Violent 2 days

Damascus Gate dyed blue by riot-
dispersing water canons

The last 3 nights saw alot of clashes between muslims and jews in our area. Tuesday evening saw massive protests and demonstrations at Damascus Gate around 5pm. The govt. had closed off the Dome of the Rock esplanade to everyone - muslims for prayers and jews for the feast of Sukkot. The muslims were not happy of course and expressed it violently. 5 charges by police and soldiers were made at the muslim crowd within 2 hours. Stun grenades and tear gas also fired. Helicopters flew very low overhead. And lots of blue-dyed water was sprayed from water-canons. Now the stones of Damascus Gate are stained blue.

Later at 10pm stone throwing began at the 5th Station of the Cross. Soldiers charged inside the City and chased began ... reaching up to even the Christian Quarter. Stun grenades were fired inside the narrow streets and the area was blacked-out to impede rioters from running ... a fact everyone knows who lives here: it's impossible to run in the dark when the streets are filled with steps and potholes. Everything calmed down by midnight.

But next morning saw groups of agitators starting trouble again at the 5th Station and lower down at Bab Hutta opposite St. Anne's Church. Police reinforcements were called in again. Street chase in front of our house .... By lunchtime calm was restored. We're told maybe today or tomorrow (Friday) more trouble is expected.

I stay out of trouble ... well sort of. I go out into the streets to see and ask what's happening. My security friends were with me so I sort of get some protection. But I worry for some of my arab friends. Have called them to stay out of trouble and remain at home. Luckily they heeded and none of them were involved in the violence. For now at least.