Sunday

Toppled mobile toilet

It's Jerusalem Day and the morning was broken with clashes inside the Al Aqsa Mosque. Police had allowed 1200 jews to enter the Mosque and muslims, celebrating the last days of Ramadan, were furious since no one except muslims are allowed inside during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Clashes broke out and arrests were made. I could hear security helicopters flying above the mosque compound at about 7am. But wisely the police did not hinder the muslims from continuing to pray in the mosque, allowing free access to all. That certainly averted any further violence. Not everything was totally peaceful though ... a toppled mobile toilet outside Damascus Gate testifies to some clashes there.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinians-and-police-clash-as-jews-allowed-into-temple-mount-on-jerusalem-day/?fbclid=IwAR3MBsYxSjNQi87D22ac4BRZUOs-p6c7diyLSVStgLMsktmyPv1RjytSel0

Meanwhile the exchange of fire between Syria and Israel continued ... Syria landed missiles inside the Golan Heights and Israel bombing Syrian military bases. We're not sure if things will cool down.   https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Syrian-air-defense-confront-enemy-targets-near-Damascus-591333?fbclid=IwAR15VFAbc6DEGmUk5SaOav1cH1EzVkyiBgPUOps7imUF9F3lobiYJPucijA

Seminarians at liturgy

I had to go celebrate the Armenian Mass this morning. The road was full of police and muslims going to pray. The liturgy was well done ... all 3 armenian seminarians can to help sing and respond while the White Fathers' seminarians came to help serve and read the 1st reading. The singing was very good ... and one seminarian even played the flute accompanying the organ. Everyone was very pleased.  

I spent the rest of the day at home, filing its of document, cleaning the room and trying to block out the noise of the israeli settlers marching and chanting and provoking local residents along out street.

Anyway I'm glad it's all over and tomorrow we're back to routine again.