Fighting between Israel and Gaza continues to reverberate around the world, while the number of antisemitic incidents continues to rise alarmingly. Those who fell victim to a frightening incident this time are the owners of Cafe Ole restaurant in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA.
Last Wednesday, shortly after five o'clock, several masked men entered the restaurant and immediately approached the Israeli flag at the back of the restaurant. They violently ripped it off the wall, leaving the staff and diners stunned and frightened. The incident was reported by regional television network Fox 29, and security cameras at the scene recorded the group of men wearing masks.
Lawrence Klickman, one of the restaurant's owners, gave an interview to the network in which he expressed shock at the incident. "It's a quiet place," he said of the homely restaurant. "People come here to work, to relax, to meet with their families."
During the incident — which Klickman called "surreal," that peace was violated. "It was an act of hate," Klickman added, adding: "It was very scary. I'm sorry the staff and diners had to go through such an experience. I'm sorry for anyone who had to go through such an experience. It's pointless and meaningless, and it's in stark contrast to everything this café stands for."
He also said he hoped those who committed the act would be caught and held accountable. "I hope they will be caught and justice will be brought with them so that people like them, people in the community, people who want to create hatred, violence or disturbance in a peaceful environment, will understand that such behavior will not go quietly," he concluded, adding that a new flag has already been hung in place of the one that was torn down.
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In an attempt to boost morale and boost the restaurant's owners and customers, Adam Suloff, a customer there, took it upon himself to pay the bill for all diners one day while sitting in the restaurant. "You see things like this on TV, you see it happen in other places, but you don't expect it to happen where you hang out. It surprised me," he told a Fox reporter. "I felt angry but then I just thought how can I help," he added: "If you're already coming in and showing support for your community's place, then this is one of those in Huntington Valley that you'd want to support."
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