March of the Nations

At Tsahal Square

Sukkot festivities are underway big time in and around the Old City. Damascus Gate park is set up with 4 tents for children's activities and Palm Plaza is now a jungle-gym challenge for kids (though lots of adults also join in). At Tsahal Square actors in costumes play music and take photos with children. Ands I'm sure these events are taking place all the way down to Jaffa Gate and the Artists' Colony, into the New City and into the suburbs. Sukkoth is the greatest feast for the jews and is marked with joy. However the activities at Palm Plaza and Damascus Gate area have drawn criticism that it's another attempt to "jewify" the arab east Jerusalem. Palm Plaza is surrounded by fences for these events and Israeli security is very heavy. Arabs who usually spend the summer evenings in the park now are afraid to go there. Arab youths who ride their bicycles there are unhappy they lost the only space they can play in. Arab kids who play in the fountain cannot reach it anymore because of the fence. So the arabs pay the price for the jewish feast ... at least that's what some people are saying.

Jungle-Gym at Palm Plaza

Anyway the whole place is packed with people. It's difficult to walk through the streets. Even our usually quiet alleys are full of groups of local israelis led by guides touring the arab section ... possibly with an eye to buy up property.

This afternoon was the Parade of the Nations ... or the Jerusalem March if you prefer. It's tens of thousands of protestants marching down 2 kms from Gan Sacher never the Knesset (Parliament House) down to the Old Train Station. These evangelicals and zionsit-christians believe they will fulfill the prophecy of the prophet Zechariah non-jews will come to celebrate Sukkoth with the jews and the Messiah will therefore come. This year the majority come from China and Brazil .... literally in the thousands, Right now the March is over and they're dispersing into our streets. Traffic has to stop as it's simply too crowded to even walk in the passkeys. People are spilling into the roads, blocking cars. One thing for sure ... restaurants are very happy. These people are hungry and thirsty after the March and want something to eat and drink.

With the tight security all around the City, there's been no report of any incident of clashes or violence. At least the police are not telling in order not to panic or cause a revenge attack. I'm ok with that. There's not much news on our borders north and south ... nor the region. Nobody wants to spoil the fun of Sukkoth.