Phil Collins is battling a charge of anti-Semitism that could date back about 20 years. On his official philcollins.co.uk Website, Collins has posted a fan letter asking him to clarify his position, which reads: "It is said that you are an anti-Semite and you wholeheartedly support the P.L.O....How could an artist with such God-given talents...support this organization and dislike Jewish people...many Jews will not buy your music or listen to your music. My children ask me to change the radio station when your music comes on...I am writing to you to clear this up...I would hate to have to stop listening to your music...I hope this information is incorrect, and I hope I can correct people and tell them this is false."

Yesterday (Wednesday, December 17th), Collins posted his reply: "To say that I'm confused, angry, and baffled is an understatement! I have no idea how these rumors start but there is absolutely no truth in what you've heard at all. I have never been asked what I feel about the problems that exist, so (I) have never voiced an opinion...I have no blanket belief that could be interpreted in a way that you express in your letter...I have always prided myself on a complete lack of racial and religious prejudice, so your letter gets to me more than some other criticisms might."

Collins added that he's been through this before: "A rumor similar to this, and possibly the origin of this one, I heard in New York in the '80s. Someone said that they'd read in a Jewish magazine that I was an anti-Semite...The same person then went on to tell a similar story to yours -- wouldn't mention my name, play the music, etc. I was then married to a lady whose father was Jewish, so the story was even more farcical."

The response ended with Collins asking the fan to make sure everyone knows there's no truth to the story. He also wrote, "As for your children, tell 'em 'Uncle' Phil's not so bad as they thought."

Collins has two new releases out now -- the soundtrack to the Disney animated film Brother Bear and the concert DVD Serious Hits...Live!

He recently made a donation of more than $52,000 to the South African AIDS group the Topsy Foundation, which provides care to children affected by the disease.

Last month, Collins and Keith Richards made cameo appearances on the Whoopi Goldberg sitcom Whoopi.

He's announced European dates in June and July for what he's calling his First Final Farewell Tour. A North American itinerary is forthcoming.