Riots

Easter sunrise

 Easter Sunday was anything but serene and tranquil. At 4am explosions rocked our Muslim Quarter. Police fired stun grenades and muslims fired fireworks. Shouts, screams and scurrying of feet along our street. This went on till 8am. Problems started last Friday when Jews tried to bring a lamb into the Al Aqsa compound to sacrifice for the Passover. The Chief Rabbi had strictly forbade this as there is no Temple or Altar. However extremists insists on doing this, even being paid by a group to get arrested by the police. Tensions are high. Afternoon the Imam was yelling through the PA system calling for muslims to come and protect the Mosque because Jews were entering it escorted by police. Then the PA system was cut off.

This morning was no better. 3.45am we were wakened by loud explosions very close to our house. Luckily it ended rather quickly in 40 minutes. However it shocked all of us and no one could go back to sleep. The evenings though were relatively quiet as everyone goes home to eat and then bring their family out for a walk in the warm weather.

Quiet in the evening

Infections in our house has risen to 6 persons. Still some continue to flout quarantine rules but coming out of their rooms, chatting and even going down to the refectory to get food (when there are people bringing food up to their rooms). This is the epitome of arrogance when they think they are priests and so are protected. They don't think of others whom they will infect. Already an elderly guest priest is hospitalised under oxygen because of their careless behaviour. But they will not admit it or even acknowledge that one is seriously ill. The total lack of charity goes against all that Easter is all about.