This letter is in regards to the letter, "Support of Israel not in America's best interest," July 18. America cannot afford not to support Israel in their fight against Hezbollah and the rise of radical Islam. Never before in most of our lifetimes has such a threat to our well-being and the well-being of Jews all across the world existed. We aren't talking about some small fringe group that is doing crazy things to get headlines.

What would the world look like today if we failed to unite with other countries against Hitler and the Nazis? Should we have turned our backs on the acts perpetrated against the Jews, simply because it wasn't happening in our backyard? Have we already forgotten the violence and terrorist activities in Madrid, Chechnya, Indonesia and London, not to mention the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

I am not anti-Muslim, on the contrary, I believe that Islam is a peaceful religion that unfortunately has fallen prey to the actions of a small but very powerful group of individuals who want to hide behind Islam to continue their acts of hatred.

I believe this is an attack on the Jewish community and also on the entire western world, our values and everything we hold dear.

Our support of Israel in this fight is the first step toward protecting ourselves and our way of life from the cancer of radical Islam and the hatred they espouse.