1. United States
2. Conn.
3. Letter

I am writing to urge a more consistent and principled approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. For years, our government has justified pressure on Iran by citing three core concerns: human‑rights abuses, destabilizing regional behavior, and the risks posed by a nuclear program operating without full transparency. These concerns are serious and widely discussed in policy circles. However, many of the same issues arise in the context of Israel’s actions, yet they are rarely addressed with the same urgency or candor. If these principles matter, they should matter universally. 1. Human Rights and Treatment of Civilians U.S. officials frequently condemn Iran for suppressing dissent, restricting civil liberties, and violating the rights of minorities. These criticisms are well documented. At the same time, major human‑rights organizations — including Israeli groups — have raised longstanding concerns about Israel’s treatment of Palestinians under its control. Reports describe severe movement restrictions, home demolitions, mass displacement, and the use of military force that has resulted in extensive civilian casualties. When our government applies human‑rights standards selectively, it undermines the credibility of those standards. I am asking you to support policies that apply the same level of scrutiny and accountability to all U.S. partners, including Israel, when civilian populations are harmed. 2. Regional Stability and Use of Force Iran is often described as a destabilizing actor because of its support for armed groups and its involvement in conflicts across the region. Yet Israel has conducted repeated large‑scale military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and beyond, actions that have also contributed to regional instability and humanitarian crises. If the United States is committed to reducing conflict in the Middle East, then it should evaluate all actors — including close allies — by the same standards of proportionality, respect for sovereignty, and protection of civilian life. 3. Nuclear Transparency and Nonproliferation Successive administrations have warned that Iran’s nuclear program poses a threat because it could lead to the development of nuclear weapons. This concern has driven sanctions, diplomacy, and even covert operations. But Israel maintains an undeclared nuclear arsenal outside the framework of the Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Treaty, without inspections or transparency. If nuclear nonproliferation is truly a cornerstone of U.S. policy, then the United States should work toward reducing nuclear risks across the region, not only in states we consider adversaries. I urge you to support efforts that encourage transparency, oversight, and long‑term steps toward dismantling nuclear weapons capabilities wherever they exist, including Israel’s. A Call for Consistency My request is simple: the United States should apply the same principles — human rights, restraint in the use of force, and nuclear accountability — to all nations, not only those we classify as rivals. Consistency strengthens our moral authority, reduces accusations of double standards, and ultimately supports a more stable and peaceful Middle East. I hope you will consider advocating for policies that reflect these values.