Tuesday drizzle

Half dozen police at Jaffa Gate

So the American VP visited the Wailing Wall this morning. I had to pass by our bookshop at Jaffa Gate and saw the numerous military police at almost every 10 meters. Crowds of tourists were weaving between local jews and security. Many ultra-orthodox jews were not bothered by this visit and only wanted to get to the Wailing Wall through the shortcuts. Other political minded jews were carrying posters to welcome and thank the VP.

The arabs on the other hand had called for a protest strike. In reality many arab shopkeepers are against it as they will lose their income for the day. Yesterday when they received orders to shut down today, many complained. Strikes don't hurt the Israelis ... it hurts the people who are shutting down. Sometimes these leaders don't use their brains. It only makes their own people turn against them.

2 soldiers guarding
David Street entrance

Well the weather has turned very cold and cloudy. And drizzle started by late evening. The storm is coming. Everyone is dreading the cold ... though they really hope it would snow. Some of my final year students want so much to see snow for the last time in Jerusalem before they graduate and return to their own countries. And our indian sisters who have never seen snow before also want to see it. The oldest among them, Sr. Philomena, fell this morning after breakfast as it was very cold and slippery.

Meantime the internal struggle between govt. and people continue regarding the forceful deportation of african asylum seekers. Police refuse to go catch the illegal immigrants so the govt. is advertising for bounty hunters who will be paid for their job. Rabbis and academics have come out against it as against the Torah and common morality ... since the jews themselves were once persecuted. Now airplane pilots have announced they will not fly these captured immigrants out of Israel. Let's see who will win. And now Holocaust survivors have come out in support of these asylum seekers ... claiming they will hide them in their homes just like others had done for them during the Holocaust. Touching.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/holocaust-survivors-say-theyll-harbor-asylum-seekers-to-stymie-deportations/

And the ultra-orthodox vs the rest of the jews' no-work Sabbath Law drags on ...  and the city of Ashdod seems to be the Waterloo of this battle. If Ashdod falls, all the other cities will also fall to this religious coercion (to quote them) by the ultra-orthodox. Like I said ... the only ones who stand to win are the arabs who open their shops on the Sabbath. And you know what ... it might just be a good thing because jews will then get to meet arabs and mutual understanding can happen and old prejudices and hatreds might just disappear.

Stormy weather is back

The fountain ball is totally missing

The temp. keeps falling though the sun is up and bright. Forecaste is rain from tomorrow till the weekend and winds will be very cold. I wish I could stay indoor and hibernate. It'll certainly be great for the plants but I don't fancy going out in the cold and rain to work for the next 5 days.

As predicted by yours truly ... the beautiful fountains at Palm Plaza could not withstand the destruction of arab youths ... who destroy whatever only for the sake of destroying. What a awful pity. Look at the photo below to see what it should be ... the fountain ball is totally missing.

Rubber piggies ... oink oink

Just a little something funny I saw yesterday when I was out on a chore ... passing by Iran's potshot I saw lots of toys for dogs but one caught my eye: plastic piggies that oink when you squeeze it. It was so funny I kept squeezing it and everyone there was laughing. Even the owners Eran and Chaim were laughing. It was fun ... something I should do when the rains come tomorrow, buy a rubber piggy to keep the cold and wet away.

The American VP arrived last night and today made a speech at the Knesset that upset the arabs again. Police are ready for riots and clashes. The VP who is an evangelical christian, pandered to the american evangelical lobby by supporting the Israeli position - the evangelicals believe this will bring about the coming of the Messiah - something which even orthodox jews reject (the messiah will come at his own time, no one can force him to come). Anyway many roads were closed to due the VP's movements around the New City. Let's see what happens tomorrow.

Sunny Sunday

Damascus Gate
fountain 

Everyone agreed that today was a lovely sunny day despite the cold 7 degrees. People were out and about. Life seemed to be back to normal. I had to rush off after breakfast as I had a couple of emergency meetings - a student who's family member died and another who is sick. I think the exams exacerbated their anxieties and made things worse for them mentally. Since I was out I decided to do a couple of chores as well. Came home just in time for lunch. And it was the best lunch I had for some time ... because usually on Sundays the cook makes things that I cannot eat. Today we had plain spaghetti and beef steak (instead of pork chops), and the asst, cook baked a chocolate cake and a banana cake with no nuts (for once). It was perfect and everyone was remarking it was my day ... food that I'm not allergic to.

Way of the Cross
at midnight

The newspaper have lots of photos of people who are flocking to Mt. Harmon to play with the snow. That's a real winter scene. Back here in Jerusalem it was nice to see the lights and fountain at Damascus Gate turned on again. In fact the weather was so nice I saw pilgrims making the Way of the Cross at almost midnight.

