Eves

Jews at Bab Hutta this morning

It's the eve of Tesha B'Av ... the day of mourning for the burning of the Temple twice in history on the same day. I saw a group of jewish men gathered in front of Bab Hutta, one of the minorities leading into the Temple Mount (or the Al Aqsa compound as muslims call it) just 20 meters from my house. The soldiers refused to let them in, as it is established by law. Luckily there were no clashes. But there might be this evening and tomorrow morning when more radical youths will try to enter. Tomorrow being the eve of the muslim feast of Eid al Adha - there'll be many muslims coming into the Al Aqsa as well ... so a clash could be possible. But I certainly hope not.

A record number of infections in the last 24 hours ... 2,060+. Hospitals can no longer cope with the influx. Instead of considering a lockdown, the govt voted today to raise the payout to israeli citizens. It will make the people happy ... but it sure won't stop the spread of the virus. With the nightly demonstrations against the PM and the govt ... and a rightwing retaliation who attacked and injured the protestors last night ... the govt is thinking only of appeasing public sentiments and not addressing the killer issue ... a virus that's crippling the health system and claiming lives.   https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HJjDwe1ZD

Damascus Gate market today

And continuing to appease public discontent over the economy, the govt has now agreed to open entry to "green" countries ... those deemed free from covid19. Problem is though visitors from these countries can enter without quarantine and certification of health, they might not be allowed to come because Israel is not itself a "green" country to the rest of the world. In fact it's the 6th highest infectious country in the world.  

With the muslim feast in 36 hours, markets are packed with people buying food and gifts. The economy is bad so expenditure is a lot less this year. I doubt any family can afford a lamb which is traditionally roasted and eaten on this feast. A part of it is usually given to the poor. Well this year everyone is poor.