Saturday, June 27, 2009
More riots!!!
More riots in Jerusalem today http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245924938018&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Weird!?
Weird? How about this - my watch stopped on the 25th at 2.15pm (Israel Time) .... never happened before; so i said someone must have died. Then found out that Michael Jackson died on the 25th at 2.15pm USA Time. Weird huh? The guys who saw my watch are all creeped!!!!!
ATTENTION!!!!!!!
Demolition orders reach Convent homes inside the Old City Jerusalem- Tuesday 23rd of June, 2009
Today the Jerusalem Inter-Church Centre has learned of new house demolition orders against at least four Christian families living inside the old city of Jerusalem where local Churches accommodate more than 500 homes for Palestinian families. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Catholic Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land own most of these homes. Churches are already facing difficulty in attaining renovation permits and expansion is almost impossible. One of the Church lawyers confirms that even the Churches already have court cases with the municipality of Jerusalem on similar issues. One of the Church leaders bitterly criticize the different treatment given to Jewish settlers inside the city wall where they are granted permits for expanding and renovating the properties under their control. In these four cases in particular, the families were addressed individually by the Israeli municipal authorities and court cases are underway. One of the defendants, Sami Wakileh, recalls the Judge telling him, “It is a waste of your precious time. Do not dream of receiving any permit…” This means that the existing home will be demolished sooner or later. Sami's house is actually an old building that he leased from the Church and spent over a hundred thousand dollars to fix and renovate. In another case, Bassam Ayyash, who rents a 50 square meter apartment from the Greek Orthodox Church inside the Patriarchate's convent has also received a demolition order claiming that this 50 square meter apartment is an expansion to his home! Bassam is puzzled with the persistence of the authorities in not agreeing to come and investigate the matter when he confirms, “My only home is the 50 square meter apartment." Last month, ten Christian families in Beit Hanina, a suburb area of North East Jerusalem, received demolition orders for their six year old apartments in the Al-Sunbula building. Half of the building was licensed originally while permits to formulate the rest were not given. Now all the inhabitants face the same fate if the municipality carries out its threats. Housing inside Jerusalem has been a burden for all Palestinian families. With an extremely difficult process and impossible permit system coupled with the high cost of living in Jerusalem, building or having one’s own apartment is becoming a dream. The Christian community struggles with the family re-unification system and residency rights restrictions imposed by the Israeli Authorities. When one Jerusalemite cannot live together with his or her spouse who is a West Banker under one roof inside Jerusalem, the ultimate effect is that less and less couples decide to get married. Father Ibrahim Faltas, the Roman Catholic Parish priest of Jerusalem, declared last week that the number of Catholic marriages this year is almost half of what they experienced during the previous years. New Jerusalem Christian families are more and more forced to leave their home city either to the neighboring West Bank or emigrate if they have the chance.
Today the Jerusalem Inter-Church Centre has learned of new house demolition orders against at least four Christian families living inside the old city of Jerusalem where local Churches accommodate more than 500 homes for Palestinian families. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate and the Catholic Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land own most of these homes. Churches are already facing difficulty in attaining renovation permits and expansion is almost impossible. One of the Church lawyers confirms that even the Churches already have court cases with the municipality of Jerusalem on similar issues. One of the Church leaders bitterly criticize the different treatment given to Jewish settlers inside the city wall where they are granted permits for expanding and renovating the properties under their control. In these four cases in particular, the families were addressed individually by the Israeli municipal authorities and court cases are underway. One of the defendants, Sami Wakileh, recalls the Judge telling him, “It is a waste of your precious time. Do not dream of receiving any permit…” This means that the existing home will be demolished sooner or later. Sami's house is actually an old building that he leased from the Church and spent over a hundred thousand dollars to fix and renovate. In another case, Bassam Ayyash, who rents a 50 square meter apartment from the Greek Orthodox Church inside the Patriarchate's convent has also received a demolition order claiming that this 50 square meter apartment is an expansion to his home! Bassam is puzzled with the persistence of the authorities in not agreeing to come and investigate the matter when he confirms, “My only home is the 50 square meter apartment." Last month, ten Christian families in Beit Hanina, a suburb area of North East Jerusalem, received demolition orders for their six year old apartments in the Al-Sunbula building. Half of the building was licensed originally while permits to formulate the rest were not given. Now all the inhabitants face the same fate if the municipality carries out its threats. Housing inside Jerusalem has been a burden for all Palestinian families. With an extremely difficult process and impossible permit system coupled with the high cost of living in Jerusalem, building or having one’s own apartment is becoming a dream. The Christian community struggles with the family re-unification system and residency rights restrictions imposed by the Israeli Authorities. When one Jerusalemite cannot live together with his or her spouse who is a West Banker under one roof inside Jerusalem, the ultimate effect is that less and less couples decide to get married. Father Ibrahim Faltas, the Roman Catholic Parish priest of Jerusalem, declared last week that the number of Catholic marriages this year is almost half of what they experienced during the previous years. New Jerusalem Christian families are more and more forced to leave their home city either to the neighboring West Bank or emigrate if they have the chance.
