Peaceful Sunday

Ice cream and grapes

Today was very peaceful by recent standards. Police presence was still heavy but there were no mass demonstrations in the Al Aqsa compound nor marches in our streets. Perhaps the weather had a role in this ... it was over 30 degrees and the sun was relentless.

We felt a lot less tension too in the house. We could eat lunch and dinner without hearing protest chants, tear gas exploding behind our house .... It felt so peaceful we treated ourselves to ice cream ... and I added chilled grapes to it. It tasted so nice in this heat ... and this new lull in the neighbourhood.

East Jerusalem's
main artery
Salahadin Street is
peaceful

I spent most of the day cleaning up room. There's lots of books to pack and move to the other library ... and the dust from the summer sandstorms needed to be removed from everywhere ... from window sills to shelves. I also changed a bit of the aquarium water ... haven't done it in several month now but the water is still very clear. It's well stabilised and self-sustaining so it doesn't need much care.

As tensions in the Al Aqsa clear, leftwing newspapers now focus on the injustices in the villages. See this report and video about Hebron:  https://www.facebook.com/btselem/videos/10154746383076570/?hc_ref=ART1jjK12bfM41u5iI88-JbX8aTzA4RFS_6Htli0QyVy5rRHFgrRy3sfe9kjSeTbQfU&pnref=story

The violence in Jaffa seems to have also died down ... or at least the newspapers are not reporting anything today. Instead all have focussed on the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate's response to the rising criticism by Israelis over its sale of land. They offer the other side of the story.  http://www.timesofisrael.com/church-land-sales-to-anonymous-buyers-set-homeowners-on-edge/
http://www.timesofisrael.com/amid-outcry-church-defends-its-sales-of-land-in-jerusalem-jaffa-caesarea/

And a horror story straight out from sci-fi ... Facebook's A1 programme began to dialogue with each other when no one commanded it. It had taken a life of its own ... Facebook was said to have immediately shut down the programme. Is artificial intelligence taking over the world? Not sure if it's fake news but read it  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/high-tech/facebook-ai-program-shut-down-after-bots-invent-a-language-of-their-own-30054

Jaffa riot

Demonstrators around the esplanade

Last night and today saw massive demonstrations in the Al Aqsa esplanade from 7.30pm onwards. After the 9.30pm prayers the crowds which numbered thousands left mainly toward Lions Gate. A lot of chanting. The Gate was totally blocked with people. Women and children and elderly left through our road towards Damascus Gate where there were less crowds and less violence. The Border Police showed great restraint both nights. In fact they were not even in our street. Half a dozen showed up only when the demonstrators  came up our way but nothing happened. No tear gas or stun grenade was shot at Lions Gate despite the massive and almost dangerous protest. I thought that was smart ... such demonstrations just fizzle out.  See the video of tonight's demonstration  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/after-removing-metal-detectors-how-will-israel-deal-with-security-30038

But Jaffa saw more violence than us today. Rioters set fire in the streets and attacked police because the police had shot dead an arab criminal suspect. Tensions are high. See
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4995780,00.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/riots-break-out-in-jaffa-after-police-killing-of-suspect-fleeing-shooting-scene/

Makloubeh today

Remember in winter I said this summer would be full of trouble? ... I was right. Let's hope things will fizzle out as the August heat hits us and the people are generally tired of this unrest and road closures and lockdowns. And for a little distraction from these weighty matters, we had makloubeh for lunch. It's one of my favourite arab dishes ... rice cooked with veggies and chicken.

Quiet Friday

Nablus Road is closed off

After yesterday's violence where over 90 plus wounded, the Police were taking no chances today. They closed the whole of East Jerusalem. The 3 Gates of the Muslim Quarter were all closed off and even roads outside the Old City were closed off. It was severe. Nablus Road that leads directly to Damascus Gate had 2 metal barriers just 15 meters apart. I had to go out early in the morning through all the barriers and when I got home at 9am ... the roads remained empty except for lots of soldiers and police. A couple of tourists were walking about, as usual, totally oblivious to the tension in the air. Most shops were closed. Only those selling food and veggies were open and local residents were buying up in view of a possible lockdown again.

Damascus Gate is totally empty

Entries to the AL Aqsa Mosque were also heavily guarded. Over men over 50 yrs were allowed to enter. Women on the other hand had free movement. From our rooftop we could see that the Al Aqsa esplanade was very empty. Noonday prayers passed off without incident ... as there were hardly anyone in the streets. However outside in Musrara and other areas of the Territories like Jericho, Hebron, Bethlehem and Qalandya were all wrecked with vicious clashes. Don't know how many were wounded. But like I said, inside our Muslim Quarter it was calm ... which is good for everyone. I don't like tear gas floating into my room. It chokes me and provokes severe asthmatic reactions. I could possibly die from that.

Austrian Hospice/3rd Station junction
totally blocked off

I decided to stay home after this morning early errand ... it was not worth the trouble of getting locked out of the City. The Archbishop was in contact with me most of the late morning. We were classmates 25 years back. And due to the clashes yesterday and warnings from the Police, none of our students showed up at the library so I decided to close it by noon. That left me with a half day free to catch up with some important work. And sleep was catching up on me ... I managed to sleep half an hour and it felt so good. In the evening at 6pm I went up to the other library through the alleys that were opened to do some chores and then returned in an hour ... scared that the Police might close off the streets again before the 7.45 prayer. It was extremely hot and I felt so exhausted walking uphill and down. I'm going to sleep early tonight. I deserve it.

