Jerusalem Day but not Ramadan

Thank goodness there were no major clashes and violence during the Jerusalem Day march through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City. At 4am jewish groups were already marching into the City, chanting, singing, banging drums and waking up the muslim population.

The 1st group of jewish marchers
in front of our house at 11am

Then there was a lull in the morning when hundreds of muslims entered the City for possibly the last day of prayers before Ramadan is declared this evening. Police had filed for a ban for jewish groups to make the march through the Muslim Quarter for fear of clashes, but the High Court decided that it should go ahead but anticipated by 15 mins so it should end before sunset and not provoke the muslims who might begin Ramadan at sunset. Well Ramadan was not declared because the new moon could not be sighted ... the final call lies with Saudi Arabia to declare Ramadan or not.

Tens of thousands of
marchers at El Wad
street near the 3rd
Station

Jewish groups began coming in by noon but staggered as noon and after-noon muslim prayers saw the streets closed to jewish groups. Insults and derogatory chants were aimed at muslims but no major clashes occurred.

I didn't go out today as it was very hot. And I was not feeling well as my asthma has crippled me the whole night and day. Just walking up a flight of stairs tire me.

And we received news that last Saturday when the catholic community in the city of Rehovot (near Tel Aviv) was celebrating Corpus Christi with Bishop Shomali, a group of jewish youths attacked the congregation during Mass, throwing stones. Bit of course these perpetrators  will never be caught, just like those who burned the Trappist church doors, vandalised the Last Supper Room, burned the Church of 5 Loaves and 2 Fish ...