Friday

Damascus Gate by night
in the heatwave

The heatwave continues to oppress us ... daytime still over 40 degrees. Few people venture out in the day ... and the nights are the same. People prefer to hide in their houses with the aircons on. Just today alone I've seen several people installing aircons in their houses. Aircon sellers are making a boom this week. The weekend night-markets which are usually packed with people, are now very quiet. In fact lots of shops close before 5pm ... not only because of the cost to keep the shops cool but because nobody is shopping because of the heat.

And added to this dreadful weather, a revenge attack was committed yesterday near the village where 18 mth old baby Ali was burnt to death. An arab villager rammed his car into 3 Israeli soldiers, critically wounding them. Rioters in Shuafat, north of Jerusalem where last year the 16 yr old arab boy was burnt to death by 3 Israelis, threw stones at passing Israeli cars, wounding one woman. This tit-for-tat violence is helping no one. Police presence was high today around the Old City. It's Friday and thousands of muslims are flooding into the Al Aqsa Mosque. Fears of revenge attacks on jews have triggered the regional police to station as many police and soldiers as possible along the main streets.

New wall and plaque
at convent entrance

Today news is out that Catholic Church leaders in Israel have filed an official complain to the police over the extremist rabbi's call that it is justified to to burn all churches. Other church leaders are still keeping quiet. Too bad for them if they're scared of jewish extremists. The Armenian Orthodox leaders have been spat upon many times in the streets, and Greek Orthodox churches have been vandalised ... but if they choose to keep quiet about it, they have to pay the price for their silence.

The wall of the Missionaries of Charity's convent has been rebuilt and a stone plaque hangs over their main entrance in the Old City. At least the nuns now feel a little more secure. Their muslim neighbours used to cut their phone wires and spit at the nuns. Let's hope with the new and higher wall, the nuns will not be harassed again.

Heatwave still

Backlash from the recent strong words by govt officials against extremist israeli groups that had perpetrated last week's violence. Just when the National Security Agency refused to blacklist the extremist group as "terrorist", the group's leader issued a call to burn all churches in Israel. http://www.haaretz.com/beta/.premium-1.669785?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook

The Attorney General still refuses to prosecute this rightwing group leader for inciting violence, though if these words were made by anyone else and regards a synagogue, there would be an immediate arrest. 

HaShoter Square spraying cool
water vapors 

And the heatwave is claiming more casualties. Yesterday a soldier died of heatstroke while many others were warded due to heat related problems. The whole region is engulfed in this heatwave and there is nothing much anyone can do. The nights are still hitting 30 degrees though a cool breeze does blow across and bring some relief. HaShoter Square in front of Mandarin Restaurant has been very popular these few evenings ... it features sprays of cool water into the air, and lots of people just sit around the mushroom shaped chairs to get cooled down by the vapors.

For the past 2 days I've had asthma attacks ... but now I think it's not a reaction to the heatwave or sandstorm. It was probably the crackers that I ate when I feel hungry during the day. It's normal wheat crackers, no flavor, but it probably contains preservatives of the Benzoate or Sulfide group that I'm allergic to. Yesterday's attack was quite bad and I forgot to bring my Ventolin with me. Had to rush off to the pharmacy and buy one. I also had severe IBS attacks (diarrhea) which is associated with my allergy to preservatives. Awful. Now before I buy any packets of food, I must read the label for ingredients. 

Coptic Bishop comes to visit

Have been feeling terribly ill for 24 hours now. Since yesterday I've been very nauseous and listless. I thought it could have been dehydration and the heatwave that's affecting me. But this morning the nausea became worse and my head is very dizzy. I feel I could faint at any moment ... it's that queasy feeling, the legs are soft, the head is dizzy and I feel like walking on clouds.

Temperatures have gone up super high yesterday. The night was 31 degrees! Daytime was almost 40 degrees! Yet local people thank God because in Iraq it's over 51 degrees! This heatwave will continue through the week. The govt is warning of electrical outages due to over-demand by aircons throughout the country.

Bishop Justinus with a Coptic priest
and nun on the roof of the Flagellation

Despite the heat, we had a surprise visitor yesterday: the superior of the legendary St. Anthony Monastery in Egypt, coptic Bishop Justinus. The enormous and ancient monastery in the desert of Egypt was the place where christian monasticism was born, thanks to the Rule and form of life that Anthony organized for those who chose this way of life. St. Anthony is considered the Father of all monks, and the father of christian monasticism. In this illustrious monastery of almost 1700 years, several coptic Popes have been elected and resided ... the last one being Pope Shenouda who died several years ago. Anyway the bishop just popped over for a private pilgrimage without any announcement ... very simple man; accompanied by a coptic priest from the Holy Sepulcher (whom I know well), and the superior of the Coptic nuns in Jerusalem. I showed him the panorama of Jerusalem from our terrace, which he was thrilled.

