Tisha B'Av

Jews praying the Book of Lamentation
some sitting on the floor

Yesterday was as peaceful as Sunday ... at least till the early afternoon. Then Police started arriving at Damascus Gate in droves. That's because yesterday evening was the start of the jewish Tisha B'Av ... the commemoration of the destruction of both Jewish Temples, once in 587 BC and the 2nd time in 70 AD .... coincidentally on the same day 500 years apart. The Book of Lamentations is recited in soft solemn tones ... usually seated on the floor, without shoes. traditional jews would fast the whole day and not shave nor bathe. The reason for this penance? The early rabbis taught that the Temple was destroyed because the Jews had sinned. Today all entertainment and food shops must close. No one should be enjoying himself ... it is a solemn penitential day. In fact the police have blocked a main road leading toward the Ultra-Orthodox neighbourhood of Mea Shearim with a container truck ... that way no cars or traffic can pass by the neighbourhood that is in penance.

Container truck
blocking road

Last night while coming home I saw a large group of jews, most seated on the ground, at Zion Square (the centre of Jerusalem's eateries) reciting the Book of Lamentation. Police have cordoned off East Jerusalem from Palm Plaza onwards.
Border Police were everywhere ... but I saw more plainclothes police. They pistols tucked at the waist is a dead giveaway. There were male and female plainclothes police .... all mingling with crowds inside the Old City. This operation is serious.

Newspapers are saying that hundreds of Jews will try to enter the Al Aqsa compound today ... they believe the ancient Temple once stood on the place where the golden Dome of the Rock now stands. I am sure there will be clashes since only a couple of days ago the muslim riots took place there over sovereignty of that Holy Site. Enough of violence ... we don't want chaos and injuries that disturb our neighbourhood. Hope today will pass peacefully.