On a sidewalk inches from oncoming traffic, Sister Anne Guinan stood clutching her purse and a poster she was using to shield her eyes from the blinding sun.
The poster read “Pray for Peace.”
“All this fighting needs to stop,” said the elderly Towson-based nun. “I think the U.S. government really needs to talk to the Israeli government.”
Guinan, who has lead tours through the Middle East, was among a small group rallying on the highly trafficked circle on York Road in the heartof Towson Tuesday supporting a cease-fire in Lebanon and Israel.
Organized by the Baltimore chapter of the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, protesters said they were promoting peace and the end to destruction in Lebanon.
“The problem is not that Hezbollah has kidnapped two Israeli soldiers, but that Israel has continued to violate border agreements and kidnap Lebanese, in addition to the continued occupation of Shebaa Farms,” said chapter president Bush Pharoan, referring to a disputed area along the Israeli, Lebanon and Syrian border.
Lebanon supporters point to the four-week conflict?s death tolls, which Tuesday were at least 643 in Lebanon and 100 in Israel, according to The Associated Press.
But local Jewish leaders say supporting Israel also is supporting Lebanon.
Art Abramson, executive director of the Baltimore Jewish Council, emphasized Hezbollah?s classification as an international terrorist group. He equated Israel?s role in the conflict with America?s war on terrorism in Afghanistan.
“Lebanon is so fractured and so divided and so controlled by these terrorist forces they can?t on their own protect themselves,” Abramson said. “Unfortunately, Israel is having to do the job.”
Pharoan called Abramson?s portrayal of Israel as a protector a “mischaracterization.”
Members of the newly formed Baltimore Arabs for Peace and Justice also stood in Towson Tuesday. The rally was the ADC?s second this month. A third is planned in front of the Baltimore County courthouse and government center in Towson Friday.
The group criticized several local politicians, including Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Baltimore City Mayor Martin O?Malley and Gov. Robert Ehrlich, for speaking at a pro-Israel rally organized by Baltimore?s The Associated last month and attended by about 500 people.
