Allegations of Anti-Semitism Due to Obama-Netanhayu Talks

Almost 300 members of the U.S. House of Representatives have signed a letter directed to President Obama implying that his disputes with Israel are becoming too visible.

Tensions have risen for the Jewish-American community due to the President's talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Israel's intent to build more houses in the Jewish section of Jerusalem.

Complicating the issue are threats against Jewish members of Congress and allegations of anti-Semitic acts by both liberals and conservatives since the last days of the health care bill debate and its passage on Sunday, March 21.

Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.), who supported the health care bill, was apparently targeted with hate mail such as anti-Semitic notes including swastikas.

According to a USA Today article on Thursday, both Democrats and Republicans have been blaming each other for derogatory comments made upon the bill's passing, and also for an increase in intolerant acts.

But House of Reps minority whip Eric Cantor (R, VA), who has also seen threats lately including a bullet through his office, says he's received threats before because he is Jewish, not because of his stance on health care or other issues.

USA Today and JTA, a global Jewish news service, both report that Cantor held a Capitol Hill news conference on Thursday asking Democrats not to capitalize on what he feels is routine hate mail. He says they shouldn't blame conservatives for violence because of the health care bill; that this type of accusation was reckless.

Jewish congresswoman Jean Schmidt (R, OH) has also received menacing mail.

Jewish organizations land on both sides of Health Care bill:
Many Jewish groups backed the health care bill, but some didn't. For example, JTA reported that the National Jewish Democratic Council was in favor of its passage, comparing it to the 1930's inception of Social Security; however, that before the Health Care bill passed, the Republican Jewish Coalition called the proposal flawed and wrong for America.

Another letter to President Obama:
The timing of the House of Reps letter coincides with a letter intended for President Obama being circulated for signatures by conservative organization leaders. The letter asks President Obama to stop criticism toward Israel. It compares the growing animosity toward Israel and demands on Netanyahu as opposite to the administration's reaction when Iran's President Ahmadinejad speaks threateningly toward Israel.

The entire text of this letter, which began circulating around March 17, can be seen here at The Weekly Standard. It's unkown if the letter has been sent to the President yet.

Sources:
Nearly 300 in Congress back keeping U.S.-Israel disputes private - JTA.org;
House leaders decrie threats, dish out blame - Matt Kelley - USA Today;
Groups pushed for health care reform but keeping it quiet - JTA.org;
Conservatives to send letter to Obama on Israel - Weekly Standard.