Iron Dome defense system

And the celebrated Iron Dome defense system that intercepted many Gaza rockets and saved many cities in Israel is now available in home-version ......

Quiet on the homefront

Soaking the olives in water

Yesterday was relatively quiet despite the talk that the evening would see more violence. But Tel Aviv came under more attacks. This morning 2 more rockets fell near the city but landed either in the sea or waste land. Like I said, Hamas will not risk destroying the Al Aqsa mosque by shooting Jerusalem. So we're pretty safe here.

There were widespread demonstrations throughout the Territories especially near the security checkpoints; but nothing happened here in Jerusalem. You just get groups of arab youths gathering in street corners jeering and taunting Israeli soldiers standing at the opposite end of the street. It's the usual posturing and bravado that ends in nothing.

This morning Israel started an assault on Gaza from the sea. Coupled with attacks from the air, Gaza is getting a pounding. When the sea and air assault has weakened the Hamas forces, we believe the Israeli land forces will enter Gaza.

Sr Lucia bruising the olives

But life continues as usual ... the olives have to be prepared for pickling. It's tedious work. Luckily the weather has warmed up and its pretty sunny as well so working outdoors is quite pleasant. Then you have to bruise the olives with a mallet before soaking them in brine and spices. Then you have to fight off the crows that try to steal the olives. Or the cats that come and poo into the tubs of olives (It happened last year!!!)

Thus another day passes ... and we wait for good news that the war will end soon. Battering olives is more fun than battering at war.

Jerusalem outskirts bombed

Today 4.50pm the sirens sounded in Jerusalem. We got out to see what happened and realised we were being fired upon by rockets. One fell near Tekoa (the village of the prophet Amos) south of Jerusalem. It's certainly unexpected because Gaza never had the capability to fire rockets beyond 25km. Now they reached Jerusalem which is 120 km away. Someone is providing the Gazans with new and powerful rockets. It's the first time in 20 years that rockets have been fired into Jerusalem - a foolish move since the Al Aqsa mosque is right in the centre of the city and any damage to the mosque (the 3rd holiest in Islam) will be unforgiveable by the rest of the muslim world. We're certain this was just a once off shot to frighten the Israeli govt. and will not occur again.

But believe me, even with this scare, life went on as usual. In fact more people were in the streets, sharing stories about previous wars over a cup of coffee and cigarette. Shops continue to do brisk business. Military presence was high but not anymore than the usual Jewish holidays.

Sr, Vincenta at work

And just to show you how usual life is, we have Sr. Vincenta sorting and washing the olives before pickling them. Couldn't resist taking a photo.

Later in the evening Giuseppe, our volunteer archaeologist, invited me to a home cooked dinner. His fiancee Chiara (also an archaeologist) arrived a week ago and she wanted to meet me as she heard alot about me from Giuseppe. It was a lovely simple dinner - mushroom soup, smoked salmon and fresh bread, fruit and cake. Chiara and I chatted alot while Giuseppe was busy in the kitchen. Chiara leaves for Italy on Monday morning.

So it's war and peace ... rockets may be fired all over the country but the people will not let it destroy their lives; they will live life as usual ... it's the only way to win a war ... by not fighting it.

War update

A possible land assault on Gaza soon. Israel called up 30,000 reservists. Meantime air and sea assault started at 6am. Gaza has not responded so far. So far the talk about town is the missiles fired into Tel Aviv. The usual Gaza rockets don't have the capacity to fly beyond 25-30km. This time it flew way into 70km ... which means the rockets are a different type, more powerful and therfore foreign made. The question is: how did they get into Gaza despite Israeli blockade?

There's a sick conspiracy theory being whispered around the streets - that the war was orchestrated to boost both Israeli and Hamas govt as elections draw near. It's really sick because human lives are being sacrificed for political ambition, if it is true. Anyway it's common for such rumours to fly during times of crisis. And it helps no one.

War

Rishon LeZion, the city next to Tel Aviv was hit by 2 missiles from Gaza at 4.45pm yesterday. Missile alert sirens sounded in Central Israel. Other southern cities near Gaza like Ashdod and Eshkol were also fired on. The country is tense. That's the consequence of Israel killing Gaza's political bureau chief Jabari in an air-raid the day before. We expected some form of retaliation, but 2 missiles all the way up to Rishon? It's definitely a first. Jerusalem will not be touched ... the Al Aqsa mosque is here and Hamas won't take the risk of firing a missile that could potentially destroy Islam's 3rd holiest shrine.

An hour later we received news that Tel Aviv and Holon (neighbouring city) was also hit by missiles. It's causing jitters in the coastal cities but Jerusalem is life as usual, people going shopping and dining like any other weekend.

Meantime Israel is firing into Gaza from the sea and air. We expect a lot of casualties. Let's pray for the innocent people stuck in this war they never chose.

Let's see what the rest of today holds ... it's a Friday after all.

Sufgoniot

The sky continues to be overcast with dark clouds, hiding the sun. It's cold ... about 16-20 degrees. But no rain.

Palestinians were demonstrating to mark "Independence Day" - but most of the action took place in the central country ie Ramallah, Nablus etc in Samaria.  http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/thousands-of-palestinians-protest-to-mark-independence-day-1.477679  Nothing happening here in the south. Everyone just wants to get on with life ... work, pay the bills and eat 3 meals.

Sufgoniot I bought yesterday

And talking about meals, it's the time of the year for sufgoniot (or Pączki in polish) ... those doughnuts without holes, filled with jam or chocolate. Yummy. Not good for my diabetes but I had two yesterday. After all sufgoniot comes round only once a year during winter. Gave some to our polish sisters who love eating them as well. Sr. Vicenta hasn't perfected baking them. Her first lot were hard as rocks ... literally. Used to throw them at the cats to chase them out of our courtyard.

So far it's been a quiet day - time to read, study and correct an article for our annual. It's good not to be stressed .. but I wonder how long this will last.

Char Kway Teow diaries

So the rains have stopped this morning. Though the sun was up, it was still pretty chilly. Everyone still has their jackets, jumpers and hoods on. Welcome winter!

So Nazareth Hospital's got a new superior for the nursing nuns. She and the PR officer came to see me this afternoon. We bumped into the patriarch and we chatted up. Anyway the superior is a professional medic and she said I probably got a certain intestinal infection (can't pronounce the name ... too technical) which causes constant diarrhea and vomiting. She wants me to go for tests. Meanwhile I have to keep off certain foods and have to keep my tummy always warm - day and night.

Char Kway Teow takeaway
from Thai House

Well that's not going to stop me from having Char Kway Teow ... haven't had it in months. Was at Thai House 2 days back with my physiotherapist as we had a late session and we were both hungry. Was abit tough as he keeps kosher and Thai House food isn't. Ended up with TouFu tom yam and a chicken curry for him. I was surprised to find out that duck is kosher. I always thought otherwise. Anyway am suffering the consequence of eating ... got the cramps and diarrhea. Maybe I should go to Nazareth Hospital next week. The physio was good though as 70% of the pain in my neck and shoulders is gone.

Right now fighter jets are flying overhead. That means Israel is bombarding Gaza again. For the last 3 days there's been an exchange of missiles across the border but this morning Hamas called a truce. Also Israel fired into Syria as a second round of missiles "errantly" landed in the Golan Heights. It's the usual thing this time of the year - not too hot or cold to keep people indoors so they come out and cause trouble. When it gets colder and wetter, things will stop and people will go home to stay warm and watch tv.