For more than three decades, the primary focus of my personal interests and political activities has been to help end the conflict between Israel and its neighbors. Despite the current lack of progress, I see an unparalleled time for hope, not despair. The outlines of a peace agreement are clear and have global support. There is remarkable harmony between the relevant UN resolutions, previous agreements reached at Camp David and Oslo, the declared policy of the United States, the Geneva Accord, the main objectives of the international Quartet's roadmap for peace, and the tentative proposals put forward by all Arab nations for reconciliation with Israel.

Perhaps most importantly, there is an overwhelming common desire for a safe and prosperous life among the citizens of Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. These players have taken or intended to take tentative steps, and they are all waiting for them to be realized under American leadership.

We already have a firm promise from our new president that he will, from the beginning of his term, make every personal effort for peace in the Middle East. The United States will find all parties to the conflict—and leaders of other nations—eager to support Washington's strong, fair, and continuous leadership. This will not be easy. It is inevitable for anyone involved in peacemaking in the Middle East to make mistakes and suffer frustration. Everyone must overcome existing hatred, bigotry, and memories of terrible tragedies. Everyone must face painful choices and negotiation failures. However, I am convinced that the time is ripe for peace in the region.

This urgent, balanced, and passionate book by Nobel laureate and former President Jimmy Carter argues that the present moment is a unique time to achieve peace in the Middle East, and it presents a bold and comprehensive plan to do just that. President Carter has spent his entire life studying the Holy Land according to the Bible. In the last three decades, as President of the United States and founder of the Carter Center, he has studied the complex and intertwined issues of the region's conflicts and has been actively involved in their reconciliation. He is familiar with the leaders of all parties in the region who need to play key roles and sees encouraging signs among them.

Carter describes the history of past peace efforts and why they failed. He argues convincingly that the path to a peace agreement is now open and enjoys broad global and regional support. Most importantly, he says that the time for progress is now, as progress will not be achieved without brave and persistent American leadership. President Obama is committed to making a personal effort to exercise this leadership, starting early in his term. This is President Carter's call to action, and it presents a practical and achievable path to peace.

Publishing House: Al-Matboat for Distribution and Publishing

Author: Jimmy Carter

ISBN: 9789953885766

Number of Pages: 188

Year of Publication: 2010

Cover Type: Hardcover