Today the medics take their turn at protests. Thousands marched to the Knesset this morning. Union of nurses join in. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-of-israeli-doctors-residents-protest-in-jerusalem-1.376192
First political casualty - Finance Ministry's head resigns. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/israel-s-finance-ministry-chief-resigns-amid-growing-civil-unrest-1.376183
Latest count - 150,000 protesters out in the streets against rising cost of living. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/more-than-150-000-take-to-streets-across-israel-in-largest-housing-protest-yet-1.376102
Already journalists are reckoning this all-out demonstration of popular discontent to the Tahir Square rebellion in Cairo. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/from-cairo-to-jerusalem-a-call-for-direct-democracy-1.376136
It's all bad news ... and if the muslims decide to cause trouble tomorrow at the start of Ramadan ... well, it's nothing more than total collapse of the state. So let's pray and hope it doesn't happen.
Just thinking back, the discontent began with the boycott of cottage cheese and yoghurt when prices were raised exorbitantly. Within weeks the medics called for a protest against financial cuts. Then the students then built tents at Rothschild Boulevard to protest rising housing costs. By the way, I was there that night when they first put up their tents ... at the Boulevard. Historic moment.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
10,000
It's official - some 10,000 people marched last night in Jerusalem. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/more-than-100-000-take-to-streets-across-israel-in-largest-housing-protest-yet-1.376102 and http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=231688
Now Israel is hit with the rebellion like the "Arab Spring" that's hitting all the other arab countries in the Middle East. No country is spared. It's going to be a rough ride these next few days. A general strike has also been called.
Now Israel is hit with the rebellion like the "Arab Spring" that's hitting all the other arab countries in the Middle East. No country is spared. It's going to be a rough ride these next few days. A general strike has also been called.
Nationwide protest
Last night saw the largest nationwide protest by Israelis demanding affordable housing. Over 10 cities were involved. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=231645 And most had a festive air as musicians and singers performed in most of these venues. But the protest has been joined by the medics protest and the parents protest that their children's schooling is unaffordable.
I was at the Jerusalem march - it was massive! Thousands of Israelis - young and old, took part in it. Some banging drums, tin cans and shouting slogans. Nothing violent, but the crush was frightening. It started from Mamilla Park (Independence Park) up through King George Road (Great Synagogue ... but protesters made sure it was after the end of the Sabbath in order to start the march!!), turned at Mashbir (Talitha Kumi) down Ben Yehuda Mall, rounded at Zion Square back to Mamilla Park through the tiny alley (where Zuni, Tmol Shilshom, Sakura etc are situated.. ). It was massive!
Before the march, I went to visit an acquaintance Arik who ran a mini-mart next to the Great Synagogue. He looked good. Haven't seen him for over a month or more - I go there to update my phone credit. Lots of marchers were popping in to buy drinks and Arik was busy doing a brisk trade. he was big time happy - grinning from ear to ear! In fact he was so happy he came round the counter and hugged me and said "Haven't seen you for a long long time, man!" .. when his usual was just s handshake. Well he was so busy with clients I left him alone. But before leaving the shop, he made me promise to come over tomorrow morning when it's alot quieter. Said he had a present for me. Well ...... that's a good enough excuse to go back tomorrow ...
I was at the Jerusalem march - it was massive! Thousands of Israelis - young and old, took part in it. Some banging drums, tin cans and shouting slogans. Nothing violent, but the crush was frightening. It started from Mamilla Park (Independence Park) up through King George Road (Great Synagogue ... but protesters made sure it was after the end of the Sabbath in order to start the march!!), turned at Mashbir (Talitha Kumi) down Ben Yehuda Mall, rounded at Zion Square back to Mamilla Park through the tiny alley (where Zuni, Tmol Shilshom, Sakura etc are situated.. ). It was massive!
Before the march, I went to visit an acquaintance Arik who ran a mini-mart next to the Great Synagogue. He looked good. Haven't seen him for over a month or more - I go there to update my phone credit. Lots of marchers were popping in to buy drinks and Arik was busy doing a brisk trade. he was big time happy - grinning from ear to ear! In fact he was so happy he came round the counter and hugged me and said "Haven't seen you for a long long time, man!" .. when his usual was just s handshake. Well he was so busy with clients I left him alone. But before leaving the shop, he made me promise to come over tomorrow morning when it's alot quieter. Said he had a present for me. Well ...... that's a good enough excuse to go back tomorrow ...
Saturday, July 30, 2011
More protests
The tent protest is growing by the day. Now women's groups are joining in. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/women-s-groups-join-popular-protests-in-israel-1.376013 And that's adding to the medical protest which is merging with the tent protest. Bad news for the govt. And Monday is Ramadan as well - the heat and hunger from fasting will drive the muslims very aggressive. Yemen, Egypt and Syria boiled over yesterday - such regional instability does little to help our local problems.
