Holy Family feast

The Christmas wreath on our
main dining table

Today is the feast of the Holy Family and the last day of the Octave of Christmas. I had to celebrate the armenian Mass as the priest could not come from Jordan. Haven't practiced my armenian in quite a while so last night I had to go through some of the text and hymns, lest I make mistakes during the Mass.

It was quite a busy day as I had to do several errands before the year ended. Though there was no rain, the temperature fell so drastically it felt like zero degrees. The wind was strong, dry and cutting cold. Even 3 layers of clothes with a down-jacket is not enough to keep warm. But that did not stop people from going out to the city centre to celebrate the New Year.

Full moon on the
last night of the year

Well in Israel the Western New Year is not celebrated ... in fact neither does the Church. It's a civil celebration and originally was a feats for the pagan god Janus who has two faces ... one looking into the past and the peter into the future. To eliminate this pagan feast, the Church instituted the Solemnity of the Mother of God "Theotokos". The Christian New Year is the start of Advent. However there are still christians who have no profound understanding of it and still celebrate the "countdown" with midnight Mass. Utterly ridiculous and pagan. Event eh jews try to avoid this pagan feast of Janus but declaring Dec. 31st to be Sylvester Day ... named after Pope St. Sylvester whose feast day is on Dec. 31st. For the jews it's better to take a christian than a pagan roman significance of the day.

Well as the year ended, a series of unsettling events had rolled through. One of them was an open letter by 63 jewish high school students who declared they will not serve military service because of it's unethical occupation of Palestinian lands. In a quick reply hundreds of jewish students wrote a counter-letter declaring they will fight in the army and those who reject doing military service are traitors to the State and should lose their citizenship.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5063806,00.html

One newspaper has carried an article of the "last christian" in a Palestinian village where muslims have moved in. A bit dramatic because though the number of christians have fallen, it's not like we're down to one last person.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/1.830920

Cold again

Sunrise at
Rockefeller Park

The Octave of Christmas is almost over. And the New Year is only a couple of days away. Time flies. Not that anything will change much. The tensions in our region will continue. And my workload and illness will not go away. And I will never see a vacation in 2018 ... like in the past 14 years.

It's very cold these 2 mornings and it even drizzled this morning. The prayers and fasting are having a little result ... Anyway this week was my turn to celebrate Mass at the Ivrea convent. It's almost 1 km away and the Masses are real early ... like 6am so we need to leave our house at 5.30am in order to get there. But it's a nice walk if it doesn't rain. Coming home you get to see the sun rising over the Augusta Victoria Hospital ono the Mt. of Olives. And the walk passes by Rockefeller Park next to the Rockefeller Museum. The park used to be the agricultural fields of the Crusaders 900 years ago. But as a modern park it's been badly neglected and even destroyed by the arabs living around there. The Municipality is pouring lots of money now to redo the entire park, landscaping and creating new areas for exercise and sports. Lets see how long it will last. As we all say in our area ... one week and everything will get smashed up or stolen.

There were clashes yesterday ... quite violent in the Palestinian Territories and the border checkpoints. Reports say 5 were injured. Thousands were involved throwing stones and Molotovs at Israeli soldiers. Thank goodness Jerusalem had nothing going on. Today some clashes also occurred. This Trump disturbance is having too much negative effects in our region.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.831960  and   https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-of-palestinians-clash-with-israeli-forces-in-gaza-west-bank/

Basking in the cold

Yesterday was again another afternoon full of events: work till3.30pm when I had to upgrade the work of our library; then 5pm when I had to meet the Archbishop, then 7pm to meet some volunteers from the library. Came straight home and slept. But amid the exhaustion I did have some nice moments: bumping into 3 israeli security friends. Haven't met one of them for a really long time and we chatted for over half an hour. Another had shaved his head and beard so I couldn't recognised him at first and walked right past until he called.

Well the cold is not stopping people from enjoying the weekend. Some of the famous baskers continue to perform at Ben Yehuda Mall and Zion Square.

Thomas a Beckett day

Smile !!!

Today is the feast of St. Thomas a Beckett, the Archbishop of Canterbury who was killed in the cathedral in 1170 when he opposed the king for interfering in Church affairs. That's the day I usually read T. S. Elliot's "Murder in the Cathedral". I do it every year ... it's good reading ... and a good study of characters. If you haven't read it, do it!!!

Yesterday the rabbis called for jews to fast and pray for rain. The 5 year drought is devastating the land. Well it's not raining today but it could ... the skies are very dark and the air is damp but not a drop of drizzle yet. Let's hope it comes.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-pray-at-western-wall-for-rain-to-break-drought/

And with the darkening skies, the temp. is falling once again. Lots of people are sick ... same symptoms like me: lots of phlegm, fever, dry cough, difficulty in breathing. I'm getting better but the phlegm is still very problematic. I might just go and get an expectorant syrup. Well with a couple of my workers sick, there's no one working in the library so I'll have to substitute them today and tomorrow.

