Carter to Russian immigrants: Clinton was wrong
In meeting with Russian speaking leading figures former US President Jimmy Carter claims Bill Clinton 'should not have said' Russian Jews were obstacle to peace
Former US President Bill Clinton sparked outrage last month when he said Russian immigrants in Israel pose an obstacle to peace. Jimmy Carter, the last Democrtic president before Clinton, is currently visiting Israel and has slammed him before an audience of Russian natives.
"I just heard today what President Clinton said and it was a mistake," Carter said. The former president was a guest of a joint UN-Interpeace program aimed at exposing Russian speakers in Israel to the peace process.
"We're both democrats, we're both in the same party. He should not have said it and he was mistaken," Carter stated.
The former president noted, "I've known the Russian Jews in Israel for almost 40 years. I knew the first group that came here and I met with them and I know that as much as anyone in Israel, perhaps more on an average, the Russian Jews that live here want to see peace. They want to see Israel recognized as all nations on earth, as a nation to live without threat," he said.
"So he made a mistake. I'm sure if he had a chance to meet with you he would say he misspoke. "
Exposing Russians to peace
Carter stressed there were many obstacles to peace in the region and reiterated previous statements against Israel including on changes in east Jerusalem threatening the status quo.
The UN-Interpeace program is meant to expose Russian speaking policy makers and influential figures to information and start a discourse regarding the peace process in the Middle East. The program includes tours, lectures and meetings with elements who are or were involved in peace initiatives.
The program's manager Liron Mehrez-Melnik said that Clinton's statements were inappropriate. "Nevertheless, the fact that such ideas are floating in the air affirms the need for the project. Engaging the Russian-speaking population will cause them to be a driving force in finding a solution to the conflict," she added.
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