Terrorist attack

Police cordon off Damascus Gate

Yesterday while waiting for the bus to Bethlehem at noon, a terrorist attack took place some 30 metres from me. An 18 yr old arab stabbed a border police in the neck, who managed in turn to shoot the attacker. Total chaos in front of Damascus Gate. Ambulances, soldiers, people running and shouting for help. The entire road from New Gate down to Herod's Gate was closed off as police searched for other accomplices of this attack. It was a great blow to the otherwise happy festival of Ramadan. All the arabs I spoke to said it was terrible that any muslim could do such a thing during this holy month. Now they'll have to face the repercussions. Police will certainly close the borders to Palestinians from the Territories ... no more easy entry into Israel and the Al Aqsa Mosque.

Christian protestors in Galilee

Meantime up in Galilee, thousands of christians gathered to protest the burning of the Church of the Multiplicaiotn. Though the PM and some ministers have voiced outrage, we know that nothing will be done to protect christian places from fanatical jews. It's been 4 years since the first anti-christian vandalism and till now not a single case has been solved, not a single arrest ... all the cases remain open.   This intolerable state of affairs have finally forced christians throughout the country to express their frustration. They gathered in the thousands, holding crosses and Vatican flags near the church that was burnt. At first it was a peaceful prayer service but eventually things got a lot heated up. There were no riots ... it's in the middle of nowhere ... in the fields along the Sea of Galilee so there was no damage or attacks. But people were very angry that Israeli police is not giving christians protection from fanatics. The only thing that will force Israel to pay attention is to close all the churches ... once tourists stop coming, the money also stops coming .... that's the language people here understand.