Footprints

Open Letter of Support from Jewish Scholars

Greetings to members of all Christian communities in Israel,We, scholars of religion and the humanities at universities and colleges in Israel, wish to express our support in the face of the continual acts of hostility directed at your communities, churches, monasteries, and holy sites. We respect and cherish the time-honored traditions that tie you to the Holy Land and the rich heritage of your communities. The long-standing and uninterrupted presence of Christians in Jerusalem and elsewhere is dear to us. We join you in urging the authorities to take decisive action against the wrongdoers responsible for these offenses, and to protect members of all religions from hatred, ignorance, and violence.

לבני ובנות הקהילות הנוצריות, ברכת שלום,אנו, חוקרות וחוקרי דתות ומדעי הרוח באוניברסיטאות ובמכללות ברחבי הארץ, מבקשים לחזק את ידיכם אל מול מעשי האיבה המתמשכים כלפי העדות השונות, הכנסיות, המנזרים והמקומות הקדושים לנצרות בירושלים ומחוצה לה. אנו מכירים ומעריכים את המסורות ארוכות השנים הקושרות אתכם לארץ הקודש ולמסורת העשירה של קהילותיכם. הנוכחות הנוצרית העתיקה והמתמשכת בירושלים ובארץ ישראל רצויה ואהובה, ואנו מצטרפים לקריאתכם לרשויות לפעול ביד חזקה כנגד התוקפים ולהגן על בני כל הדתות בישראל באשר הם מפני שנאה, בורות ואלימות.

 تحياتنا لأبناء وبنات الطوائف المسيحية في إسرائيل،نحن المحاضرون والباحثون في مجالات دراسات الدين والعلوم الإنسانية في الجامعات والكليات في جميع أنحاء البلاد، نود أن ندعمكم في مواجهة الأعمال العدائية المستمرة ضد مجتمعاتكم وكنائسكم وأماكنكم المقدسة. ونشارككم في حث السلطات على اتخاذ إجراءات حاسمة ضد المسؤولين عن هذه الجرائم، وحماية أَعضاء جميع الأديان من الكراهية والجهل والعنف. نحن نحترم ونعتز بالتقاليد العريقة التي تربطكم بالأرض المقدسة والتراث الغني لمجتمعاتكم. إن الوجود الطويل الأمد والمتواصل للمسيحيين في القدس وما بعدها عزيز علينا.

Προς όλες τις Χριστιανικές κοινότητες του Ισραήλ,Όλοι εμείς, οι ακαδημαϊκοί που διδάσκουμε θρησκεία και ανθρωπιστικές σπουδές σε πανεπιστήμια και κολέγια όλης της χώρας, επιθυμούμε να εκφράσουμε την υποστήριξη και αλληλεγγύη μας προς εσάς, και να δηλώσουμε πως καταδικάζουμε κάθε επίθεση στις κοινότητες, στις εκκλησίες, στα μοναστήρια, και στα ιερά προσκυνήματα σας. Εκφράζουμε τον σεβασμό και την εκτίμηση μας για τις βαθιές παραδόσεις και τους ιστορικούς δεσμούς που σας δένουν με τους Αγίους Τόπους. Η μακροχρόνια και αδιάλειπτη παρουσία των Χριστιανών στην Ιερουσαλήμ και άλλου έχει αξία για εμάς. Ενώνουμε την φωνή μας με τις δικές σας στην έκκληση που κάνετε στις Αρχές για να λάβουν δραστικά μέτρα εναντίων των δραστών αυτών των επιθέσεων, και τις καλούμε να προστατέψουν τα μέλη όλων των θρησκευτικών κοινοτήτων από την μισαλλοδοξία, τον σκοταδισμό, και την βία. 

Salutations aux membres de toutes les communautés chrétiennes en Israël,Nous, chercheurs en études religieuses et en sciences humaines dans des universités et des collèges en Israël, souhaitons exprimer notre soutien face aux actes d'hostilité continus dirigés contre vos communautés, vos églises, vos monastères et vos lieux saints. Nous respectons et chérissons les traditions ancestrales qui vous lient à la Terre Sainte et le riche patrimoine de vos communautés. La présence ancienne et ininterrompue des chrétiens à Jérusalem et ailleurs nous est chère. Nous nous joignons à vous pour demander instamment aux autorités de prendre des mesures décisives contre les auteurs de ces délits et de protéger les membres de toutes les religions contre la haine, l'ignorance et la violence.

