THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, AUGUST 14, 2006
NEWS
MIDDLE EAST
9A
Conflict needs understanding
Dialogue becomes necessary to solve and combat problems
BY COURTNEY HAGEN
Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel lives by the motto that "labels are for shirts and not for people."
With the increasing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, Tiechtel's motto has become even more important to him. Tiechtel is co-director of the Chabad Jewish Center at the University of Kansas.
With KU students returning to Lawrence, Tiecktel is preparing himself for an onslaught of questions and misconceptions from students about the conflict.
Last month, members of the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah crossed into Israel, killed three Israeli soldiers and kidnapped another two. The event set off a chain of violent events between Israel and Hezbollah. Israel began bombing the Lebanese city of Beirut and Hezbollah fired back with rockets.
"The greatest challenge today, especially with American youth, is simply the myths and confusion that strongly exist." Tiechtel said. "It is simple confusion of people on the role of Israel today."
Tiechtel said one of his goals for
Chabad was to be a source of information for Jews and non-Jews alike to give everyone the opportunity to ask questions.
"Everyone is invited," Tiechtel said. "Labels aside, our goal is to simply educate anybody and everybody who is interested in learning the true facts about the Jewish people or the land of Israel."
Though on a different side of the conflict, Nick Kallail, Derby third-year law student, also understands the misconceptions. Kallail is Lebanese and understands that his peers may examine the conflict from a more American point of view. He thinks a different perspective is important to better understand the situation.
"The important part is making sure that the ones who care are gaining a better understanding of what is happening there," Kallail said. "To get a more rounded understanding of what is happening, one can't solely rely on CNN or Fox for the facts. You have to take what they say and supplement it with talking to people from the region and looking at media reporting from other countries as well."
labels either. He said he had noticed a strong misconception through people's belief that it was Israel and Lebanon fighting and not Israel and Hezbollah, a small militant part of Lebanon.
Kallail doesn't feel strongly about
Both Kallail and Teictel agree that an open dialogue is necessary to combat the stereotypes and misconceptions. Kalleil said lectures or other programs might be valuable in helping people understand. Teictel plans to host events at the Chabad center to strengthen solidarity of its members and educate others.
"We are told in the Jewish religion that the greatest weapon to comsoat darkness is light," Teichel said. "In this situation the best we can do is good deeds and educate our brothers."
More information on Israel, Judaism and programs at Chabad can be found at www.jewishku.com. Information about Lebanon can be found at www.arab.net/lebanon/.
Kansan staff writer Courtney Hagen can be contacted at chagen@ kansan.com.
Edited by Nicole Kelley
Conflict at crossroads
israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert accepted a developing Midwest cause-fire deal on Friday and officials planned to further review the agreement over the weekend.
- Does not include four U.N. military observers and two Nigerians
- Does not count the Palestine territories NOT.UDUM.U.N. Disengagement Observe Port UNIDIL.U.N. Interface In Lebanon
SOURCE: UNITESU, USGS, Lebanese government; Photographs: Amro Gonem, Gebron, Hakeil in Mills.
Noklas Kajas, Jana Bail, Buhn Hoffmann • AP
LEGISLATION
Business owners must make decision whether to ban concealed weapons
BY BART VANDEVER
Bobick Sarraf hasn't had to break up any fights in the 14 years he has owned Bambino's Italian Café. 1801 Massachusetts St. The Lawrence business owner described his restaurant as a place to "take it easy and relax."
Nonetheless, Sarraf said he was worried when he heard that on July
1, the Lawrence sheriff's office had started to supply applications to people who wanted to carry concealed weapons. This will be the first time Kansas law has allowed concealed weapons since 1886.
Sarraf said he and his staff had never given weapons much thought. "But I will tell you that the new law makes me feel a little uncomfortable," he said.
Doug Coffman, owner of Coffman's Repair & Custom Gunsmith Shop, 740 N. Seventh St., said many of his customers were getting applications. He said he planned to carry a concealed weapon himself.
Coffman said that concealing
"The training courses are more than adequate, and they're run by trained professionals," he said.
weapons would actually increase the safety of law-abiding Americans who carried a firearm.
He said the law would help citizens better protect themselves from a criminal attack.
Applicants must supply a recent photograph and a certificate from a firearms instruction course, pay a small fee and provide fingerprints in order to receive a permit to carry a
concealed weapon.
Any records of past criminal activity or mental illness must also be provided.
While no permits will be issued until 2007, not all retailers and customers feel safe. A 2005 CNN poll found that approximately two-thirds of all Americans would feel less safe in a public place that allowed concealed weapons.
To address the concern, the permit will prohibit bringing weapons within 200 feet of a bar or tavern.
Kansan staff writer Bart Vandever can be contacted at bvandever@ kansan.com.
—Edited by Brett Bolton