Amy Carter Extends Gratitude for Recognition of Her Father’s Advocacy for Palestinian Rights
Following the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter at the age of 100 this past Sunday, his daughter Amy Carter expressed appreciation to a writer who spotlighted her father’s longstanding support for Palestinian rights and his critique of Israeli policies described as apartheid.
Qasim Rashid, a human rights attorney and ex-Democratic congressional hopeful known for his vocal criticism of the U.S.-endorsed Israeli actions in Gaza over the last 15 months, paid tribute to Carter by discussing his views on Israel and Palestine in a Substack post. Rashid referenced a 2007 interview from Democracy Now! regarding Carter’s 2006 book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.
Rashid highlighted in his post, “In his book, President Carter effectively argues that a major barrier to peace between Israel and Palestine is indeed the extensive illegal settlements that continue to expand with the support of the U.S.,” also noting from the interview that advocating for Palestinian rights is politically perilous for Washington politicians. “President Carter’s forthright and brave stance starkly contrasts with the timidity and complicity of subsequent presidents, who have indulged the Israeli government’s policies of settlement expansion, land annexation, and enforcement of apartheid,” Rashid added.
Amy Carter, aged 57 and previously arrested for protesting apartheid in South Africa during her teenage years, responded to Rashid’s article on social media. She posted, “There is no better way to honor his memory, and I am grateful that you and your readers continue to celebrate this vital part of his legacy. Thank you.”
Late on Sunday, Rashid shared on social media Amy Carter’s appreciative comment on his article, expressing how she proudly upholds her father’s commitment to advocating for justice in Palestine and encourages everyone to preserve that legacy. Rashid included a link to his article in his post.
Jimmy Carter’s Unique Foreign Policy Legacy
The 2002 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Jimmy Carter, is remembered for his distinctive support of Palestinian rights, diverging from his successors in the Oval Office. His tenure as president notably included the Camp David Accords in September 1978, brokered between Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.
As the world reflects on Carter’s passing, his controversial 2006 book and broader stance on Palestine have been key discussion points, especially as Israel faces charges of genocide at the International Court of Justice for its actions in Gaza.
On Monday, Democracy Now! revisited the 2007 interview clip mentioned by Rashid, where Carter criticized the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) for not being committed to peace, instead influencing American public opinion and political leaders to support Israeli government policies.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan, who has recently started Zeteo following the cancellation of his MSNBC show due to his critical stance on Israel’s actions in Gaza, highlighted “eight significant quotes from Jimmy Carter that are generally omitted in mainstream media obituaries.”
In an obituary published by Foreign Policy, Jonathan Alter, author of His Very Best: Jimmy Carter, a Life, praised Carter’s diplomatic triumphs, stating that the Camp David Accords remain the most enduring diplomatic achievement since World War II. “Carter was the first U.S. president to support a Palestinian state, a stance that, coupled with his post-presidential rhetoric and his 2006 book, made him the most pro-Palestinian U.S. president, a fact that has long upset many American Jews,” Alter wrote.
Political analyst Mitchell Plitnick, writing for Mondoweiss, called for a careful and honest scrutiny of Carter’s legacy, pointing out that while Carter’s book was less remarkable than its title suggested, its content aimed to guide Israel away from the perils of its own policies.
Chris McGreal of The Guardian reported that Steve Berman, who led a mass resignation from the Carter Center over the 2006 book, later apologized to Carter, acknowledging the accuracy of his criticisms regarding Israel’s policies.
Following Carter’s death, prominent Muslim organizations in the U.S. have also voiced their respect for his unwavering support for Palestinian rights and his broader humanitarian efforts. The U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations highlighted Carter’s courageous stand against the influence of pro-Israel lobbying groups and his consistent defense of Islam and Muslims against rising Islamophobia.
These organizations, along with countless individuals who admired Carter’s principled stance, have extended their condolences, underscoring his rare commitment to the ideals of justice and democracy in both American and international contexts.
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