An Israeli flag was stolen from Gazebo Park after it was hung last week on the authority of the town to show support for Jewish residents.
“The Pelham Town Council is deeply saddened to inform the community that the Israeli banner, which was displayed at the gazebo last week in a gesture of solidarity with our Jewish residents, has been unlawfully removed from town property,” said a statement from the council. “The Pelham Police Department has been promptly notified of this incident.”
The Pelham Chamber of Commerce, which collaborated with community members in getting the banner displayed, said it “will be replacing this flag to once again show our solidarity.”
“This incident is deeply disheartening on multiple levels,” said the chamber in a Facebook post. “The current global state of affairs is undeniably shocking, distressing and inhumane, with numerous issues that could be expounded upon. To our Jewish friends and neighbors, we wish to convey our unwavering support and extend heartfelt solidarity during these challenging times. To those who have family and friends in Israel who have been impacted by this conflict on either side, you are in our thoughts. We hope for a future marked by peace and unity.”
Arthur Long • Oct 24, 2023 at 7:27 am
If another terrorist bombing of the London Underground occurs and kills scores of citizens in the UK, I would hope the town could fly the Union Jack for a few weeks as a gesture of solidarity without criticism. Context is everything, and a temporary placement after acts of extraordinary inhumanity should not inflame anything.
Patricia Sabga • Oct 24, 2023 at 4:09 pm
Hi Arthur,
It is a lovely sentiment that a temporary placement of a flag should not inflame anything. Unfortunately, that sentiment is disconnected from the reality in which we live. The economic, political, racial, and ethnic fault lines in our society – Pelham included – grow deeper by the day. Harmonious societies are incredibly fragile. They are held together by a thin veneer of civility that can easily tear in times of institutional stress. Case in point – the Balkans war. Not so long ago, a brutal war in Europe unfolded, pitting neighbor against neighbor, and exposing ethnic divisions that gave rise to rape and concentration camps. No society is beyond descending into violent chaos. That is why it is more important than ever to emphasize the values that bind a community together. The only flag that can do that for Pelham is the US flag. We need to emphasize our collective support for all innocent victims of conflict, and our commitment to the preservation of innocent civilian lives, no matter their religious affiliation or ethnicity.
Bob Shepherd • Oct 23, 2023 at 1:48 pm
There was a problem answering Natali Wind’s comment to me…so here it is as a separate comment:
Hi Natali, How on earth am I not affected? I’ve spent most of my life in the Greater Middle East, 18 months observing the Second Intifada on the ground in Israel, but mainly in the West Bank and Gaza during some bloody hostilities from all sides, with innocent civilians being killed and wounded on all sides. My wife is Arab American from a Christian Syrian father who eventually became a pioneering heart surgeon in Ohio where she was born…yes, we’re affected…in fact living in America we are ALL affected. Which is just why I wrote my initial piece in the first place. My wife then became (after being on the streets covering 9/11) a Middle East correspondent for CNN and NBC from 9/11 onwards. Flying the American flag as you say from 9/11 is what every American should have done in their country…encouraging “as one.” Keeping a low profile for you and your family today means staying away from large gatherings while tensions are heated presently, where you could become an easy target for those wishing to cause harm.
Already people are being targeted inside the USA…it’s all to be taken very seriously and it’s all very sad for our kids and grand kids.
Very best regards,
Bob.
Natali Wind • Oct 24, 2023 at 1:32 pm
My apologies for not knowing your wife’s ethnicity. Not sure how her father’s profession is relevant.
I never said you’re “not affected”. I said you’re not “directly affected” and currently, you’re not. Not to the extent Jews are given the levels of antisemitism today, and certainly not to the same extent as Jews with family in Israel and family fighting on the front lines.
Bob Shepherd • Oct 24, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Natali,
The whole point that I’m trying “desperately” to make is that Pelham has people today from many conflict areas around the world. Even my country has had 30 years of troubles where innocent men, women and children were slaughtered in the name of religion. We then went from that era to Islamic fundamentalism on our streets.
Given that Pelham has Afghans, Yemenis, Palestinians and many others apart from the Jewish community, a lid has to remain on Pelham in order to keep it peaceful for all of us.
In my view as someone who has spent years keeping people safe, flags that can be supportive for some at this time, can be antagonizing for others. If it was the Palestinian flag that was put up alone in support of the Palestinian families in Pelham, I’m sure there would be screaming about that too.
Therefore in my humble opinion, either no flags (like the Pelham Manner ruling) or flags from both Israel and Palestine would be the even answer.