Here are some news and videos of today in the Old City:
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4995584,00.html
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.803958
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Israeli-Police-on-high-alert-ahead-of-Friday-prayers-at-Temple-Mount-501023
and here's a good analysis of the situation
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4995536,00.html

More and worse violence

Stand off at
Bab Hutta

Even as I am writing, Tear gas and stun reengages are being fired 50 metres in front of our house, 20 metres left go our house and 70 metres behind our house. Thousands and thousands of muslims were running up our street chanting and throwing stones because clashes occurred in the Al Aqsa compound and 41 were wounded. Literally thousands blocked out streets in anger and violence. Border Police began firing tear gas and stun grenades in our street and the surrounding alleys. It was total chaos ... something right out of the Intifada days. And it's only 4.30pm. I can't imagine the violence at 9.30pm after the last prayers. It will be dreadful.

I was caught up in it as I was just going out to M. Teresa's convent. Our doorman had closed our gates for safety and I had closed our library. However getting out into our street was a horror as waves of muslims were running the other direction chanting and calling for blood. I was carrying a huge bag of medicines for the sisters and could not run. Just had to fight my way through 200 meters to get to the sisters' convent. After that I still had to go up to the other monastery to get a job done because I forgot it this morning. Then I rushed back home ... praying that the police didn't blockade our street. Thankfully it was opened. People were distributed Coca Cola and sandwiches to the protesters that had gathered at Austrian Hospice entrance.

Distributing free
sandwiches and
coke

The whole irony of this violence is that the Israelis had removed all metal detectors and security cameras as the muslims demanded. At noon the Grand Mufti declared that muslims can now enter the Al Aqsa to pray. But at 4pm as the crowds entered for the 4.30pm prayer, stones and bottles were thrown and the police responded with crowd dispersal means. It's been a running battle till now ... even as I write. I can hear south, chants and screams outside. Lots and lots of tear gas and stun grenades fired in the Al Aqsa compound and Herod's Gate.

I guess tomorrow we'll have a lockdown in our Quarter ... not looking forward to it but I'm ready this time. Bought my medicines and food.

Here are some links on news on this clash:
http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.803784
http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Thousands-of-Palestinians-return-to-Temple-Mount-as-security-measures-removed-500927
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4995269,00.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/clashes-erupt-at-temple-mount-as-muslim-worshipers-return-to-site/

Another day

Soldiers at Bab Hutta
Arch while muslims
gather in front of St.
Anne's Church

After last night's violence, this evening the demonstration was a lot more under control. The Border Police were still minimal like yesterday but I think after the forceful reaction to the crowds last night, reminded everyone that no one and nothing will be spared if they tried to disrupt the peace in our Quarter. The friars in the Garden of Gethsemani recounted there awful night they had yesterday. The scuffles went on till 2am behind and outside their monastery. And it was very violent. I pity them having to suffer this every night for the past week.

This evening I had to go for a dinner to thank our volunteers of the library. After one month's hard work, they cleared up over 50 boxes of books which I my self could not do alone. On the way home ... and I made sure I came home before the last muslim prayer at 9.20pm. As there were few police in the streets and no blockades I decided to go down to Bab Hutta to take some photos. There were a dozen Border Police under the Arch of Bab Hutta and thereafter were hundreds of muslims lined up in front of St. Anne's Church waiting for prayers. I returned immediately after taking the photos as the crowds' temperament is very unpredictable. But like I said earlier, the prayers ended with relative calm and the crowd went out chanting but not causing any trouble.

Prison of St. Ignatius of Loyola

This morning I took advantage of the calm to go to work in our other library one km away. Then I went to visit some archeologist friends who are working below our parish church ... just 20 meters from the library. They showed me what they had found ... several rooms including one they believed was where St. Ignatius of Loyola was imprisoned by the Franciscans. Ignatius had gone to preach to the muslims in Jerusalem and that caused an uproar among the muslims who threatened to kill all christians. To prevent Ignatius from causing more harm to the status quo, the franciscans imprisoned him in a small room under the monastery till the next ship arrived to bring him back to Spain. That's a little known fact in Church history.

Worst clashes yet

Muslims sitting in
the streets as they
refuse to enter the
Al Aqsa Mosque

Last night was a lot more calm than we had expected. I think the soldiers' presence played an important role in preventing violence in our street. They blocked all the alleys so there was no escape for trouble-makers ... as a result the muslims walked off without incident. During the day hundreds of muslims sit along the streets waiting for prayer time as they refused to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque.

But tonight hell broke lose. The secret exchange as I had predicted took place after midnight yesterday: the Israeli guard and personnel held in Amman were returned to Israel and the metal detectors were removed at 4am. All streets were opened for movement although there were lots of soldiers still in the streets. At evening muslim crowds gathered outside the Al Aqsa Mosque at Lions Gate to pray as the imamsrefuse to allow them to enter the Mosque as a sign of protest (over what I don't know as the metal detectors were already removed). After final prayers at 9.20pm the crowds grew aggressive and scuffles broke out. Border Police rushed into the Old City from Herod's Gate and stun grenades and tear gas were fired in from of St. Anne's Church where the crowd was most violent. The Police then moved toward our house as the crowds had gathered in front of our garage. There were also shots in the Bab Hutta neighbourhood, the street below Lions Gate down to Gethsemane. It was quite widespread.

Border Police 10
meters  from our
house tonight

The crowds below our house was herded by Border Police down to the 3rd Station. Many other Border Police were stationed at Ecce Homo ... this kept the crowds at bay and non-violent.

