Ascension Day

Yesterday's Jerusalem Day or Unification Day saw some violence at Damascus Gate. Our Muslim Quarter was locked down with Lions Gate, Herod's Gate and Damascus Gate all closed. We had to stay indoors to avoid being attacked  or abused by the thousands of Israeli jews marched through our neighbourhood. This year there were more marchers than in previous years mainly because it's the 50th anniversary of the event. Scuffles brought out at Damascus Gate when pro-arab protesters were forcibly removed by police. One had her arm broken.   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.791844   and   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4966908,00.html

Vine leaves on sale

Today things are calm again ... at least on the surface. Police presence is still high and groups of Israeli students continue to enter the Muslim Quarter chanting nationalistic slogans. Muslims stayed out of the way ... there is an air of a curfew almost. By sunset most of the arab kids felt safe to come to the streets again. Tourists too came back to make the Way of the Cross. A small semblance of normality. Bedouin women returned to sell their fruit and vegetables at Damascus Gate. Most however were wary of the soldiers walking past them every few minutes. I noticed most were selling vine leaves instead of other vegetables and fruit. Perhaps because vine leaves are a lot cheaper so if they get destroyed by soldiers or marching students, it would not be a great lost.

Since midnight at the top of the Mt. of Olives, catholics and orthodox were gathering to celebrating the Ascension of the Lord. The Crusader chapel - today a mosque - which belonged to the franciscans, was decked up and vigils was sung till 1am. Then for every half hour, Mass was celebrated in various languages. The Orthodox (Greeks, Armenians, Copts and Syriacs) who have no claim over the chapel, celebrated their liturgies in the surrounding garden.

Damascus Gate today

It was one of the rare days that I do not have any work on both libraries. I had planned to go to Jaffa where there is a food fest. Today is the last day. Stalls featuring food from all over the world are lined up all along the park and beach. However I realised I had adoration and confessions at 4pm with the M. Teresa sisters ... so I had to cancel my day off. The food fest opens only at 6pm and ends at 11pm.