Summer returns

Calla lilies blooming in
my small garden

The govt, has admitted that violence between arabs and israelis have been snowballing rapidly these few months. Over 995 attacks on Border Police were attempted or made since last year. And the rise of lone wolf attacks is particularly disturbing as these attacks no longer are organised by groups hence difficult to trace.

The tensions in East Jerusalem continues. I saw the street next to our house strewn with rocks ... there must have been a scuffle with the soldiers there. Stun grenades continue to be fired in various villages east and south of the City. Sirens from police cars and ambulances blare all day and night. In 2 week's it'll be Jerusalem Day when Israelis celebrate the unification of Jerusalem into a jewish city; arabs will celebrate Nakba Day which recalls the lost of palestinian land to the jewish occupation during this "unification". These few weeks are definitely tense and small bursts of violence will occur. Rabbis have warned jewish youths yesterday not to provoke and attack arabs during Jerusalem Day - something that has become very common the last few years. Let's hope these militant youths heed their rabbis.

The earthquake in Nepal has triggered fears in Israel that a similar catastrophe would meet with inadequate response. The country is not ready for a major quake. A report made by a govt commission stated that at least 7000 people will die, 170,000 homeless and 30,000 buildings destroyed. Not a nice scenario.

The weather has warmed up so suddenly and quickly ... yesterday shot up to 32 degrees. Everyone is in T-shirts again. Sounds very relaxing ... but the background droning of war is preventing us from expecting a lovely quiet summer.