Friday, June 26, 2009
The Leveller
What a last 24 hours! Farrah Fawcett dies, then within 24 hours, Michael Jackson! Both icons of the 70s/80s. The message we're getting from the news is Jackson was the most misunderstood person in the world. And ythe media is getting a bashing for having set up the pop king, then tearing him down. whatever it is, his fans will also die one day, his media terrorists will also die like him one day. Death the Leveller
And now we have stoned wallabies jumping around in circles after they eat poppies meant for opium crop. Apparently they're responsible for crop circles. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8118257.stm
And now we have stoned wallabies jumping around in circles after they eat poppies meant for opium crop. Apparently they're responsible for crop circles. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8118257.stm
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
cockroach!
Goodness gracious! An unkosher cockroach found in a plate of rice served to an orthodox Jewish minister in the parliament house canteen!!!! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095051.html Notice the uproar is about the cockroach being unkosher ..... the hygiene part comes only later.
And 300 new settlement houses are being built - a show to the US who's boss in Israel! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095031.html
Meantime with the theft of my mobile, I've lost all your phone numbers, so don't expect me to call you (if I ever do) or if you get a call from me from my mobile, you can be sure it's not me!
And 300 new settlement houses are being built - a show to the US who's boss in Israel! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1095031.html
Meantime with the theft of my mobile, I've lost all your phone numbers, so don't expect me to call you (if I ever do) or if you get a call from me from my mobile, you can be sure it's not me!
news
So the fight for the Chief Rabbinate of Jerusalem begins - the mayor who's at odds with the ultra-orthodox (anti-zionist) community for openiong a carpark on the Sabbath, wants a zionist rabbi in charge who'll support his projects. But that means further isolating the ultra-orthodox and creating a rift in the jewish community ..... but as the saying goes : divide et imperat (divide and rule) http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184900508&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull What worries us is a zionist chief rabbi = anti-christian, therefore we'll see more restrictions put on the christian community. Like maybe no ringing of church bells on the Sabbath??????
Meanwhile the US is absolute in its call to Israel to stop ALL settlements including natural growth. Thank goodness there's someone brave enough to stand up and speak out (for the moment anyway). http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184902559&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Even an Israeli soldier refused to follow orders in the West Bank and is now in prison. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1094899.html
Meanwhile the US is absolute in its call to Israel to stop ALL settlements including natural growth. Thank goodness there's someone brave enough to stand up and speak out (for the moment anyway). http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184902559&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Even an Israeli soldier refused to follow orders in the West Bank and is now in prison. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1094899.html
Monday, June 22, 2009
News from Sr. Geronima
What a hot day! The sky is a beautiful blue - but that's the killer! No clouds - so no shade. Even the poor baby canaries are hanging their heads out of their nests to breathe!
I came back from the New City after buying some things for the house, and was so hot and exhausted - Nadia our assustant cook and Sr Vicenta kept laughing at me. Nadia splashed water on my face and Sr Vicenta brought me a bowl of ice-cream to cool off. Oh and talking about sisters - remember Sr. Geronima who was working with us the past 3 years? She's going to make her solemn profession in August - she wrote me an invitation (as if I could go to Poland!!!).
I came back from the New City after buying some things for the house, and was so hot and exhausted - Nadia our assustant cook and Sr Vicenta kept laughing at me. Nadia splashed water on my face and Sr Vicenta brought me a bowl of ice-cream to cool off. Oh and talking about sisters - remember Sr. Geronima who was working with us the past 3 years? She's going to make her solemn profession in August - she wrote me an invitation (as if I could go to Poland!!!).
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Canary Soap opera
Surprise - the monster mum canary tamed down after destroying the nest of the white female. She's sittin in her own nest now and hopefully will be out of trouble for the moment. Meanwhile the white baby from the same large cage has flown out of the nest and is mixing with the big guys - must be a great adventure for it! There's a smaller roller baby still in the nest but it'll soon be flying. Meanwhile in a smaller breeding cage, a roller pair hatched 2 babies but I saw they're not feeding them. no good. So desperate measures - i put them in the nest of the red factor pair. The red factors immediately fed both hungry chicks, besides a brown chick from another roller pair and their own red factor baby that's pretty big and will soon fly. Pretty crowded nest of abandoned chicks!
The sun rises here at 4am and the days are extremely hot. It's almost summer holidays for the arab schools; the Israeli schools have already started the holidays. So there're lots of excursions of school children here in the Old City.
