Kindness appreciated

Sunset today

Another stabbing attack today ... tho time at the tram station outside Damascus Gate. The female terrorist was apprehended and the victim was slightly injured on the shoulder. The City Gates were closed for several hours and no one was allowed to go in or out .... even though the attack took place outside of the Old City. Let's hope it's not the beginning of another string of similar violence. We're tired of it. We don't want anymore closures of the City Gates. We want freedom of movement. No more violence!!! After having said that, I passed by the ultra-orthodox jewish neighbourhood of Mea Shearim just 100 meters from where the attack took place earlier in the morning ... and numerous ultra-orthodox jews were taunting and jeering at Israeli police and soldiers, throwing stones and any stuff they can get hold off. They have been doing that everyday for almost a week now because they protest against compulsory drafting to military service.

The weather is still very hot and the sun is relentless. You would have thought it would have deterred any street violence ... but today proved me wrong. Let me observe and study some more and come up with a new theory.

Chinese pilgrims donate food

Meanwhile not everything is negative. This afternoon a group of chinese pilgrims arrived for Mass before going to the airport to fly home. They were booked for an early dinner but felt they didn't need it. Given that the meal was already prepaid, they decided to pack it up ... 35 packs ... and gave it to the poor to eat. That was really very kind of them and it restores hope in humanity despite the terrible violence around us. I brought all the food to the Sisters of M. Teresa to be distributed to the poor.