When talking about the Jews, Haman says, “there is one people” why didn’t Haman mention them specifically?
Haman realized that since the Jews paid taxes and their intelligence made them an asset to the country, Achashveirosh would not readily consent to have them annihilated. Therefore, he spoke to him about: עם אחד - “one people” - i.e. a certain insignificant group, unworthy of mention by name, who were scattered throughout the country. Thus, he not only dissembled regarding their true value, but even implied that they were undesirable vagrants.
Achashveirosh knew precisely who Haman was referring to. However, being a greater anti-Semite than Haman (Medrash Rabbah 7:20), Achashveirosh despised them so much that he would not even utter the word “Jew,” and thus told him, “You may keep the money, and regarding ‘the people’ do as you please.” (R’ Moshe Bogomilsky)
