Full moon again

The big joke in today's headlines is: a small bag of marijuana was found in the toilet of the Knesset (Parliament House). Apparently a lot of red faces as police undertake an investigation. Some poor chap will have to be the scapegoat.

Full moon over
Damascus Gate

Today the controversial Gay Pride march will take place in Jerusalem. It's a very heated subject as ultra-orthodox jews and some others are violently opposed to it taking place in the Holy City. It doesn't affect the arabs and muslims because it's organized in the Israeli side of the City. Last year a 16 yr old girl was stabbed to death and 8 others injured when an ultra-orthodox jew went on a rampage during the march. He had attempted the same thing a year earlier and was arrested and put in jail but was released one week before the next parade where he killed the girl in broad daylight and in front of thousands of people. She was there in the crowd to show her support when she was killed. The murderer's family has been prohibited to enter Jerusalem today ... and the brother of the murderer has been arrested for planning an attack today. Others who had no interest in this parade are joining in - mainly as a sign to oppose the violent ultra-orthodox community who cannot tolerate any view of life other than their own. Jerusalem ... and the country ... is badly divided. Like I have been saying all the while ... it's an implosion waiting to happen.

Segregated bus in Jerusalem

As an example of how much influence the ultra-orthodox have on daily life in the City, yesterday I happened to take a photo of a bus running in front of Damascus Gate. The front part of the bus was crammed with ultra-orthodox men ... up to standing room. And the back of the bus, it was practically empty except for a few women seated there. That is a segregated bus ... one of the many in the City. And if they would have it their way ... everything else would be segregated too.

The moon is full again and it shines brightly over the City Walls these few nights. Must be having quite an effect on people ... lunatics that is ... just got a call from a taxi driver asking me to help talk to a spanish-speaking woman passenger. What did she want? To go see the Tomb of Jesus in Talpiot!!!!