I’ll say it again, this is for the security of every family in Pelham, not to get into a whose right and whose wrong of the Middle East…or indeed anywhere else for the future.
It does affect all of us, as right now there is a US carrier fleet sitting in the Med. Plus as I’ve already mentioned previously on this post, people have already been killed and maimed in this country over their ethnicity to do with the Israel/Palestine conflict that sadly has been going on for over 70 years now in the modern era.
I’ve simply tried by using my background to understand all sides, to explain the need to keep us all safe in this tiny community by US standards, while people are screaming at one another waving flags on campus and in the streets not too far from here in NYC.
I have had years in my life of fighting terrorism, from home grown to foreign…they think of no one other than themselves. Count the cost of terrorism in Israel and Palestine for those innocents of both sides…my concern is of all in Pelham. Conflicts that involve either terrorist groups or military versus military get nowhere, just death and destruction…I think we can both agree on that.
Natali, having had a dysfunctional upbringing in my home city in Scotland, I ran away from home at 14 to a different country, not just a different town. I joined the military at 17, and at 17 I went to my first war…a bloody war in Oman, kept secret from the British electorate for years. My last war as a civilian advisor to the media was in Afghanistan. I’ve seen horrendous scenarios on all sides…which makes me appreciate the innocents of all sides. Therefore it makes me appreciate trying my best to keep everyone safe in Pelham on all sides.
Very best regards,
Bob.
Bob Shepherd • Oct 22, 2023 at 9:45 am
As a retired International security consultant centered mainly on the Greater Middle East, after 20 years in the British special forces, I’ve been living in Pelham for the last 10 years with a child who has gone through the Pelham schools system.
Pelham is a town/village and community from all around the world. There are many Muslims living in Pelham today as well as a Jewish community and others.
Any decision on hoisting flags/banners for all to see, must be made by grown ups who can see the wider implications, both in the short and long run. The safety and security of all in Pelham must be foremost in your minds.
As my heart goes out to all of the innocent civilians who have lost their lives on all sides of yet another Israel v Palestine conflict, given the heightened tensions all around the world at present, it would make absolute sense to have no flags/banners, or given that the town and the mayor has taken sides in this conflict, the town should have made the decision to hoist two flags/banners.
I personally would prefer none at all, and here’s why: At present, people in the USA have already killed and maimed over taking a side in this latest conflict. All of our Pelham residents need to remain calm, whether directly or indirectly affected or not. The Jewish community along with the Muslim community need to keep a low profile in my opinion, in order to keep themselves and their families safe. Flying a flag in the middle of the town/village for all to see is not keeping a low profile. And to anyone passing the one flag, it can be thought that Pelham residents support one side over the other.
No one wants trouble in Pelham, there’s enough trouble elsewhere.
I’ve discussed this last week with the Pelham Town mayor, the Town council member that oversees what is displayed by the Gazebo, and the Pelham police…the latter two being positive to see what could be done for the matter of Pelham security as a whole, and to keep a lid on what is becoming more aggressive by the day in this country.
We have all the free thinking middle and high school students to think about and their safety too, as many were passing the Israeli flag (that the town calls a banner) twice a day on their way to and from school.
I personally stand with the Jewish community against the heinous crimes committed by the terrorist group Hamas on the innocent civilians in Israel, I would like to see all of the civilian hostages released too. But at the same time I also stand with the Muslim community of Pelham as many more innocent Palestinians are killed both inside Gaza and in the West Bank, as I stand with every other grouping that lives here in the name of peace.
I’ve spent around 40 years off and on in conflict areas around the world both as a special forces soldier and a security consultant of 17 years mainly keeping journalists safe while news gathering on the ground. I can sniff trouble that’s coming ahead, trust me.
Please, those individuals who are assigned or voted in to keep the people of Pelham safe and secure, do not continue with a policy of one-sidedness, when the community of Pelham have many sides, most of whom wish to live their lives safely and in peace.
Those of you from Pelham who may wish to discuss with me what I’ve written here further, can find me almost every morning around 8am having my porridge and a latte in the J Cafe…the old man with a grey beard and a gruff Scottish accent.
Peace to all.
Kathryn Krassner • Oct 22, 2023 at 6:25 pm
Hello Bob,
I would love to meet you at J Cafe and discuss what it’s like to raise a Jewish family in Pelham. I certainly wish I had examined the community further before moving here. While I have met some lovely and supportive people in Pelham, having grown up in a more balanced community I am left wondering, and moreso lately, why I chose to set down roots here. Be that as it may, only ONE country was the victim of a terrorist attack on October 7th. Just like the town hung a flag for the Ukraine in support of the invasion by Russia – it seems right to support the (small) Jewish community in Pelham by showing the same kind of support. And Pelham is by no means the only community in Westchester to raise an Israeli flag.
