This is in response to Stephen Drane’s letter, published June 1.

He complains that Israel has a stockpile of nuclear weapons, yet it challenges Iran’s efforts to build one. The problem is that Iran threatens not only Israel, but could threaten the whole world if it develops a nuclear bomb.

He continues that Israel is “land grabbing Palestinian territory.” Doesn’t he remember that Israel captured the West Bank when the surrounding Arab nations invaded it in 1967? The Arab countries started the war and lost. Why is it up to Israel to comply with Palestinian demands? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?

He may forget that Israel returned Gaza a few years ago and has been the target of constant bombings ever since. How long would Drane sit idle if bombs were dropping on his front yard or near the school down the street? Returning a large portion of the West Bank would only lead to bombings from that border, particularly with the terrorist group Hamas now involved.

Drane suggests that the U.S. sells armaments to the Israelis but not the Palestinians and therefore the power balance is unfair. Why should the U.S. supply weaponry to the people who danced in the streets after 9/11?

Neither President Jimmy Carter nor Sen. George Mitchell has been able to broker peace in the Near East. The Palestinians aren’t interested in peace with Israel. They will only be content if Israel doesn’t exist and every Israeli is dead.

Joel Goodman, Auburn