the immense power of the Israeli lobby in the United States. This influence is strengthened by its practice of silencing dissent by labeling it anti-semitic. Let’s just be clear here, opposing Israeli state policy is not anti-semitic in and of itself; just as opposing Iranian state policy is not anti-Islamic.

Very near the end of the book, Carter reflects back on a remark he made to the Israeli Knesset in 1979 that still rings true in 2007: “The people support a settlement. Political leaders are the obstacles to peace” (Carter 2006:211). He meant leaders on both sides as well as international actors. It is sad that almost thirty years have passed, countless lives have been lost, millions have become refugees, and still our leaders cannot sit down, talk and settle this problem. Let’s hope this book kicks the process in the butt and gets it moving once again.

Jimmy Carter has devoted so much of his life to fighting for peace. He has helped people that many feel don't deserve help. As it always does, his service has given him great love for others. Pres. Carter has also used his faith to bring himself closer to the same group that many use their faith to distance themselves from. I have so much respect for him.

Former US president Jimmy Carter provides a concise and brief history of the Palestinian / Israeli conflict. He provides an insight to negotiations that he partook in and the various peace accords that have been attempted over the years. The final chapter of the book is dedicated to Carter's opinion for reaching a resolution. A good read for anybody interested in learning and understanding why the conflict has been present in news headlines since 1948.

I started this book with high expectations to learn about the history of the Palestine-Israel struggle. Unfortunately, President Carter is no historian. His writing style is dry.

A humanitarian disaster so bad that even a US president noticed!
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Carter sometimes escapes scrutiny because of how fully neoliberalism blossomed in the 1980s after he left office, even as he nudged along the destruction of the New Deal with the initial deregulation of airlines, banking, and freight (trucking & rail) that Reagan further dismantled (basically every American industry that shortly required a bailout or caused an environmental disaster). Carter publicly supported Suharto, Pol Pot (after the killing fields), Somoza, the Shah of Iran, and probably a few other psychopaths who were good for American capital in their region. A decent chunk of Carter’s reputation for good work came as ex-president.
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All of that being said, he’s likely the nicest of our elected war criminals, and this book pretty well lays out everything that he witnessed as a would-be Middle East peacemaker before, during and since his time in office.
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The cycle, which is happening again as I read write this: Israel, with a giant per diem and a war chest endowed by the United States tax base, inexorably encroaches upon and steals Palestinian land & housing through a combination of murder & bureaucratic apartheid edict —> Palestinians retaliate —> Israel bombs the shit out of Palestine —> the UN (minus a US security council vote) and international community condemn this —> Israel pretends to be interested in peace talks while coming up with impossible prerequisites for Palestine and ignoring UN resolutions —> we return to step one. It’s actually crazy how many times Jimmy Carter described this cycle in this book and still continued to have faith in diplomatic efforts.
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I’m reading this book in 2024, during the midst of a Cadmean campaign by compulsorily conscripted Israeli occupying forces (“the attractive rainbow that rises in showers of blood”) with the full fiscal & material support of my government. I’m watching on short vods as our client state organizes, with atomic granularity, the biggest battue since game animals came down from Ararat. Our unanimous ceasefire resolutions feel like prayer & sinsemilla. RIP Jimmy, stood ye alone amongst US presidents on this thing.

this book was ok. there was nothing in there that was eye opening. Carter states the obvious as to what would resolve the conflict, i.e., israel needs to comply with all of the UN resolutions, and the arab world needs to recognize israel.

the one exception to the obvious was carter's description of conditions in gaza and the west bank.

i would recommend this book to anyone who is not familiar with the situation in the Holy land. good read.

I felt this was an obviously truthful book, perhaps generating more controversy than it should have by using "apartheid" in the title. Carter has been in the Middle East so often (plus his inside knowledge from his years as President) that to think that he doesn't understand what is happening there is delusional. The last part of the book describes the Wall that Israel has constructed, which keeps the Palestinians away from Israeli (illegal) settlements, and makes it difficult for them to even get around in their own shrinking territory. The material he relates is infuriating and heartbreaking to read. Carter is truly a good person.




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