Day out in Jericho was good. Didn't have an asthma attack. But it was a stifling 47 degrees. Motasem and Alaa were great. Brought me to visit the city centre and Ispanizu Amusement park as well.
And I had shrak - the light unleaven bread - for breakfast. I can eat that because it has no oil and very little flour. But when I tried a normal meal - cramps and diarrhea immediately. Am slowly getting to know what I can eat and not. It is so tiresome sometimes.
The murder of Rabbi Abuchatzeira by a Jew has shocked the country. He was a gentle kind rabbi who did alot of charity. And he was grandson of the miracle worker rabbi Baba Sali. Thousands attended his funeral. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-attend-funeral-of-slain-kabbalah-rabbi-1.375954
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| Jericho the city of the moon |
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| The Shrak man making shrak |
The murder of Rabbi Abuchatzeira by a Jew has shocked the country. He was a gentle kind rabbi who did alot of charity. And he was grandson of the miracle worker rabbi Baba Sali. Thousands attended his funeral. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-attend-funeral-of-slain-kabbalah-rabbi-1.375954
Friday, July 29, 2011
Desert escape
Spending the day in the desert to help my asthma. It has been getting worse by the day. The hot dry weather should help stabilize it. Also it's to get away from the tension gripping the city - last Friday before Ramadan.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Last Thursday before Ramadan
Re: the protest against housing - apparently the sudden sharp rise of rent and housing is due to the ultra-orthodox Jews buying up neighbourhoods at whatever price to de-secularize the area; and that jacks up the prices of housing. No orthodox has yet to take part in the protest. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/why-have-most-religious-israelis-stayed-away-from-housing-protests-1.375448
And what is so typical in Israel - a romance between a Jewish cashier and a Palestinian checkout counter bagger has led to boycotts of a popular supermarket and a call for a segregation of races. http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/israeli-grocery-store-keeps-arab-baggers-and-jewish-cashiers-apart-1.375301 It's an absolute no-no and the ultimate price to pay is your life. This time luckily it ended in segregation of race and religion.
Bro. Agripino died yesterday and an english monk has been elected the new abbot of Dormition Abbey.
I'm trying to rest these 2 days. It's not easy as I still have work to do, and the heat is oppressive. Even the cacti are dying. And the nights are filled with fireworks exploding because it is the last week before Ramadan. Frankly I don't want to be around for Ramadan ... wish I could move out. Well maybe I can! I'll go for my operation and stay in a hospital far far away.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Heat ahead
The protests and Tent-city in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa have stopped traffic along major highways, disrupting a lot of things. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/thousands-of-housing-activists-march-in-haifa-protests-held-in-cities-across-israel-1.375424 Now Union of Local Authorities are joining in the protest and a calling for a general strike on August 1. That's the first day of Ramadan as well. NOT a good sign. PM must avoid this at all cost or the security risk will be too high on that day. http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/local-authorities-join-israel-housing-protest-call-general-strike-on-august-1-1.375551
The weather is getting hotter by the day. Everyone expects a dreadful summer - too hot, no tourists, fear of war. Actually the local wisdom is that if it gets really hot, there'll be no war as no one wants to be fighting out in this heat. Very true. Wars usually take place in the cooler months of autumn.
Those who pride themselves with iPads should prepare to dump it soon because Goodle's Android tablets will soon be out in a couple of years and is the rave about town. Everyone is talking about it.
Doctoral students continue their research in the library while everyone else is on holiday. The library is not air-conditioned so it's pretty stuffy. And the workers are still installing the elevator on the 2nd floor, so dust and noise is the order of the day. Definitely nothing like a library should be. And Israel is riding high as Gal Nevo becomes the 2nd swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. http://www.haaretz.com/news/sports/israel-swimmer-gal-nevo-qualifies-for-2012-london-summer-olympics-1.375538
The weather is getting hotter by the day. Everyone expects a dreadful summer - too hot, no tourists, fear of war. Actually the local wisdom is that if it gets really hot, there'll be no war as no one wants to be fighting out in this heat. Very true. Wars usually take place in the cooler months of autumn.
Those who pride themselves with iPads should prepare to dump it soon because Goodle's Android tablets will soon be out in a couple of years and is the rave about town. Everyone is talking about it.
Doctoral students continue their research in the library while everyone else is on holiday. The library is not air-conditioned so it's pretty stuffy. And the workers are still installing the elevator on the 2nd floor, so dust and noise is the order of the day. Definitely nothing like a library should be. And Israel is riding high as Gal Nevo becomes the 2nd swimmer to qualify for the Olympics. http://www.haaretz.com/news/sports/israel-swimmer-gal-nevo-qualifies-for-2012-london-summer-olympics-1.375538
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