Tensions

Streets in the night
are a lot quieter

The streets in the Muslim Quarter and around the Old City are peacefully quiet now that a quarter of a million permits were revoked. There is more silence ... and more space to walk. Shops are emptier. And in the nights, the streets are less noisy and sleep is much more possible.

The police have stepped up security checks and more people are being stopped and frisked. Security cameras have also been added .... some 1700 all over the Old and New City. The carparks at Damascus Gate which was overloaded with cars and motorbikes the past 3 weeks, is now reduced to 3 cars. But strangely we have not heard of muslim dissatisfaction ... at least not openly. Shop-keepers don't seem to be complaining of the lack of business.

Only a trickle of
muslims now

However underlying this apparent calm, tensions are high. There were scuffles in the Al Aqsa Mosque compound between stone-throwing arab youths and Israeli soldiers. Then arabs in our Quarter set fire to Jewish apartments with the intention of frightening them out of living in our Quarter. It took place several nights and finally the police made raids last night to arrest the culprits. These guys are really stupid ... there arriver 270 security cameras in the Old City watching every step you take ... how could they think they could get away with torching people's houses?   http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.796467   and   http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/6-Arab-suspects-arrested-for-throwing-firebombs-at-Jewish-homes-in-Old-City-497187

And as if bad news aren't enough .... newspapers are warning everyone of an imminent earthquake ... one which is long delayed .... the big one. Emergency drills were conducted last week and the public are being advised how to react when an earthquake strikes.  http://israelnewstalkradio.com/israel-is-preparing-for-a-serious-major-disaster-that-can-come-at-any-time/

The weather has been extremely hot and I have been terribly ill ... probably because of the heat. Almost fainted while walking to work. Wish I could start my holidays and stop work this week. I need the rest.