Meantime the American VP has arrived in Jordan to try restart peace talks. Like an impossible dream now that Trump has already declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital hence closing all possibility that Palestine can have Jerusalem also as its capital. The King of Jordan insisted to the VP that Jerusalem must become the Palestinian capital. And actually this can (and probably will) be resolved when Israel extends the borders of Jerusalem to include arab villages such as Abu Dis. Once Abu Dis becomes part of Jerusalem, then Israel will concede Abu Dis to the palestinians to become their capital since it is technically Jerusalem. Smart move. I think the egyptians and jordanians are in favour of this move.

Meantime the implosion continues as the city of Ashdod and a leader of the coalition govt. vowed to fight the ultra-orthodox enforcement of no-work Sabbaths. They see it as a fight for democracy against theocracy.  The leftwing newspaper is declaring that the minority ultra-orthodox is turning the democratic State into a theocratic caliphate.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5073587,00.html  and   https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/editorial/wake-up-before-darkness-descends-1.5748192

And ultra-orthodox zionists (different form the pure religious) entered the Al Aqsa compound and started praying which is not allowed by the Israeli-Jordanian agreement; as well as entry forbidden by the Chef Rabbis. That caused a lot of tensions with the muslims and police got into scuffles to remove the group out. That doesn't help in calming the situation which is already very tense here in Jerusalem.  http://www.janglo.net/index.php?option=com_adsmanager&page=display&catid=99&tid=436552&utm_content=buffera6dde&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Weekend

Cloudy morning that turned sunny

It was a beautiful day today, the sun was shining after a rather cloudy sunrise but the wind remains very cold. The temperature hovered around 6 degrees. I had a conference/workshop to attend so I was busy all morning. It was quite interesting and I did learn a little something. That's because I had no chance to fall asleep ... the Custos was sitting behind me.

Beautiful bare tree

The weather will keep on being sunny till Tuesday when another storm will whip up. Further news today about the wreckage the storm wrought during the last 2 days. There are videos of huge waves crashing over the beaches in Tel Aviv onto the street and buildings along the coast. Scary. It was like the videos of last year's typhoon in Hong Kong and Macau.  And we're now told that winds were as strong as 120 km p hr. The desert landscape has changed because of rivers of water washing away sand, stone and boulders. Several cities had their electricity cut and many highways were flooded. I guess we'll see a repeat performance next Tuesday. 

Winter usually strips trees bare but with the storm, absolutely all leaves were blown off. Many trees lay totally bare and are amazing beautiful especially when the Municipality put lights under them. There is an iconic tree at Damascus Gate which everyone notices for it's stark beauty every winter. 

And a storm of a different kind: the Chief Rabbi of Israel openly supported the army chaplain rabbi against women serving in the army. Now the Minister of Defense has ordered the army to ban the Chief Rabbi from army events. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liberman-bans-top-rabbis-from-idf-events-over-anti-women-comments/

We read of a report that an Indonesian christian was whipped because he sold alcohol. Such intolerance in Indonesia ... which has a track record of muslim fanaticism. Christian persecution is everywhere ... but nobody bats an eyelid. It's sickening.  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/indonesian-christian-whipped-for-selling-sharia-banned-booze-9877576?cid=FBcna

Storm again

Palms trees bent by the wind

What a storm we had yesterday evening. And to lasted till mid-afternoon today. Winds up to 100km per hour. We only got warning yesterday afternoon when the winds were already quite forceful. I guess it was too late for many people. 15 were injured. 4 seriously. Trees fell, roads were flooded, and the cold was dreadful. The rain was very heavy at times and we had hailstones several times yesterday and today. Last night it was 3 degrees and the windows were pelted by the rain, creating a sound that we have no heard for a long long time. Mt. Hermon in the north is snowed over. The Lake of Galilee rose by 1 cm. Rivers in the desert overflowed and many parts of the desert were inundated. By 8pm when I was on my way home, the streets were deserted. Everyone was rushing home to stay warm and dry. The usual crowds on a Thursday night at Suleiman street in front of Damascus Gate were gone. Shops closed and only a few cars were speeding along the road.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/15-hurt-4-seriously-in-accidents-linked-to-stormy-weather/

Solemn Street deserte

I decided not to go to work in the other library as the weather was really bad. But suddenly the sun came up so I decided to go anyway. On my way up the skies turned dark and hail began to hit down really hard. I had to run through the alleys which provided more shade than the main road.

As the weather gets back to normal this evening, we're warned that Tuesday will suffer another storm. This time I'll be ready. Yesterday our flower pots were blown down. I'll have to anchor them down this weekend.

