Jimmy Carter Accuses Jewish Organization of Slandering Him to Raise Money

Former President Jimmy Carter has gotten himself into more hot water, although it seems quite unlikely that any in the media will pay much attention to this recent faux pas (h/t LGF).

In a seemingly absurd response to a call by The Simon Wiesenthal Center for members and supporters to send letters to Carter concerning his book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid,” the former president penned a handwritten note to the organization’s well-respected founder and Dean.

In it, Carter suggested that the Center lied about him and his book in order to raise money.

Think I'm kidding? Well, put this in your Middle East peace pipe and smoke it:

1/26/07

To Rabbi Marvin Hier

I don’t believe that Simon Wiesenthal would have resorted to falsehood and slander to raise funds.

Sincerely,

Jimmy Carter

In reality, there was absolutely nothing in the Center’s news release concerning Carter’s book asking for money. And, there was nothing disrespectful about the letter the Center was encouraging recipients to send to the former president:

Dear President Carter:

We respect your historic achievement in forging peace between Egypt and Israel in 1979 which only deepens our disappointment and concern over your one-sided book, "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."

President Carter there is no Israeli Apartheid policy and you know it.  I join with the Simon Wiesenthal Center in respectfully reminding you that the only reason there is no peace in the Holy Land is because of Palestinian terrorism and fanaticism.  

In 2000, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak went to Camp David and offered Yasser Arafat 95% of the West Bank, 100% of Gaza and part of the Old City of Jerusalem, along with $30 billion in compensation for Palestinian refugees.  Arafat’s response was the launching of the bloody Intifada which targeted innocent civilians in restaurants, malls, schools, and religious services with suicide terror attacks. Had Arafat accepted Israel’s offer at Camp David there would have long been a Palestinian State alongside Israel.

Mr. President, when the Palestinian people repudiate their fanatics in favor of a course of moderation, then there will be peace in the Middle East.

Pretty innocuous letter to elicit such a response from a former president, wouldn’t you agree?

Moving forward, although the Associated Press reported this story Tuesday, it appears that no major media outlet has. Color me unsurprised.

*****Update: Our dear friend Ian Schwartz at Hot Air points out: "Funny thing though, the Center’s press release said nothing about money. Was Carter trying to insult Jews by implying there is money involved?"