Restaurant owner loses family in Gaza
The war between Hamas and Israel has hit home for local restaurateur Khalid Mekki, the owner of Bawadi Mediterranean Grill in Seven Corners. His niece and her daughters were killed when a bomb struck their home in Gaza.
Mekki, a Palestinian, is hosting a fundraising event at the restaurant, at 6304 Leesburg Pike today, 6-9:30 p.m. He plans to donate 50 percent of the proceeds to relief efforts for refugees and children in Gaza.
His niece, Reem, was a hairstylist. She was at home in the Bureij refugee settlement when a bomb completely demolished four or five homes, including her family’s, Mekki says. Her three daughters who perished were between the ages of 7 and 15. Two sons who were outside at the time survived.
“A lot of people came by Bawadi to offer condolences,” Mekki says. “I’m overwhelmed by the support from the community.”
“I feel very sad about what’s happening,” he says. “The disproportional use of force by Israel is causing too many casualties.”
Sympathies to owner and family. I understand the frustration and sadness brought on by loss in war. It’s horrible. Keep in mind disproportion starts with the fact that Jews and Israel have repetitively been under attack since before 1948, when the UN divided Mandate Palestine which Jews agreed to when Israel declared independence. Palestine Arabs and 7 other Arab countries did not accept and declared war – that Israel miraculously won (As a result of the war, the State of Israel controlled the area that the UN had proposed for the Jewish state, as well as almost 60% of the area proposed for the Arab state – subsequent Arab attacks over the years against Israel made it more lopsided). 1948 was after several years of a civil war, which grew out of concerns of Palestine Arabs voluntarily selling land to an increasing number of Jewish immigrants, displacing them (not the only factor but the biggest one – British policy was not helpful too). Fast forward to Egypt peace treaty and then the Oslo accords – finally a chance to move forward on both sides, and I was hopeful for better lives for all. Israel did not live up to its end (continued settlement in West Bank among other items) and Hamas & Hezbollah never agreed to anything except their own power with false promises beyond reason (river to sea & right of return are not possible or rational so find other options for compromise) and a never ending direction to war. Compounding this is Iran and Syria funding their afore proxies who don’t want peace and don’t care if people in Gaza die because it serves their interest (false claims and a distraction from their own oppression of their own people). Israel is not going away and never will the Palestine Arabs. Both have to live with next to each other and stop attacking. Till then innocent lives continue to be lost in what currently is a never ending war that disproportionately hurts innocent people that just want to live the best life they can. It’s all horrible.
My goodness, focusing on history is how we got into this mess. All that matters is what is done tomorrow, not what was done yesterday.
Past is prologue, and not understanding that is dangerous for any possible solution. Moreover, most of the world has a much longer memory that USA. Today and going forward, yes both sides have to agree to stop the violence but Hamas’ stated reason for its existence is the elimination of Israel. Till rational people throw out Hamas, or Hamas changes its goal, peace will be elusive.
Good comments. You were able to express in a way that was printable here, unlike my comment that was not.
This is very sad. I hope he uses his voice to advocate for lasting peace in the region.
Couldn’t you just offer your sympathies and leave it at that? I’m sure this poor family doesn’t want to read a dissertation or be told how they are supposed to feel.
I do sympathize at the loss, stated that up front, nor do I project or tell them how to feel. As to the description of facts which you call a dissertation (which is the shortest possible given the history here), it is important to know and understand because it impacts so many (here in USA, Israel, Gaza, and the broader Middle East); plus any possible path to peace and stopping the violence.
We shall have to disagree..Condolences to the poor family any other communication seems uncaring and insulting.
I saw this post and sadly I knew it would just be a matter of time before SOMEONE felt the need to “correct” Khalid or otherwise add their own worldview.
Khalid, so sorry for your loss, and sorry that some in the community do not have good enough judgement on when is or isn’t an appropriate time to share their own worldviews. Thank you being willing to share their stories with the blog to put a human and local connection to the numbers we see in the news.
Again, I do sympathize on the family’s loss. I understand the frustration and sadness brought on by loss in war. Annandale Today provides a valuable and reasonably moderated public forum to discuss, raise & reflect on matters that impact our community and broader. I saw it as important to put additional facts and context for rational discussion and thought as to both the horror of the situation as well issues that will come into consideration for what I hope is a more peaceful future.
Mr. Mekki,
I am so sorry for your loss. My family wishes you and your family peace, healing, and comfort during this terrible time.
I highly doubt that the family is reading comments published here.
Your condolences should be sent or carried to Bawadi.
I appreciate JTR’s posting of historical facts. So many people do not understand how the current situation happened, and learning the timeline of events leading up to the Hamas massacre on October 7th is critical in trying to make any sense of what is going on.
Annandale Today is our local news source and reported on a horrific world event that has affected a member of our community.
We just visited the restaurant for the first time–delicious food, attentive staff, and nice atmosphere. Brought back memories of our travels in the middle east many years ago. Please help to support this gentleman and his family
Just stop please. I am not interested in reading about what you think are important facts.