Ultra-orthodox jewish are pushing to implement strict Sabbath laws are causing unhappiness and fear in many cities. The closure of groceries and supermarkets on the Sabbath might now even affect the small shops at petrol stations. And by the way petrol stations are not allowed to open either on the sabbath. That should stop you from driving on the Sabbath ... and those who do go to arab petrol stations. The arabs like that.   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5062555,00.html

Holy Innocents Feast

Cloistered nun in perpetual adoration
at the Milk Grotto

It's the Feast of the Holy Innocents. Not many catholics know this but the killing of the innocents took place 2 years after Christ was born. The Magi came only 2 years after Christ's birth ... that's why Herod killed children 2 years and younger "according to the calculations of the Magi". During these 2 years the Holy Family lived in the Milk Grotto. So this is the sanctuary where the Magi came to adore the Christ child and where the Holy Family fled to Egypt.

And talking about Magi and gifts, thanks to Giovanni and Gigi and all of you who sent greetings and gifts. Very kind of you. I prayed for you all at Bethlehem's Grotto of the Nativity.

An arab walking his pet camel at
Damascus Gate

The weather was freezing yesterday. Everyone was covered in layers of woolen clothes and heaters were on everywhere. It did not rain but it was dreadfully overcast ... a grey gloomy sky all day. Many people are sick with my symptoms .... dry cough, phlegm, fever. I'm glad mine is almost over though I still have problems with the phlegm.

So what's so happy about the New Year? We're inundated by bad news. Just see below.

News is out that Israeli housing is one of the highest in the world ... but I don't think it can beat Hong Kong.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-cost-of-living-among-highest-in-developed-world-report-finds/

And with the move to build more housing for jews in palestinian land, the palestinians have no legal way to protect their property than perhaps an ancient Ottoman Law.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.831175

And then there is political right hand washing the other: The PM needs ultra-orthodox jews' support and their rabbis then asked for support for the settlements. Newspapers say millions of shekels were transferred but I am not sure if this is actually verified.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.831462

And here is a case about justice ... or injustice about the violent settlers in palestinian lands. Read it and judge it yourself.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iraq/.premium-1.830921

It's getting worse ... now the parliament is moving a bill to expel palestinians and revoke their citizenship in Israel.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.830785

And this article says it all about being a christian in the Holy Land celebrating Christmas this year.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-many-palestinian-christians-trump-is-a-christmas-killjoy/

And even for some Israelis things are not good news: colored Jews are not equal.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.831462

So no one is innocent after all .... so what's with this feast day?

Bethlehem at last

Christmas Crib in Manger Square

2 days after Christmas, I finally went to Bethlehem. It was just an afternoon but it was quite enough. The half hour bus ride was half full with tourists, and the walk to the Basilica of the Nativity was crowded with foreigners.

Once in Manger Square, you cannot miss the enormous Christmas tree and equally huge Crib donated by Malta. In the Square there were more muslims than christians taking photos. There were many push-cart stalls selling snacks ... all muslim. I guess it's just as well. Most muslims are not terrorists who want to stop our christian celebrations. In fact inside the Basilica there were several groups of muslims from England touring the site and learning about the birth of Jesus.

Christmas tree at
Manger Square

In the Basilica I managed to wish Bro John a happy feast day because today is the feast of St. John. The superior came out and we had a good chat. The superior of Casa Nova Bethlehem also came and we chatted as well. It was a nice get together.

Then it was a short visit to the Milk Grotto where the Holy Family lived for 2 years before the Magi came to venerate the Baby. The cloistered nuns of perpetual adoration started their daily procession and it was wonderful listening to their chant. I also managed to greet Fr. Fadi who is now in charge of the sanctuary and we had very long chat. I knew him since he was a young boy thinking of joining the Order 20 years ago. he showed me all the letters ... 450 of them ... of the miracles claimed in 2017. Many couples who cannot conceive come here to pray and the following year they have a child born naturally.

On the way home I bought the iconic Bethlehem roast chicken which I like very much. It's quite big so I gave 2 thirds to our indian sisters for dinner and I ate the rest. I must say that yesterday M. Teresa's sisters also cooked rice and curry veggies and chicken for me which I like very much but I gave the chicken to our indian sisters for dinner. They miss indian food and it's nice to see them happy. In fact 3 days ago an indian friend cooked mutton curry and tandoori chicken for me and I gave half to our sisters as well. They were so happy to eat their first indian meal in Jerusalem and said it was the best christmas present ever.

St. Stephen feastday

Burning candles at the spot where
St. Stephen was killed

It's the feast of St. Stephen ... his martyrdom just 200 meters from my house. It's bizarre that the day after Christmas we celebrate martyrdom but that's what the message is all about: Christ was born to suffer and die in order to save us all ... and Stephen was the first example of a disciple following the Master's footsteps. There was the annual pilgrimage to the spot of his killing and solemn vespers was sung there by the Franciscans ... the sanctuary was once under the Franciscans but was later occupied by the Greek Orthodox till today. But once a year on the Feast of St. Stephen the Franciscans have the right to celebrate Vespers there. Today it was a little crowded ... most people were sick from the rain last night at Bethlehem.

Young Adult group meeting the
Archbishop

And it was no holiday for me even though I really really wanted one. By 6am I was out at the Ivrea convent for mass with the old sisters there. Then it was out in the central library to prepare for a meeting with a group and the Custody leaders. Then it was bringing the group to visit some sites not seen by tourists before coming back to Jerusalem to present the group to the Archbishop of the Holy Land. The group of young adults had specially come to present funds which they had raised in 2 weeks to support the poor in the Holy Land. The Archbishop and the Franciscan Custody were very grateful to these young people who were so generous - they had thought of the poor in the Holy Land this Christmas and wanted to make a difference. Now after 14 hours of work outside, I finally arrived home. Utterly exhausted and wishing tomorrow will not come. School reopens.

