Monday

Cold wet and hungry
at Arab Fried Chicken
last night

The American embassy is being moved right at this moment and speeches are being made and VIP guests are congregated at the new embassy in Jerusalem's suburb in Anona. Security is so tight not even staff of the embassy were invited. All roads 2 kms around are closed. Yes there are many people equally for the move as against the move of the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, effectively acknowledging Jerusalem as the Jewish capital, thus putting in question the rights of muslims and christians. Most of the world's countries including the Vatican insist that Jerusalem should be an International city under international jurisdiction because it is holy to all 3 monotheistic religions and all 3 must be held with equal rights, no one religion dominating another. But this is no longer the case.

The move has emboldened Israel to pump 5 billion dollars into East Jerusalem (the arab side) probably for the eventual housing of jews and ridding the arab inhabitants. It has mobilized plans to "Israelize" Jerusalem ... which causes the minority christians and muslims to fear for their existence in the City.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-in-plan-to-israelize-e-j-lem-security-is-no-longer-no-1-1.6078290

Fadi Abusaleh shot dead in the protest
(unverified post)

The embassy move has also emboldened extremists jews to attack arab and christian properties. There was a spike in crimes last week but no arrests were made.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-neighborhood-in-east-jerusalem-targeted-in-apparent-hate-crime/

Meantime 50,000 Gazans gathered at the border fence with Israel protesting ... over 15 were shot dead by Israeli army. Similar clashes took place at the Qalandya crossing north of Jerusalem. News now says 41 were killed in the protests. 1,600 wounded. It's a bloody day ... Is an embassy worth so many lives? The americans are touting the embassy move as a tribute to "peace". You must surely live in another planet if you think so.

And the irony is, Trump's anti-semitic pastor came to pray for the embassy at the official opening. There was no protests from the Israeli side .... strangely ... as they need all the support they can get. Word is out that Trump made the move to appeasers evangelical supporters ... and not so much in interest of the Israelis.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-trump-faith-adviser-who-said-all-jews-go-to-hell-to-speak-at-embassy-1.6078561

However I hold a little spark of hope ... that the madness of Trump might play for the benefit of the arabs in the future. Much as Israel is benefitting from the embassy move, Trump might just do a flip-flop and make a capital for the Palestinians also ... with concessions from Israel because of the big favor he has done with the embassy move. Israel cannot say no. Israel should really count the hidden cost of this move.

Jerusalem Day

Early group of
marchers

Today Israelis celebrate the 51st year of the 1967 war when Israel took over the West Bank and East Jerusalem from the Jordanians. It's called Jerusalem Day and literally tens of thousands of Israelis march down the main streets of Jerusalem and into the Old City's Muslim Quarter to show who's boss. It's the aggressive Israeli youths who try to damage arab and christian property. Every year clashes break out. Every year I go out to Damascus Gate to take photos but I've noticed it's been more and more aggressive each year. I was threatened last year by a marching group of youths and this year I don't want to take any chances ... so I'm not going out.

Early this morning small groups of youth marchers had passed by our door again, then the youths entered the Al Aqsa mosque compound and clashes broke out with the muslims. Police had to break it up. Later in the day, tear gas were shot in the compound. Now I can hear the thousands of Israelis chanting and marching down Damascus Gate.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/jewish-visitors-removed-from-temple-mount-clashes-erupt-1.6077246

Ramadan lights along Herod's Gate

Groups of youths have been passing by our house, shouting and chanting their victory over the arabs ... and also anti-christian slogans. Christian pilgrim groups were frightened and left our Quarter very quickly. In fact no Masses were booked at our chapels today ... which usually are fully booked every hour. To avoid vandalism, our superior decided to close our sanctuary at 3pm. That was wise.

On the other hand, the leftist wing of Israelis held an alternative march ... distributing flowers to arab residents to promote peace and harmony.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/tolerance-groups-look-to-foster-a-more-inclusive-jerusalem-day/

So it's Sunday and I spent the whole day in my room, cleaning and arranging my files. There was some translation work to do but I finished it quite quickly. It was a slow day ... and I quite liked it. Now let's see what tomorrow brings ... the transfer of the US embassy to Jerusalem and the arab protest.

Last Friday before Ramadan

Ultra-orthodox jews on way
back from Wailing Wall

It's Saturday .... most of the City is on Sabbath rest but the police and military are not. Very high presence of security forces in and around the Old City ... the mounted police are also in action. Many young and middle aged arabs have been stopped and searched. Police on motorbikes last night were riding on curbs and grass in the parks to stop and search groups of youths. It's a massive security mission ... and everyone is feeling the tension. With bomb shelters opened in Jerusalem in the likelihood of a Syrian bombardment in the next few days ... and arab riots  as well ... every one is feeling nervous.

