The Red and Black

Issue date: 4/25/08 Section: Opinions

Cartoon unfairly portrays meeting

Though it is indeed the task of editorial cartoonists to comment on contemporary issues and occurrences, The Red & Black's cartoonist would benefit from a closer reading of the news stories he is commenting on before heading to the drawing board.

According to the reports I read, former President Jimmy Carter's recent meeting with representatives of Hamas resulted in Hamas conceding that they would be willing to accept Israel's right to exist, not with the former president strapping explosives to his chest.

Carter's meeting should be applauded as a potentially major step forward in the peace process, and it is highly depressing to see Carter characterized as a terrorist simply because he acknowledges that one must be willing to speak with a group in order to possibly make peace with it.

If Israel truly desired peace, it would anticipate any step forward in the peace process eagerly, but the knee-jerk reaction to the Carter's meeting reveals that Israel's desire to have total control over relations in the Middle East is stronger than its desire for peace.

The message Israel is sending is clear: Peace will come on our terms, or it will not come at all. This unfortunate attitude (held by both sides throughout) is what has perpetuated this sad conflict for so long, and it is sad to see that Israel's reaction to Hamas' willingness to yield is continued stonewalling, rather than mutual willingness to move forward.

Max Martin
Grad. student, Decatur
Artificial Intelligence

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