Originally Posted by CrankyYankee

Dialogue is the only way to produce positive change. If it is preferable to have the killing continue ad nauseum, then yes, Carter is mistaken.


Actually, he has publicly stated why he is going:

"In an interview with the Israeli daily Haaretz published Monday, Carter said he intended to use the Mashaal meeting to press for the return of three Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia. He said he would also try to get Hamas to accept a pan-Arab plan for peace with Israel.

"The most important single foreign policy goal in my life has been to bring peace to Israel, and peace and justice to Israel's neighbors. I have done everything I could in office and since I left office to do that," the paper quoted Carter as saying."

Full A/P article:
AP Nation/World - Quincy, MA - The Patriot Ledger