Jan. 16, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: Last autumn, having moved back to Lexington after a 35year absence, I was heartened by the public display of support for Ukraine.
But the ubiquity of the blue and yellow flag accentuated a local silence for victims of another indefensible aggression. On my many reacquaintance walks through town, I recall seeing just one Palestinian flag. It was planted on a corner of the square in front of Leyburn Library, facing off a square ringed with miniature Israeli flags. I did not count the Israeli flags. I assume there were as close to the number of victims and hostages of the October 2023 attacks as could be sourced. Next to the lone Palestinian flag was a small cardboard sign that read 67,160.
The media, the Pentagon and even Palestinian allies refer to a Palestinian “war” with Israel … but is it? A war is a contest of arms between roughly comparable military forces. In a war, deaths are counted among militants, with civilian casualties as the collateral. To call a ceasefire in a war is to halt the bombardments and shellings. In Gaza, none of these things are true.
This is not a letter to encourage conscientious citizens to fly a Palestinian flag. Nor is it a call to take down those banners of solidarity with Ukraine. It is a reminder that there are unprovoked aggressions in which we can and should stand with the underdogs, and then there are massacres – against which we must always stand.
This is a letter to ask that readers consider attending a “teachin” event held by the 50 Ways Palestine advocacy group on Jan. 26 at the Rockbridge Regional Library. The event is free and open to the public. Bring your questions, your suggestions, your resources and your solidarity. E. KIEM Lexington
