Christmas Tree

Christmas lights at
New Gate

Another terror attack today ... today near Ramallah in the Palestinian Territories. A soldier was injured and the terrorist was shot. We had been enjoying calm for some time now and looks like the violence is back .... thanks to Trump.

The weather continues to be cold and dry. And the giant Christmas Tree at New Gate was lit last night. The whole of Freres' Street was illuminated by beautiful lights and there was even a Christmas crib below the tree. However there was nothing outs on the New Gate nor the walls of the Christian Quarter. The police have banned it because it offends the "religious sensitivities" of the ultra-orthodox jews. Strange because they have their Hanukkah lamps everywhere in public and that's all right. We're considered idolators and Christmas Trees are idols. But the Hanukkah lamps are not. We're a minority so we'd better shut-up. The govt. tells us that we're privileged because only in Israel can we practice our faith ... well ... as far as the ultra-orthodox allow us. We're not persecuted ... it's just that we shouldn't "offend the sensitivities" of the majority.

The Manger below
the tree

A major financial earthquake shook us yesterday. The huge pharmaceutical company TEVA is laying off half of it's thousands of employees worldwide. From the news I read, the company is collapsing due to poor management. It's one of the world's largest pharmaceuticals and Israel is always breaking headlines with new drugs and medicines .... so there's actually no excuse for tea to do badly. Hanukkah is not very happy for those 14,000 workers who are being laid off. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/business/1.828978


Meantime we learn that some 70 arabs have been arrested throughout the country for the clashes organized against Trump and Israel. They were mainly night raids ... and I saw one take place opposite our house at 4am. I know the guy they were looking for ... and fortunately they released him because it was mistaken identity. Remember there are over 700 security cameras that watch your every move in and out of the Old City.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/67-east-jerusalem-residents-arrested-since-trumps-announcement-33065