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Jerusalem artichokes in bloom

The heat continues to beat down on us ... and it feels so much more intense these last 3 days though the maximum is 32 degrees. The sun scorches the skin and it feels terribly painful. Most plants have withered but some simply enjoy this heatwave ... especially sunflowers and date palms. They're flowering everywhere in the country. I planted 6 pots of Jerusalem Artichokes last winter and they've started blooming. They're neither artichokes nor from Jerusalem but a type of sunflower with edible tubers. Their small bright yellow flowers are very cheery when they swing along with the wind.

Flowering date palm

Tourists are coming in lesser numbers now as the heat overcomes the country. Asian tourists however outnumber westerners as it's probably the school holidays now. It will be a nice break for most of us not to be constantly stressed by tourists.

However any happy thoughts for summer is soured by a warning of a possible Gaza war. Not a nice prospect... and definitely not in this heat.  https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Security-and-Defense-Five-years-later-another-Gaza-war-on-the-horizon-595382   and   https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/Netanyahu-We-are-preparing-for-broad-surprising-campaign-in-Gaza-595342?fbclid=IwAR2ud1i32J_7tbX3y3fBBN-y5mOEyggsM7KtTKvRfOjk8D1wdbhJDtHFI00

And the northern city of Afula had recently banned selling or renting property to arabs ... not it's disallowed arabs from entering public parkas well.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-attorney-general-backs-legal-petition-to-allow-israeli-arabs-to-enter-public-park-1.7494383?fbclid=IwAR0XjyT5sEHygHhxBJGI5XwyLJQOUc--3X8vxcyZvExznzYao5hkrYgtIfk