Apparently the bombings in Damascus last week were targeted at churches and monasteries. I bet you never even found this on your news.  http://www.custodia.org/default.asp?id=779&id_n=34415

And in the midst of the storm, a terrorist car-rammed an israeli soldier near the Baptismal site of Christ in Jericho. It's not a good sign. Tensions are rising again as the PM announced the US will move its embassy as soon as this year. Later Trump announced that it's not true. Slap in the face.

Anemones bloom

My 1st anemones in bloom

It's Thursday ... the week has come to an end. Another Sabbat begins on Friday sunset ... and who knows which shops and restaurants are left who dare to open and defy the ultra-orthodox jews. I guess I'll stick to shopping in the arab East Jerusalem side ... if anything is open there on Fridays. On the jewish western side there will be demonstrations by secular jews against the strict enforcement of the no-work-allowed law of the Sabbath, and counter-protests by the ultra-orthodox jews.

Deserted streets

The cold is still with us ... and as many say ... it's normal. After all it's winter. And the rain is a constant drizzle. The combination of cold and rain has forced the bulbs to flower earlier than usual. My first anemones are in full bloom and the freesias have their buds out. That adds a lovely colour to an otherwise gray gloomy atmosphere. Even the hyacinths are their buds pushing out of the soil. I'm sure the tulips would too. They need a cold shock to start the budding process. That's why many people put their tulip bulbs in the fridge before planting them ... to shock them into flowering.

Well the cold and rain has the reverse effect on people. By sunset the streets and alleys of the Old City are deserted. People stay indoors to stay warm and dry. To tell the truth, I prefer summer ... though hot and dry, the streets are alive. There are concerts and events almost every evening.

There's been some brouhaha over the Israeli military appointing a woman to be squadron commander. The army chief lauded the move but the army chaplain rabbi condemned it (the ultra-orthodox are against women serving with men ... they believe in total segregation). Now the PM lauded the move ... but chances are he'll change his tune when the rabbis threaten him. It'll not be the first time he gives in to the rabbis.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/military/netanyahu-is-proud-of-female-squadron-commander-appointment-33742

And on the other side of the pendulum, the chairman of the council of jewish settlements has declared that checkpoints should be removed that control arab movement. Arabs should be free to move and get along with their daily routine. Now that's revolutionary. But watch for the rightwing response tomorrow.   http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/in-israel/local/west-bank-jewish-leader-theres-no-room-for-checkpoints-33737

Another wet day

Trading in the rain

As forecaste, drizzle came after 7.30am and through to late afternoon. It wasn't so bad and we do need the rain. However the ground is very slippery and deters anyone from going out unless it's necessary. Hoodies and raincoats are everywhere ... and tourists use umbrellas. Bedouin brave the drizzle to sell their vegetables as they have nowhere else to go.  The several days of rain has brought up strong and juicy veggies ... but if this goes on for another week, the veggies will cost more because water-rot will set in.

Rumour is rift that Friday will see snow. It's a Facebook post that went viral and everyone believes it. Of course there'll not be snow. It takes 2 days of heavy rain and hail before any snow can form. And frankly I don't look forward to it as I must shovel snow from the roof of the library. It's backbreaking work and I do it alone. However our indian sisters are hoping it would snow as they've never seen it before. I told them it's no fun. If they want to see snow, then they must be prepared to shovel snow with me.

Bread vendor in
the rain

Well with the drizzle and slippery streets, I decided not to go to work in the other library because I need to rush back for class at 1.30pm and that guarantees at least one fall along the road. Instead I concentrated on work here at home. And there's a lot. My head gets dizzy from all that plus translation work and caring for the sisters' courtyard. Maybe this evening I'll go for a walk to clear the head.

A secret tape was released to newspapers regarding secret talks by ultra-orthodox ministers of parliament, planning to enforce the Sabbath Law of no work in all sectors of jewish life; even to the extent of hiring thousands of non-jewish inspectors to supervise the enforcement of the law. Frightening for secular jews who want to eat in a restaurant or go to the cinema.  http://www.jerusalemonline.com/news/politics-and-military/politics/israeli-ultra-orthodox-mks-plan-to-enforce-sabbath-observance-33702

Then there was the report that an israeli soldier was accused of inciting "price-tag" attacks on arabs after the murder of a rabbi last week. This does not sound good as war is looming over the country. Then again it is doubtful if he will ever be charged.  https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5071957,00.html

And fearing that Pro-Zionist Evangelical christians are slowly disinterested in Israel, there is a call to re-ignite these evangelicals to support Israel. After all, Trump got his support from the older generation of evangelicals that pushed for the recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and to move the embassy.  All I can say is: it's zionist manipulation of christianity. To quote the article: "We need to actively invest in the next generation of Christian leaders to provide them with the tools to better understand the intersection between their faith, its foundations in the Holy Land and support for the modern State of Israel."  https://passagesisrael.org/story/fighting-back-against-apathy-towards-israel-among-evangelical-christian-youth/