Friday 13th

Light show imposed on Damascus
Gate depicting the history of some
famous buildings in Jerusalem

June 13th is the Feast of St. Anthony and our parish in Jaffa had a solemn feast. Lots of locals went there for the celebrations. But falling on a Friday, you'd think that Friday 13th would be bad luck. Not here in Israel. In fact I think they see it as an auspicious day ... it's the beginning of the summer vacations and the beginning of lots of summer happenings. It was the opening of the Israel Book Fest celebrated in every major city in the country; it was also the opening of the Jerusalem Festival of Lights ... this year definitely better and larger than last year; and it was also the Tel Aviv's celebration of  the annual Gay Pride Parade. Too many happenings ... and more to come if the political tensions keeps its head low. The kidnapping of 3 yeshiva students is rising alot of anger and fear on both sides of the Wall. We're not sure where summer is heading ... violence or fun.

The fall of some major Iraqi cities to muslim extremists is raising alarm throughout the region. Now we learn that they have a cell inside Palestine as well and could have been responsible for the kidnapping of the jewish students.

Anyway I managed to sleep some 10 hours with only 2 phone calls to disturb me yesterday. Was simply too tired. Blood pressure too low and have to raise it up before the operation, otherwise the docs will cancel it. Feeling nervous.