Mind you yesterdays storm was welcomed by everyone who understands the need for water. Here's an interesting article on the rain.  http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/blessed-rain-washes-away-six-days-of-dust/

And on a frightening more ... Iranian backed forces have moved to the Syrian Israeli border. Not good news at all.  http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Syrian-Iranian-backed-forces-advance-in-border-near-northern-Israel-519960

And as we remember St. Stephen's killing ... here's a real story of injustice  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iraq/.premium-1.830921

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas

It rained all night till morning today. And it was heavy rain with very strong winds. Temperatures fell below 10 degrees. Those who went to Bethlehem for the Midnight mass were all soaking wet. And many became sick today. Not me because I didn't go last night ... and I was already sick. Lost my voice, had a fever and just general dizziness and nausea. Back in my house, only half a dozen of us were at home so we celebrated Vigil Mass at 9pm. After that we had hot cocoa and panettone as is traditional. Since our indian sisters were in Bethlehem for Midnight Night, I offered to set up the breakfast table. Everyone was coming home from their various places of worship from 2am to 3.30am. So I had to prepare all the breakfast stuff as many would eat breakfast when they come back and sleep in. At 8am in the morning we had the sunrise Mass. Surprisingly many showed up ... I thought they'd have slept in. 

Police at Ecce Homo Arch

I am more sick today. Still lost my voice and have a fever. It's terrible. I just feel so weak. Today I had to run to do several errands but in the cold, I just didn't have the strength. But the Indian community in Tel Aviv was very nice. They remembered me and packed some lamb curry and Tandoori chicken which the Salesian seminarians brought back to me. I shared it with our indian sisters and they were very happy. "Indian food finally ... on Christmas Day" they said. Well I'm glad I made some people happy.

Not everything was fun and peace. The Police have stepped up security measures and police are everywhere in the Old City. Damascus Gate is still locked down. Tense Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve

Crib at the
Flagellation chapel

Yes 2017 is almost over. It's Christmas Eve now ... and I was sick all night. High fever and lung congestion. Temp. has been dropping rapidly and it's very damp ... almost like it's been raining. As a result I decided not to go to Tel Aviv to help the Konkani Mass which usually has 3000 indians participating. The seminarians asked me to join them at Bethlehem at 12pm but I thought if I have to stand there for 14 hours in the cold ... I'd get rome sick. So I turned them down as well. However now I am feeling better so maybe tonight I shall go to Shepherds Field for midnight Mass. Just hope it won't rain because Mass is outdoors. Mass could finish by 1.30pm and then when we reach back Jerusalem it would be 2pm. Then I will have to walk home so it'll be around 3am when I get home. I'll be very tired.

Though I'm dreading rain for tonight, rain is what we most need. The drought is so bad, the rabbis are calling for a day of fasting and prayers for rain at the Wailing Wall this coming Thursday.

The largest wreath
at our refectory

This morning after Mass I was busy cleaning my room for Christmas. Then I had to help the Indian sisters set up the crib in our chapel. We tried to keep it as simple as possible because our statues have always been stolen each year. There's just a statue of the baby Jesus surrounded by flowers. Then later we had to prepare the dining room (refectory) for Christmas because our sisters will be going to Bethlehem this evening and will not have time to set the refectory up by tomorrow morning. Also had to brief the sisters what to do before they go to Bethlehem, namely to get coffee and cocoa, panetonne and pan d'oro ready on the table because when the rest of the guys come home at various hours during the night, they'll want to eat and drink something warm.

And one last bit of good news: christians in northern Iraq finally get to celebrate Midnight Mass and Christmas after 4 years of oppression by ISIS. Christ will triumph and the Light will dispel the darkness. Now let's hope the same will happen in Syria and Yemen.

Christmas wreaths

The wreath for the central table

The past few days have been so filled with Christmas preparations and closure of documentary work before the year ends, I didn't have time to update this blog. It's been late nights to bed and early mornings to work. But hopefully everything is settled so we can end the year with no backlog.

Then it was sending Christmas greetings to the various people and institutions. And there was no time to clean my office so I guess this week I won't receive visitors there. Mind you I still have to work on Christmas. There are students writing their mini-thesis with me and they want to take advantage of the Christmas holidays to write their work ... so they come to consult me. So in reality though school is closed, I still have to teach.

One of the 7 small wreath for the
dining table

I had to teach our new Indian sisters how to make Christmas wreaths for our refectory (dining room). I had to collect pine leaves from Ratisbon monastery in the north, then pine cones from Independence Park a short distance down, then south to Mamilla cemetery to pick berries... all at 4am in order to avoid people staring at me! I had to make 7 small wreaths to be put along our dining tables and one large wreath for the central table.

As Christmas is 36 hours away, we receive news that muslims in Egypt attacked christians and a church. It happens every year. Christian persecution is real and rampant but no one wants to talk about it. If it happened to any other religion, it would be in the headlines.

