Strike

Shops on strike

East Jerusalem shops and businesses have gone on strike today. It's a show of support for the Palestinian hunger-strikers in Israeli jails. I don't know about the strike's political usefulness but it certainly was a breath of fresh air ... the streets are finally cleared. Walking down the streets are without hassle, jostling and tourists blocking every 3 meters. Shop keepers of course are not happy but they are forced to join the strike ... or risk having their shops burned by extremists.

It was another hectic day for me. Because of my confusion over Wednesday and Thursday, I had a lot of meetings clashing. 2 meetings with the lawyers plus a meeting with a chaplain in the morning, another meeting with a student in the afternoon, then class and bible conference/adoration and confession with the nuns. When it finishes at 7pm I have to go meet a group from Singapore at the Rosary sisters. It was a very tight day. Just my luck ... the lawyers were busy and cancelled the meetings. The nuns called to say they want to postpone the confession till Saturday. Class was cancelled. Utter confusion. Just didn't know what was happening today. My brains must have gone on strike.

Sunset at Palm Plaza

I only came home at 11pm now. When I first returned to my office in New Gate to keep some books so my backpack is lighter, I heard lots of ambulances and police cars with sirens racing down toward Damascus Gate. I thought there must have been another stabbing ... that means the police will close the City Gates and I will be stuck inside. Panic. I rushed out as fast as I could of New Gate. Thankfully the problem was not in Damascus Gate ... the ambulances and police cars went east toward French Hill area.

Troubling news this afternoon when we learned that Syria and Iran are accusing Israel of bombing the airport in Damascus. This will definitely rise the tensions in the region. Don't know how this will play out as Israel's Independence Day is celebrated next Tuesday. But certainly military presence in the City will be super tight.  http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Syrian-government-Israeli-airstrike-near-Damascus-airport-confirmed-489115

And right now, more troubling news: a Syrian drone flew into Israeli airspace. Israel shot it down.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.786119