Fish Flu alert

Damascus Gate is practically
cleared of people as barriers are
put up

Now it's FISH FLU and it's big time affecting fish here in Israel especially the species Tilapia, commonly touted here as St. Peter's Fish. The virus causes the brain to swell in the fish here in Israel while in Ecuador the fish's liver is infected. It's known as Tilapia Lake Virus (TLV). Fish stock has suddenly plummeted and cost of tilapia, the most common food source for the poor here, has risen drastically. There is still no vaccine available. And the fear is migrating birds now in Spring may eat infected fish and carry the virus to other countries. Anyway it's best tourists stop eating St. Peter's fish.

So that's an added burden to our troubled lives here. Yesterday morning as I was going out of Damascus Gate to work, soldiers began rushing in and chasing people from the Gate, kicking the wares of bedouin women seated there, yelling and shouting to get out. Metal barriers were used to block the Gate and police with dogs and added soldiers stood guard there. Rather dramatic.

Mounted police keep watch at the
top of Damascus Gate

I only found out why when I read the breaking news online: 7 palestinians had illegally entered Israel, one with a knife and they were heading for Jerusalem. They were arrested by police before they entered the City some 20 kms north, but security was afraid there might have been others who managed to enter undetected through other parts of the country. Hence the Gate was closed off and everyone passing through was thoroughly searched.

Looks like it will be a very long summer ....