The Israeli army has been reporting of the number of Iranian military experts killed in Syria. The Iranian and Syrian news are reporting of how the Israeli attacks were repulsed. It's a media war and there's no shortage of fake news.

Ramadan lights at Damascus Gate

Meantime the latest events schedule was announced: Sunday 13th is Jerusalem Day (Israel occupies East Jerusalem and the West Bank), Monday 14th is the US embassy move to Jerusalem, Tuesday 15th is Nakba Day (Palestinian's Catastrophe Day for losing their land to Israelis), Wednesday 16th is the first day of Ramadan. It's a sure recipe with disaster. Violence promised everyday. I dread to think what would happen next. festive lights for Ramadan, by the way, are up in Damascus Gate and Herod's Gate. But there's not much cheer with the coming 3 days tensions.

One hilarious bit of news ... Gaza's have been flying burning kites into Israel, burning up Israeli fields. Yesterday 3 Israelis tried to fly burning kites into Gaza but the wind brought it back to Israel and it burnt up an Israeli field. They got arrested.  https://www.timesofisrael.com/israelis-try-to-fly-flaming-kite-into-gaza-start-fire-in-israel/

Tense Friday

Flowers at the altar

Tensions continue to rise though an ayatollah in Iran said that Iran is not interested in escalating violence with Israel. The Iranian govt. seems to be split. On ground level though Israel definitely dealt a blow on the Iranian bases in Syria. There was no response from the Iranians because most of their weaponry and militants were destroyed and killed. It was a necessary strike because in 2 days it will be Jerusalem Day and in 3 days the US embassy will move to Jerusalem ... and Iran and other arab nations will try to disturb the proceedings. So nip the bud quick. Meantime bomb shelters in Jerusalem were opened to today in view of an impending rocket attack from Syria.   https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Northern-border-tensions-make-Jerusalemites-feel-like-war-is-in-the-air-556088

Today is Friday and since it's just 2 days away from the fateful events ... so police are on red alert for terrorists. Thousands of muslims are pouring into the Old City now for noon day prayers at the Al Aqsa Mosque and anything can happen. Soon roads will closed and security checks will be stepped up. I'm not sure if I'll be able to go out to work on Sunday and Monday due to the closures. We'll see.

Flower offering
closeup

Well one thing is for sure though ... tourist groups have all cancelled for the next week. Literally thousands have called off last minute for fear of riots, violence and war. So we finally get some silence in our courtyard and streets that are free to walk ... but at the cost of war.  https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-fear-of-war-with-iran-hits-tourist-season-hard-in-northern-israel-1.6075861

And yes I spent all morning correcting the paper. 60% had to be totally redone. Yes it was bad. Very bad. Burnt my whole morning. I'm going to need tranquillisers to get through this weekend ... with all the thoughtless stress thrown on me by others. I'll announce my retirement soon ... because I'm tired of all this unjust demands that comes with my job.

My only consolation is yesterday I bought 140 shekels of flowers for our chapel on Ascension Day. The sisters in our sacristy asked me to buy flowers for the feast so I went to order 2 bouquets. It was for all of you and your intentions prayed at our chapel.

Ascension Day

Chapel of the Ascension
at midnight

Tensions continue to rise as Iranian military based in Syria fired 20 missiles into Israel this morning ... and Israel fired back 50 rockets destroying Iranian bases. Then later today we hear Israel launched another attack. The media and the govt. is not saying it but allow on ground level say "The war has started". Let's see what tonight and tomorrow brings. So far the fighting is limited to the north-east frontier of the country. Let's hope it doesn't spread south.

I tried to get a day off today .... Ascension Day. At midnight friars and crowds of religious and local christians gathered at the Imbomon ... the octagonal structure that commemorates the ascension of Christ into heaven. There was the Vigil prayers of psalms and readings then Masses started every half-hour till 9.30am when the Pontifical Mass was celebrated by the Custos.

Jaffa-Tel Aviv coast today

So I thought since both libraries and schools are closed, I can take a day off. It's the first time since I was called out of hospital to work ... to have 12 hours to sleep and rest and not think about work. I went to Jaffa far away from Jerusalem. The weather was a hot 31 degrees but the sea breeze was strong and cool. I got to meet some old friends who have stalls in front of the Church plaza.