Damascus Gate barricaded

Meantime Israel was braced for violence yesterday - Friday - when Palestinian leaders called for a Day of Fire to protest Trump's unilateral declaration. Along the northern boundaries there were fierce fighting, as also in the south in Gaza. But in Jerusalem there was a tense silence. Israel is trying to avoid provocation by removing soldiers as much as possible even though barriers are still in place at Damascus Gate. I was surprised to find not a single soldier along the street at Gate when I went out to pick berries at 4am this morning.

Excursion

Excavations below the Kishle

Yesterday we had an amazing exclusive tour of the Kishle (Turkish Barracks) excavations which are not open to the public. Excavator and Regional head archeologist Dr. Amit Re'em guided us (students and profs) to what could possibly be the foundations of King Herod's Palace at Jaffa Gate. Today it is 6 meters below the Police Station. What has been discovered are only foundational walls and not actual buildings ... so for a hardline archeologist, this may not be enough proof that Herod's Palace was here. Nevertheless it was very interesting.

At the moat of the Crusader fortress
built over Herod's Palace

Anyway after that Amit brought us to visit the Tomb of David and discussed how it is unlikely the tomb of David but possibly of other later royalty. Amit is a great story-teller and the whole 3 hour trip was very educational, inspiring and entertaining. We enjoyed every minute of it.

One great sigh of relief ... the American VP is not coming after all ... at least not for Christmas. His trip would have marred our Christmas celebrations with violence and road closures. He'll come in January next year when our christian celebrations are over.

This morning however there were violent clashes at Qalandya checkpoint. A friend from Ramallah called to tell me. Other hot spots also saw violent clashes. I hate to think what Friday will be ike here in the Old City. I just don't want to locked in the house or blocked from going home. We should have free access to our houses.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Report-Riots-in-the-West-Bank-one-soldier-injured-518567

Tense Tuesday

Library staff Christmas gathering

It's tense today ... yesterday was a lot more relaxed. That's because tomorrow the american VP is coming and the palestinians are planning widespread demonstrations. Police have stepped up their numbers in and around the Old City. The King David Hotel area where the VP will be staying will be closed off ... as will the PM's house which is next to our monastery in the Rehavia neighborhood. I dread the next few days. Our daily lives will be disrupted by all the closures and demonstrations. Last night the jewish yeshiva students made their monthly march through the Muslim Quarter ... a very provocative act allowed by the police who accompany the hundreds of teenagers singing loudly, banging drums, spraying graffiti on our walls and doors. It's to show the arabs in our area that they're the bosses on this area. It's totally unnecessary and very provocative.  Our streets are totally closed off and we cannot go out or come in till the march is over.

Meantime things turned a little vicious when police found an arab strapped with an explosive device. If it's a suicide vest, then this will be a game changer as we never had them since the first Intifada 25 years ago. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Police-arrest-man-with-explosive-device-strapped-to-body-in-West-Bank-518264

Santa Claus melting

And the jewish implosion continues. The city of Bet Shemesh has become extremely ultra-orthodox, who insist of segregation of sexes in public transport and among other things, women must dress according to their version of ultra-orthodox dress. Children and women who do not do so are harassed and even attacked in the open streets. One woman has brought them to Court and the Court has decided it is not legal for the ultra-orthodox to impose their way of life on others, to remove segregation bars and posters. Yesterday the ultra-orthodox have threatened to kill the woman who won the court order.  http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Women-who-sued-to-remove-Israeli-citys-modesty-signs-get-death-threats-518361

Today our university's library staff had their Christmas gathering. Each brought a dish ... I bought a pack of noodles and spring rolls from mandarin restaurant. My best arab friend who's muslim gave me a chocolate Santa Claus last night. We had a good laugh as it was melting and getting quite out of shape.

Hot Pot

Homemade Hot Pot

While clashes continue to rock the borders and Palestinian Territories, here in Jerusalem things are very quiet. Life seems to go on as usual despite the added blockades. It's very inconvenient to have to make a long detour because of the blockades but no one is complaining. At least we have no riots here. But on the jewish front, there's a lot more problems. For a 3rd weekend running tens of thousands (literally) of Israelis marched through Tel Aviv to call for the impeachment of the PM and other officials for corruption. Same time a protest by would-be laid-off workers of the failing pharmaceutical giant Teva was joined by other public institutions including the airport, govt. offices, health centres, banks, the Port authorities, the Judiciary, even the Stock Exchange. The whole country  was reduced to its knees from 8am to 12pm. You can bet the financial collapse of Teva will sooner or later be linked to the corruption accusations laid on the govt.
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Hundreds-of-thousands-of-Israelis-strike-over-massive-layoffs-518254

Well today the chinese-speaking religious in Jerusalem met for our monthly Mass and dinner. It was also a pre-Christmas celebration since during Christmas itself everyone will be too busy to meet up. The sisters prepared the traditional chinese winter favourite - hot pot (steamboat). It was appreciated by everyone especially in this cold ... though I eat take any. I preferred to have a bowl of soup noodles on my own.

