‘Double Loyalty’ of U.S. Jews?

Kevin Long writes (Letters, Dec. 22) that in view of the Pollard espionage case, “The most urgent and obvious question is the number of other American Jews whose loyalty to Israel might render them, wittingly or unwittingly, agents of a foreign government.”

Long, who identifies himself as a pro-Israel Gentile, might carry this “logic” a step further. Does the recent treachery of several other Americans, none Jewish, cast in doubt the loyalty of millions of Christian Americans simply because the accused are, themselves, Christian?

The answer is, of course, negative. The same response should quiet Long’s fears about the loyalty of American Jews, many of whom have served with courage and distinction in every war supporting the ideals of this nation--from the Revolutionary War to the conflict in Vietnam and subsequent actions.

Japanese-Americans detained during World War II did not welcome the blanket aspersion cast upon their loyalty to this country, nor do I accept lightly Long’s questioning my loyalty and that of other citizens. It smacks of guilt by association at its worst--and, since nothing can be more un-American, Long should question his own allegiance to the standards of fair play we regard as inherently American.

Couched carefully in terms pretending to be scholarly and civil, such comment can be particularly damning, and provides welcome fodder for those in the business of fostering hatred.

Questions of control over the uses to which taxpayer-funded American foreign aid may be put by Israel--or any other nation--are fair subject for debate. But questioning the group loyalty of American Jews is not. If ever there were a segment of the American population that can never be homogenized, it is the Jewish segment. Some Jews are Zionist, many are not, and Jewish Americans are among the strongest critics of some aspects of governmental conduct in Israel.

JACK HIRSHBERG

Laguna Niguel