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!