Back to the social scene, talk shows, editorials and street chat are still focussed on the death of the 16 yr old jewish girl stabbed by an ultra-orthodox jew because she joined in the Pride Parade, and of course the burning to death of the 18 mth old arab baby Ali. One rabbi said it was no better than the child sacrifices condemned by the prophet Isaiah, an innocent baby sacrificed on the altar of fanaticism and to the idol of nationhood.

Nevertheless justice seems as elusive as ever ... because the State Security system refuses to pronounce the extremist jewish Lehava group as terrorist even though their agenda openly calls for the elimination of arabs and non-jews; and the Security System now dismisses these violent perpetrators as a gang of misguided "kids" thus diminishing responsibility and culpability. I doesn't surprise me one bit. If you can get away with burning the Church of Loaves and Fishes with monks sleeping inside, then why can't you get away with burning an arab house with a family sleeping in it?

Heatwave and sandstorm

Today reports are out that the President of Israel himself has received death threats because he called for peaceful co-existence between jews and arabs. There is no limit to the extreme fanatics. But as the newspapers' editorials say ... the extreme fringe was allowed to run amok and now are practically calling the shots. Sad situation.

Ms. Bird on her perch
looking at the sandstorm

The heatwave is now almost at its peak. 40 degrees during the day, 31 degrees in the night. In Jericho I heard it was 51 degrees. It's alright to stay in the shade though ... quite cooling if the hot winds don't blow. But under the sun, it scorches and burns. Yesterday a stretch of mountain forests in Ein Kerem was ablaze. This heatwave is compounded with a sandstorm. Jordan is the worst hit. But we too had yellow dusty skies in the afternoon. My asthma is triggered and I've been having attacks these 2 days.

Despite the heat, work continues. I was in a rush this morning ... had so much to do. As a result I was careless and smashed my foot against the table. My little toe was bleeding and the nail was hanging lose. The pain was excruciating. Now I can only wear slippers as shoes will add pressure on the toe and make healing slow.

News just in ... ISIS is getting more control of the Sinai Peninsula as egyptian forces are unable to control them. Now the site of Mt. Sinai, the place where the 10 commandments were given, is now in danger of being destroyed. This includes St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of the mountain, with its priceless library of ancient books.

President Rivlin's address on the murders and violence

... “Friends, the flames are spreading in our land – flames of violence, flames of hatred, flames of false, distorted and twisted beliefs,” said Rivlin.

“We cannot continue to dismiss these flames, which are consuming the public in Israel...These flames, which are consuming all of us, cannot be extinguished with weak condemnations. These flames cannot be extinguished with solidarity rallies.”

Noting that a 15-year-old girl stabbed by an ultra-Orthodox Jew at the gay pride parade remains in critical condition, the president said the suspected Jewish extremists who killed a Palestinian toddler in the West Bank the following day have further shamed the nation.

“To my great horror and shame, the letting of blood, the path of hatred and murder, did not stop [at the parade],” he said.

“Over the course of the same night, Jewish terrorists burned down the house of the Dawabsha family in the village of Duma, killing their baby son Ali, and seriously injuring his four-year-old brother, and his father. His mother is still fighting for her life.”

Rivlin said that when he visited the family at Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, he was ashamed and “ridden with dread for the power of hatred.

“Ashamed that a country which has known the murder of Shalhevet Pass, of the Fogel family, of Adele Biton, of Eyal, Gil-Ad, Naftali and Muhammad Abu Khdeir, there are still those who do not hesitate to ignite the flames, to burn the flesh of a baby, to increase the hatred and terrorism,” he said.

“‘Even though you make many prayers,’ cried out the Prophet Isaiah,” he continued. “‘I will not listen; your hands are full of blood.’” Rivlin warned that such “flames cannot be extinguished with posts on Facebook, and statements in the media.”

“These flames cannot be extinguished with repression, denial and disregard,” he said.

“Incitement, ridicule, frivolity, laxity and arrogance of the heart, cannot extinguish the fire, but only allow it to burn stronger, with fervor, to spread in all directions, and permeate all walks of life. A blatant disregard for the rule of law, for human dignity, for a love of mankind, for a love of Israel, and freedom of opinion, has spread within us, and is wreaking havoc.”

Moreover, Rivlin warned that an atmosphere of leniency toward extremism has taken root within Israeli society.

