Mr. Carter, you are living in a dream world. Hamas have fired over 7000 rockets into Sderot from the Gaza strip, they have also sent suicide bombers into Israel. They will never accept any jewish self-determination on what they see as muslim land. Here are some of the highlights of their charter below.

"Israel will exist and will continue to exist until Islam will obliterate it, just as it obliterated others before it."

"The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic Waqf consecrated for future Moslem generations until Judgement Day. It, or any part of it, should not be squandered: it, or any part of it, should not be given up. "

"There is no solution for the Palestinian question except through Jihad. Initiatives, proposals and international conferences are all a waste of time and vain endeavors."

N. Ellis, Watford, England

This is not new, same thing happened with the PLO. Arafat recognised the right of Israel to exist negotiated the oslo accords with the labour government. Key to oslo was for israel to give back land and stop settlement activity. Rabin was assasinated, labour lost to likud and netanyahu threw the oslo accords out the window. Its the same cycle of events to buy israel time to fill up the west bank with settlements. The ultimate aim for israel is to extend their borders and expel the palestinians for the second time into jordan. remember the west bank used to be part of jordan. Key to peace is for israel to leave the west bank and east jerusalem and allow the palestinians to form their government, under those circumstances I do not even see how hamas will be popular enough to be voted. Poll after poll has shown that 70% of both israelis and palestinians want peace, it is the hardline 30% that are holding everyone hostage.

Muhammad, Cambridgeshire,

It's fine for Carter to go and talk to Hamas, and fine for Hamas to tell him they accept the existence of Israel. But if he believes them he's an even bigger fool than he looks.

Tom, London,

Mr Carter was one of Americas greatest President.
"Blessed are the peacemakers". Mr Carter is a genuine peacemaker.

Mohammed, London, UK

Is he going senile or is he just really gullible? He should stick to peanut farming.

Alan, Edinburgh,

Well done Mr Carter! A sane voice in a violent world. As for Israel considering Hamas a "terrorist movement", it is rather strange that the country which kills hundreds of Palestinians with impunity has the nerve to refer to any other organisation as a "terrorist movement" - for that definition describes some of the leaders of the yishuv almost from its inception to the present day.

Russell Harris, London, UK

I must disagree with the assumption that acceptance of a Palestinian state equates to a recognition of Israel's right to exist. What real peace can there be under these circumstances anyway?

If Hamas' recent history is anything to go by ,establishing a Palestinian state is just another step towards the destruction of Israel. Look at the Gaza withdrawal - only lead to an increase in the number of rockets fired into Israel.

If peace is to be achieved it must be a meaningful peace as success of a Palestinian state will rely very much cooperation with Israel to ensure economic growth. How can this happen if one side does not recognise the other?

Andrew, Cape Town,

Many Americans believe Jimmy Carter is a clown who can only make things worse. He withdrew American support for the Shah of Iran in favor of Khomenei because Khomenei was a man of religion. However he did not bother to determine first the nature of that religion -- conversion of infidels by the sword.

That was the start of the Third Wave of Islamic Imperialism.

Wallace Edward Brand, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Why on earth is this guy, I say guy (as he WAS a president) trying to do?? Going behind his own country and government?? Is he trying to say his country is so incompetent that it requires him to be the leader?? Really weird way of getting into or trying to get into the history books.

James Cole, London, UK

Hamas has already put out a statement that says they won't recognize Israel. Not even a day after Carter says they will. What a joke.

David, vancouver, canada

Former President Carter knows full well that any of his initiatives will be scorned by Israel. That Zionist Controlled litte thuggish state will never agree to peace without being forced to do so. Carter knows this. What this great man, and Mr. Carter is truly a great man), is trying to do, is to show Israel up for the sham that it is. Fewer Americans every day buy into the "peaceful little Israel" facade, just as they scorn the "Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East" nonsense. Democracy in Israel to the Palestenians is the same as "democracy" in South Carolina for blacks in 1860. It works for the the slave masters, the Israelis, but not for the "slaves". Mahmoud Abbas is, rightly, perceived by most of his countrymen to be a Quisling, a man who would set up "Vichy Palestine" next door to its Zionist masters.
Carter understands the grim reality of oppression. More and more Americans do so every day, and Israel would do well to realise this while there is time.

Max Cadenhead, Fort Lauderdale, FL, USA

The way forward.

1. Isolate all hard liners in Israel and Palestian territory.
Blank them in all media, negotiations.
2. Ignore Hamas. "It doesn't exist". And, it's a Palestinian
problem.
3. Independently draw up boundaries, logistics, infrastructure
for a viable, developing state of Palestine.
4. Powers to 'enforce' existance of new state.
5. Bully spineless UN to recognize.
6.. Fund via the rich countries.
7.. Make new state of Palestine member of GCC. This will
ensure Arab neghbours support and invest.
8. Compulsory removal all Israeli occupants in West Bank.
Realocate housing to Palestinians.

Finally, ignore howls of protest from Israeli hardliners.

Simple.

Leigh Vernier, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

"PEACE IN OUR TIME"
Yes let's send Carter to Iran, North Korea, Tibet, Zimbabwe, Darfur, Kenya, ETC.
After all, we can talk to these despots around the world. They will listen to reason and reflect on their past wrong-doings. They will be asshamed of their actions and repent to lead better lives.

Ed, Atlanta, USA

Why is Israel so afraid of peace?
Why can't they eat humble pie, sit down together with Hamas to talk peace? There is no future in living the past.

Ben Haim, Sydney, Australia

The way of Hamas is to hide behind their own women and children and fire rockets at Israeli women and children. How can you expect anyone to trust the word of these thugs ?
The arabs attacked Israel in 1967, before this and after this date. The arabs lost and Israel is within its rights to hold on to whatever territory they want which as it so happens was in the ownership of Jews way before any arabs came along. If Israel gives any land to the palestinians it is not returning the land but giving it away.

Tony, Edgware, MIdd.,

Hamas has repeatedly declared their objective of undermining any negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel that could lead to peace. If Hamas has had a change of heart (a most unlikely event) then they can certainly demonstrate their rehabilitation without Jimmy Carter.

The current negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, led by Mahmoud Abbas, may yet produce some real progress. These delicate negotiations are wisely being conducted away from the media limelight, and they are not in need of yet another intermediary, especially not one like Jimmy Carter whom the Israelis trust about as much as they would trust Ken Livingstone.

Ehad Ha'am, Ra'anana, Israel

There you go Israel, talk if you want to talk. Although reactions from the Israelis is already negative, but if they choose to continue the route that they have gone then that is their problem. I hope that the world will take this opportunity seriously, but i fear selfish motives will create yet another stumbling block for peace. Too many people have died or have been wounded, and I stress mainly on the Palestinian side.Hamas are no less a terrorist organisation then Israel are and therefore the two parties must talk if the middle east is to experience peace, hopefully through Abbas as the mediator betweent the two states. I applaud Carter for taking the risky step of meeting with Hamas,despite Israel trying to prevent this from happening. If Israel refuse to talk then my theory that they would much rather exterminate Hamas will come to light.The US will now have a serious choice to make, finally talk, or continue to fund Israel to reign terror over the helpless, suffering Palestinians

Yaz, London, UK

Lets see israel stop settlement expansion before any peace talks

stephen hilsum, petts wood, uk

Until Hamas announce a cessation of violence and amend their charter, this is meaningless.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

Sounds like Jimmy is on the brink of achieving "peace in our time".

Blake, Dallas,