Some prominent Americans are courageously speaking up against Zionism and deserve the thanks of Arabs, writes Ibrahim Nafie Former US president Jimmy Carter is locked in fierce battle with the Jewish lobby. Since his recent book, Palestine: Peace not Apartheid, Carter has become the whipping boy of the Israel lobby and the neo-cons. He appeared in several debates with pro-Israel lobbyists and lectured at Jewish institutions to explain his point of view, but his calm composure failed to bring him anything but slander and abuse. Israel's supporters have accused Carter of lying, of stealing maps and documents, of hunger for publicity, and -- guess what -- racism and anti-Semitism. Despite the vilification, Carter has stayed the course. A few days ago, he lectured at Brandeis University, a dominantly Jewish institution. Carter talked about his book, saying that his choice of the term "apartheid" was meant to be thought-provoking, for he wanted people to think carefully about Israel's treatment of the Palestinians. He added that he used the term "just" 28 times in his book because a peace settlement has to be just in order to last. Israel's policy towards the Palestinians was undermining peace in the region, he stated. In his talk to Brandeis University students, Carter recalled his earlier political career, noting that when he ran for senate, governor of Georgia, and president of the United States, his rivals would take the occasional personal jibe at him. But not once, he said, was he ever called a liar, a bigot and a coward, or accused of plagiarism and anti-Semitism. "It hurts," he admitted. The campaign against Carter shows how powerful the Zionist lobby is. It also shows that prominent figures are not afraid to speak up anymore. Two political scientists, Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer, have spoken about the control of the media and think tanks by the Israeli lobby. Their remarks made them the target of attacks, but they didn't retract their views. I believe that people such as Carter, Walt and Mearsheimer are giving valuable support to Arab rights. They work from inside the system, offering calm arguments and sober views. This is something we miss in the Arab world, where opinions are often tainted with emotion. Those Americans who tell it as it is, despite Zionist pressures, deserve our thanks and appreciation. Arab civil groups and study centres need to invite those people to give lectures here. We need to learn from them and thank them. Would an Arab organisation invite Jimmy Carter so that we may discuss his views and listen to his advice?