Goodness knows when this madness will end. The muslims have no reason to protest ... it's all whipped up by emotions and frustrations stirred by the imams.

Well today I was exhausted because the streets were opened. You never know when they'll be closed again so I did all the work that I needed to do in the various places before returning home at 3pm. Then tonight this clash occurred. I am going to sleep this one off.

More violence

Junction at 3rd Station of the Cross
closed to all except tourists now

And the violence just seem to increase. Last night was the stabbing attack at the Israeli Embassy in Amman .... then just a few minutes ago there was a stabbing in the city of Petah Tikva near Tel Aviv. It's becoming very complicated and widespread .... and soon the Israeli govt will not be able to contain it. One good face-saving way out for Israel to remove the metal detectors without appearing to be weak is to bargain for the release of the Israeli guard in Amman who shot and killed the 2 Jordanian stabbers and is now under arrest. In exchange for his release, Israel will remove the metal detectors ... that way both sides win and no one loses face.

Standoff between
arab youths at one
end of the tunnel,
and Israeli police at
the other end

But the problems for us on ground zero are still very real and frustrating ... streets continue to be closed ... spot checks on people ... We only want al this to end. Trouble and trouble-makers from outside Jerusalem cause our daily suffering in the Old City. And of course responsibility lies on the religious leaders who fan the uneducated masses into a frenzy of emotions ... which result in deaths. And you don't see any of these leaders anywhere when these young men die in the conflict.

Last night I witnessed a standoff right under our window ... I went out to take pictures. At one end of the tunnel, arab youths with stones and bottles in hand stand in provocation. At the other end of the tunnel Israeli Border Police have their weapons ready. In between them, prostrate on the floor, were muslim worshippers praying.

Let's hope some peace and serenity will come soon.

One week on ...

Chanting crowds
give Border Police
a wide berth

Demonstrations continued yesterday evening. There were no clashes in the Old City or outside Lions Gate because the Border Police had  a good strategy to prevent violence ... they were stationed at every single road and alley entrance of the Muslim Quarter while the muslims were praying in the streets ... their presence was very noticeable, and there's no where to run and hide ... so everyone played it safe and kept the peace. Groups left the prayers chanting but there was no Molotov cocktails or stones. It was only the crowds moved closing to Herod's Gate (where they can run and hide in the streets of the New City) that stones were thrown at police and fireworks shot at them. The police responded with stun grenades and tear gas. This was directly behind our house. The explosions and tear gas were absolutely horrid. But it soon passed. Clashes occurred outside Herod's Gate ... I think it was quite violent as we could hear it from our house.  See  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4992754,00.html

Violent clashes also took place int he surrounding villages. Up on the Mt. of Olives at the village of A-Tur where the colt was brought to Jesus for him to ride into Jerusalem ... that village was badly affected. Similarly in Abu Tor, Silwan (biblical Siloam), Issawiya .... all had violent skirmishes with the Border Police. The Police had closed off the road in front of the Garden of Gethsemane so rioters could not even get 200 meters from Lions Gate. Biblical Bethany - El Lazariya (from "Lazarus") today - was so violent it left one arab dead.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4992754,00.html

While muslims
prayed, trouble-
makers stood by the
side waiting for an
opportunity

This morning we received a bit of good news: the police are willing to remove the metal detectors and replace it with some other security measure. It's now up to the palestinians to accept it or not. Both sides don't want to appear as backing down and losing face ... so it'll take some time both sides to posture and look good publicly. Meantime there is no lack of trouble makers looking for every opportunity to create chaos. From my roof I could see the bunch of them waiting by the roadside while other muslims prayed.

Life seems to bounce back to its daily rhythm today. People are back in the streets, shops are opened and the police are not as many. However tonight things might change. Everything is so unpredictable.

I took advantage of the calm by going to the supermarket to buy necessities. You never know when the next curfew is enforced so it's better to stock up now. The weather is quite agreeable ... 28 degrees with a cool wind blowing. That's probably one of the reasons for the riots ... if it were 35 degrees, everyone including rioters would not bother to come out in the heat. Everyone would be back home with their aircons switched on.

Tragedies

Side streets blocked

The clashes yesterday ended badly with 3 arab youths killed. none however took place in Jerusalem itself but in the surrounding village of Ras al Amud, Abu Dis and Abu Tor all a couple of km south of Jerusalem. It was worse than we expected. But things got only worse later in the evening when news broke of 3 Israelis stabbed to death by an arab near Ramallah (17 km north of Jerusalem) while they were eating their Sabbath dinner. Utterly horrific. No one wins in a war of revenge. When will this all end?

Today streets and alleys in our Musim Quarter continue to be closed. Military presence is not as heavy but no one is taking any chances. Tit-for-tat attacks is the order of the day so we're expecting extremist jews to attack arabs next. Everyone is vigilant ...but local residents are out in the streets to do their necessary shopping of food and medicine. We've learned our lesson in sudden lockdowns and curfews ... that you might be locked at home for days ... so everyone is stocking up.

Last night just as the last muslim call to prayer was about to sung, there was a blackout in our Muslim Quarter. Imams rousing up the crowds who were gathered to pray in the streets were all left in the dark ... and I mean total darkness. It was only after 20 minutes that the main street lights came back. And then another quarter of an hour before some houses were lit ... and eventually the electric returned to all the houses. But it was enough to confuse the angry youths ... and possibly gave time to the military to set up positions before the prayer began. Riots usually follow this last prayer of the day.

