The visitor's center at Masada, the ancient Israelite site of the holding out of the Jews against the Roman invasion, a site the memorializes courage and dedication, has opened a McDonald's.

The Golden Arches are flying by Masada. And some people don't like it.

Personally, I don't really care. It seems a little tacky, but is it any worse than a nondescript cafeteria? If they put an Aroma or other coffee shop in would it be less tacky? If it was one of those kiosks like at Ein Gedi just up the road, selling ice pops, drinks and rubbery hotdogs would that be any better?

At least they had the sense to open it at the bottom of the hill and not at the top. That would be really tacky. Though, I wonder if they do deliveries to the top. That would be really cool.

Some people have started a Facebook boycott against McDonald's at Masada. I "liked" the page because I wanted to see the info, but I don't join in their protest. I don't see the big deal. I disapprove of McDonald's anyway, as despite having a few kosher restaurants they insisted on opening the vast majority in Israel as not kosher, and specifically fought to keep the main one, the original location, in Jerusalem not kosher.

I don't know if this branch, by Masada, is kosher or not. I suspect it is not, as the kosher ones usually say so just under the arches, and I don't see any such sign in the above picture. If it is not kosher, that would be really tacky, to put a not-kosher restaurant at Masada, where we celebrate the Jews holding out against the Romans. If anybody knows, if anybody is in the area and can check and let us know, I'd appreciate it.

A few days ago Israel unfurled the world's largest flag. It made it into the Guiness Book of World Records.

The event took place at Masada. Here is an ABC news clip of the event...