As the conflict between Israel and Lebanon intensifies, locals with ties to the Middle East are concerned for family and friends overseas.
“We?re always worried about the family” in Israel, said David Cohen, owner of the Kosher Bite restaurant in Baltimore, who has been in the United States for 30 years. “The world needs to be concerned about what is going on.”
After Hezbollah captured two Israeli soldiers, more than 100 Hezbollah missiles crossed the border into Israel on Thursday while Israel responded with airstrikes on Lebanese infrastructure and military targets. More than 50 people have died on both sides of the border.
“Israel?s attacks on the Gaza Strip and Lebanon are completely disproportionate,” said Josh Ruebner, grassroots advocacy coordinator with the U.S. campaign to End the Israeli Occupation based in Washington.
The attacks violate the Geneva Convention and the U.S. Arms Export Control Act by putting entire populations in jeopardy, he said. Palestinians and Lebanese civilians are starving and lack medical care, water and electricity.
“Israel deliberately knocked out the main electricity power plant last week, leaving more than 1 million without water for two weeks,” Ruebner said.
He said the conflict in the Middle East concerns Americans because Israel is using U.S.-made weapons to commit human rights violations.
“It?s our responsibility as U.S. citizens to demand that we hold the Israel government accountable,” Ruebner said.
A demonstration sponsored by the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee will be held next week outside the Israeli Embassy in Washington to rally for peace and protest the ongoing violence, Ruebner said.
Neil Rubin, editor of Baltimore Jewish Times and a Pikesville resident who has visited Israel about a dozen times, is concerned.
He said, “I?m very worried. I think the situation can escalate even more so,” Rubin said.
Rubin?s wife?s family lives in Israel and is expected to visit in a few weeks.
He said he hopes if reserves are called, they will not include family members and friends.
Rubin said the conflict between Israel and Lebanon is not enough to keep him from visiting.
“If 6 million Israelis have to live there, how can I not visit?” he said, calling the Middle East “fantastic, the crossroads of the world.”