Grandma and grandson outing in the
most dangerous street of the
Old City

Despite the tensions and explosive atmosphere, some tourists continue to walk down our street. Not groups as the guides know too well the dangers. It's those lone travellers ... young couples and youths who, despite being on the Internet the whole time on their cellphones, are utterly oblivious to the dangers just 20 meters ahead of them. They don't know of the riots and killings, they don't know who is fighting whom and why ... it's like they come from a different planet. So while muslim youths are screaming and running away from the police who were charging with batons and tear gas, these tourists continue to walk ahead and then get pushed aside ... then they get frighten and complain that no one told them about the dangers. They know the latest clubs and best restaurants in Jerusalem from their apps on their smartphones but they don't bother to check the local situation. Anyway every single one of them ... well, a total of over a dozen couples and a group of 3 guys were all turned back at various times in the night as they neared Lions Gate by the soldiers. What was pleasant yet sad was when I saw a very old grandma (possibly great grandma) and grandson walking along the Way of the Cross. It's rare to see these 2 generations come together. Grandma was teaching the grandson the suffering of Christ ... but ironically on the most dangerous street and most dangerous day of the year so far. I didn't have the heart to shoo them off ... it might be the only chance the grandma is spending with her grandson along the Way of the Cross.

Her's a list of videos and news reports on the clashes yesterday:
https://www.facebook.com/bbcnews/videos/10154922345907217/?hc_ref=ARRqHoL_TaAZSvAxZNXeJMVv1c-sO5yLhBZNAUmVimkzE-gNqvjWoKfLFNWSDk5KGXc&pnref=story

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/In-Pictures-Israeli-security-confronts-Palestinians-over-Temple-Mount-500340

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Report-Stabbing-attack-in-Halamish-near-Ramallah-500382

Clashes

El Wad street was totally closed

The clashes came as expected today. Thousands of muslims who came in buses from all around the country tried to surround the Mosque but the police stopped them from entering the Old City. The roads surrounding East Jerusalem were then blocked by these muslims as they sat down and began praying.  Despite reports that talks were underway last night for a compromise regarding the removal of the metal detectors, early this morning it was broadcast that the detectors will remain. Undoubtedly this would cause more tensions. I had some friends from the other cities calling me to stay indoors as it would be dangerous outside. However I had to bring some clothes and donations to M. Teresa's sisters so I went out as early as possible. The streets by then were already blocked and there were hundreds of police and metal barriers every 20 meters from my place to Damascus Gate. They let me go through but when I had to return home, the soldiers at El Wad street said it was not allowed. I had to go north toward the Holy Sepulchre and then turn back south along the 7th Station of the Cross in order to get home. I could see they were really expecting big trouble. The City streets were empty except for some foolish tourists and local residents ... mostly the elderly who needed to buy necessities like medicine and food.

100s of soldiers in
our street 

Anticipating huge clashes, the Israeli Defense Force mobilised 5 battalions to control the situation. Thousands of muslim protesters will be met with thousands of Israeli soldiers. Muslims from outside Jerusalem heard that the Old City would be closed today so many came last night to camp over so they would not be locked out today.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4992026,00.html

Muslims praying in
our street because
they refuse to enter
Al Aqsa Mosque

After noon prayers the clashes began. I could hear stun grenades and tear gas being fired at Herod's Gate as well as down towards the Garden of Gethsemane. Then the shots were heard inside the street of Herod's Gate Ascent which runs behind our house. Inside the Al Aqsa compound lots of tear gas and stun grenades were also fired many times. The village lower down the valley Ras al Amud also saw some very violent clashes. The rioters then moved down to the Kidron Valley towards the village of Wadi Jooz. There were clashes also in Jericho, Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm and Qalandya. I guess tonight the clashes will re-ignite. My students at St. Anne's Church were locked in as they live directly in front of where the clashes take place. I'm luckily further up the road and the violence does not come up because the rioters know they cannot escape due to all the streets being blocked. So thankfully the violence occurs outside the City walls.

http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Clashes-in-Jerusalem-following-noon-prayer-500322

Lull before the storm

Lightrail station new look

Yesterday's Day of Rage was less violent than we had expected. The police were ready for any clashes ... and they were numerous. Clashes were restricted to Lions Gate, Ras al Amud and the usual hotspots. Clashes also at the usual checkpoints/frontiers between Israel and Palestine.

I had to go out in the evening for a meeting at the Capuchin Monastery 2 kms away in the Jewish Part of the New City. That's safe enough ... except I have to leave and return to the Eastern / Arab part where I live. I took the risk of not being able to get back home if the police had decided to close the City Gates. When I returned home it was already 10.30pm and the roads were quiet. Lots  and lots of soldiers were walking up Via Dolorosa toward the 3rd Station/Austrian Hospice plaza. Seems the clashes were over and the soldiers were gathering for debriefing.

