Muslim Quarter closed off

Empty street at 5am

Yesterday and today saw dreadful violence. An outspoken rabbi was shot last night just outside the Old City. Serious injuries. The police closed off the Muslim Quarter and surrounding villages. This morning after and all night search, they killed one suspect in Abu or, a village 1km south of the Old City. The Al Aqsa Mosque was totally closed to everyone including muslims ... I think as a punishment. Everyone is fearing of retaliation and revenge by both sides. Police continue to flock around the Old and New Cities in high alert for terrorists. There was a curfew that lasted all night.

Right now a marching band of muslims are demonstrating in front of our house. Scary. There must be more demonstrations around as stun grenades are being fired further north of our place. My fear that the 3rd Intifada has started was confirmed yesterday when municipality leaders voiced the same. Everyone - jew and muslim know it, talk about it but no one wants to all it by its proper name ... an intifada.

This morning at 5am I needed to go to Tel Aviv to see the podiatrist but because of the curfew and blockages, I could not get out of the City till half an hour later. All this is part of the collective punishment meted by Israel on the arab population for the shooting of the rabbi. The Mayor has called for absolutely strict application of the law on all arab communities - illegal structures to be torn down, traffic tickets to be handed out at any minor infringement, confiscation of property and animals .... this collection punishment of innocent and guilty will only make many peaceful arabs turn against the israelis. It'll only worsen the situation. It's a very wrong call .... but the Mayor doesn't want to hear it.