Citerank: (8) 9376Settlements are a perpetual destabilizing influenceThe Settlement process is a key destabilizing influence on the negotiation process.959C6EF, 12178Encourage real US political debate on the Arab-Israeli conflictThe Obama administration should enable and encourage real political debate in the US on the Arab-Israeli conflict.959C6EF, 12179Real political debate on the Arab-Israeli conflict is rare in USThere is rarely any debate or balanced discussion about the Middle East in the US.109FDEF6, 12181Suport for Israel grounded in Christian teachingThe US's "strong support for Israel comes mostly from among Christians...  who have been taught since childhood to honor and protect God's chosen people from..."959C6EF, 12184Dominant influence of AIPAC on public debateUnder AIPAC (American-Israel public affairs committee) pressure, there are few significant countervailing voices in the public arena, and any balanced debate is still practically nonexistent in the U.S. Congress or among presidential candidates.959C6EF, 12186Ambitious US politicians fall into line with AIPACJimmy Carter: "It is inconceivable that any ambitious US politician would call for Israel to withdraw to its internationally recognized boundaries – or support a balanced negotiating position between Israel and its neighbors – or even express concern about the plight of the Palestinians."109FDEF6, 12187AIPAC exercising legitimate goalAIPAC is exercising its legitimate goal of defending the policies of Israel's most conservative governments and arousing maximum support in our country.109FDEF6, 12189US needs to assume its historic role as honest brokerThe United States assumes its historic role of honest broker—a role that is dependent upon enjoying a degree of trust and respect from both sides and not being seen to be "in the pocket" of either side.959C6EF

Let me refer to my use of the word "apartheid" in the title of the book. The text makes it clear that it is about conditions and events in the Palestinian territories and not in Israel. Apartheid is when two peoples occupy the same land, forced segregation is imposed, and one dominates and persecutes the other. The driving force for the terrible oppression of the Palestinians comes from a minority of Israelis and their desire to confiscate and colonize Palestinian land.


I might add that there is wide use of the word "apartheid" in Israel among prominent leaders, including a former attorney general (Ben Ya'ir), scholars and legislators (Shulamit Aloni), editors of major newspapers (Ha'aretz), human rights organizations (B'Tselem), and litigants before the Israeli Supreme court in Jerusalem. They have used and explained the word in harsher terms than I, pointing out that this cruel treatment of Palestinians is contrary to the tenets of the Jewish faith and the basic principles of the Nation of Israel. Both Nelson Mandela and Bishop Desmond TuTu have visited the territories and used the same description.