Carter: Obama backtracked on freeze

In new book, former US president slams successors Clinton, Obama for allowing settlement growth

Associated Press|Published: 09.19.10 , 07:30

Former US president Jimmy Carter has slammed US President Barack Obama for his policy on Israel's settlement freeze, accusing him of backing away from his initial commitment to bring Jewish construction in the West Bank to a complete halt.

Carter makes these comments in his new book to be released on Monday.

The former president criticizes several US presidents, including fellow Democrat Bill Clinton, for not bringing sufficient pressure on Israel to stop building settlements in the West Bank. He writes that construction was "especially rapid" during Clinton's administration.

Carter's views on Israel have caused controversy in the past, such as when he likened Israeli policy in the West Bank to apartheid South Africa in his 2006 book 'Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid'.

The book also shows his pride in helping to bring peace between Egypt and Israel at Camp David.

Carter's book adds that the failed Iran hostage rescue played a major role in his 1980 defeat and he was hurt by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's bid for the nomination.

Carter says his efforts to rescue US diplomats held by Iran should have worked but were thwarted by a "strange series of mishaps," including a crash between a helicopter and a transport plane.