So you thought I had a day off? to rest? The chinese sister kept ringing to say I must correct her term paper because she has to hand it in tomorrow. She had 2 whole semesters to do it but only started 4 days ago. And in 365 days of which I had only today to rest, she wants me to work. There is NOT ONE DAY when people cannot leave me in peace to rest. NOT ONE.

Tense

Ugly purple lights on the City Walls

Last night a flurry of panic news kept flashing across the Internet ... one after another. US officials warn that Syria is ready to attack Israel. Israeli army reported that Syrian military are making "unusual activity". Then reports that Israel bombed Syrian military bases killing several Iranians. The Israeli PM flew to Tel Aviv to command the army. Public bunkers in the north of Israel were opened and residents were warned of a possible strike. Soldiers were called back to duty and reservists were mobilised. The whole country is at edge and we're just waiting for the war to start. Very tense.

Mahane Yehuda
at night

Well that was quite late in the night, almost midnight. Before that I was accompanying a friend who was visiting the country. Haven't seen her for over 17 years. It was good to catch up with old friends. She was worried about my health as my ankle was again swollen and very painful, and I was wheezing all day though it wasn't an asthma attack. After a pizza dinner I brought her back to her hotel by taxi and then walked home ... a total 7km on a swollen ankle. Well I walked slowly and saw many places I have not seen in a long time ... like the jewish market Mahane Yehuda. The open market turns into a trendy restaurant and music hub at night. Very crowded with young locals and tourists.

Nearer home I noticed a horrendous innovation: purple lights shining all along the City Walls. Utterly horrific. I wonder what the Municipality is thinking. Simple yellow or white light would have brought out the ancient stones beautifully like at Jaffa Gate. But purple?

Today the country is still on red alert but nothing has happened at the northern border. My ankle still hurts, and my neck (spondylosis) and right shoulder. Tomorrow is Ascension Day so I get a free day. This time I am determined to go see the doctor and will not do any work ... shutting off my telephone. I need the rest and the relief from the doctor.

One day closer

1st grapes of the season

The Lebanese election is over and we're all expecting a war to break out in the north. Iran/Syria were waiting for the pro-tyrian Hezbollah party to win so this strengthens its position all across the north of Israel to facilitate a full force attack. And it'll probably start on the 14th next week when the US embassy moves to Jerusalem. It'll disrupt the celebrations. Yesterday the Jerusalem mayor personally put up road signs for the US embassy. A plaza will be dedicated to Trump next week. Very provocative. So the drums of war are getting louder. People are already asking for gas masks. Poor people like us will just have to rely on luck to escape injury.   https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/u-s-embassy-road-signs-go-up-in-jerusalem-1.6061930

The weather continues to be crazy. There was a hailstorm in Tel Aviv yesterday. And it rained there today. But here it's overcast and humid and gloomy. That might be a good deterrence for incoming missiles. The wind will blow them off course. which can be good .... or bad if it lands in crowded residential areas. The arabs are saying that this strange weather is a sign of a coming earthquake. What else do we need .... an earthquake and a war? It's just one day closer to calamity.

And there's been a series of demonstrations and protests on the western side of Jerusalem. Residents want the shops in the old train station to remain open on Sabbath so they can have some place to go with the family. The Municipality is bowing to the ultra-orthodox to close them down. Then there is the plan to dig up Emek Refaim street - the heart line of the German Colony with quaint shops, restaurants and german buildings to build the tram line. It's either that or destroying the 7km park on the outskirts for this tram line. Both are not acceptable to the residents. SO everyone is up in arms.

False carmelite

This morning my ankle started to play up again. I couldn't walk down the stairs. And my right neck and shoulder has been hurting for the past week. And my right eye has been red all week ... a burst capillary. Everyone is telling to rest. Easier said than done. I just need to get all outstanding work done before I can go away for a rest.

Yesterday on my way home, I saw cherries and grapes on sale. It's the first fruit of the season ... usually they aren't sweet. But the grapes I bought weren't sour either. Not very sweet ... but the 2 parakeets are enjoying them. The smaller one, Chilli, has never eaten grapes before and is enjoying it very much. And just half an hour ago I had a good laugh on my way home from school. Just outside the Post Office I thought I saw a carmelite nun ... brown habit, white wimple and black veil. But I didn't recognize her ... and I know all of them, As I walked closer, I realized it was a muslim woman dressed in the same colors. What a laugh!