Blurred photo of
massive police
pfresence at 3rd
Station / Austrian
Hospice plaza

This morning was a lot more calm ... as it usually is. Things are always clam till after noonday prayers in the Mosque. I had to take advantage of the calm and do as much chores outside the City as possible and return before noon. Many mosques throughout have vowed to close tomorrow and send buses to bring their congregation to the Al Aqsa Mosque for prayers and protests. The police are expecting thousands to come and cause trouble so they have decided to close the City to everyone except residents. That means it'll be a lockdown tomorrow. We've decided to close all our libraries tomorrow. Newspapers have noted that if tomorrow's Friday prayers is cancelled afor a 2nd week ... it will be the first time in a thousand since it last happened when the Crusaders stopped Friday prayers. Let's hope it'll not be as violent as the police expect. Today is like the lull before the storm.  http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-1.802402

For some feel-good news, how about this: Israel has offered 360 tonnes of food, 77 tonnes of clothes and lots of medical aid to thousands of Syrian refugees. It has done more than many neighbouring countries have done.   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4991663,00.html

And the Light-rail station at Municipality Square has taken a new look ... all done up like a Wild West American station. Looks pretty fun for the locals .... who are not living in East Jerusalem.

Day of Rage

Cofix in East Jerusalem

For the 3rd night there were riots and clashes in our street. Arabs throw stones and fired fireworks at police who shot stun grenades and charged at them. Clashes also occurred further down in Gethsemane and the southern villages of Silwan and Ras el Amud. Things were worse than the previous 2 nights. There were many injured. And we couldn't sleep because of the chaos. It has been dreadful. And all over nothing ... it's irrational and purely emotional, all manipulated by a small group of extremists.

Today the ruling Palestinian party called for a "Day of Rage" ... meaning lots of demonstrations  and clashes. Many shops are closed in protest and only pharmacies and food shops are open. All mosques in Jerusalem are closed and every muslim is expected to come to surround the Al Aqsa Mosque to protest. Police are everywhere to prevent any violence. There were scuffles at the usual hotspot of Lions Gate ... but the major violence will occur this evening. On Friday the police will allow prayers only at the Al Aqsa and many restrictions will be in place. That will probably lead to more clashes.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4991474,00.html  and  http://www.timesofisrael.com/temple-mount-tensions-spark-fourth-day-of-clashes/   and   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4991187,00.html

Meantime the Druze are taking revenge on the death of their 2 policemen. In the town of Magyar where one of the policemen lived, a mosque was attacked with gun shots and a stun grenade exploded. This feud will not end. The Druze, historically, have been persecuted by the muslims ... and now the killing of 2 Druze policemen by muslims has only inflamed the enmity between the 2 communities.  http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4990299,00.html

Local lychees

Just to detract from these worrisome events ... this morning while on my round of chores in East Jerusalem, I noticed a Cofix shop opened on Salahadin Street. It's a jewish franchise of cheap / affordable food for the lower budget people ... which means most of us. Everything in there costs 6 shekels. What is surprising is that it's jewish and it's established in an arab area. And passing some fruit stalls, I noticed that local lychees are back in season. They're quite tasteless ... unless they have improved on the hybrid.

Demonstrations and riots

Arab Fried Chicken 

It was another night of riots. Muslims refused to enter the Al Aqsa Mosque because Israeli police had placed metal detectors at the entrance. They do not want to pass through these detactors, claiming it's a jewish ploy to control the Mosque. That of course is ridiculous ... everyone including jews pass through metal detectors at the Wailing Wall and the airport and many other places. Muslim extremists are simply using the detectors as an excuse to stir up trouble in the most sensitive of spots ...   http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Inside-the-campaign-to-exploit-recent-Jerusalem-terror-and-fan-a-new-round-of-violence-500027

Tomorrow the muslim leaders are calling for a "day of rage" which means shops and services going on strike, and violence in the streets. Don't know how much this will be heeded as we in the Old City are sick of this violence and want some peace and quiet to get on with our lives.   http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4990933,00.html

The violence by the way has spread. Last night it went all the way down to the Kidron Valley and also up the Mt. of Olives. Bethlehem  in the south and Qalandya in the north also had demonstrations.  By Friday we expect the demonstrations to be widespread ... the Al Aqsa Mosque is a unifying force and symbol for the muslims.

Figs are in season

Despite the violence, the police have reduced their presence and opened the Gates. Movement is much more free than it was. A student and I thought we'd take advantage of this and go to eat some Arab Fried Chicken just outside Herod's Gate. It was quite crowded ... well after 3 days being forced to closed and many people had no food at home. We had an enjoyable lunch ... a good break from the tensions. Then we went to buy fruit and biscuits. We have to stock up because the violence tomorrow till Saturday might force us to stay indoors and we'll have no food. Figs are now in season ... but they cannot be kept for 3 days, so I didn't buy them.

Gates reopened and the day after

Damascus Gate still closed last night

It was a bit of fake news yesterday when we were told the City Gates were opened. I went out at 8pm from Herod's Gate and it certainly was locked down. And not wanting to argue my way through it, I walked up to Damascus Gate ... and it was also locked down. Only tourists and some residents are allowed to enter. I first had to stop at the first checkpoint which is at the top of Damascus Gate stairs. A police demanded to see my passport but the commander-in-charge, a girl soldier, said it was obvious I'm a foreigner and so to let me pass through. The soldier insisted that he must check all documents but the commander repeated to let me pass as I am definitely a foreigner. It was quite laughable ... but also scary ... and I was allowed to pass with no difficulty. Coming down to the 2nd checkpoint, the police there looked at me and I quickly smiled and said "tourist" ... he smiled back and said "welcome" and let me through.

Man arrested last night

I then walked down El Wad street inside Damascus Gate ... life was getting back to normal. People were back in the streets, mostly trying to buy bread and veggies which for 2 days were impossible to buy due to the curfew. Children came out to play in the streets. A pharmacy was opened for those who needed medicine urgently. But everything else remained shut. As I turned into Via Dolorosa 3 small boys were kicking a football ... they are my neighbours and they started joking with me until we saw a column of police marching towards us. It looked serious and we quickly moved aside to let them through. In the middle of these 20 + police was an arab man handcuffed and shirt torned. He was arrested probably for causing disturbances.

