Memorial Day

Sirens sounded at 8pm to mark the beginning of Memorial Day - the fallen soldiers of Israel. It was sombre for most people going to the cemeteries to revisit their loved ones. But there were also lots of excursions for school kids to visit the sites where battles were fought. Soldiers too were everywhere at the cemeteries to remember their comrades.

At 11am today the sirens were again sounded for  a minute's silence. The country stood still. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-marks-memorial-day-for-fallen-idf-soldiers-1.426476  Flags flew at halfmast. But by the afternoon the sombre mood was changing. Shops and houses began decking the Israeli flag as they prepared for Independence Day celebrations that begin in the evening.

Strawberries galore

In the eastern part of Jerusalem and the Territories, there was naturally no celebration. Life went on as usual even as the sirens sounded. At Damascus Gate, strawberries were being sold by the boxes - incredibly large and sweet.

Well I guess there's two sides to every coin. Every victory means defeat for another. And for the losers, every little consolation helps - even a strawberry ... if only to add a little sweetness and smile on the lips.