Shabbat

Big demonstration this evening in Tel Aviv demanding universal draft to military service - meaning ultra orthodox Jews and Israeli arabs must also do compulsory military service. The PM is in a hot spot as he leans to the ultra orthodox for votes and coalition in his govt. and they are dead set against doing military service. http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=276600  and  http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/tens-of-thousands-march-in-tel-aviv-demanding-equality-in-national-service-1.449399

And yes ... the workers didn't show up today either. They'll be the death of me. Actually I can't remember anything else about today ... must be exhaustion. My short term memory has gone kaput the past weeks. I only remember meeting a good friend to say goodbye as he was returning to the States after doing 2 semesters of research in Coptic here.

Sabbath chaos at Damascus Gate

So it's another Sabbath. The police are now closing off our road during the evenings on Sabbaths so that arab cars cannot enter while Jews go and return from the Wailing Wall for prayers.  And there are literally thousands of them. Damascus Gate becomes a total chaotic scene as they cross the roads in groups. Soldiers are stationed closeby and all traffic get jammed log. Drivers sound their horns impatiently, people shouting and talking at the top of their voices ... the scene is surreal. Then again everything in this City is ... like workers who don't show up for work for 3 days. Surreal.