As I walked through the City last night, I realised the impact of a 2 day lockdown on the poor people. Babies had no milk powder, sick people could not get medicines, families had no bread and food ... it was awful. This morning a Spanish sister came to see me and told me of their fears as their aged and sick nuns needed milk but they were down to 2 bottles ... if the curfew continued, they would not have any left. Remember all food and medicines must be bought into the Old City by tractors or pushcarts ... and all these were forbidden to enter the City. It was an experience we don't ever want to go through again.

Meantime my jewish security friends showed me pictures of the weapons found inside the Al Aqsa Mosque ... pipe bombs and all sorts of weapons. The Jordanian King should just stamp this ridiculous facade of a Mosque out by expelling all those imams and muftis who are corrupt and extremists. It's not only within his power but his obligation to do so ... for these radical preachers are destroying the daily lives of innocent muslims living in this Quarter. Israel has now placed metal detectors outside the largest gate of the Al Aqsa compound ... and rightly so we all agree, if weapons are being smuggled and stashed in the Mosque ... but the muslims are protesting and rioting over this. They want to have their cake and eat it.

City re-opened

People stuck outside New Gate

The City Gates were finally opened today at 3pm. What a relief. It was terribly inconvenient the past 60 hours when everything was locked down. Now people are rushing out to buy veggies and bread and food. Thank goodness. But like what some newspapers noted ... the lockdown faced little resistance from the arabs inside and outside the City. Everyone accepted it as a consequence of the attack 2 days ago .... perpetrated by people who lived far away from Jerusalem.

This morning I had the Armenian Mass and after that I needed to go to the other monastery to fetch some books. I had to go out of Damascus Gate and then I realised everything was still under a lockdown though more tourists are in the streets. I had to go back through Jaffa Gate again like yesterday. It's been so stressful and bothersome these 2 days but that is a fact of life here.

Riot at St. Anne

At 3pm the City Gates were reopened and muslims began to re-enter the Old City. But at 7pm there was a minor riot in front of St. Anne's Church. Not sure what it was about ... but one seminarian from St. Anne's was stuck outside in a dangerous situation. His key was not working and he forgot to bring his phone. SO he came to my house and asked me for help. I contacted some other seminarians to get help ... at least for someone to open the huge gate of St. Anne's while our doorman accompanied the seminarian there, in the middle for the rioting. Luckily he managed to get in safely.

Well let's hope the rest of the week will unfold with a bit of serenity and reason ... instead of the emotions and irrationality that we've seen the past week.

City Lockdown

East Jerusalem is totally locked down

The whole Old Coty was in total lockdown yesterday till today. Some parts of course are more relaxed, like the Jewish Quarter and Christian Quarter. Our Muslim Quarter on the other hand is totally closed except for tourists and some locals who dare to come out to buy necessities. It's a form of collective punishment on the local muslim arabs ... some of whom, no one doubts, had aided the terrorists acquire and hide the weapons. It's terribly inconvenient to live under this curfew ... but I can understand why it was imposed and in a way, I'm glad it's being done. It's the only way to ferret out these secret network. Believe me, no one in our area really wants this to happen ... to close your shops, no bread to buy, practical house imprisonment .... it's always people from outside Jerusalem who come in here and cause trouble ... and we have to suffer the consequences.

New Gate is
closed off

Yesterday I stayed home ... partly because my leg still hurt and partly because the blockades along our street are absolute. Today I had to go to the parish office to retrieve a document and then bring food for someone in need (yes I also cook and provide food for needy people). Getting out of my neighbourhood was easy though the road blocks were still in place. The police allow foreigners to move freely ... but not locals. But once at Damascus Gate things got serious. First police block at the entrance of the Gate ... absolutely no entry to everyone except tourists. Going up the steps, 2nd blockade, same thing. A few meters ahead on Suleiman Street, a very long metal barrier blocked off the entire East Jerusalem from the West. Absolutely no entry to anyone even tourists. Turning left, Prophets' Street along Musrara neighbourhood was also totally blocked off. No entry towards Damascus Gate except tourists. Turning left again towards Palm Plaza, another 500 m long metal barrier cut off west jerusalem from Palm Plaza .... running right though the park. Going up to New Gate, well New Gate was also totally closed off except to tourists and some residents. Not even all our friars are not allowed to enter St. Saviour Monastery immediately on the left of the Gate.

Empty streets in the
Old City

I was first rejected from entering New Gate. Then another soldier came along and asked if I were a tourist. I said yes and he let me in. After finishing my work, I left New Gate without problem. But reaching Palm Plaza I was turned back. No one, not even tourists allowed to go beyond Palm Plaza now. Rules change every hour it seems. There was a russian old man, about 85 yrs old, who was totally lost and couldn't speak a word of anything except russian. He showed me a card "Rivoli Hotel" which is on Salahadin Street deep in East Jerusalem. There was no way he could get there from Palm Plaza. I went back to New Gate (uphill in blazing 35 degrees at noon) with the old man but again the riles changed. We were not allowed to enter. So we had to walk another 500 m to Jaffa Gate where tourists are now allowed to enter. Then 1km walk through the Old City till I reached home. But I had to bring the old man to Herod;s Gate to get to his hotel. Believe me ... I walked a good 3 kms in all.

