Dual Citizenship

* I strongly disagree with Michael Warder’s May 25 column that dual citizenship can lead to conflicting dual loyalty. As a child of two parents, I am the product of both backgrounds. As a dual citizen, I proudly carry two passports, for the U.S. and Israel, and two heritages, Jewish and American. As I love both my parents, I have the same pride and love for my heritage and nations.

When I immigrated to Israel, I never renounced my U.S. citizenship but also accepted the responsibilities of Israeli citizenship, including military service. As a U.S. citizen abroad, I was obliged to file federal income taxes each year, as I do here. Does Warder believe in no taxation without representation or does he prefer to abolish absentee voting for U.S. citizens?

The accusation of dual loyalty can be dangerous and deadly. Let us hope that our American experience can enable those of us with dual heritages and citizenships to continue to make positive contributions here and abroad.

PETER M. SMALL

Whittier