For the last 3 weeks, the Jerusalem Municipality put up a sound and light show on the Old City walls. Main attractions were Damascus gate (which wasn't that great) and Jaffa gate which was the best. Alot of street performers in illuminated costumes, music background and light shows flashing on the city walls. It didn't draw as many tourists as it did local residents!
The sun rises here at 4am and the days are extremely hot. It's almost summer holidays for the arab schools; the Israeli schools have already started the holidays. So there're lots of excursions of school children here in the Old City.
For the last 3 weeks, the Jerusalem Municipality put up a sound and light show on the Old City walls. Main attractions were Damascus gate (which wasn't that great) and Jaffa gate which was the best. Alot of street performers in illuminated costumes, music background and light shows flashing on the city walls. It didn't draw as many tourists as it did local residents!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Dangerous
Oooooh a very dangerous call by an Israeli correspondant for Israelis to stand up like Iranians against their govt. and its policies. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093876.html In other countries, this would have been labelled "provocative" and "inflammatory", at worst "seditious". But here you can write about it openly - see, there's freedom of speech! Hooray!
Carpark wars
So the fight to open or close the carpark in Safra Square (about 100 metres from St Saviour's Monastery) among secular and orthodox Jews is not abating. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184859225&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull The real loser is Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat because either way he sides, he'll be making enemies - both groups are looking to oust him.
Meanwhile here's more of Canary Soap Opera - The Red Factor pair is feeding and caring well their own baby and the adopted Roller baby I put in their nest. And the brown/yellow Roller pair also began feeding their baby that was born yesterday afternoon. The horror is that awful Roller mum - "monster mum" who refused to feed 6 of her babies which starved to die. I put her back in the big cage with the other younger canaries where there are 4 nests and a young white male with 6 other females. This "monster mum" built her own nest yesterday by stealing material from the other 3 nests - then this morning committed infanticide by throwing out the eggs of a brooding white female. The 3 eggs broke and there were babies inside. She then tore apart the white female's nest. Now talk about vicious senseless violence and jealousy! All the ingredients of a soap opera! The monster mum has this fantasy of creating a family, building nests and laying eggs but she is utterly incapable (or doesn't want to) of caring for her babies - so she starts destroying other nests because if she can't have one, neither can others. By the way, none of the male canaries want her .... which could either be the source or the result of her problems. Need a canary psychologist here to figure that one out. (Actually I'm thinking of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights) I hope she won't start attacking the 2 babies in the other nest. I'll definitely feed her to the cats if she does. Next episode - "canary from hell". Watch this spot!
Meanwhile here's more of Canary Soap Opera - The Red Factor pair is feeding and caring well their own baby and the adopted Roller baby I put in their nest. And the brown/yellow Roller pair also began feeding their baby that was born yesterday afternoon. The horror is that awful Roller mum - "monster mum" who refused to feed 6 of her babies which starved to die. I put her back in the big cage with the other younger canaries where there are 4 nests and a young white male with 6 other females. This "monster mum" built her own nest yesterday by stealing material from the other 3 nests - then this morning committed infanticide by throwing out the eggs of a brooding white female. The 3 eggs broke and there were babies inside. She then tore apart the white female's nest. Now talk about vicious senseless violence and jealousy! All the ingredients of a soap opera! The monster mum has this fantasy of creating a family, building nests and laying eggs but she is utterly incapable (or doesn't want to) of caring for her babies - so she starts destroying other nests because if she can't have one, neither can others. By the way, none of the male canaries want her .... which could either be the source or the result of her problems. Need a canary psychologist here to figure that one out. (Actually I'm thinking of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights) I hope she won't start attacking the 2 babies in the other nest. I'll definitely feed her to the cats if she does. Next episode - "canary from hell". Watch this spot!
we need prophets
A lone voice addressing the conscience of Israel? I was just wondering what would the prophets do if they returned to Israel today. Why aren't Jews outraged by Israeli occupation?http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093667.html To quote the article "The decades-old ability of Zionist groups to manage the public narrative of Israeli victimhood is breaking down. Damning critics has therefore become a key method of control. But, writes Salon.com's Glenn Greenwald, a leading Jewish-American blogger, "whereas these smear tactics once inspired fear in many people, now they just inspire pity. They no longer work." "
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
wrong size shoes
Wow - so here's a jew who's speaking up for Pope Pius XII in having helped jews during the WWII. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1245184852508&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Clock this to see how soon opponents will attack this view.
Anyway the heat is up. The dean said this morning that I should be locked up in my room so I can study and study and study. Hmmmm sounds like a recipe for making me crazy. Well for the record, I AM studying but on a more relaxed rate now that it's the summer holidays. Also sleeping a little more as my body is giving up on me. And if I do go out - in this sweltering heat - it's only because I need to do errands, like this morning. Mind you my feet are still a little swollen from all that walking last week (and the wrong size shoes - blisters everywhere).