This total closure is unprecedented. Not even during the 2 Intifadas was the entire Old City closed off. The Al Aqsa Mosque is still closed today and the muezzin is silenced. The Grand Mufti of the Mosque had been held for questioning ... as also the former Mufti. Obviously they need to answer some very important questions ... like were the weapons hidden in the Mosque? Many many people ... those in the streets ... think so.

Terrorist attack

Deserted streets

At 7am we heard rapid gunshots nearby. Trouble. It lasted a couple of minutes. Then police and soldiers came to close the entire Old City. A few minutes later news filtered through that 3 arab terrorists armed with a submachine gun and 2 pistols had fired and killed 2 policemen at Herod's Gate some 200 meters from our house. Other police pursued the terrorists who ran into the Al Aqsa compound but were all killed.

Immediately the City Gates were closed to anyone coming in or going out. A curfew was enforced in our Muslim Quarter. It was super strict this time. No one ... not only our christian workers were forbidden to entire from New Gate 1 km away .... even our friars were kept out or in. It was draconian. All shops and businesses were forced to close. All arab residents had to stay indoors. The Al Aqsa mosque was closed to everyone and prayers were cancelled. The muezzin cannot sing the call to prayer.

Bab Hutta Arch
Youths stuck between
police blockades

I expect riots and demonstrations by the arabs because of this closure ... the police are making them pay for killing 2 of their own. Our libraries had to close as well. Just as well my leg is injured and I cannot walk far. I stayed home till now.

Of the 2 policemen killed, one was a druze from Maghar village in Galilee who just had a 3 week old baby. The Druze community will never take this peacefully and enmity with the muslims will deepen.

In the midst of this draconian lockdown of the City, I saw one of my students stuck in front of our door. he cannot walk down to his house in St Anne's Church where the killings took place because of the lockdown there .... and he cannot go out of the City because Austrian Hospice has blocked, and so is Damascus Gate. Poor chap was standing in the sun. So I brought him into our house to drink lots of water and eat lunch before trying to go home again at 1.15pm. I accompanied him halfway down to Bab Hutta arch. Lots of youths were standing there. They cannot go any further because of a police blockade. But foreigners and arabs over 50 yrs were allowed to pass. The seminarian managed to pass through and go home. Thank goodness.

We don't know how long more this siege will last. The terrorists came from Umm el Fahm ... a village notorious for violence. What really disturbs is who gave them the firearms??? They were seriously armed with sophisticated weapons that could have killed many people.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4989180,00.html
http://www.timesofisrael.com/three-said-hurt-in-shooting-attack-in-jerusalems-old-city/
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/BREAKING-Stabbing-attack-at-Lions-Gate-Jerusalem-499691
http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Video-Footage-emerges-of-shooting-attack-at-Temple-Mount-499696

Fall

Herod's Gate market

Yesterday I had  great fall ... not like Humpty Dumpty ... I didn't break anything but my right shin from knee to foot is all swollen and painful. It goes to show that no matter how long you live here and how well you know the land, you still become a victim to structural changes ... this time due to the security enhancement measures. The police had installed new metal obstacles on the side of our tiny road to prevent cars parking. These metal columns are knee-height and if you keep you eyes looking ahead, you'll miss seeing them under you nose. So I was walking down the road and I heard hebrew being spoken behind me. I turned to see 2 soldiers and just then I walked into one of these mini-columns and fell over it, scratching the entire length of my shin on it. The pain was awful and I was hobbling all day. Even at night when I was in bed the pain was sharp and kept me awake.

Today going to work was not easy. Though it was less painful than yesterday, it still made walking very difficult. Luckily coming back home from work, the driver of another monastery drove me to Herod's Gate. The road home from there has less steps than Damascus Gate, the slope being more gradual. And the market at Herod's Gate is also less crowded so chances of people shoving me around is less.

The implosion of Judaism continues after the publication of the list of some 240 rabbis worldwide whose ministry is considered invalid by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel. It included some famous founders of jewish institutes. The Ashkenazi Chief rabbis has offered a public apology to one of these rabbis, saying he had no idea of this blacklist and its publication. All this boils down to is internal fighting between the Israeli rabbis for power. With the recent deaths of some leading rabbis, a power vacuum was created and no obvious successors in line. Those who aspire for leadership are incapable or unsuitable. So the fiasco  continues from the Wailing Wall crisis to the Sabbath observance crisis ... each group trying to supplant the others in order to forward their own candidate as leading interpreter of the Law of Moses. The result of course is confusion among the jewish laity and a joke among the non-jews. Judaism's fall is going to be more painful than my swollen leg.    http://www.timesofisrael.com/chief-rabbi-apologizes-to-blacklisted-rabbi-heading-nefesh-bnefesh/

Prayers needed

Inside the Chapel of the Blessed
Sacrament in the Holy Sepulcher

The temp. has soared again .... today it's 38 degrees. We are withering under the sun. Most people hide inside their houses or shops. The streets are less crowded than usual. The Ministry of Tourism has reported that the first half year saw a dramatic rise in tourists to the Holy Land. The numbers dropped after Easter but it will pick up again in July and August. That means big money for the govt.

Just in case, if I didn't mention it, last Saturday I celebrated Mass inside the Empty Tomb and remembered all of you in my prayers. I know that there are many people who wish to come here and cannot ... and I pray for them too. Next month I shall be going to Emmaus to celebrate Mass.

