Gaudete

Arab men stopped by Israeli police
in jewish part of Jerusalem today

Tensions continue to rise as more terrorist attacks took place last night and more Israeli revenge attacks also took place. Police presence in and around the Old City has been stepped up. Stop-and-search is widespread now. Most arabs try to stay in the eastern part of Jerusalem which is predominantly arab. But those who dared to go to the western side which is jewish ... they get stopped and searched by the Israeli police. I personally witnessed 2 arab men stopped today at Zion Square, one of the busiest part of town. At the CityPass office where I went to apply for a Rav Kav (sort of credit card for all public transport, like Hong Kong's Octopass) because cash is no longer accepted in all Israeli pubic transport, an arab woman who was also applying was watched and photographed by security in the upper floor. 2 more security guards were called to stand near her. It was terrible. But that's the price to pay for some stupid terrorist who never thought of the consequences for other people. The terrorist gets killed but we who are alive pay the price with our freedom of movement. That is concretely seen in Israel's refusal to grant Christmas permits to christian Gaza's to enter Israel for the feast. Usually a few hundred are given permits so they can come to Bethlehem and Jerusalem to pray and join in the festivities. This year no permits were granted to christian Gazans. That is exactly what the muslim terrorists want .... to destroy our christmas celebrations and make christians turn against Israel. I hope the Church hierarchy is smart enough to see through this ruse and not fall into its trap.  https://english.palinfo.com/news/2018/12/15/israel-bans-gaza-christians-from-entering-bethlehem?fbclid=IwAR3a91L_8RiZqvUIYZMKkFb0S-393JZtm2NUmkAQVqs7R-vJKgG7KE7iokw

The media is saying that the violence and attacks in Palestine is spiralling out of control and Israel must respond with some means of security measures. It's not simply Hamas' hand behind this but the warring regional powers.  https://www.haaretz.com/.premium-israel-army-hamas-west-bank-spirals-into-violence-1.6743889?fbclid=IwAR1riC_XbifFm5-P-M9_w3FgTzvaSRud7wsSaOcVZcufPJwytHcovyXQdVY

Anyway I finally have a Rav Kav. It's valid for buses, trams and trains. Cash is not accepted anymore as payment. And inspectors are everywhere ... bus stations, tram stations and even inside the buses and trams checking on people's Rav Kav. It's a personalised card which cannot be transferred to others. Not sure why I got it as I never travel by bus or tram ... but everyone said it'll come in useful one day.

Today is Gaudete Sunday ... the pink candle on the Advent wreath was lit. A message of joy is read in the Liturgy of the Word. But with all the tensions and violence ... we can only hope.