Weekend over

New Gate's
Christmas tree

 It was a crazy weekend, starting with another stabbing at Damascus Gate. Security cameras caught the whole thing on video. It was shocking. The attacker was killed on the spot by nearby police, while a victim is in hospital with moderate injuries. This took place on Saturday evening while I was having class, about 500m away. I could hear gunshots and tear gas/stun grenades exploding. Apparently after the attacker was killed, arabs in the area began rioting. The City Gates were closed and no one could go in or out. I realised the severity of the situation, and could only go home within the Old City itself, through the alleys. It is a disturbing trend, every week now an attack of some sort. 

And this in the midst of the Advent season and the jewish Hanukkah feast. Thousands have descended to Jerusalem to celebrate the jewish feast and see the Christmas lights. It's a miracle nothing has happened in the crowded areas but only at Damascus Gate. 

My sufganiot last night

Last night Linda from Mian Restaurant gave me 2 sufganiot (jelly doghnuts) which jews eat during Hanukkah. It was very nice of her. I had one chocolate and another strawberry. They were very fanciful .... and costly. But Linda said they had good business lately and wanted to share God's blessing. It was the last night of Hanukkah anyway (8 day celebration) so there'll be no more sufganiot to eat till next year.

The Advent lights in the Christian Quarter have drawn lots of jews (secular of course) to come and take photos. Religious jews despise the decorations. They say the Christmas Tree is an idol, like Santa Claus. They would spit when they pass by our streets ... which they could easily avoid by going through their own streets in the jewish quarter. They're provocative and intolerant.