Another baby canary was born to a Roller pair this afternoon 3pm - weird because they usually hatch between 6am-8am. But I'm not sure if the mum will feed it - this group of Roller mums born 2 years ago are terrible at bringing up babies. The other one that I put back in the big cage because she starved 6 babies from 2 broods to death has promptly built another nest. For what? to starve the next brood to death again. They never learn.
Anyway the heat is up. The dean said this morning that I should be locked up in my room so I can study and study and study. Hmmmm sounds like a recipe for making me crazy. Well for the record, I AM studying but on a more relaxed rate now that it's the summer holidays. Also sleeping a little more as my body is giving up on me. And if I do go out - in this sweltering heat - it's only because I need to do errands, like this morning. Mind you my feet are still a little swollen from all that walking last week (and the wrong size shoes - blisters everywhere).
Another baby canary was born to a Roller pair this afternoon 3pm - weird because they usually hatch between 6am-8am. But I'm not sure if the mum will feed it - this group of Roller mums born 2 years ago are terrible at bringing up babies. The other one that I put back in the big cage because she starved 6 babies from 2 broods to death has promptly built another nest. For what? to starve the next brood to death again. They never learn.
Peace?!
The incredible events in Iran is raising hopes that the theocratic govt. would soon fall. But Israel secret service is not confident.
Meanwhile peace in Israel is less unlikely - the PM's refusal to stop settlements is a dead end. Even some Israelis are despairing. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093572.html Another HaAretz poll shows majority of Israeli want peace and a two-state solution which the PM refuses. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093575.html
And now they want to force arabs to study Zionism!!! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093587.html
Anyway when things go wrong and economy fails, it's nothing like pulling in the Christian cash - the fastest way to make money from the people you hate in this land. And the frightening thing is - Christians are happily giving it away! http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371059737&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meanwhile peace in Israel is less unlikely - the PM's refusal to stop settlements is a dead end. Even some Israelis are despairing. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093572.html Another HaAretz poll shows majority of Israeli want peace and a two-state solution which the PM refuses. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093575.html
And now they want to force arabs to study Zionism!!! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093587.html
Anyway when things go wrong and economy fails, it's nothing like pulling in the Christian cash - the fastest way to make money from the people you hate in this land. And the frightening thing is - Christians are happily giving it away! http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371059737&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Bird news
So here is how clutzy I get - I bashed my left knee last week on a chair and it got all swollen and bruised. Within 4 days I bashed the same knee on another chair. Believe me it hurts and I'm limping. And that's not all, yesterday I clocked up walking over 8 kms and now my feet are swollen too. Have been in bed since last evening till now - and missed the "end of school" barbeque held here in our courtyard where the canaries are kept. The reason was Sunday morning I went out to the New City to buy stuff with Fr Marcello, then came back to the Old City to accompany a group of 25 Missionaries of Charity from Yemen, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria to visit the Jewish Quarter. Took the whole day till 5pm when it ended. My feet were sore and blistered and I was burnt right through by the scorching sun. In return for my hardwork, the sisters cooked a nice dinner for me - chicken curry, white rice, fried long beans and egg. Yummy.
And Saturday night my nose was bleeding right through, couldn't sleep as a result. Could have been the heatwave we're experiencing.
News on the canaries - the brown/yellow roller hatched 2 eggs out of 4 but she refused to feed the two babies, like she did with her first brood, so they died of hunger. I'm ready to sell her as I see she's not a capable mother, much as she wants to build nests and lay eggs. Sounds like someone with grandiose ideas about oneself but utterly incapable of making them come true - living in a world of fantasy. I put the remaining two eggs under the Red Factor mum who has one baby and one infertile egg of her own. She promptly hatched one of the roller eggs and a brown baby was born. Strange to see her feeding her own red baby and a brown baby. Reminds me of people who don't waste time with ideas, plans and empty talk but simply get to work silently and finish the job. Put the useless roller mum back into the big cage where she's now sulking and refusing to budge from her branch. The pure yellow dad on the otherhand got real busy with another hen that hatched two babies (obviously not hers as all the hens lay their eggs in one nest but only one will brood the clutch.) He began feeding the babies even though they're not his. I must say the canaries are a positive influence on the community. Everyone is interested, they come out to the courtyard to see and find out more, they show concern and give advice and ask questions, in a word everyone's united and participating. The superior is very happy about this positive effect and wants the birds to remain in good condition.
And Saturday night my nose was bleeding right through, couldn't sleep as a result. Could have been the heatwave we're experiencing.