This morning we heard the awful news that muslims attacked a Methodist Church in Pakistan and killed many people. It happens every year ... and in the same place - Qeuetta. It's so obvious the govt is not interested in providing security for christians. Utter shame on that muslim State ... the major refuge of extremists. Why aren't they taking in their Rohingya brothers? Why aren't they doing anything positive for their own impoverished citizens? https://www.timesofisrael.com/8-killed-in-pre-christmas-suicide-bomb-attack-on-pakistan-church/

In Iran 4 muslim converts to christianity were arrested yesterday. Another annual show of muslim persecution of christians a week before Christmas. As I see form the news, only jews, hindus and buddhists are able to respond to muslim extremism, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Four-Iranian-converts-to-Christianity-arrested-weeks-before-Christmas-518246

I've been asking myself how come Europe is stuck under snow and Asia is stuck with floods and rains ... but we here remain in a drought. Not one drop of rain.

Weekend

Damascus Gate barricaded

Yesterday Friday was tense. Thousands of muslims from the country came into the Old City to pray at the Al Aqsa mosque. To avoid demonstrations and riots, the police blockaded the arena of Damascus Gate. Only 2 ways were opened for people to exit the area. It kept the crowds in line but the queue was long and tedious. Elsewhere outside Jerusalem clashes were violent and 4 arabs were killed. Today the police expect no less trouble. I hope I don't have to go out as I don't want to get caught in the violence.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/security-forces-brace-for-renewed-palestinian-demonstrations/   and   https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5057416,00.html   One newspaper put it succinctly (a rightwing paper!!) - 3 years of relative calm shattered by Trump's speech    http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Three-years-of-relative-quiet-shattered-by-Trumps-Jerusalem-declaration-518117

At our school foyer in front of
my office

I came home at 8pm last night ... early by normal standards. It was cold and I was very tired and hungry. I had just finished an intensive meeting which even this evening I must follow up. I have a fever and my gums are swollen and I cannot bite or chew. Instead for dinner I took some yoghurt and diced fruit. The gums have been swollen for 3 days now. My nose was bleeding as well all day yesterday. And my throat is very painful. I hope it's not some kind of virus.

It's that time of year when Christmas decorations are put up in school and inside the common places in our house. Pretty tacky. I prefer simplicity but some people just cannot do with flashing lights and gaudy paper and plastic stuff. Awful. Meantime people from outside Jerusalem are asking if it'll be safe to go to Bethlehem for Christmas. No one can really answer that ... things are volatile and situations can change from hour to hour. We just hope all will calm down by Christmas.

Christmas Tree

Christmas lights at
New Gate

Another terror attack today ... today near Ramallah in the Palestinian Territories. A soldier was injured and the terrorist was shot. We had been enjoying calm for some time now and looks like the violence is back .... thanks to Trump.

The weather continues to be cold and dry. And the giant Christmas Tree at New Gate was lit last night. The whole of Freres' Street was illuminated by beautiful lights and there was even a Christmas crib below the tree. However there was nothing outs on the New Gate nor the walls of the Christian Quarter. The police have banned it because it offends the "religious sensitivities" of the ultra-orthodox jews. Strange because they have their Hanukkah lamps everywhere in public and that's all right. We're considered idolators and Christmas Trees are idols. But the Hanukkah lamps are not. We're a minority so we'd better shut-up. The govt. tells us that we're privileged because only in Israel can we practice our faith ... well ... as far as the ultra-orthodox allow us. We're not persecuted ... it's just that we shouldn't "offend the sensitivities" of the majority.

The Manger below
the tree

A major financial earthquake shook us yesterday. The huge pharmaceutical company TEVA is laying off half of it's thousands of employees worldwide. From the news I read, the company is collapsing due to poor management. It's one of the world's largest pharmaceuticals and Israel is always breaking headlines with new drugs and medicines .... so there's actually no excuse for tea to do badly. Hanukkah is not very happy for those 14,000 workers who are being laid off. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/1.828978


Meantime we learn that some 70 arabs have been arrested throughout the country for the clashes organized against Trump and Israel. They were mainly night raids ... and I saw one take place opposite our house at 4am. I know the guy they were looking for ... and fortunately they released him because it was mistaken identity. Remember there are over 700 security cameras that watch your every move in and out of the Old City.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/67-east-jerusalem-residents-arrested-since-trumps-announcement-33065

New Nuncio

dumpster on fire yesterday

There were several small clashes in the Old City yesterday. Symbolic gestures of protest against Trump and Israel. A dumpster was set on fire in front of Schmidt College ... but no one bothered about it. A fire engine came to put it out while soldiers stood on guard opposite the road, eating their dinner. People walked on ... shopping for food before returning home for dinner. No one paid any attention.

View of West Jerusalem in the cold

It was getting quite cold yesterday evening ... the European cold snap is arriving. I'm feeling the cold and the heaters are back on each night. Now I don't even think of going out at 4.30am to buy fresh bread ... the thought of going out in this cold cancels out my need for food. Hibernation is the answer. Last night the sky was terribly cloudy ... turning orange red. And drops of drizzle fell. The ground was very wet with dew and therefore very slippery.

The new Nuncio has arrived and he made his solemn entry into the City 2 hours ago. Traditionally he arrives at Jaffa Gate and all religious authorities plus the local police chief and Municipality representative will greet him. Then led by a procession of franciscans he is brought into the Holy Sepulchre where he enters the Empty Tomb to prayer. He's an italian who served as Nuncio in Singapore for several years.