I understand and appreciate your feeling for both Palestinians and Israelis, and being mindful of not ‘looking for trouble,’ but I want to remind you that’s how the Holocaust started – no one wanted “trouble.” Well, as educated people in 2023, we should be aware of how certain peoples are being persecuted and be PROUD to take a stand, as we have done for LBGTQ+ and Black Lives Matter. I find it incredibly disheartening that standing up for Israel in their darkest hour – in the largest loss of Jewish life since the Holocaust 0 is considered “dangerous.” This makes me NOT want to to live in Pelham.
I want to call your attention (or re-attention) to this passage:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
—Martin Niemöller
Sincerely,
Kathryn Krassner
Bob Shepherd • Oct 23, 2023 at 11:04 am
Dear Kathryn,
I waited for you this morning in the café, but you didn’t show up.
My heart goes out to you and your family given that you don’t feel comfortable in Pelham.
I’ve never personally agreed with any flag being flown on public land except the American flag and perhaps a town/village one if there’s such a thing. Even the ones that you mention from past days, I don’t agree with being posted on public land.
I have no trouble with people flying a flag or posting a flag in or onto their own property given that we’re living in a democratic country, at least everyone passing knows just who lives there, and what/who they support. But as a very mixed community, and there are other groupings living here who have fled wars in other regions, we all need to be one, in my view that way we can all get along.
Already we have students on campus in this country taking sides in what is likely to become at some stage soon a very bloody scenario, as opposed to the shouting match that it’s been so far. However, even with the students, it would be awesome if they could show the world of bigotry, that they are better than that, and put down their flags and join together as human beings.
New York, and the USA (a supposed melting pot of humanity) has the chance to show the world in the 21st century just how we all should behave…it’s no longer 21AD after all. I just wish the young people at these universities could be the ones leading the way.
I wish you, your family and everyone in Pelham peace and unity as one, during these very unsettling times.
Very best regards,
Bob.
Kathryn Krassner • Oct 23, 2023 at 11:58 am
oh we would have to meet a little later Bob – I have to get two kids out to school and I have a job ! Thank you for your very kind response and also for further explaining your feeling about flags. I would love to meet you , I’m going to try and find you on social media so we can set up a “date”.
Kathryn
Michael Frankel • Oct 23, 2023 at 8:16 am
Bob
I would suggest meeting with Katy. I think you need to understand the history here. And the situation. There is no moral equivalently. I’m fairly sure that in the days after 911 you didn’t say that we should be equally concerned with Afghan civilians, and you didn’t raise an Afghan flag and certainly not a Al-Qaeda flag at your house. These are not equal groups. This is a terrorist organization, slaughtering innocent civilians in a democracy. And by the way, a democracy that has been a stalwart ally to your country.
Tara weishaupl • Oct 23, 2023 at 9:14 am
As a proud American Jew, I take offense at being told that I should “keep a low profile.”
There is no place for hate in Pelham – not against the Jewish community, not against our Muslim community members, or anyone based on their faith, race, or beliefs.
The Holocaust happened because of millions of individual choices, including the choice to be quiet, keep a low profile, and not speak up against hate. And it certainly feels hateful, and antisemitic, that the banner was stolen.
Natali Wind • Oct 23, 2023 at 11:43 am
Bob, with all due respect, it is easy to say “remain calm” to people directly affected when you yourself aren’t. As for keeping a “low profile” for safety reasons, some might say flying the American flag after 9/11 was risky yet we did it. I realize that terrible event took place here, but still.
Shaun Breidbart • Oct 23, 2023 at 8:45 pm
There are not two rational sides in this conflict. It’s not Israel vs. the Palestinians. It’s Israel vs. Hamas, a murderous group that wants to kill every single Israeli.
Yes, the Palestinians have, are, and will suffer greatly. But that’s on Hamas. Israel has made overture after overture for peace and what they get in return is having their children murdered.
Hamas doesn’t care about Palestinians- they use them as human shields.
Would you have suggested after 9/11 that we fly the American and Saudi flags? The U.S. wasn’t attacked by Saudi Arabia, but it was attacked by Saudis.
Israel has a lot to answer for, but now is not the time. Let’s wait until the hostages are safe and then we can discuss the future.
Christopher Gallagher • Oct 21, 2023 at 8:54 pm
Another flag should be put in the same place immediately.
I am going to make inquiry to get an Israeli flag to display at my house.
Civilization must stand up against terrorism and the display of antisemitism.