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I’m Not Anti-Israel
By Edward H. LeHoskey, Torrington
On the contrary, Mr. Marvin Peyser [Supporting Israel Is in America’s Best Interest, June 21], I’m definitely not vicious, nor am I anti-Israel. I am an American and I am very unhappy with the course my country is on. Our founding fathers came here to get away from strife and oppression in other parts of the world. Their advice to us was not to get involved in Old World problems. There is no doubt in my mind, and the minds of many others, Mr. Peyser, that Israeli lobbies have taken over our Congress. How have we allowed this to happen? Politicians cater to large groups, Mr. Peyser. The Jewish vote is somewhat akin to the teachers’ union. If you want to be elected, or re-elected, treat both well.
You state, Mr. Peyser, that the bulk of our aid to Israel is spent here in America. Yet, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (quoted in a June 20 Associated Press story, "U.S. aid subsidizes Israel arms industry"), Israel is the 10th largest arms dealer in the world. The Institute indicates that Israel’s arms industry has benefited over the past 30 years from tens of billions of dollars in U.S. aid. In France, Turkey, the Netherlands and Finland, Israeli companies have edged out such U.S. firms as Raytheon, Northrup Grumman and General Atomics. In recent years this has amounted to hundreds of millions of dollars. We send them billions of dollars and the newest technology to help their military and they use it to compete with our companies and our workers. Although our vote-seekers close their eyes to this, I, as a citizen, cannot approve of it. The money could be better used here.
Mr. Peyser, you state that Israel is a friend and ally. Try telling that to the families of the 34 U.S. sailors killed when Israeli fighter jets attacked the USS Liberty, anchored in international waters (June 8, 1967). Did Israel advise us when one of our citizens acted as a spy and turned over classified information to them (Jonathan Pollard, a one-time American intelligence analyst, now serving a life sentence)? Watching the daily news sickens me, and I realize the world is a wonderful place—without the people.
You, Mr. Peyser, end your scolding of me by advising that the reader write to any Congressman to ask why they support Israel. If they’re honest, they will mention a large group of votes.
No, Mr. Peyser, I am not anti-Israel—I am an American and, assuming you are a citizen of this great country, I wonder where your loyalties lie.
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