“Every society has extremist fringes, but today we have to ask: What is it in the public atmosphere which allows extremism and extremists to walk in confidence, in broad daylight?” he continued.
“What is it that has enabled these weeds to threaten the safety of the entire garden of flowers? These flames cannot be extinguished through repression. To put out the flames, we need be a much more determined and decisive. We must be thorough and clear.”

To effectively address the growing problem of intolerance, Rivlin said a holistic reckoning must take place throughout the country’s classrooms, police precincts, and the Knesset itself.

“We must put out the flames, the incitement, before they destroy us all,” he said.

“Citizens of Israel: A Jewish and democratic Israel needs a wakeup call today. The Israel of the Declaration of Independence, the Israel of the vision of the Prophets, of compassion and mercy, today needs a wake-up call.”

(from http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Protests-against-Homophobia-and-Jewish-terror-take-place-throughout-Israel-410816 )

Extreme heat ... in weather and in society

pigeons cooling off at
sprinklers 

Yesterday the nation woke up shocked, in disbelief and anger as news of the double violent attacks by jews rocked all starts of society: israeli and arab, right and left, liberal and orthodox. It sunk in ... but as the newspapers say, it'll end in nothing.

The first attack by ultra-orthodox jews on 6 jewish marchers at the Jerusalem Pride Parade shocked Israeli society because a jew had tried to kill other jews - baseless hatred, which the Talmud (jewish holy book) says was the cause of the destruction of the 2nd Temple. Even the rabbis were aghast at it ... not that they approved of the Parade though. But a jew killing another jew is beyond their comprehension.

Then the burning to death of an 18 mth old arab baby while his parents and 4 yr old brother are in critical condition drew international condemnation ... though not as much as Cecil the Lion. Jewish settlers burnt their house with the family sleeping in it as a revenge for the Israeli govt demolishing illegal Israeli settlements in arab land. Innocent victims. The funeral of the baby was attended by thousands. Riots throughout the Palestinian Territories, at the borders with Israel and even Jerusalem took place yesterday. Some were violent. Even rightist parties and rabbis condemned the killing of an innocent baby ... but so far no arrests have been made. It is shocking.

Tel Aviv beach renovated

Now society is deeply disturbed. Arabs and jews avoid each other, jews are suspicious of other jews  who hold different views. People avoid talking to each other except for friends their loyalty they can count on. It will take a long time for these wounds to heal. Demonstrations by jews and arabs against these violence and hatred took place throughout the country. The uncle of the baby spoke in Tel Aviv, calling for an end to these killings of arabs by jewish fanatics. Remember it was only a year ago that a 16 yr old arab boy was burnt alive just north of Jerusalem, by the settler movement youths.

The emotional heat in society is reflected in the heatwave we're experiencing. Forecast is one week of extreme temp. going up to the 40s. It's so hot the pigeons by the beach were soaking under the sprinklers to stay cool. And the central beach in Tel Aviv had palm trees planted to provide shade, new and more gazebos were put up and shaded promenades were installed. If only Israeli / arab society could be solved as easily.

Trouble!!!

Continuing to appease the electorate, the new govt. budget is giving 18,000 shekels to all 18 yr old Israelis. Presumably in a couple of years' time, these grateful 1st time voters will vote for the incumbant govt.

The 2 guys who burnt the Church

And the 2 perpetrators who burnt  the Church of 5 Loaves and 2 Fish has been charged. But this does not mean that they will be jailed or sentenced. In all likelihood, the rabbis will throw their weight on the courts and these guys will be released with community service at most. About 2 or 3 others have also been arrested but the prosecution does not know what to do with them! Anyway these extremists youths, according to the newspaper reports, claim that a good Jew must hate christians. Well if that's the case, we don't need to wait for ISIS to destroy us; here in Israel we already have enough enemies.

Anyway enough said. Everything here is political. My Israeli friends yesterday were accusing me of being leftist and pro-arab because of my uploads and posts. Sigh. Every opinion I make is judged by both sides ... it's hard to maintain friendships when politics keep getting in the way as a test of loyalty.

It's so hot the few people who are out
must hide in the shade of trees

I guess this psychological pressure has been piling up in me ... and I'm feeling physically sick. I think I ate something with nuts and luckily I take an antihistamine every morning, so the reaction was less severe. Nevertheless there were asthma attacks, dizziness and bad nausea. Was thinking of going to the hospital but my legs were too queasy to walk 2 kms there. Didn't want to use the Epipen yet ... I hear it hurts. So I sat in my office and hoped it'll go away.

And to top that all up, there's a heatwave starting today that'll last one week. Extreme temp. Newspapers are calling people not to go out unnecessarily, and outdoor trails have been closed down by Park Authorities so trekkers will not die of heatstroke or thirst.