אנו החתומים מטה:
Dr. Tamara Abramovitch, The Israel Museum Jerusalem and Shenkar College for design art and technology Prof. Domenico Agostini, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Shir Aloni Yaari, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design   Dr. Netta Amir, independent scholarOrly Amit, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Reuven Amitai, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Bat-ami Artzi, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Doron Avraham, Bar-Ilan University       Shira Batit, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Dan Baras, Bar-Ilan UniversityPro. Em. Ron Barkai, Tel Aviv UniversityProf. Meir Bar-Asher, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem                    Prof. Elitzur Bar-Asher Siegal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Michal Bar-Asher Siegal, Ben-Gurion University of the Ngev     Stav Shufan-Biton, Bar-Ilan University.         Prof. Israel Bartal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Nira Bartal, Hadassah Hospital and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Renana Bartal, Tel-Aviv University        Dr. Ruth Bartal          Prof. Yair Bartal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem        Prof. Daniel Bar-Tal, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Reut Barzilai, University of Haifa       Dr. Tzafrir Barzilay, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Zoe Beenstock, University of Haifa       Prof. Anna Belfer-Cohen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Nirit Ben-Aryeh Debby, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev   Dr. Jonatan Benarroch, The Hebrew University of Jeruslaem      Dr. Karma Ben-Johanan, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Sara Benninga, Tel Aviv University and Bezalel Academy of Art and DesignDr. Idit Ben-Or, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Rivka Ben-Sasson, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Ram Ben-Shalom, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Itzhak Benyamini, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and Tel-Aviv University      Prof. Ayelet Ben-Yishai, University of Haifa       Prof. Galia Benziman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Dina Berdichevsky, Tel Aviv UniversityDr. Nadav S. Berman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev           Prof. Louise Bethlehem, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Michal Biran, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Michal Birkenfeld, Ben-Gurion University of the NegevShiri Birenboim, Tel Aviv University     Prof. Brouria Bitton-Ashkelony, The Hebrew University of jerusalem      Dr. Moshe Blidstein, University of Haifa       Shir Blum, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Adrian Boas, University of Haifa       Dr. Neta Bodner, The Open University of Israel     Prof. Gideon Bohak, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Eitan Bolokan, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Em. Bracha Yaniv, Bar-Ilan University      Prof. José Brunner, Tel Aviv University        Dr. Chiara Caradonna, The Hebrew University of JerusalemMarganit (Niti) Cassapu, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev         Danielle Chen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Raz Chen-Morris, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Leigh Chipman          Dr. Roni Cohen, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev      Dr. Naama Cohen-Hanegbi, Tel-Aviv University        Prof. Kobi Cohen-Hattab, Bar-Ilan University        Prof. Manuela Consonni, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Leo Corry, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Adam D. Dan'el, Sapir College       Dr. Amit Dagan, Bar-Ilan UniversityNureet Dermer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Aviya Doron, The Hebrew University of JerusalemDr. Michael Ebstein, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Avner Ecker, Bar-Ilan University       Gila Elad, Tel Aviv University              Dr. Ella Elbaz, University of Haifa       Prof. Miriam Eliav-Feldon, Tel Aviv University Prof. Em. Bat-Zion Eraqi Klorman, The Open University of Israel         Dr. Aya Elyada, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. David Enoch, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem       Prof. Em. Esther Cohen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Ayelet Even-Ezra, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Peter Fabian, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev       Dr. Yoav Farhi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Guy Fassler, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev      Prof. Shmuel Feiner, Bar-Ilan University       Dr. Shai Feraro, University of Haifa       Prof. Ruth Fine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Chaya Fischer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Hallel Fischer Birnholtz, Tel Aviv University      Dr. Gil Fishhof, University of Haifa       Prof. Tova Forti, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Yaniv Fox, Bar-Ilan University        Shachar Francesca Orlinski, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem    Prof. Luba Freedman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Miriam Frenkel, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Head of the Ben Zvi InstituteProf. Yehoshua Frenkel, University of Haifa       Prof. Gideon Freudental, Tel Aviv University       Tammar Friedman, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Rachel Furst, University of Haifa       Prof. Yair Furstenberg, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Rivka Gersht, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Isaac Gilead, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Eyal Ginio, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem       Prof. Ruth Ginio, Ben-Gurion University        Prof. Simona Ginsburg, The Open University of Israel             Dr. Snait Gissis, Tel-Aviv University        Dr. Mae Goder-Goldberger, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Karni Golan          Dr Nurit Golan, Tel Aviv university       Dr. Elisabeth Goldwyn, University of Haifa       Dr Natasha Gordinsky, University of Haifa       Prof. Tamir Goren, Bar-Ilan University       Prof. Yuval Goren, Ben Gurion University of the Negev    Prof. Naama Goren-Inbar          Nurith Goshen, Israel Museum in Jerusalem       Prof. Eitan Grossman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Anna Gutgarts, University of Haifa       Prof. Em. Guy Stroumsa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Ori Hacohen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Neta Haggai Aranyi, The University of Haifa.     