Mitch’s Tavern respects U.S. flags

A prankster recently inverted some of the flags displayed on top of Mitch’s Tavern.

Mitch’s has flown these flags for 18 years solely to demonstrate our respect for the United States of America. Mitch’s apologizes for any distress this may have caused.

Mitchell Hazouri

Manager Mitch’s Tavern Inc.

Thanks for Gaza Strip coverage

Thank you for the multiple views and opinions expressed in this week’s feature about the conflict in Gaza.

The ‘excessive force’ implemented by the Israelis, militarily and economically, is mirrored by the over-the-top propaganda campaign of the Palestinians. Words like ‘apartheid’ and ‘genocide’ foment future violence just as much as air strikes and blockades. For there to be peace all three excesses need to be scaled back.

Aaron Fox

graduate student, crop science

Stop spreading hate

It infuriates me every time I hear Palestinian sympathizers use the terms “genocide,” “holocaust,” and “apartheid” when talking about the actions of Israel. 

A genocide is the extermination of an entire group. If this was the goal of Israel, they could have easily done it already.

You want to know the difference between the Holocaust and the current situations? There weren’t groups of Jews firing 30 missiles and rockets per day into German civilian settlements, and today there are not lines of Palestinians awaiting the gas chambers.

And apartheid? How can you say you want your own independent country if you are demanding constant access into neighboring territory? Apartheid is the separation of people according to race or ethnicity, but what is happening here is an actual separation of Palestine from Israel. Isn’t that what is wanted, a seperate state?

The U.S. fence on the Mexican border is no different.

These words are used by those who are more interested in making Israel look worse than actually improving the situation of the Palestinian people. Also, the constant reminder of the death numbers is only a distraction from what is really going on.  Just because so few Israelis have died in comparison to the other side doesn’t mean that their people are suffering any less.

The Israelis are not after the Palestinian people, only the few bad eggs who decide to ruin it for everyone else.

Why are so many people still dying then? Because Hamas being the cowards that they are decide to hide themselves in highly populated civilian areas.  This asymmetrical warfare of hiding missiles inside of mosques and firing off mortar next to school buildings makes these places targets.

Why isn’t Israel stopping the air strikes to let in humanitarian aid? Because when they agreed to a 24-hour cease-fire for exactly that cause, Hamas continued to launch missiles into cities 30 miles away. All Hamas needs to do is stop the attacks and work out a diplomatic solution with Israel, but all they care about is death and destruction. If you really care about Palestine and its people, then stop spreading hate towards Israel and demand that Hamas takes responsibility and stops putting innocent people in danger.

Ben Mazur

senior, religious studies

Israelis live in fear

Life here in Israel goes on. Everyone is watching the news. Everyone is talking about it. Everyone is a bit more on edge. I teach 2nd-6th graders in English.

They were talking about their fear of war. Every TV in the gym was turned on to the news. 

It’s important to understand, no one here is celebrating this war. We aren’t the kind of people who cheer and give candy when innocent lives are being lost.

But we understand. We understand that Hamas only understands strength. Negotiation is impossible with a people hell-bent on your own destruction.

Sarah Fisher

Israel

I’m an Israeli living in North Carolina

I am constantly on Facebook checking the status of my friends in Sderot just so I can be reassured by messages like “I’m still here” and “Don’t worry, I’m safe.”  All the time I am hearing about another 30 rockets this day, 12 children hospitalized another.  Everyday my fear grows worse that I won’t have a home to go back to.  I don’t hate or blame the Palestinians, only Hamas and their leaders, and I hurt everytime I hear about more Palestinian civilians dying.  But just because fewer Israelis have died does not mean we are suffering any less.  Hamas struck first, they ended the cease-fire the Israeli government was trying to extend, and if Israel did not retaliate then it would have opened the door for Iran and other countries whose leaders want us to no longer exist.

Efrat Rubenstein

Greensboro