Carter: Hamas is willing to accept Israel as its neighbor

[FourScore]

Former President Carter said Monday that Hamas — the Islamic militant group that has called for the destruction of Israel — is prepared to accept the right of the Jewish state to "live as a neighbor next door in peace."

But Carter warned that there would not be peace if Israel and the U.S. continue to shut out Hamas and its main backer, Syria.

The Democratic former president relayed the message in a speech in Jerusalem after meeting last week with top Hamas leaders in Syria. It capped a nine-day visit to the Mideast aimed at breaking the deadlock between Israel and Hamas militants who rule the Gaza Strip.

"They (Hamas) said that they would accept a Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, if approved by Palestinians and that they would accept the right of Israel to live as a neighbor next door in peace," Carter said.

The borders he referred to were the frontiers that existed before Israel captured large swaths of Arab lands in the 1967 Mideast war — including the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080421/ap_on_re_mi_ea/carter_israel

[Poll_Blind]

1. Wonder how Israel will respond?

:shrug:

PB

[treestar]

5. Claim they are lying

Is a possibility.

I've heard the argument that Arafat did not really mean it when he said they would recognize Israel. He had his fingers crossed, it is said.

[blm]

2. Looks like some Dems are working the diplomacy needs that Bush ignores.

Kerry has met several times with Syria's leader, and I think Biden has as well. Bush wouldn't.

[Winterblues]

3. Obama says we should not be talking with Hamas and actually said Carter was wrong to do so..

In this particular area I disagree strongly with him...Hamas is the duly elected Leaders of the Palastinian people. It does not matter if we don't like them, what matters is we find peace..

[blm]

4. My take is that he WILL tread lightly until the election minefields are no longer a factor.

Then, I would bet my house he follows the advisements of Kerry and Biden.