Day of Terror

1st rain of the season

At 11am yesterday morning another stabbing occurred within metres of the killing that took place on Saturday last. This time an arab woman stabbed a jewish man who shot her. This took place at the 5th Station of the Cross. The City was again locked down for several hours. I was stuck exactly at the 5th Station on my way back from work at 11.30am. Then a series of other attacks followed throughout the day ... in Kiryat Gat in the south, Petah Tikva in Central Israel, then Maale Adumim north of Jerusalem and within Jerusalem itself. It was practically the most violent day since the last Intifada 15 years ago. To those who still think there is not an uprising, they should think again. The govt. appears to have lost control of the situation, jews are growing unhappy with the inability of the govt to cap the violence. Arabs say they have nothing to lose because their situation is getting worse under oppression and occupation. Most of these attackers are university students, intelligent, young ... but see no hope in their future. Getting a degree does not help them in starting a family, earning an income, living in a decent house, eating 3 meals, It's this sense of hopelessness that's spurring the violence. The constant remark I hear is "We have nothing to lose. We're already living in hell."

Thanks for the goodies

Yesterday morning we woke up to a chilly sunrise with dark grey skies. It was drizzling for a couple of hours by then and it continued to drizzle all morning. Very cool and it definitely gave a sense of winter. Everyone wore jackets and hoodies. They could feel the cold ... not just physical but perhaps also from the tension rising in the City.

Thanks for your kind gifts: Timtams, mooncakes, dried durians, jumpers, soup packs. rosary etc. ... Received everything in good state. Appreciate your kindness.Winter has started and a little comfort food goes a long way to make the dark cold afternoons livable.