THE CARTER CENTER OF FORMER UNITED STATES PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER
"BY WHAT AUTHORITY DO YOU DO THIS?" - HE AIN'T TELLIN'
TURNING YOUR OWN SELF-APPOINTMENTS INTO A MANDATE FROM HEAVEN
TEN MINUTE VIDEO ABOUT THE CARTER CENTER
http://www.cartercenter.org/donate/index.html
Speech to the United Nations Relief Works Agency's
Human Rights Graduation in Gaza, June 16, 2009, By Jimmy Carter
http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/editorials_speeches/gaza-061609.html
http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o
http://www.salvationscience.com

When they asked Jesus: "By what authority do you do these things?", he would not
tell them, because they would neither answer his own questions to them. Jesus
said: "I speak not of myself, but of the Father within me." Jesus said: "Judge
the tree by its fruit." In the Biblical New Testament Gospels, the fruitless
tree which bore no fruit (but bad) was cursed, withered and died. The only Way
you can "judge that tree" is "by its fruit".

President Jimmy Carter is a "Tree of Life, bearing good fruit". His charge to
bring peace to the "Holy Land" (all land is holy) has long past, but he proves
to us all his deep sincerety by continuing on with this errand of peace for the
benefit of the world. God would make Carter's Mission of Mercy his own, thus
giving a Divine Endorsement to the many good works of our esteemed and beloved
former President of the United States, the honorable Jimmy Carter of Plains
Georgia. Jai Om. - Sw. Tantrasangha
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Trip Report by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to Lebanon, Syria, Israel,
West Bank, and Gaza - June 2-17, 2009

June 17, 2009

NETANYAHU'S SPEECH: I watched his speech and was appalled by his introduction of
numerous obstacles to peace, some of them insurmountable. He rejected sharing of
Jerusalem and a settlement freeze and defined any future Palestinian state as
demilitarized, no control over airspace, still including many Israeli
settlements, and probably without the Jordan valley – provided they remove Hamas
and all other Arabs will accept Israel as a Jewish state (with 20 percent Arab
citizens). I've been involved with these issues for 30 years, and none of them
are acceptable, except perhaps through give-and-take negotiations.

Transcript of President Jimmy Carter's Meeting with the Foreign Affairs
Committee of the Israeli Knesset, June 15, 2009
http://tinyurl.com/mf85p3
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/editorials_speeches/pjc-israeli-knesset-061509.\
html
http://tinyurl.com/mf85p3
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Speech to the United Nations Relief Works Agency's
Human Rights Graduation in Gaza, June 16, 2009, By Jimmy Carter
http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/editorials_speeches/gaza-061609.html
http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o

Director of UNRWA operations John Ging, thank you for inviting me to Gaza.
Distinguished guests, children of Gaza, I am grateful for your warm reception.

I first visited Gaza 36 years ago and returned during the 1980s and later for
the very successful Palestinian elections. Although under occupation, this
community was relatively peaceful and prosperous. Now, the aftermath of bombs,
missiles, tanks, bulldozers and the continuing economic siege have brought
death, destruction, pain, and suffering to the people here. Tragically, the
international community largely ignores the cries for help, while the citizens
of Gaza are being treated more like animals than human beings.

Last week, a group of Israelis and Americans tried to cross into Gaza through
Erez, bringing toys and children's playground equipment – slides, swings, kites,
and magic castles for your children. They were stopped at the gate and
prevented from coming. I understand even paper and crayons are treated as
"security hazards" and not permitted to enter Gaza. I sought an explanation for
this policy in Israel, but did not receive a satisfactory answer – because there
is none.

The responsibility for this terrible human rights crime lies in Jerusalem,
Cairo, Washington, and throughout the international community. This abuse must
cease; the crimes must be investigated; the walls must be brought down, and
the basic right of freedom must come to you.

Almost one-half of Gaza's 1.5 million people are children, whose lives are being
shaped by poverty, hunger, violence, and despair. More than 50,000 families had
their homes destroyed or damaged in January, and parents are in mourning for the
313 innocent children who were killed.

The situation in Gaza is grim, but all hope is not lost. Amidst adversity, you
continue to possess both dignity and determination to work towards a brighter
tomorrow. That is why educating children is so important.

I have come to Gaza to help the world know what important work you are doing.
UNRWA is here to ensure that the 200,000 children in its schools can develop
their talent, express their dynamism, and help create the path to a better
future.