Jewish leftist newspapers are all carrying articles that it was the evangelical christians in America who pushed Trump to declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. It's the typical shallow theology and lack of any serious academic exegetical or linguistic study that end up with this type of conclusions. Even mainstream protestant churches do not accept this spiritualising / apocalyptic methodology (if there is a methodology at all). Everything is based on emotions. The newspapers are calling this a Protestant conquest of Israel.  https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-1.828845
https://www.newsmax.com/lelagilbert/trump-jerusalem-embassy-israel/2017/12/08/id/830702/

On the other hand, China has made a statement rejecting Trump's move and declaring its support for East Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine.  https://www.haaretz.com/world-news/asia-and-australia/1.829009

Cold again

Autumn leaf

Another cold morning today and I was again late in waking up ... simply too tired from work last night and lack of sleep. The colours of the leaves in most trees have turned a red hue and creates a wonderful sight. However falling leaves are also a big problem. We've been having a very strong cold wind ... possibly blowing from Europe which is in an extreme cold snap ... and the wind is causing the leaves to be blown everywhere.

News report that the jewish extremist who burned down the Church of 5 Loaves and 2 Fish is sentenced to 4 years in jail. However this is too light a sentence. Anyone who'd burn a synagogue would have a longer sentence, his house demolished and his citizenship revoked.

Poor arab woman
harvesting olives
from the park

It's the 2nd day of the jewish feast of Hanukkah when the jews recall their rebellion against the greek Seleucid conquest of Jerusalem. The Seleucids fled and the jews had their own form in republic ... and of course there was the miracle of the jug of oil that burnt for 8 days. This year it has become a very political feast ... likening Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as a modern version of the Maccabbee triumph over the Seleucid empire ... and the lighting of the candles is now a sign of sovereignty over the whole of Jerusalem.

As demonstrations fizzle out, a new problem had emerged: the American VP is coming next week ... and all the arab leaders have refused to meet him. Now the muslim holder of the key to the church of the Holy Sepulchre has announced he will not meet Pence at the church door as well. The muslim Joudeh family has held the key to the only doors of the Holy Sepulchre for 850 years now ... and for all VIPs coming to visit, he is the first person to greet them at the door. This is the first time the key holder has refused this honour.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/israel-and-the-middle-east/church-of-the-holy-sepulchre-keyholder-refuses-to-meet-pence-33031

Dreadful news as we learn of Saudi-led aircrafts bombing the Yemeni city of Sanaa, 39 people were killed. https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/1.828741

Meantime the ultra-orthodox jewish community is in a whirl as one of their revered leaders, the 104 yr old rabbi died yesterday. Though this will not affect their daily demonstrations against compulsory military service or their push to impose strict Sabbath Laws on all major cities, everyone knows there will a fight for power of succession. Internal strife will undo them. And not everyone is upset. http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Who-will-lead-the-Haredim-517880

Blackout

Blackout at Damascus Gate

Monday has finally passed. What a horror ... 20 hours of non-stop work. Walking home was like floating in the clouds ... I was so hungry and light-headed. Started work at 3am and ended at 10.30pm. This morning I woke up late and was just a couple of minutes before Mass started. Somehow I lost my alb ... which I was very sure I brought to my room. But it's missing. Lost time looking for it.

Right now there's a blackout at Damascus Gate ... I'm sure it's done on purpose. The international news crew cannot film live broadcasts in the dark. But the small group of arab youths continue to gather there and shout and jeer. The Israeli soldiers must be somewhere .... can't see them in the dark. It's a deterrent tactic ... the guys won't be able to run very quickly if the soldiers come to catch them.

Rustic local
Christmas tree

Christmas decorations are going up but I noticed in the public places there are no lights or anything. The past few years we've had ultra-orthodox jews spiting and demonstrating ... even calling the police to forcefully remove the lights, buntings and christmas trees because they were idols. Absolutely intolerant. And now that America has recognized Jerusalem as the Israeli capital, this will embolden the ultra-orthodox to enforce their jewish laws on all of us non-jews. That's the end of Christmas, and Easter and ringing of church bells. This is the beginning. Thanks to trump.

Yesterday I saw a very extraordinary Christmas Tree decoration: a small tree on a typical cart used by local workers to carry stuff in and out fo the Old City. Very beautiful in it's simplicity. Unpretentious and so very local.

Sufganiot season

Bedouin woman
walking past inter-
national newscasters

It's the 2nd Sunday of Advent and the first reading's opening words are "Console, console ...". That's what we all need at this moment ... the wretched situation where people feel so hopeless they don't even bother to protest. Everyone living in the Old City are simply saying they want to live. There was nothing eventful at Damascus Gate yesterday ... but at Salahaddin Street 50 meters down the road saw some clashes and burning of dumpsters. But it all fizzled out ... acts by a dozen youths with no support from the public. Today nothing happened as predicted in East Jerusalem, but there was a terror atatck at West Jerusalem's Central Bus Station where an arab stabbed an israeli security guard. There will be consequences.

In contrast there were tens of thousands of israelis protesting in Tel Aviv and other israeli cities against govt. corruption and the investigation into the PM's corruption cases. Apparently there is a motion by his governing party to push a bill that prevents the PM from being indicted. https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5054322,00.html

International journalists continue to pack the top steps of Damascus Gate, broadcasting live ... but there is little to say except VP Pence is supposed to come but other than the Israeli govt. no one else wants to meet him ... not even the Coptic Pope in Cairo.