News on the canaries - the brown/yellow roller hatched 2 eggs out of 4 but she refused to feed the two babies, like she did with her first brood, so they died of hunger. I'm ready to sell her as I see she's not a capable mother, much as she wants to build nests and lay eggs. Sounds like someone with grandiose ideas about oneself but utterly incapable of making them come true - living in a world of fantasy. I put the remaining two eggs under the Red Factor mum who has one baby and one infertile egg of her own. She promptly hatched one of the roller eggs and a brown baby was born. Strange to see her feeding her own red baby and a brown baby. Reminds me of people who don't waste time with ideas, plans and empty talk but simply get to work silently and finish the job. Put the useless roller mum back into the big cage where she's now sulking and refusing to budge from her branch. The pure yellow dad on the otherhand got real busy with another hen that hatched two babies (obviously not hers as all the hens lay their eggs in one nest but only one will brood the clutch.) He began feeding the babies even though they're not his. I must say the canaries are a positive influence on the community. Everyone is interested, they come out to the courtyard to see and find out more, they show concern and give advice and ask questions, in a word everyone's united and participating. The superior is very happy about this positive effect and wants the birds to remain in good condition.
Monday, June 15, 2009
horror of rumours
The other day I posted a news article about how an arab family killed their 15 yr old son because he was suspected of collaborating with the Israeli soldiers. The horror is spreading throughout the arab peoples at how horrible this culture of suspicion, intolerance and violence has become. A mere boy killed by his father and uncle simply because he waved to an Israeli soldier - a cheeky act that people do to defy the occupation but was interpreted by his own people (gossipers) as a sign of friendship with the enemy. Then rumours fly among his friends that he spoke to an Israeli soldier previously. It's all gossip and rumours - and this culture we have runs purely on gossip and rumours. It is said here that gossip is more important than truth itself. And when the momentum picks up, it ends in the tragic death of innocent people. The poor boy was simply waving. And he was tortured and hanged by his own father, uncle and brother. How dastardly and warped has the human heart become under this unbridled culture of fear and suspicion for the Israelis? What's the use of fighting for a free independent state when in the end no one will be living in it - everyone killing their own family members? http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371100264&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Israel on the other hand is picking up the broken pieces left by the Gaza War with new tactics, especially through the mass media. And like I warned, the Israeli Tourist Ministry's dependence on Evangelical Christian support is falling because the Israelis don't understand the evangelicals - now new leaders come up with new doctrines about israel and huge swings of congregations turn against israel. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371097449&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Israel on the other hand is picking up the broken pieces left by the Gaza War with new tactics, especially through the mass media. And like I warned, the Israeli Tourist Ministry's dependence on Evangelical Christian support is falling because the Israelis don't understand the evangelicals - now new leaders come up with new doctrines about israel and huge swings of congregations turn against israel. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371097449&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Saturday, June 13, 2009
R.I.P.
Armin, the Armenian Orthodox sacristan suddenly died in the Holy Sepulchre. Though not a priest, he wore the monk's habit because he was volunteering for the Armenian Apostolic Church at the Holy Sepulchre. he was only 30 odd yrs old, very polite, quiet, hardworking. He even came to us franciscans for spiritual direction. Needless to say, everyone was shocked. He was seen sitting near the Sepulchre at 6pm, then he went upstairs to the Armenian chapel to sing vespers but had a heart attack when he reached the top of the stairs.
Today was his funeral. The community of franciscans at the Holy Sepulchre went to the Armenian Cathedral for his funeral. I went to the Sepulchre to say a prayer for him and then joined the community when they came back from the funeral. We spoke of our memories of Armin. He is survived by a sister in Armenia. Requiescat in pacem.
Today was his funeral. The community of franciscans at the Holy Sepulchre went to the Armenian Cathedral for his funeral. I went to the Sepulchre to say a prayer for him and then joined the community when they came back from the funeral. We spoke of our memories of Armin. He is survived by a sister in Armenia. Requiescat in pacem.
Backoff
Retreat - that's what the Jerusalem municipality has done to prevent another massive demonstration and riot by the ultra-orthodox Jews in Jerusalem over the opening of a carpark on the Sabbath. Last weekends riots of some 2000 haredim (ultra-orthodox Jews) have scared the government. It didn't think the haredim would be so organised and massive in numbers. So it's backed off for the moment. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371076951&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull Mind you, these haredim are anti-Zionist by nature of their religious beliefs and have no quelms in attacking the Zionist government of Israel. Quote: "If they want war, there will be war," Yoel Kraus, the operations officer of the anti-Zionist Eda Haredit organization, which organized last week's massive protest, said earlier Thursday, before Franco's proposal. "We are ready to keep this up for at least half a year."
HaAretz newspaper reports a poll that 56% of Israelis back continuing building settlements and opposing the US. But wait - note very carefully that only 503 people were polled!!!!! Hardly representative of the 6 million citizens!!!! I wonder if it included any haredim, or israeli arabs. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1092436.html This is so farcical! And then a scathing attack on settlers' "natural growth" as viewed against arabs' "natural growth". http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1092430.html
But it's another weekend. I handed in my paper this afternoon. One stage over. Will have to start another on Monday. Serious stuff - this research thing!
