Jimmy Carter meets Hamas Leaders.

President Carter was behind the Land for Peace aka Camp David Accord. Israel gave up land for peace and got more attacks on them and killed many civilians. With Hamas or the PLO you are dealing with one person and if they give their word they are speaking for themselves only. Every time Israel agrees to a peace treaty or agreement with the PLO or Hamas those who disagree with it feel free to attack Israel and the the PLO or Hamas will do nothing to stop it. To the Arab world President Carter's visit to Hamas gave them legal standing and made them a world player. We got nothing out of the trip and they gained status in the Arab World.

I'll bet Jimmy got a big check too...

Hi bobmnu, Thank for for responding, and for your thoughts. We all have the right to our opinion. I think that the world war 11 situation was completely different. This has nothing to do with giving in to the enemy. It is opening up a dialogue, and nothing will be achieved until that happens. The former President did not give approval to Hamas or to what they are doing. Jimmy carter is a world renowned peacemaker, and if he believes that this is the way to go, I think we should at least respect his opinion. I am confident that he will be proven right in the end. Blessings.

Hamas may not be the nicest group of people but unfortunately for conventional US and Israeli thinking, these guys were actually elected into parliament in an election that was considered fair. Yes, the world knows that these guys have beards and don't recognise the right of the State of Israel to exist. However, as far as most Palestinians were concerened, these guys where honest and ran a competent administrations in Palestinian controlled areas. Whatever one thinks of the Israeli's and the Arabs, we have to look at certain ground realities. The USA made such a big deal of how it wanted more democracy in the Middle East. It made a big deal about how it wanted the Arabs to get democracy and when the Palestinians did elect someone - the USA isolates them. Perhaps its hard for Americans to undestand this but ...as far as most people in the Middle East are concerned, this smacks of Imperial bullying. Crush'em till they bleed does not work against a people that have grown up having the living day lights kicked out of them. Fatah, the now so called "Secularist Moderates," basically robbed the Palestinians but they were approved by the USA and Israel. The Palestians decided to vote for the guys who were vaguely honest and willing to stand up to the guys they considered the oppressors. At every go, the Bush Administration and Israel have played into the hands of the extremist in Hamas. The more one goes on about the need to starve out Hamas, the more one is comitting an anti-semitic act of terrorism against the Arab people and another act of anti-semetism against Israeli people for not bringing them to the negotiating table. Incidentally Jimmy Carter, this so called Anti-Semetic Jew-Hater, is the only US president to have brought Israel a peace treaty that has lasted til this day (Egypt-which happens to the most populous Arab State). Between the work of the Anti-Semite who has brought peace to Israel and the Anti-Semites who insist on war, I know which one I would go for.

President Carter was urged by several world leaders not to contact Hamas. Hamas is a group of thugs and terriorists who are out to cause trouble. They are no different than the Barbarry Pirates that President Jefferson had to deal with. The only thing they understand is force. President Reagan had to deal with another group of terriorists when they bombed the Marine Barricks in Leabon. he sunk the Iranian navy and that enede the treeiorist attacks. President Clinton had several terriorist attacks to deal with and tried to deal with then in a leagal system and got nothing but more attacks. It is like dealing with the playground bully if you stand up to him and fight back he will leave you alone.

Hi WhatsHerName, Thank you for responding and for your opinion. I have heard similar stories about the Bush family, and I find it very difficult to believe any of them. I know that Jimmy Carter is a well respected world statesman, who has worked hard for peace. I admire that in anyone. Blessings.

Hi rosettaresearch, Thank you for responding, and for your opinion. I still don't believe that ignoring them is the answer. When people talk, things get resolved. Blessings.

Hi visitorinvasion, Thank you for commenting. I don't believe it's as bad as you seem to think, but I do agree that Bush and Carter have very different agendas, and I much prefer Carter's way of doing things. Pray for peace for all peoples of the world. Blessings.

Hi Mirita, Thanks for responding. I believe that Hamas believes that we are the cause of the violence, just as most of us think they are. Someone with the talents of former President Carter, a world renowned peacemaker, could help them see another side of those they call the enemy. Barriers fall when people begin to learn more about each other. My greatest desire is to see peace in the world, and I'm pleased to see Someone like the former President take the first step. Blessings.

Hi faith, Thank you for commenting. we are in complete agreement. Blessings.

Thank you headhunter for responding and for your thoughts. Mr Carter as the elder statesman, and world respected peacemaker, cannot be dismissed easily. Blessings.