Tensions

Tensions are rising again in Jerusalem. Police and soldeirs everywhere - probably anticipating a riot by the ultra-orthodox because the "taleban mum" was charged this morning; or maybe today begins Fatah's first COngress in Bethlehem; but more probably because Sunday morning saw the forceful eviction of two Palestinian families from homes which were almost immediately taken up by Jewish settlers - it's in the quarter of Sheikh Jarrah less than a km. from Damascus Gate, right next to the American Colony hotel and very close to the Olive Tree hotel. It's a place we all know well. The St Joseph's Hospital is further up the hill. It was a horrific scene with the families' furniture thrown out onto the streets. Such violent eviction has even drawn condemnation from Israel's rightwing newspaper = http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1249275681082&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull And international condemnation was sounded, though not too loudly http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1104949.html and http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8180743.stm but I think this is a true test case to see how toothless the international community is in the face of Israel's policies. Haven't they learnt? Israel answers to no one except God who gave the Promised Land? East Jerusalem will be occupied by Jews in the next 8 years, and even probably ultra-orthodoxed.

And here's a very loud secular Zionist article against the ultra-orthodoxising of Israel - it paints a pretty scary picture http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1105066.html

I'm staying put at home because my left ankle is playing up again - all wrapped up still in an ankle guard. The pain can be quite sharp when I put my weight on it, so the best bet is stay in bed. Thank goodness my bleeding nose stopped. Maybe it's because I've been lying down alot.

Anyway it's back to studying again.