Cold

Yesterday there was a car ramming attack injuring 7 people in the busy open market of Mahane Yehuda. A day previously there was a stabbing attempt. This uptick of violence comes as Israel celebrates Memorial Day today ... remember its jewish citizens killed by arabs. This year the govt refused to let arabs join in the celebrations to remember arabs killed by jews. Sadly the country remains deeply divided as the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day tonight.

Cold and windy nights

Meantime we're reminded that t's 10 years since the Syrian and Greek Orthodox bishops in Aleppo were kidnapped. We pray for their release soon. 

At Damascus Gate the Ramadan lights continue to shine though the feast is over. Crowds continue to flock into the mosque to pray ... los of foreign muslims from France, England, Indonesia. Police continue to stop and search young arabs in the streets, provoking hatred. It's very humiliating to be stopped and searched in public. 

The nights have suddenly become very windy and cold, though the day is pleasantly warm. I've been lending out jackets to visiting friars who didn't bring enough clothing.

My feet and hands continue to be swollen, making walking and wearing shoes difficult. I had severe dizzy spells and nausea yesterday, with chest pains. And I feel very exhausted. I need to sleep more.