Black Friday

So it's Friday today; and it's the 13th. Computers crash, end of the world ... well, it didn't all happen though blogger.com was down for the whole day.

The Old City was closed off today - Friday before Nakba Day. Soldiers and police manned the city gates and prohibited muslim men below 45 yrs to enter. There was fear of demonstrations and rioting after the noonday prayer in the Al Aksa mosque. Scuffles did occur outside the Old City and arrests were made. Rubber bullets and tear gas were fired.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-palestinian-tensions-rise-in-jerusalem-west-bank-as-nakba-day-nears-1.361533 and photos  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220439

Tomorrow is Sabbath, and military presence will be equally strong. Sunday is Nakba Day - Day of Catastrophe - where Palestinians protest their land being occupied by Israel. We're expecting tensions and scuffles in the streets. I'm sure the Old City will be closed again.

And the tensions seem to be reflected in the weather. Grey gloomy skies and cold strong winds.