The Elders Visit Israel
The Elders are visiting Israel this week. No, not the Elders of Zion, the mythological Jewish cabal that inhabits the minds of Jew-haters everywhere. These Elders are a group of well-known political figures who for the most part share an aversion to Israel. The group is notable because of the high offices achieved by its members and because of their leadership of organizations involved with human rights. Several of the most visible Elders have also distinguished themselves as vehement critics of Israel who side with the Jewish state’s enemies. This is not exactly the group one would look to for impartiality in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Who are some of the more prominent Elders?
There is former President Jimmy Carter, a prolific critic of Israel, whose writings CAMERA has critiqued extensively. In recent years, Carter has lent his prestige to a campaign to condemn Israel and its supporters, while promoting engagement with the terrorist group Hamas. CAMERA published a monograph documenting the errors in his unbalanced book Peace not Apartheid written in 2006. CAMERA also reviewed his most recent book, again pointing out a new bevy of factual errors.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu has long used his moral stature to direct hostility towards Israel. He has lent his prestige to the campaign to tar Israel with the Apartheid smear.
Mary Robinson, who was recently awarded the Medal of Freedom and is a former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner on Human Rights, is also participating. Robinson’s most notable foray into the politics of the conflict was her role in paving the way for the Durban conference against Racism in 2001, which was hijacked by anti-Israel and anti-Jewish racists.
It is not clear at this time what role the Elders will have. Will officials currently crafting a new peace plan seek their advice?
It is hard to envision how these highly partisan and celebrated denouncers of Israel can move the process of reconciliation forward.
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