Summer of unrest

Dates growing at Palm Plaza

Last night saw the largest demonstration yet against the PM. According to newspaper reports, some 20,000 people took to the streets. According to organisers it was 37,000. And this was only in Jerusalem. Protests also took place all around cities of the country and even in several cities around the world.

Teachers, parents and school staff are threatening a strike as the govt has ordered schools to open in a couple of days. Protestors say it has not taken into consideration those teachers and staffers who are sick or high risk. Thousands of students will return to school with no plan as to how to maintain distance and other measures to prevent infection.   https://www.timesofisrael.com/teachers-and-parents-threaten-strike-ahead-of-start-of-school-year/?fbclid=IwAR3dmbQN8ZDPWVbX-58c1V6sA1h7PGMSA2u0mmnCSNIZxHGAQRPDc4CW_ZE

And lab assistants also are calling for a strike because they are overworked and underpaid. This is really a bad time all around.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/public-lab-workers-begin-open-ended-strike-amid-pay-dispute-with-treasury/?fbclid=IwAR0VWRBOvkEbvRH6sHuckFZvLWTLRpvTVucFosMtcYxoeaqfTz2wQpeMjUo

And talking about bad news ... we just learnt of a 4th drowning death in 24 hrs. The heatwave is drawing thousands of people to the beaches ... but with the heat, crowd and some people who don't know how to swim ... tragedy has struck. https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-fourth-drowning-within-a-day-70-year-old-man-dies-at-caesarea-beach/amp/?fbclid=IwAR0oZm6Acs9QLRuN_EV6Yj_nwX8t-uecMPs_TMXfksNr37zHDe8E9OYUxCQ

Moon over City wall

What an extraordinary summer. Everyone can't wait for 2020 to pass ... and hopefully with it all the bad things happening. I wish it were so simple. And today's heatwave isn't helping. It shot up to 39 degrees in the afternoon and will continue like this till Tuesday. All my flowers and plants have shrivelled despite the watering. Only the dates are enjoying this heat ... it helps ripen the fruit.

Today's liturgy at the Armenian Catholic church was lovely as usual. The 4 Missionaries of Africa seminarians came to serve as acolytes and lectors. We kept to 10 people in the congregation in accordance with govt rulings. Police stand at the front door so we are very diligent in observing the law.