Qassam rockets are a crime, says Carter

[oberliner]

On the backdrop of his forthcoming controversial meeting with Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal in Damascus, former US President Jimmy Carter visited the rocket-battered Israeli town of Sderot on Monday.

During the visit, Carter said that the rocket fire directed at the southern city was a crime and that he would work to secure a ceasefire.

The former president visited a number of sites in the city and met with the staff of the Sapir College, which recently sustained a fatal hit. During his visit to the local police station, Carter was presented with the remnants of hundreds of rockets fired at Sderot.

Sderot Mayor Eli Moyal took Carter to the observation post overlooking the Gaza Strip town of Beit Hanoun and the Israeli cities of Sderot and Ashkelon. The guest showed an interest in the distances between Gaza and the nearby communities and in the warning time before rockets land in Israel.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3531612,00.html

[LeftishBrit]

1. If Carter can actually achieve something, good for him!

I have my doubts (others, e.g. one of the Russian leaders, have tried without success to influence Mashaal); but one can always hope.

[rpannier]

2. Hopefully some good will come from it

Even if the only thing that's accomplished is he can secure the release of the Israeli soldier

[oberliner]

3. That would be quite a coup

Although I doubt it will happen, can you imagine the mixed feelings (around the world) that would result from Carter securing the release of the Israeli hostage?

[bemildred]

5. That would be fun to watch.

Partly because the hostages would walk free, partly to watch the verbal gymnastics and weaseling about Carter's role.

[bemildred]

4. See, Jimmy doesn't split hairs.

If it looks like a duck, it's a duck, whomever the perpetrators happen to be. If you want to make peace, both sides are going to have to deal with that. This "their revenge is a crime, but mine is justified" crap will have to stop. But you won't get enough people to buy into that without a political settlement.

[azurnoir]

6. If there is anyone on the American side

who can help secure the release of 3 soldiers it is Mr Carter, hopefully he will have some success, no matter who it "embarrasses".

[Vegasaurus]

7. Ceasefire would have to be two way

not just one way, since Hamas can't seem to control the rocket fire (because many of those are from their own armed wing)