The human rights curriculum is teaching children about their rights and also
about their responsibilities. UNRWA is teaching about the Universal Declaration
of Human Rights and the struggle for these rights all over the world, Gaza's
children are learning that as you seek justice for yourselves, you must be sure
that your behavior provides justice for others.

They are learning that it is wrong to fire rockets that may kill Israeli
children. They are learning that arbitrary detention and the summary execution
of political opponents is not acceptable. They are learning that the rule of
law must be honored here in Gaza.

I would like to congratulate both UNRWA and the children who have completed the
human rights curriculum with distinction. They are tomorrow's leaders.

In addition to the tragedy of occupation, the lack of unity among Palestinians
is causing a deteriorating atmosphere here in Gaza, in Ramallah, and throughout
the West Bank.

Palestinians want more than just to survive. They hope to lead the Arab world,
to be a bridge between modern political life and traditions that date back to
the Biblical era. The nation you will create must be pluralistic and democratic
– the new Palestine that your intellectuals have dreamt about. Palestine must
combine the best of the East and the West. The Palestinian state, like the
land, must be blessed for all people. Jerusalem must be shared with everyone
who loves it – Christians, Jews, and Muslims.

With our new leaders in Washington, my country will move into the forefront of
this birth of a new Palestine. We were all reminded of this renewed hope and
commitment by President Obama's recent speech in Cairo.

President Obama's resolve to resume the Israeli-Palestinian diplomatic process
based on the principle of two states for two peoples must be welcomed. This
vision of two sovereign nations living as neighbors is not a mere convenient
phrase. It is the basis for a lasting peace for this entire region, including
Syria and Lebanon.

We all know that a necessary step is the ending of the siege of Gaza – the
starving of 1 ½ million people of the necessities of life. Never before in
history has a large community been savaged by bombs and missiles and then
deprived of the means to repair itself. The issue of who controls Gaza is not
an obstacle. As the World Bank has pointed out, funds can be channeled through
a number of independent mechanisms and effective implementing agencies.

Although funds are available, not a sack of cement nor a piece of lumber has
been permitted to enter the closed gates from Israel and Egypt. I have seen
with my own eyes that progress is negligible.

My country and our friends in Europe must do all that is necessary to persuade
Israel and Egypt to allow basic materials into Gaza. At the same time, there
must be no more rockets and mortar shells falling on Israeli citizens.

I met this week with the parents of Corporal Gilad Shalit, and have with me a
letter that I hope can be delivered to their son. I have also met with many
Palestinians who plead for the freedom of their 11,700 loved ones imprisoned by
the Israelis, including 400 women and children. Many of them have been
imprisoned for many years, held without trial, with no access to their families
or to legal counsel. Rational negotiations and a comprehensive peace can end
this suffering on both sides.

I know it is difficult now, surrounded by terrible destruction, to see a future
of independence and dignity in a Palestinian state, but this goal can and must
be achieved. I know too that it is hard for you to accept Israel and live in
peace with those who have caused your suffering. However, Palestinian statehood
cannot come at the expense of Israel's security, just as Israel's security can
not come at the expense of Palestinian statehood.

In his speech in Cairo, President Obama said that Hamas has support among
Palestinians, but they also have responsibilities. To play a full role in
fulfilling Palestinian aspirations, to unify the Palestinian people, Hamas must
put an end to violence, accept existing peace agreements, and recognize Israel's
right to exist.

I have urged Hamas leaders to accept these conditions, and they have made
statements and taken actions that suggest they are ready to join the peace
process and move toward the creation of an independent and just Palestinian
state.

Khaled Mashaal has assured me that Hamas will accept a final status agreement
negotiated by the Palestinian Authority and Israel if the Palestinian people
approve it in a referendum. Hamas has offered a reciprocal ceasefire with
Israel throughout the West Bank and Gaza. Unfortunately, neither the Israeli
leaders nor Hamas accept the terms of the Oslo Agreement of 1993, but the Arab
Peace Initiative is being considered now by all sides.

I have personally witnessed free and fair elections in Palestine when Yasir
Arafat and Mahmoud Abbas were elected president and when legislative members
were chosen for your parliament. I hope to return next January for a similar
event that will unite all Palestinians as you seek a proud and peaceful future.

Ladies and gentlemen, children of Gaza, thank you for inviting me and for
sharing this happy occasion with me. Congratulations for your achievements.

http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o
http://www.cartercenter.org/news/editorials_speeches/gaza-061609.html
http://tinyurl.com/mzlm3o
http://www.cartercenter.org/donate/index.html
http://www.salvationscience.com
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