Jerusalem Day

Early group of
marchers

Today Israelis celebrate the 51st year of the 1967 war when Israel took over the West Bank and East Jerusalem from the Jordanians. It's called Jerusalem Day and literally tens of thousands of Israelis march down the main streets of Jerusalem and into the Old City's Muslim Quarter to show who's boss. It's the aggressive Israeli youths who try to damage arab and christian property. Every year clashes break out. Every year I go out to Damascus Gate to take photos but I've noticed it's been more and more aggressive each year. I was threatened last year by a marching group of youths and this year I don't want to take any chances ... so I'm not going out.

Early this morning small groups of youth marchers had passed by our door again, then the youths entered the Al Aqsa mosque compound and clashes broke out with the muslims. Police had to break it up. Later in the day, tear gas were shot in the compound. Now I can hear the thousands of Israelis chanting and marching down Damascus Gate.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/jewish-visitors-removed-from-temple-mount-clashes-erupt-1.6077246

Ramadan lights along Herod's Gate

Groups of youths have been passing by our house, shouting and chanting their victory over the arabs ... and also anti-christian slogans. Christian pilgrim groups were frightened and left our Quarter very quickly. In fact no Masses were booked at our chapels today ... which usually are fully booked every hour. To avoid vandalism, our superior decided to close our sanctuary at 3pm. That was wise.

On the other hand, the leftist wing of Israelis held an alternative march ... distributing flowers to arab residents to promote peace and harmony.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/tolerance-groups-look-to-foster-a-more-inclusive-jerusalem-day/

So it's Sunday and I spent the whole day in my room, cleaning and arranging my files. There was some translation work to do but I finished it quite quickly. It was a slow day ... and I quite liked it. Now let's see what tomorrow brings ... the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem and the arab protest.