Violence returns

The good weather has caused
wild cyclamen to flower

The sudden return to good weather saw a surge in violence yesterday. An arab car attempted a hit-and-run while in a town south of Jerusalem an arab woman stabbed a jewish settler. In a tit-for-tat attack, a jew attacked an arab taxi-driver. In fact several weeks back, several arab taxi-drivers have been attacked by jews. But the perpetrators have always been released without charge while arab perpetrators have always been caught and jailed. An insightful study to the cause of the arab violence points to a possible solution to this vicious cycle ... but undoubtedly no one will listen.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/East-Jerusalem-portfolio-head-addresses-core-issues-behind-Arab-discontent-383361

The good weather though has caused wild flowers to bloom everywhere. A beautiful sight when clusters of crocus and cyclamen appear between rocks and tree roots. Nighttime is still very cold though. Last night was 6 degrees. So far the finches and canaries are holding out in the cold. I cover their cages with blankets to keep them warm.

Lighting candles at the
birthplace of Christ

The Christmas atmosphere is in the air. Shops are selling christmas knick knacks ... some very tacky as usual, and practically everything is made in China. A trickle of local christians still go to Bethlehem and light candles at the birthplace of Christ ... praying for the peace that only the Prince of Peace can give.