Smaller, more ex-
pensive sufganiot
this year

I had to do a couple of errands this morning. However I made a mistake on one documentation and was told only at lunch time when I was home. Had to walk out 1km to correct the mistake. Was thoroughly exhausted when I got home ... only to find out there was a conference at another institute another km away and everyone was going ... I had to pull out as I couldn't walk another km. Instead I rested at our door, chatting with several of my jewish security friends. One thing we know never to talk about is politics and religion. It was fun just to chat about little things and appreciating the moment instead of worrying about the future and fretting over the past. Those guys are really my friends. They care enough to always tell me to rest and take a holiday ... because they can see how stressed and sick I am.

Anyway Tuesday is hanukkah the jewish festival of Lights ... that actually recalls the cleansing of the Temple after it was defiled by the greek Seleucid King and his army. For us non-jews it about eating sufganiot (or ponschski in polish). The economic situation is well reflected in sufganiot ... this year it's 6 shekels for one (up one shekel) ... and each is one third smaller than last year. Luckily the arab bakery still make the original size sufganiot and sell it only for 4 shekels. But the dough is less light.

Clarify

Cold and cloudy day

News has been spreading about yesterday's request for prayer that has been exaggerated and totally untrue. Please stop it. It's not helping anyone.

Today here the temperature has dropped constantly for the past 2 days and it is very cold even during the day. But after the weekend we expect the temp. to rise again. Everyone hopes it'll rain again ... heavy. We need the water. Another drought year would be disastrous for us.

We don't expect the demonstrations by the arabs to last for long. As many have already noted, the arabs have lost all energy, interest and hope to fight. It's a lost war for them. They just want to survive with a roof over their heads and 2 meals a day. Everyone is tired. You can actually see it in the people's faces .... expressionless, walking pass demonstrators without even a glance. Indifference. Disinterest. People are tired of being widows and orphans.

Everyone here is talking about the news that Germany is auctioning off the village of Alwine starting from $150,000. Imagine ... what would you want to do with a forested village with 20 dilapidated buildings? It calls to mind Greece selling off its islands. That's how far the economy has gotten.

Well it's the weekend and on Tuesday it'll be Hanukkah. Let's hope nothing will happen.

Prayers

TV news crews stationed at
Damascus Gate

Yesterday saw sporadic clashes throughout the Palestinian Territories and also here in East Jerusalem. Worldwide condemnation of Trump's announcement has done little to move this disaster. The people in East Jerusalem feel totally hopeless and helpless. Many just say they'd be happy if they get a roof over their heads and 2 meals a day ... others think there's nothing left to lose and so choose violent confrontation. There is resignation to a hopeless fate and there is anger and this hopelessness.

And the worse is there are american politicians and newspapers attempting to second guess Trump's disaster by "seeing "a genius" behind this declaration ... that it is a ploy, a clever ruse to force Israel and Palestine into negotiation. Utter laughable. The simple fact is he doesn't know what he is doing, created this tragic mess and people are trying to whitewash it.

Mobile satellite units ready to
broadcast live

And news is out that behind Trump's declaration is the christian evangelicals who are pro-zionist. These newbies in the christian world think they have monopoly over the Holy Spirit and their private interpretation of the Bible will bring about the coming of their messiah. These fools will soon learn that they will not be welcomed in the Holy Land not just by the arabs but by the jews as well.

http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/middle-east/israeli-palestinian-relations/day-of-rage-in-gaza-west-bank-jerusalem-32886

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5053472,00.html

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israeli-troops-clash-with-Palestinian-protesters-in-West-Bank-517328

http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Intense-push-by-US-evangelicals-helped-set-stage-for-Trumps-decision-on-Jerusalem-517293

Cold wet day

Cold, wet and tense

It is cold and raining and the sky is dark and overcast ... exactly how we all feel here in East Jerusalem. Trump will declare Jerusalem the capital of Israel in a few hours and it will spark violent clashes from the arab population. The thing is Jerusalem has always functioned as Israel's capital ... and everyone knows that ... and there is no need for this public declaration by America which has cared little about the arab-israeli conflict. Trump simply needs a distraction from the Russian spy investigation ... and Netanyahu needs a distraction from the corruption investigation that would indict him. But it is playing with fire. The palestinians have called for 3 days of rage.

Western Wall tunnel
exit closed

The tension is heavy in the air and we're expecting riots soon. Even the Western Wall tunnel is closed today for security. Police presence is reduced inside the Old City to avoid provoking clashes. An hour ago the Pope issued a statement before trump does.

Trump is more dangerous than Kim Jong Un ... the latter is consistently crazy and predictable, the former is totally inconsistent and unpredictable. All I can say is Trump has succeeded in one thing; uniting the Sunnis and Shiites ... if only against a common enemy Israel. The whole Middle Eastern war in Syria, Yemen, Iraq with ISIS and Iran and Saudi will all end at the moment Trump declares jerusalem as Israel's capital.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-burn-pictures-of-trump-as-israel-braces-for-violent-protests/

https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5052180,00.html

http://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=433740&utm_content=bufferedfb0&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.826929

Lull before the storm

Monster moon over the
Mt. of Olives

What an enormous moon!!! Everyone walking towards the east couldn't miss it ... and everyone was taking photos/ Even the police and soldiers were moon gazing. And despite all the traffic and shop lights, the moon outshone them all. It was so bright the whole night it shone into my room like someone had searchlights aimed at my window.

