Mr. Ralph Nader
Nader for President 2004
P.O. Box 18002
Washington, DC 20036
VIA FAX: 202-265-0092

Dear Mr. Nader:

I was disappointed to read your letter of August 5 because it merely confirmed my concerns about your original comments, in which you characterized the Jewish State and American Jews as being “puppeteers” who control foreign policy in Congress and the Administration. Rather than allay our concerns, your letter only furthers conspiracy theories about Jews and borders on bigotry.

In trying to justify the notion that America is a “puppet” of the Israeli government, you ignore or distort several points:

• Prime Minister Ariel Sharon himself has called for a Palestinian state, but only when the Palestinians stop terror and hatred and accept Israel's legitimacy. In Israel there is a vibrant debate on ways to achieve peace with the Palestinians, and yet there is no similar debate anywhere in the Arab world. If only there was such diversity of opinion in the pro-Palestinian community.
  
  
• Mr. Sharon, who was democratically elected by an overwhelming majority of Israelis, is moving at great political risk toward unilateral disengagement from Gaza.
  
  
• America has, in fact, a lively ongoing conversation about the conflict which takes many forms and is not controlled by anyone. In the final analysis, officials, members of Congress and the American people (as reflected in many opinion polls), are in general agreement in support of Israel as a democracy, as sharing our values, as an ally, and as a country that wants peace and has the right to defend itself against terror. At the same time, America believes in the need for a Palestinian state and reform in Palestinian leadership that will enhance Palestinian life. There is nothing conspiratorial or controlling about these balanced and sensible approaches.
  
  
• U.S. policy over the years has hardly been as one-sided as you suggest. There are many examples of U.S. disagreement with Israeli policies. Indeed, the U.S. has been the peacebroker because it is the only party that has gained the trust of both sides.
  
  

In sum, the realities of Israel, of American-Israeli relations and of U.S. policy are very different from what you describe in your effort to justify your false and offensive accusation. I would urge you to reconsider your comments.