In response to Stanley Harrison’s letter, “Jerusalem ethnic cleansing” (BDN, Dec. 26).

The Arab population that lives under Israeli control are well fed, have electricity, shelter, water and health care, which their own people do not provide.

Rockets from Gaza continue to be fired daily, injuring many Israelis. There are miles of underground tunnels from Egypt into Gaza through which terrorists and arms are smuggled on a routine basis.

At the Paris donors conference, $7 billion was received by the Palestinians to aid in building their state, which was approved by Israel to help stabilize them. There is also quite a coalition of countries funding Iran’s nuclear program. Russia has delivered fuel to Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant. Iran is forging stronger ties with Nicaragua and has offered to share this nuclear technology with other developing countries.

How would you like to live in the midst of an enemy who denies your right to exist and threatens to wipe you off the map? Israel, like every other nation, has a right to defend itself.

I thank God for Israel. From the Jewish people around the world have come many advances in medicine, science, technology, etc. Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and the Lord said, “I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee.”

Marie Landry

Guilford