December 16, 2005
By Diane Balser

Sir, - I commend Nathan Guttman’s nuanced coverage of the growing trend of support within the American Jewish community, and among pro-Israel legislators on Capitol Hill, for US initiatives which engage Israelis and Palestinians in negotiations ("Rice pudding," December 9).

Polls consistently support Guttman’s observation that the call for vigorous and persistent US involvement in the resolution of the conflict indeed extends beyond the realm of the "usual suspects." Most recently, 76 percent of American Jews polled agreed with the statement: "The US should push both sides to move towards a peace agreement" (Ameinu, March 2005).

History also shows that during more than three decades of Middle East peace efforts, diplomatic breakthroughs between Israel and her Arab neighbors come only when the US president or secretary of state is personally involved.

DIANE BALSER, CEO
The Jewish Alliance for Justice and Peace
Chicago