HaAretz newspaper reports a poll that 56% of Israelis back continuing building settlements and opposing the US. But wait - note very carefully that only 503 people were polled!!!!! Hardly representative of the 6 million citizens!!!! I wonder if it included any haredim, or israeli arabs. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1092436.html This is so farcical! And then a scathing attack on settlers' "natural growth" as viewed against arabs' "natural growth". http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1092430.html
But it's another weekend. I handed in my paper this afternoon. One stage over. Will have to start another on Monday. Serious stuff - this research thing!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Enlightened
Two enlightened approach - but who will listen to them? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8089951.stm How much we need peace here in this land.
The Iranian elections is ruffling feathers here in Israel. If Israel wants support from the US against the nuclear threat of Iran, then it'll have to concede to parts of settlement freezes. But the settlers are resorting to tourism to get more support. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371078373&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The PM is turning to the left for more support since the right is no longer happy with him. What does that mean for us minorities? Nothing much I guess. We'll still get bashed and spat at.
Meantime Palestinian brutality to its own children suspected of collaboration with Israel has led a 15 yr old boy to be killed. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371075506&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull These are the realities of life here.
The Iranian elections is ruffling feathers here in Israel. If Israel wants support from the US against the nuclear threat of Iran, then it'll have to concede to parts of settlement freezes. But the settlers are resorting to tourism to get more support. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371078373&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The PM is turning to the left for more support since the right is no longer happy with him. What does that mean for us minorities? Nothing much I guess. We'll still get bashed and spat at.
Meantime Palestinian brutality to its own children suspected of collaboration with Israel has led a 15 yr old boy to be killed. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371075506&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull These are the realities of life here.
Marathon sleep
Swine Flu is officially a pandemic - but I still don't know what that means...... like am I to stay home? wear the mask when I go out? get flu shots? what? haloooooo? I'm not getting any clues here!!!!
The weather is so hot I'm sleeping with my windows open at night. Only problem is the muezzin starts singing at 3am. Luckily he didn't disturb me yesterday because I got into a sleep marathon - 17 hours flat; from 2pm yesterday to 6am this morning. I was really tired and I officially declared myself on summer holiday mode, so anything goes. The exams have ended and school officially ends on Monday 15th and most of the students will go on excursion to Turkey that day. Actually I don't get a holiday because I need to continue with my research right through the summer. Yucks.
The 3 baby Red Factor canaries have been transferred to the large cage this morning but the Roller baby is still with his parents in the breeding cage because it is still fed by its dad. Spoilt brat. A nice surprise - 3 babies were born in the large cage to the Roller female and she's actually feeding them. She refused to feed her 4 babies previously and left them to die. Also the Red Factor mum hatched another baby this morning. Not bad ... but still the danger is not yet over until the babies learn to fly.... which will be some 4 weeks from now.
The weather is so hot I'm sleeping with my windows open at night. Only problem is the muezzin starts singing at 3am. Luckily he didn't disturb me yesterday because I got into a sleep marathon - 17 hours flat; from 2pm yesterday to 6am this morning. I was really tired and I officially declared myself on summer holiday mode, so anything goes. The exams have ended and school officially ends on Monday 15th and most of the students will go on excursion to Turkey that day. Actually I don't get a holiday because I need to continue with my research right through the summer. Yucks.
The 3 baby Red Factor canaries have been transferred to the large cage this morning but the Roller baby is still with his parents in the breeding cage because it is still fed by its dad. Spoilt brat. A nice surprise - 3 babies were born in the large cage to the Roller female and she's actually feeding them. She refused to feed her 4 babies previously and left them to die. Also the Red Factor mum hatched another baby this morning. Not bad ... but still the danger is not yet over until the babies learn to fly.... which will be some 4 weeks from now.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Prophesy
Jerusalem is not the best place to be at the moment - it's fine if you're a tourist spending a day or two, but living here is getting more tense by the day. Yesterday the Jerusalem Municipality came and destroyed 20 houses in Siloam Village (Pool of Siloam area outside the Old City) because it was built illegally. Then they also came inside the Old City and destroyed two houses near our monastery. These are all muslim houses. I'm sure sooner or later, more illegal houses / structures around our monastery will be torn down and the muslims will accuse us of being Israeli informers. People are already talking about it in the streets. That means trouble. The muslims will soon be attacking us. It's a frightening thought. You guys better pray for our safety.
