Monday, May 16, 2011
The day after
Calm has returned to the city and the country. Life has gone back to normal ... for those who have not suffered lost of a relative. Its time to evaluate yesterday's events from both sides of the clash ... and hopefully reason and peace will prevail.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Violence (updated)
Palestinian refugees from Lebanon and Syrian try to enter Israel. Unrest in most Palestinian areas with checkpoints.
Suspected terrorist attack in Tel Aviv 2 hours ago. 1 killed, 16 injured. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220575 and http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1-killed-16-hurt-as-truck-plows-into-cars-pedestrians-in-suspected-tel-aviv-terror-attack-1.361806
Arab demonstration for Nakba Day has spread to Jaffa (Tel Aviv) - the first time ever. Thousands marched and chanted. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hundreds-in-jaffa-take-to-the-streets-to-mark-nakba-day-1.361666 and http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=220514
Both Israeli and Palestinian military are hoping to contain the violence today http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-hopes-calm-will-prevail-as-nakba-day-begins-1.361719 but arab countries surrounding Israel are also marking Nakba Day. Too much to handle. If the Palestinian authorities want to declare statehood, then now is the test - can it handle it's own social unrest? If they fail today, then everything they aspire is hollow.
More tensions are expected throughout the country and especially in East Jerusalem. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220498
Suspected terrorist attack in Tel Aviv 2 hours ago. 1 killed, 16 injured. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220575 and http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1-killed-16-hurt-as-truck-plows-into-cars-pedestrians-in-suspected-tel-aviv-terror-attack-1.361806
Arab demonstration for Nakba Day has spread to Jaffa (Tel Aviv) - the first time ever. Thousands marched and chanted. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hundreds-in-jaffa-take-to-the-streets-to-mark-nakba-day-1.361666 and http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=220514
Both Israeli and Palestinian military are hoping to contain the violence today http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israel-hopes-calm-will-prevail-as-nakba-day-begins-1.361719 but arab countries surrounding Israel are also marking Nakba Day. Too much to handle. If the Palestinian authorities want to declare statehood, then now is the test - can it handle it's own social unrest? If they fail today, then everything they aspire is hollow.
More tensions are expected throughout the country and especially in East Jerusalem. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220498
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Godzilla storm
More violence in Jerusalem today. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/violent-clashes-erupt-between-police-and-palestinians-at-east-jerusalem-funeral-1.361634 Things will get more heated by this evening and tomorrow. The city will be closed again but I don't think it will stop rioting inside its streets and alleys. Preparing for the worse, but hoping for the best. Tomorrow is Good Shepherd Sunday. Let's pray that the Good Shepherd will guide everyone to peaceful waters and restful meadows ... not war, violence and death that everyone is heading.
Last night a storm broke over the city. Thunder, lightening and very heavy rain. None of us could sleep. I was thinking of an adjective to describe the storm ... but could only think of "godzilla". It was a godzilla storm.
Last night a storm broke over the city. Thunder, lightening and very heavy rain. None of us could sleep. I was thinking of an adjective to describe the storm ... but could only think of "godzilla". It was a godzilla storm.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Black Friday
So it's Friday today; and it's the 13th. Computers crash, end of the world ... well, it didn't all happen though blogger.com was down for the whole day.
The Old City was closed off today - Friday before Nakba Day. Soldiers and police manned the city gates and prohibited muslim men below 45 yrs to enter. There was fear of demonstrations and rioting after the noonday prayer in the Al Aksa mosque. Scuffles did occur outside the Old City and arrests were made. Rubber bullets and tear gas were fired. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-palestinian-tensions-rise-in-jerusalem-west-bank-as-nakba-day-nears-1.361533 and photos http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220439
Tomorrow is Sabbath, and military presence will be equally strong. Sunday is Nakba Day - Day of Catastrophe - where Palestinians protest their land being occupied by Israel. We're expecting tensions and scuffles in the streets. I'm sure the Old City will be closed again.
And the tensions seem to be reflected in the weather. Grey gloomy skies and cold strong winds.
The Old City was closed off today - Friday before Nakba Day. Soldiers and police manned the city gates and prohibited muslim men below 45 yrs to enter. There was fear of demonstrations and rioting after the noonday prayer in the Al Aksa mosque. Scuffles did occur outside the Old City and arrests were made. Rubber bullets and tear gas were fired. http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israeli-palestinian-tensions-rise-in-jerusalem-west-bank-as-nakba-day-nears-1.361533 and photos http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=220439
Tomorrow is Sabbath, and military presence will be equally strong. Sunday is Nakba Day - Day of Catastrophe - where Palestinians protest their land being occupied by Israel. We're expecting tensions and scuffles in the streets. I'm sure the Old City will be closed again.
And the tensions seem to be reflected in the weather. Grey gloomy skies and cold strong winds.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Some Photos
Here're some photos of the Independence Day parade by the coast.
Crowds gather at the beach to watch the parade
The parade of yachts
Fighter jets in formation flight
The Navy parade
More fighter jets in formation
Families gather on the hilltop to barbeque and watch the parade
Crowds gather at the beach to watch the parade
The parade of yachts
Fighter jets in formation flight
The Navy parade
More fighter jets in formation
Families gather on the hilltop to barbeque and watch the parade
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Israel at 63
Independence Day - with a wide mixture of reactions. While most of the country is on holiday, there are also dissenting voices among Israeli ranks http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/what-kind-of-independence-is-this-1.360641 / http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/a-special-place-in-hell/israel-at-63-what-part-of-shut-up-do-you-not-understand-1.360754 and of course anger among the Palestinians. While the "Nakbar Law" has been enforced, it will not stop the Palestinians from organising demonstrations on Nakbar Day in 5 days time.
Anyway families are out in the parks and beaches, barbecuing. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=219931 The parade was impressive by the coast. Fighter planes flew overhead in formation, the navy sailed past. Even El Al flew 3 carriers at low altitude. Smaller aircraft also flew past in formation ... so close (less than 40 metres) that I could see the pilot who waved at me and I waved back. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=219948
Meantime there's quite some attention about a Jewish Orthodox newspaper that doctored and removed the picture of Hilary Clinton because women should not be seen. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/u-s-orthodox-newspaper-apologizes-for-altering-white-house-photo-1.360824 Democracy? Israel is politically 63 years old; Judaism is thousands of years old. How can democracy pretend to guide Judaic society?
Anyway families are out in the parks and beaches, barbecuing. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=219931 The parade was impressive by the coast. Fighter planes flew overhead in formation, the navy sailed past. Even El Al flew 3 carriers at low altitude. Smaller aircraft also flew past in formation ... so close (less than 40 metres) that I could see the pilot who waved at me and I waved back. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=219948
Meantime there's quite some attention about a Jewish Orthodox newspaper that doctored and removed the picture of Hilary Clinton because women should not be seen. http://www.haaretz.com/jewish-world/u-s-orthodox-newspaper-apologizes-for-altering-white-house-photo-1.360824 Democracy? Israel is politically 63 years old; Judaism is thousands of years old. How can democracy pretend to guide Judaic society?
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