Dr. Merav Haklai, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Aviva Halamish, The Open University of Israel    Dr. Yisca Harani, Yad Yitzhak Ben-Zvi Prof. Orna Harari, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Ido Hartogsohn, Bar-Ilan University       Prof. Galit Hasan-Rokem, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Or Hasson, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Yitzhak Hen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Director of the Israel Institute for Advanced StudiesProf. Tamar Herzig, Vice Dean for Research Faculty of Humanities, Tel Aviv UniversityDr. Dafna Hirsch, The Open University of Israel     Prof. Sylvie Honigman, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Matti Huss, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Richard I. Cohen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Tsipy Ivry, University of Haifa       Prof. Eva Jablonka, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Ruth Jackson-Tal, The Hebrew University and the Israel Museum, JerusalemProf. Abigail Jacobson, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Silvana Kandel, University of Haifa       Dr. Vera Kaplan, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Shaul Katzir, Tel Aviv University       Prof. BZ Kedar, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Claudia Kedar, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Dorit kedar, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Sharon Khalifa-Gueta    Prof. Yosef Kaplan, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Em. Menahem Kister, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Assaf Kleiman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Aviad Kleinberg, President of the Rupin Academic Center    Prof. Aryeh Kofsky, University of Haifa       Adi Sarah Kohai, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Ilana Krausman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Bar Kribus, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Gili Kugler, University of HaifaProf. Em. Bianca Kühnel, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem           Dr. Ayelet Langer, University of Haifa       Stav Lavon, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Gunnar Lehmann, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev        Prof. Gerardo Leibner, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Sivan Lerer, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Bar Leshem, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Vladimir Levin, Center for Jewish Art, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem  Dr. Jennifer Lewin, University of Haifa       Dr. Orly Lewis, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Ahuva Liberles, Yale University        Prof. Ora Limor, The Open University of Israel     Dr. Shachar Livne, Van Leer Institute Jerusalem      Dr. Danny Luzon, University of Haifa       Dr. Gadi Luzzatto Voghera, CDEC Foundation Milan Italy     Dr. Emma Maayan Fanar, University of Haifa      Prof. Aren Maeir, Bar-Ilan University        Roni Maizler, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Nathan Marcus, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Yossi Maurey, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Naomi Meiri-Dann, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design and Tel Aviv University Prof. Em. Menachem Fisch, Tel Aviv University      Dr. Tamar Menashe, Emory University        Dr. Amitai Mendelsohn, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem      Prof. Paul Mendes-Flohr, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Ronit Meroz, Tel Aviv University       Dr: Talila Michaeli, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Dan Mirkin, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Ronnie Mirkin, Tel Aviv UniversityMordechai (Mordy) Miller, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev              Prof. Noam Mizrahi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem        Dr. Arik Moran, University of Haifa       Dr. Lee Mordechai, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Yonatan Moss, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Oded Na’aman, THe Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Shlomo Naeh, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Iyas Nasser, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Eran Neuman, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Dafna Nissim, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Galit Noga-Banai, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Nurit Novis-Deutsch, UNiversity of Haifa.       Prof. Inbal Ofer, The Open University of Israel     Dr. Na'ama Ohanna-Arom, Bar-Ilan University        Danielle Omesi Moisa, Tel Aviv University      Prof. Nissim Otmazgin, Dean of the faculty of humanities, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Em. Outi Bat-El Foux, Tel Aviv University     Michal Ozeri, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Ilana Pardes, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Ahuva Passow Whitman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem    Dr. