Stromata

The former PM Shimon Perez was rushed to hospital last night making headline news. However no one got it right. One said Perez suffered a mild stroke. Another said it was a massive stroke. Another said he was hanging on to life. Then another said he was placed in an induced coma. Another said he was responsive and could clasped the hands. ????? I think the journalists should sit down and cross-check each other before publishing this mess.

Shops are closed
in the Old City

Well over 100,000 muslims from the Territories have been wandering around the City these few days. You can't miss them. They're dressed to kill ... jackets, ties, stiletto heels, dancing gowns ... you name, they wear it ... in 38 degree weather, 2pm and downtown Ben Yehuda. But it's their feast so no one is laughing. They must return to the Territories by 8pm each day. A huge majority go to the Mediterranean Sea to swim. Some live only a km away from the sea but have never seen it because of the separation wall and lack of israeli permission to enter Israel. Palestine (except for Gaza) is landlocked and the only way to reach the sea is through Israel. http://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-throng-tel-aviv-beaches-during-festival/

In the Old City however, 90% of muslim shops are closed for the 3 day holiday. It makes the streets in the Muslim Quarter eerily quiet. But that's a nice change. Once this muslim feast is over, the jewish ones will begin: Rosh HaShana (New Year), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Tabernacles (Sukkoth) which will all last 3 weeks or more. That's usually the time when jewish-muslim clashes become violent. Let's hope this year is an exception.

I was happy a Singapore newspaper published an article on IBD (or IBS as we call it here in Israel): inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome. Whatever you call it, it is a dreadful illness of unknown cause that destroys normal life. I know because I suffer from it. The fear of having to spend many hours traveling or outdoors can be a major crisis because sudden attacks of stomach cramps and severe diarrhea and fever can require emergency medical attention.