Ethiopic protest

Protesters block the Light Rail

Yesterday evening saw a relatively large protest by ethiopic jews that ended in violence. I was on my way home from visiting the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul in Mamilla when the loud chanting of the protesters caught my attention further up the road at Jaffa Street / Tsahal Square junction. Traffic was totally blocked, even the Light Rail could not move ahead as protesters occupied the crossroad.

Lots of police and soldiers were at hand but they kept a distance ... mainly because they were the object of the protest. Several days ago a video showing an ethiopic jewish soldier being beaten up by israeli police for no apparent reason had gone viral. The ethiopic community accused the police and State of racism ... hence the protest.

Anyway as the protest moved down the road towards Mamilla Mall and the Agron street junction, violence brought out. Police claim some protesters threw rocks and firebombs. In response they fired stun grenades and tear gas. Protesters fled in chaos. What a sight!

One of the numerous
beautiful stain glass
windows of the Mamilla
Convent chapel

Back to my visit to the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul at Mamilla. It's my first time I've been inside the complex of buildings. It is enormous! There is a creche, a home for handicap, a hospice for pilgrims and the landmark chapel which is incredibly beautiful. Sr. Ursula who was superior at the Bethany convent is now superior of this convent in the middle of the City. I gave her more donations for Sr. Sophie for the syrian christian refugees and a little something for the Mamilla convent which cares for handicap peoples.