In hundreds of presentations we did at middle schools, high schools, colleges, universities and elsewhere, Andover was only the second time we were "disinvited." We want to thank the teachers who invited us and the hundreds of students who worked diligently to make sure they hear us. The events went well at the classes and we received countless positive emails from students, teachers, parents and community members.

The Wheels of Justice brings eyewitness accounts to occupations in Iraq and Palestine. Our speakers come from various political backgrounds; the only requirement is that they support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and support nonviolence as an alternative to war and injustice. We also recognize that to achieve peace anywhere in the world, the root causes of injustice, racism and oppression must be addressed. We also have speakers who are Jewish and even Holocaust survivors (e.g. 80 year-old Hedy Epstein)...

To the editors: I suspect the Davis and Tomales High Schools in California, as well as the Fieldston School in New York (just three of who-knows-how-many more schools which cancelled Wheels of Justice appearances) would be surprised that Andover was "only the second time [Wheels] was "disinvited" from a school (as claimed by Wheels spokesperson Mazin Qumsiyeh in the most recent issue of the Eagle Tribune). Certainly the rest of Mr. Qumsiyeh's piece, consisting of the same misleading quotes, biased sources and false accusations that characterized Wheel's performance at Andover High (although, thankfully, without the bad rap music), should be read with an understanding that the writer could not seem to get past his first sentence without telling a lie.

The Middle East is a heterogeneous lot in the extreme. In their modern configuration, Middle Eastern states, all of which are artificial creations—with Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt possessing perhaps some historical depth upon which to base their modern incarnations—derive their legitimacy largely from traditional prescription and religious—mainly Islamic—warrant. For Mr. Qumsiyyeh to single out Israel among Middle Eastern states as “the only country… that defines itself as a country for and by” its dominant ethno-religious group is mendacious, unscrupulous, hypocritical, and misleading to say the least. Had Mr. Qumsiyyeh had a single shred of integrity, he would have openly recognized that not unlike Israel, all modern Middle Eastern countries are recognized and view themselves through what is called the "millet" system. All these "millet" successor states—save Israel—neither recognize nor protect the rights of those individuals who do not belong to the dominant religion of Islam. Israel on the other hand, although ostensibly privileges citizens of Jewish ancestry, is a vibrant democracy with a vocal citizenry, universal suffrage, a rigorous judiciary, and open recourse to the law; for Jews and non-Jews alike; which is more than one can say with regards to any other Middle Eastern country. Israel is perhaps not a perfect democracy; no true democracy is! But compared to the totalitarian theocracies of its neighborhood—where Copts, Assyrians, Maronites, Jews and other non-Arabs and non-Muslims have been festering in institutionalized and religiously sanctioned systems of unequal relationships for centuries—Israel is the closest the Middle East has come to a “promised land” in a long time.

For the rest, Mr. Qumsiyyeh’s piece is redolent with the usual hackneyed anti-Semitic screed that hardly merits the 1000-word column-space in the Tribune, let alone the virtue of a response.

When a strong, principled stand was needed, Andover's school leaders caved in to the bullying tactics of a small group of teachers.

Andover High Principal Peter Anderson reversed his previous decision and now will allow the controversial anti-Israel group Wheels of Justice to speak to students without the presence of opposing views. Six social studies teachers had invited the Wisconsin-based group to visit the school in October. But Anderson canceled that visit after the Anti-Defamation League and Rabbi Robert S. Goldstein of Temple Emanuel raised concerns about the group's agenda.

Based on our own experience with the group, we agree with Rabbi Goldstein's assessment that the visit by Wheels of Justice will be "worthless" and of "questionable educational merit."

Wheels of Justice says it opposes the "occupation" of Iraq and Palestine and promotes "nonviolent education." But in our 2004 meeting with the group, members spoke only of the evils of the United States and Israel.

An open letter to the teachers of Andover:

Most of you are, individually, fine teachers. But, sadly, your collective image is that of the leaders of your union.

When the leaders of your union coerced Andover High School into exposing our children to the one-sided propaganda barrage of the Wheels of Justice, in the classroom, you must share the shame.

When the leaders of your union coerced the ACLU into threatening Andover with a lawsuit that would have cost the town hundreds of thousands of dollars from the education budget, a lawsuit based on an extreme interpretation of the First Amendment, you must share the responsibility. When negotiations begin for the next teaching contract, the School Committee must view the premium Andover traditionally pays its teachers in the light of the actions of the leaders of your union.

You have a right to choose the leaders of your union, and you must accept all of the results of your choice.

Last Friday, I was treated to a lecture concerning the complex issues surrounding American foreign policy and the Middle East given by a zoologist, a science consultant and an amateur rapper. Since the session ended prematurely, I still have a few unanswered questions. What qualifies these individuals to teach such complex issues in public schools? Who was responsible for previewing and fact-checking their data before they came? (Hamas?)

Why was this group permitted to hand out propaganda to, as well as collect the names and contact information of, our underaged students? Does it bother anyone else that dozens of "anti-Zionists" were imported from Somerville for a self-described "Battle for Andover?" And could somebody please explain to me how the never-ending "Rap Song of Death" fits into the lesson plan? Surely the Andover High School social studies (and physics?) department can do better. Unless maybe (gasp!) this is more about promoting someone's self-aggrandizing political agenda than it is about providing a solid education. In that case, three cheers to teachers Ron Francis, Pat Patterson and Tom Meyers for a job well done. I couldn't help but notice the support their cause has gotten from National Vanguard, "a group of racially-conscious Whites who seek to maintain the cultural and biological qualities of their race," through eugenics. (Look it up, kids!)

Vanguard relates to the AHS curriculum in much the same way as Wheels of Justice and folks there certainly understand First Amendment rights. I'll bet representatives of this organization would be thrilled to lecture at AHS. What's to stop our teachers from inviting them next?

...If someone wants to introduve a motion at the spring Statecom to go for a two state model and sell Palestinians down the river and violate our own Ten Key Values, then someone can try that....

Our Party is explicitly against a Jewish Priviledge (racist) state however and therefore cannot support him. Individuals can do what they want to do but our party supports the right of return and is opposed to the internal apartheid laws in Israel (which Carter accepts and even goes furhter to call Israel a democracy ! ... note the US was a democracy when slaves had 3/5 and women could not vote at all !). Our position is distinctly different than Carter's.

We can call Carter and ask him if he is willing to change his position to be in compliance with human rights and international law...