Quiet Friday

The antiquities and heritage bazaar
is less crowded than usual.

Jerusalem remains calm these past 2 days. Police presence are markedly lower and people just continue with their daily lives. Today Friday, Israel decided to lift all age restriction for entry into the City and the Al Aqsa mosque. This is due to the pressure by America and Jordan in yesterday's talks in Amman.

But in the villages outside, squirmishes still occur. The village north-west of Jerusalem called Issawiya saw the entire village out protesting because Israel closed off all roads into and out of the village. It was part of the collective punishment promised by the mayor of Jerusalem. Tourism and local businesses have suffered as a result of the road closures, security checks and violence. No one is at all happy. Everyone loses.

The armenian arch
facing Mt. Zion

Blockades and checkpoints also affect my work as I have to cross between East and West Jerusalem. Though usually they allow foreigners free access, I've been stopped twice from entering the east by soldiers. The worst case scenario is I have to find a place to sleep if I can't go home by night.

Meantime my feet are no longer swollen but it still hurts. It's not just the neuroma on the right foot but now the left foot also is painful when I walk. Don't know why. I need to return to the podiatrist next week. Anyway despite all the bad news, something good must be at the end of this tunnel. That's how Jerusalem is ... a place of despair and hope.