Bye Marcio
A very touching event yesterday which shows that enemies can still be friends: Palestinians from the village of Tekoa (where the prophet Amos was born) help Jewish settlers when their car overturn. I wonder if Jewish settlers would have done the same if a Palestinian car overturned. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371057709&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
The Israeli Supreme Court criticises the State for making empty talk about closing down settlements but never doing it - finally someone has the guts to do say it!http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091830.html
And newspaper columnists suggest the removal of the word "Jewish" from the State of Israel - like wow, if it were said by a non-Jew, it would be seen as treason and anti-semitic. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091809.html
And a Jewish woman from Tel Aviv threw away her mother's old mattress that hid US$1 million! Now she's looking through the landfills in search of lost treasure. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8092942.stm
Today Marcio leaves Israel for good. He returns to Brasil to start a new mission. Marcio was my first cameraman before Thiago. He's very good at his job, although he was origianlly trained as an editor which he's even better at. We had great collaboration in producing several programmes and he was the one who designed the Eternal Light Webcast banner and all the openings of its programmes. Will certainly miss Marcio and his crazy music! All the best to your new mission!
And watch out next time you eat your bread. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8092921.stm
The Israeli Supreme Court criticises the State for making empty talk about closing down settlements but never doing it - finally someone has the guts to do say it!http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091830.html
And newspaper columnists suggest the removal of the word "Jewish" from the State of Israel - like wow, if it were said by a non-Jew, it would be seen as treason and anti-semitic. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091809.html
And a Jewish woman from Tel Aviv threw away her mother's old mattress that hid US$1 million! Now she's looking through the landfills in search of lost treasure. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8092942.stm
Today Marcio leaves Israel for good. He returns to Brasil to start a new mission. Marcio was my first cameraman before Thiago. He's very good at his job, although he was origianlly trained as an editor which he's even better at. We had great collaboration in producing several programmes and he was the one who designed the Eternal Light Webcast banner and all the openings of its programmes. Will certainly miss Marcio and his crazy music! All the best to your new mission!
And watch out next time you eat your bread. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8092921.stm
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
received with thanks
Thanks to the following:
1. Sponsorship of children in Musky (Cairo) - May Yu, Greece pilgrims (HK grp + Lilian Li)
2. For the Poor - Fr L. Leung
3. Sponsorship of Chinese clergy - US$128 collected from various donors
4. Gaza - US$257 collected from various donors
5. Webcast - Agnes Chiu-Lee,
6. Teresa (Pedro's mother), Aurora Ng, Kath Malone, Liza Tam, Rose Chiu, Cecilia Cavero, Mary Leung, Loretta & Louise, Teresa (Sydney), Marie Lo, Greece pilgrims (Sydney/HK group )
May God bless you all for your generosity and be assured of our prayers here in the Holyland.
1. Sponsorship of children in Musky (Cairo) - May Yu, Greece pilgrims (HK grp + Lilian Li)
2. For the Poor - Fr L. Leung
3. Sponsorship of Chinese clergy - US$128 collected from various donors
4. Gaza - US$257 collected from various donors
5. Webcast - Agnes Chiu-Lee,
6. Teresa (Pedro's mother), Aurora Ng, Kath Malone, Liza Tam, Rose Chiu, Cecilia Cavero, Mary Leung, Loretta & Louise, Teresa (Sydney), Marie Lo, Greece pilgrims (Sydney/HK group )
May God bless you all for your generosity and be assured of our prayers here in the Holyland.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
news
The weather is extremely hot and dry now. And the sun is merciless. Thank goodness our houses are build with stones so its alot cooler. But the nights can be very stuffy and hot.
Reports yesterday and today bemoan the recent events when jewish extremists are threatening other fellow jews. Ultra-orthodox attack police in Jerusalem; while rightist Zionist attack soldiers. Now these soldiers need guards to protect themselves from the Zionists! http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371042697&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Reports yesterday and today bemoan the recent events when jewish extremists are threatening other fellow jews. Ultra-orthodox attack police in Jerusalem; while rightist Zionist attack soldiers. Now these soldiers need guards to protect themselves from the Zionists! http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244371042697&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Monday, June 8, 2009
defiance
Rightists in the govt. are now openly waging war against the US by pledging more money to build more settlements. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1091163.html
And wow - a catholic pilgrim who took an archaological stone in 1997 home to the US regrets it and now has returned it to Israel. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8079825.stm The Head, Haim Shchupak of the IAA's anti-theft unit said the return of antiquities was rare.
"It's nice that these people's consciences bothered them," he told the Associated Press news agency. "I'm glad that there are good people out there." I wonder if there're good israelis who'll return stolen land back to the palestinians....... any good men out there?
And wow - a catholic pilgrim who took an archaological stone in 1997 home to the US regrets it and now has returned it to Israel. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8079825.stm The Head, Haim Shchupak of the IAA's anti-theft unit said the return of antiquities was rare.
"It's nice that these people's consciences bothered them," he told the Associated Press news agency. "I'm glad that there are good people out there." I wonder if there're good israelis who'll return stolen land back to the palestinians....... any good men out there?
And it goes on .....
So Israel is not letting up on the settlements and building up the barriers. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8085858.stm Like I said, nothing will stop them - not even Obama! Who does he think he is?