There's a horrible news circulating that ISIS killed 250 christian children by throwing them into a bread-making machine, and men were throwned into the fiery ovens. I hope it's not true. If it is .... the rest of the Christian Church should be condemned for its silence.   http://www.jewsnews.co.il/2017/06/07/horror-as-isis-kills-250-christian-children-by-kneading-them-to-death-in-bread-machine-2.html

Judaism's implosion worsens as the Chief Rabbinate in Jerusalem drew up and published a blacklist of rabbis around the world whose ministry it considers to be invalid. It must be dreadful for these rabbis to be condemned publicly after years of service to their congregations.   http://www.haaretz.com/opinion/1.800745

Box of bibles for
M. Teresa's sisters

Thanks to anonymous donors, some 90 bibles were purchased and given to the sisters of M. Teresa in the Middle East. The sisters in Yemen, parts of Syria and Iraq have no priest, no Mass, no sacraments. They only thing they have is the Bible to keep them spiritually strong. They care for muslims and christians alike in these wartorn countries ... feeding them, providing basic medical needs, giving shelter and comfort ... asking nothing in return. Yet the muslims slaughter the nuns in Yemen and continue to threaten them in many of these countries. Show your support for them.

More changes

Damascus Gate
carpark under major
security change

The new security measures are getting more drastic. This morning the municipality blocked off half the parking lot of Damascus Gate carpark and a bulldozer began digging. Looks like they're going to lower the carpark down by 3 meters to make a slope for police cars and ambulances to enter Damascus Gate below. The various security measures have taken on a feverish pace ... all within 2 days. Workmen are everywhere in our Muslim Quarter, tractors with building materials entering and exiting our Quarter ... so much movement. It's quite disquieting ... we locals are feeling nervous.

I am feeling the strain of work ... it's been too many months without a break. And also the frustration that everyone else has gone for their holidays and I am still working like a dog for the past 14 years with no holiday. My body is fighting back ... I've had 2 minor asthma attacks so far this weekend. And I realized I'm losing my temper easily these days. I need to do what I want to do and like to do at least during this summer break.

Well one way I'm enjoying a break ... at least mentally ... is learning some of the great Armenian hymns. They are so well composed and require very trained voices to perform them. The doxology "Amen Hayr Surp" and the Kyrie Elesion "Der Voghormia" are simply beautiful and evocative. However as can be seen, the Armenian Liturgy does not encourage laity participation ... only the trained choir sings the hymns and responses to the Liturgy.

This video is the hymn "Hayr Surp" (Holy Father) ... a doxology to the Trinity

Summer camps and free movies

Open air theatre at the
Italian Synagogue

Yes my guess about the big restructuring project at Damascus Gate was correct ... it's part of the new security measurements need out by the govt. Today a huge computer was installed at the tunnel exit in front of our door. I asked why ... the answer - they're installing 40 extra security cameras in our street. It's a daunting future for us living in this area ... we're being watched every second.

The Italian Synagogue is hosting an open air film session during summer. They have a small arena in the piazza and at one corner they set up a screen. Abe several balloon clouds call attention to passersby of this weekly event. Nice public service. Last night they showed a Harry Potter movie.

Summer camp at the public park

Summer camps have started in the arab areas of Israel. It's organised after Ramadan so it won't disrupt the fasting. Most families pay some US$500 for their kids to join their school's summer camp. Not everyone can afford. For those who can afford more, they'd join the camps of other institutes such as the YMCA. but for the vast majority who are poor, there is no summer camp or at most one organised by the muslim schools. This morning I saw a group of kids at one such camp ... being poor they cannot afford going to swimming pools or learn karate or computer classes. All they had was the public park where they played games and ate a picnic lunch from a plastic bag. The difference between them and those who can afford summer camps in hotels could not be more stark.  My dream is to organise a summer camp for those who cannot afford at all ...  for free ... for those kids who have never and will probably never join a camp because they're too poor for such luxuries.

Sunday rest

Palm Plaza being dug up this morning

Today Sunday was a change of pace from the routine Sundays. The Armenian priest had come for a baptism so he celebrated the Armenian Mass and I didn't need to go there though he asked me to concelebrate ... and I didn't have to concelebrate the 7am Mass because I was invited to say another Mass at 11am instead with the filipino community at the Salesian Monastery. It was very very hot to walk uphill for 2 km to get there ... it took me an hour. And coming home at 1pm was even worse. The ground was so hot I wanted to remove my shoes as my feet were burning.

Full moon over
Damascus Gate

On my way to the Salesian place, I had to pass by Palm Plaza and was shocked to find that it was blocked off and bulldozers were digging up the ground. Trees on both sides of Damascus Gate were chopped off and the ground was also dug up. It looks like the govt. is implementing its decision to beef up security by building security towers for soldiers and flattening the surrounding land so police cars can drive through to Damascus Gate. What an awful and ugly sight this will be.

People are talking of more tensions if these security measures are taken ... it seems more provocative than deterrent. But you never know ... this City is famous for surprises. And all I want is a quiet nice summer holiday which I never had for the past 14 years. Is it too much to ask? some peace and tranquility so people can walk about safely without getting stabbed or shot?

The founder of the "Jewish Taliban" where women cover themselves in burqas like Taliban women was found drowned in a Mexico river. Israeli police are reminding people that it's an extremist cult illegal in Israel. But I still see women all covered up walking through the Old City as well as in the ultra-orthodox neighbourhood.     http://www.haaretz.com/world-news/americas/1.800284