Summer

The weather continues to be hot though not as much as the heatwave last week that went up to 40 degrees. There's a cool breeze blowing so that's good.

Police stop-and-search

Tensions continue to rise as clashes in the palestinian towns are provoked by israeli raids. Stone throwers along the highway to Nablus are also reported to injure motorists. Police are stopping youths and checking their permits in many places in the Old City and around. And the summer heat is not helping to cool tempers.

Exams in the schools are also making university and secondary school students nervous and edgy. Skirmishes are more frequent in the streets between students as a result. Primary school students on the other have started their summer vacation. Busloads are going to Jericho each day to swim in public pools. It's good for the children to go out of the City during summer. The claustrophobic ambiance within the City Walls, and the constant menacing presence of police are very disturbing for growing children. It's not normal. Luckily schools organise such trips but the cost may be too much for poor families to afford. Instead the poorer children will be working as vendors or in shops and restaurants to earn a little something. I really wish I could sponsor them for football classes or something in the Arab Sports Club here in the Old City. I used to do that with the extra reserves of donations but now Covid has depleted all our resources. It's these poorer kids who need a break, to be able to run and laugh and kick ball without police chasing them away.

Off to Jericho swimming pools!