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Skadden, Arps Hosts a Foreign Ambassador Smearing Our Former President as a Bigot

I’m still a little stunned from hearing Israeli Ambassador Gillerman’s "bigot" comments about former President Carter yesterday. Such chutzpah, and condescension. And keep in mind that he didn’t do this at the U.N. or the Israeli consulate. No, he was at Skadden, Arps, a big law firm that claims to care about diversity and that shares the gleaming 4 Times Square tower with Conde Nast.

That’s the problem. The Israel lobby–certainly The Israel Project, which hosted Gillerman– is well-connected; and it’s used its position in America to grant Israel an immunity from criticism for its behavior. As Tony Judt said, Israel is a country that won’t grow up. And neither would you, with such forgiving backers. Here’s my transcript of Gillerman’s comments re Carter:

Speaking of supporting moderates against extremists, I must express my very sad feelings following the unfortunate visit of President Carter to the region. I am saying this with great sadness. The only feeling I can muster when it comes to President Custer– Carter–is actually one of great sadness. because I think it is a shame to see that person who may not have been one of the greatest presidents this country had but for a while was a very decent former president and did good things, turn into what I believe to be a bigot and someone who went to the region with soiled hands and came back with bloody hands after shaking the hand of Khalid Meshaal, the leader of Hamas. While he was here, Hamas was  shelling our cities and maiming and injuring and wounding Israeli babies and Israeli children. I think it’s a very sad episode in American history, and I’m really sad to see Jimmy Carter reach that very low point in his career. I think that anybody who wants good to come out of the Middle East should indeed encourage, bolster, and embolden the moderates and not be seen as cajoling and befriending the murderers and extremists on the other side.

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