In a letter to the editor appearing in the November 28th edition of the Capitol Hill newspaper, The Hill, Raeed Tayeh, an aide to Georgia\'s Rep. Cynthia McKinney , blasted Jewish lawmakers as \"seem[ing] to care more about Israel than human rights and American values.\" In addition, the aide wrote that the historic comprehensive peace settlement offered by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at Camp David comprised nothing more than, \"An offer for a Swiss cheese state with no sovereignty, no rights in Jerusalem, and no rights for refugees to return to their homes in Israel.\" Tayeh concluded his letter by noting, \"What is more disturbing to me is that many of these pro-Israeli lawmakers sit on the House International Relations Committee despite the obvious conflict of interest that their emotional attachments to Israel cause. The Israeli occupation of all territories must end, including Congress.\"
National Jewish Democratic Council Executive Director Ira N. Forman responded in a letter to The Hill by writing that, \"Only a scoundrel and a bigot would choose to impugn a member\'s loyalty and commitment to this country based upon his or her ethnicity or religion. Accusing Jews of being disloyal to their country - due to their support for Israel and other central aspects of our faith - recalls the vilest anti-Semitic canards that have been invoked against Jews throughout the ages. These Jewish lawmakers are among the finest public servants our country has to offer, fulfilling the ancient Jewish tradition of remaining civically engaged and serving the larger community. They demonstrate their continuous defense of America\'s interests every day with every vote they cast. And speaking out to ensure a safe and secure Israel - supporting America\'s democratic and strategic ally in the Middle East only confirms their commitment to serving America\'s best interests. Either Mr. Tayeh shows an incredible lack of common sense by signing his letter as a member of a congresswoman\'s staff, thereby associating her name with such bigoted views, or Congresswoman McKinney has allowed her name to be associated with the cause of small-mindedness and religious bigotry.\"
National Jewish Democratic Council Executive Director Ira N. Forman responded in a letter to The Hill by writing that, \"Only a scoundrel and a bigot would choose to impugn a member\'s loyalty and commitment to this country based upon his or her ethnicity or religion. Accusing Jews of being disloyal to their country - due to their support for Israel and other central aspects of our faith - recalls the vilest anti-Semitic canards that have been invoked against Jews throughout the ages. These Jewish lawmakers are among the finest public servants our country has to offer, fulfilling the ancient Jewish tradition of remaining civically engaged and serving the larger community. They demonstrate their continuous defense of America\'s interests every day with every vote they cast. And speaking out to ensure a safe and secure Israel - supporting America\'s democratic and strategic ally in the Middle East only confirms their commitment to serving America\'s best interests. Either Mr. Tayeh shows an incredible lack of common sense by signing his letter as a member of a congresswoman\'s staff, thereby associating her name with such bigoted views, or Congresswoman McKinney has allowed her name to be associated with the cause of small-mindedness and religious bigotry.\"