Bolling also visits Jerusalem to discuss his meetings with Arafat with Israeli officials.
After meetings with Arafat in Cairo and Beirut Bolling writes one-page memos about his discussions and gives them to first lady Rosalynn Carter who passes them to her husband, to avoid all official channels. Arafat, Bolling believes, is trying to convince Carter that he is a man of peace. Bolling passes some dozen messages to Carter in the course of his mission. Carter sometimes writes answers in his own handwriting on the memos and returns them to Bolling to pass on to Arafat.
Secret talks between Arafat and another American intermediary continued during the Reagan Administration.
On Bolling’s 100th birthday in 2013 former President Carter pays tribute to the Quaker peace activist:
A longtime friend and colleague, Landrum Bolling is renowned for his many achievements as an educator and journalist, leader in philanthropic, humanitarian, and interfaith efforts, and as a citizen peacemaker. Knowing of his personal acquaintance with Israeli and Arab leaders and his experience in the region, I turned to him for advice and assistance while negotiating the Camp David Accords while I was president. Throughout the years, he has remained a trusted and valued adviser in our work at The Carter Center.
