Fires and fruit

Another series of fires yesterday ... this time in Jerusalem. But the apparent slow response by Jerusalem fire-fighters have drawn bitter criticism. 10 injured and houses destroyed.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277555  It's been so hot today the usually crowded Independence Park was quiet and the grass was half-scorched. It was around 37 degrees but they say Wednesday it'll hit around 40 or so. Today is the feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel ... but in this heat, Mt. Carmel is all scorched and whitered.

And Israel's internal dispute proves to be a greater threat than heatwaves and forest fires. It's the ongoing debate whether ultra-orthodox jews should be drafted into the army. It's mandatory for all Jews but somehow the ultra-orthodox got away with it. The Shephardic Chief Rabbi met with the President to lessen the tension and gave his blessing to all the soldiers but the Eda Haredit sector of ultra-orthodox jews on the otherhand will be marching in demonstration against the draft.  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277556  Such internal division will not be good for the future security of Israel.

Talking about divisions, the social protests took a turn after the self-immolation of a protester. Hundreds more showed up to challenge the govt. for not helping the victims of Israel's worsening economy.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/hundreds-of-israelis-protest-state-s-social-policy-in-wake-of-self-immolation-1.451259  and  http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=277596  Of course the protests have not reached the stage whereby blame is placed on the govt.'s financial support for the ultra-orthodox jews who not only avoid military service but also paying taxes or contributing to the economy. Tax-payers' money go to support the ultra-orthodox families instead of the tax-paying poor.

Cherries galore

If there's anything nice to talk about, it's the fruit in season. Lychees and mangoes are in abundance. And cherries from the Golan Heights. Had a bowl of dark cherries for lunch yesterday given to me by Sr Vincenta. But if the heatwave continues, and it will get worse by Wednesday, then all the fruit and orchards will be ruined. So better to enjoy the fruit this week while it lasts. As it is, the fruit are very costly. One kilo of lychees go for 20 - 25 shekels (US$6 - 8). I'm not buying those.

And finally some justice is served. After bashing the Catholic Church for years for anti-semitism and not stopping Hitler from the Holocaust, now jews acknowledge thousands of Polish catholics for saving jewish lives.  http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/jewish-world-news/out-of-the-shadow-polish-rescuers-of-jews-celebrate-hero-s-honor-1.451281