Meantime archaeology becomes the fertile field for the political upper-hand. This article is about an arab and an israeli interpretation of the same place, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8076772.stm
And here's an interesting article on hebrew-catholic priests = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8032339.stm
Meantime archaeology becomes the fertile field for the political upper-hand. This article is about an arab and an israeli interpretation of the same place, http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8076772.stm
And here's an interesting article on hebrew-catholic priests = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8032339.stm
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Riots
So the situation is developing like this - Obama wants Israel to stop the Jewish settlements in Palestine; Israel says no way as it was agreed with Bush that they don't have to stop settlements; Clinton says no such agreement exists; israel now fighting back. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244035012765&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime Jerusalem was besieged by ultra-Orthodox Jews who want to impose strict Jewish laws on everyone - not good for us!!!! Riots - big time - yesterday!!!! It took place just in front of our New Gate next to St Saviour's monastery. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244035010988&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Meantime Jerusalem was besieged by ultra-Orthodox Jews who want to impose strict Jewish laws on everyone - not good for us!!!! Riots - big time - yesterday!!!! It took place just in front of our New Gate next to St Saviour's monastery. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244035010988&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Friday, June 5, 2009
voicelessly caught inbetween
A scramble of reactions to Obama's speech in Cairo. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090534.html Rightist-Zionist continue to defy the stoppage of settlements while the leftist condemn it. http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1244035003067&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull ; http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090366.html and http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090527.html. And we the little people? We get caught in between - with no voice and no rights.
It's going to be a tough summer.
And ...... David Carradine ("Grasshopper") is dead. Anyone remembers "Kung Fu"? Time for nostalgia
It's going to be a tough summer.
And ...... David Carradine ("Grasshopper") is dead. Anyone remembers "Kung Fu"? Time for nostalgia
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Obamarama
More revenge on palestinians by the jewish zionists because Obama wants them to stop their occupation of palestinian land and the building of jewish houses. Move? Strip israeli arabs off citizenship. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090173.html And no one - absolutely no one can go against the wishes of Israel, because you're anti-semitic if you do. Even Obama! http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090166.html
Holyland?
Now the settlers are taking revenge by attacking Palestinians and burning their property because America is demanding Israel to remove these illegal settling in occupied land. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090110.html Apparently the Israeli govt. is abiding by US calls to stop the settlements http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090066.html but I'm not too confident. After a couple of months, things will go back to what was initiated in the past, no one will talk about it again, and settlements will continue to expand. Nothing has stopped Israel before; so what does Obama think he is?
And wow - read this! Israel is the 4th most dangerous place to live on earth!!!! It's behind Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090160.html SO you still think it's fun living here?????? And it's supposed to be the "Holy" Land!
And wow - read this! Israel is the 4th most dangerous place to live on earth!!!! It's behind Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090160.html SO you still think it's fun living here?????? And it's supposed to be the "Holy" Land!
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Wonder
So read this bit of news and think about this: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1090005.html If the shooter was an arab, he would have been shot dead on the spot, no questions asked. But in this case, the perpetrator is declared mentally troubled and put in an insitution for observation. By the way, this isn't the first time this "psychosis" reason was used - lilke when an israeli soldier burned and bombed our two churches (Gethsemani and Tel AViv) in 1997 or 1999 (can't remember), he never went to jail. Or the Israeli who bombed the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth a few years ago, same thing - "psychosis" .... I wonder why these israeli perpetrators are never ever shot on the spot when they bomb and destroy others, but perpetrators of other races get shot on the spot. Hmmmmmmmmmm
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ordinary time
Obama sounds pretty tough about stopping Jewish settlements in Palestinian land; and that includes the expansion of already existing settlements - a plan that our PM wants to go ahead. He explains that the Jewish populaiton is growing so rapidly it needs more space - meaning take away the Palestinian land. But HaAretz (newspaper) says it's a lie - the "natural growth" theory doesn't add up to the number of land being taken, nor the number of Jews being born in Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1089778.html Well let's see if Obama has the polititcal teeth to bite into this one, or is he just polishing up on his political rhetoric.
Meanwhile summer is hitting us big time - very hot days and increasingly warm nights. Yesterday began our liturgical Ordinary Time when we use green as the liturgical colour and the readings go back to the two year cycle. Going anywhere this summer?
Meanwhile summer is hitting us big time - very hot days and increasingly warm nights. Yesterday began our liturgical Ordinary Time when we use green as the liturgical colour and the readings go back to the two year cycle. Going anywhere this summer?
Monday, June 1, 2009
Sad Pentecost
Yesterday we celebrated Pentecost - the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church here in Jerusalem. But the mother Church is dying - we make up only 2% of the population when once we were 6%. The Jerusalem Post carries this report today, http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1243346516438&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull What can you do to help this situation? Come to the Holyland, every visit makes a difference to the Christian community here. Do your part to support the mother Church!
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