Dear Senator Blumenthal:

I am professor emeritus at Wesleyan College in Connecticut, having taught here for 48 years before retiring. I am a registered Democrat — although of late, the last four years to be specific, I have not been very happy with the policy concerning Israel and the Middle East coming out of the White House.
It has been argued that President Obama has provided Israel with generous military and economic aid, but this has been an ongoing process carried forward by successive Democrat and Republican Presidents in the main because of the unique and special relationship Israel has with the United States.  The most recent example of this cooperative effort is the Iron Dome Antimissile System, something that both countries have worked to bring to fruition and now will benefit both as well. Many other military, medical and scientific innovations have evolved from the partnership between these two nations, and many policy and diplomatic initiatives have been derived over the years from the relationship between these two good friends and allies.
What distresses me most now is that the President’s actions have sacrificed America’s relationship with Israel in favor of outreach to the Muslim world.  I have always thought that it would have been conceivable to do both, remaining respectful to a strong ally and extending a hand of friendship to the Arab world.  However, the President has made it clear that this is not his intention and since his election he has consistently favored one side to the disadvantage of our historical alliance with Israel.

There are numerous examples of harmful and hurtful U.S. policies against Israel that demonstrate this trend, but the most negative move against Israel yet is the nomination of Chuck Hagel as Secretary of Defense.
Hagel has stated his animus towards the Jewish State on a number of occasions and has questioned the loyalty of Americans of the Jewish faith. He’s not been shy in showing exactly how he feels and I’m afraid the President is well aware of his opinions and is moving forward with his nomination in spite of them. (I even fear, but don’t believe, that the President might be moving forward with him because of his convictions.)
This is a grave error. Hopefully, the Senate will not allow this nomination to move forward. Normally, the President  would have the right to appoint whomever he wants to a cabinet office, but there are times when he is best served when others in his party help define the issues for him and save him from making a terrible mistake.
I am confident that you will join with other Senators who are speaking out against this nomination, and will help the President find someone else better suited to this office. It would be best for America and the world.

William Firshein
Professor Emeritus
Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
Wesleyan University
Middletown