It seems that John R. Merrill (Another View, “Netanyahu nothing more than a schoolyard loudmouth,” March 20) did not hear the Israeli prime minister’s address to Congress. The theme of Benjamin Netanyahu’s address was that the deal being negotiated with Iran is a bad deal since it will not eliminate Iran’s nuclear program.

While Merrill sits safely in his bookstore in Hallowell, Netanyahu and the Israelis live within rocket range of Iran, which is committed to the destruction of the state of Israel.

As a retired Army Reserve officer, the last thing I want is war with Iran. If Iran does not agree to give up its nuclear program under strict United Nations’ supervision, tougher sanctions should be the way to go.

Merrill also compares the Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem with the Russian annexation of the Crimea. The Israeli annexation of East Jerusalem was a consequence of the Six-Day War, which was started by one of many attacks against Israel by Jordan, which occupied East Jerusalem, and other Arab nations.

Russia’s annexation of the Crimea was unprovoked. Jerusalem has been united since Biblical times, and East Jerusalem, which is the location of the Temple, the holiest site of the Jewish religion. Until the annexation of East Jerusalem, this area was off limits to Jews.

Yale Marienhoff

Hallowell