I managed to get home at 7.15pm last night. Just had to drop all my work as I was just too tired to do anything. That's 16 and a half hours of solid work. No rest or lunch. Rushed off to Arab Fried Chicken to buy the 30 shekel package - 2 drumsticks, coleslaw, bun and garlic mayonnaise, fries and a coke. Good to eat something warm at last. Then I was off to bed. Refused to answer 3 phone calls that woke me up. And dozens of other messages. No time for anyone else. It's my time to rest. The old body is breaking down and needs it's rest.

Moon in clouds
above the traffic

Yesterday I left a message to be read at dinner that if anyone has clothes that are not used, they can leave it at my door and I'll bring them to the poor. This morning there were 4 big bags. Wonderful! This morning I brought them to M. Teresa's sisters. The weather will get very cold tonight and many poor families do not have enough clothes. It is a great help these clothes.

Nationwide there is still great consternation over the precarious situation in Lebanon. In Syria there is also tension after Israel bombed some military stations near Damascus a few days ago. The war between Saudi Arabia and Iran (Sunnis and Shiites) is dragging everyone into its tangled web. And lots of innocent people are dying because of it. A harsh winter would be disastrous for the christians and other minorities running away from the war. And a report on kids in Gaza is terrible.  https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/palestinians/1.821771

Today is warm and sunny ... 18 degrees at 1pm. But it's the lull before the storm. Tonight it'll start raining till tomorrow and temp. will drop to between 4 and 8 degrees. Well if it rains, I'm not going to work. I'll just stay home and stay warm. Don't want to catch a cold ... which everyone else at home seems to have.

Money hunting

Awesome sunset

The first Advent week has started and everyone is already in the holiday mood. Well almost. The students have an exam in 2 weeks time so they'll have to work hard before the real holidays begin. But the weather suddenly turned very summer ... it was 28 degrees during the day! The sun was shining and everyone just wanted to go out instead of studying in class. The nights were also bearable ... I only had one heater turned on. However the cold snap will return in 48 hours ... the lowest will be 4 degrees and the maximum daytime temp. will not be over 10 degrees. Such extreme switches in weather ... no wonder everyone is sick.

Boys searching for coins in
the "stream"

Last night while on my way home, I stopped at Palm Plaza to rest ... as I usually do because I get exhausted walking the 1 km home. The fountains were working and lots of water was running down the "stream" from the upper pool to the lower pool. Arab youths were as usual hanging about, riding their bikes ... when suddenly one of them noticed a shekel in the "stream". That started a money hunt ... over 10 boys were running up and down the "stream" with flashlights searching for more money thrown in the water. And they found over 10 shekels in all.

Anyway this evening I'll go back to the Christmas Bazaar to see if there are anything worth supporting. Maybe a couple of christmas decorations ... mainly to help the poor families selling these things.
The economic situation is bad so a little show of support for our parishioners goes a long way.

Now this is for real ... the ultra-orthodox jews have reached a stage where even looking at the face printed on a 50 shekel note is a sin because the guy (russian jewish poet) featured there was a jew who married a christian. He's an apostate, the ultra-orthodox rabbi says. So the banknote must be folded so that it doesn't show the face.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.826510

Advent bazaar

Advent bazaar at St.
Francis Street

Advent has started. Churches all over have their Advent wreathes and the first candle has been lit yesterday. Let's hope this season will be peaceful and our christians stay safe from the terrorist warnings of massacre ... it happens every year toward Christmas that the islamic terrorists kill christians.

Despite the poor economy, our parish Advent bazaar took place along St. Francis street. It was quite crowded although I don't see people buying anything. And you know the economy is bad when almost half the stalls are runned by muslims. I mentioned this to a couple of our parish youths hanging at the entrance of the Catholic Scouts club and they laughed and said "Christmas is a time to share joy even with muslims". I guess there's some truth in that.

The usual Christmas kickbacks were visibly advent in the bazaar. Rather there were more food stalls and palestinian heritage handicraft. The stall selling Nutella crepe is definitely making the most sales. But the one I like best are the doughnuts and eclairs sold by George. Further down the bazaar are stalls selling locally made handbags, bedouin embroidered clothes and pottery. All in all it was fun and it's a necessary digression from the dreary routine of life in the Old City as a christian. A little cheer, a reason to leave the tiny windowless hovels and come out into the streets to chat, mingle, see the lights and hear the music.

Super moon last night

And of course there was this incredible super moon hanging in the sky. It was huge and orange last night. Utterly amazing. It made the Advent atmosphere a little more mysterious.

In the meantime the weekend saw one of the largest demonstrations in Tel Aviv. It's called the March of Shame and it targeted the Prime Minister who's under investigation for corruption and the govt.'s trying to rush a bill to make the PM immune to indictment. Well the immunity bill is definitely  horror to any democracy ... but israeli politicians are well known survivors. https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-turn-out-in-tel-aviv-for-anti-corruption-march-of-shame/

Strangely we have a report that tourism next year will be such a room there is a shortage of rooms in hotels and many groups are forced to cancel. I find that hard to believe. It smells of fake news. But no rooms in the inn is not anything special here in the Holy Land ..... it happened 2000 years ago as well.   http://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=433491&utm_content=buffere5057&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer