Elders in Zion
The Forward reports that a new group calling itself "The Elders" is dispatching Jimmy Carter, Kofi Annan and Mary Robinson to Israel to help make peace. Go figure, but officials in Jerusalem aren't exactly jumping for joy.
A little-known group of rather well-known former world leaders is trying its hand at Middle East peacemaking, with a contingent scheduled to visit the region next month on a self-proclaimed mission to "help people understand the urgency of peace." But as they attempt to help resolve one of the world's most intractable conflicts, The Elders, as the group is known, find themselves facing what is perhaps an equally difficult task: overcoming the deep-rooted suspicion on the part of Israel and its supporters toward several of its members.The Elders are a group of 12 senior statesmen formed last summer by Nelson Mandela, and most of its members are household names in the international arena. What has raised eyebrows in Jerusalem are the individuals the group is dispatching to the Middle East. In addition to former United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan, the contingent includes Jimmy Carter, former president and author of "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," and Mary Robinson, a former president of Ireland who was outspokenly critical of Israel when she served as the U.N.'s high commissioner on human rights.
Israeli officials were reluctant to discuss the upcoming visit on the record, arguing that they had yet to be formally approached by The Elders. But an indication of Jerusalem's concern about the group's effort could be gleaned from the response of one official when asked for Israel's views on the contingent's individual members.
"We have no problem with Kofi Annan," the official told the Forward.
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The Elders? How arrogant. Are they coming to put the bad little Israelis and Palestinians in time-out and teach us that fighting is wrong? The only reason any of them cares is because they’d achieve eternal fame if they managed to do anything that improved the situation. It is unlikely that any of them is going to effect an improvement.
The Elders. Not only is this a group of first rate anti-semites but they are really stupid using that name. Stupidity and Anti-Semitism. That is a very dangerous combo
These people are NOT to be considered to be helpful
unless Louise Arbour is added to their group.
Now you would have a real TEAM!
If we only could get them to work on solving any but the
Israel problem, I would make a generous donation.
Personally, I feel that neither individually nor collectively
should any of them be permitted to set foot in the Israel
controlled areas.
A pox on each of them! For this I would even learn to pray.
AN
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Harry
03/27/08 10:10 AM
why do they need a name for their group? and if they really want a name why dont they call themselves the scumbags?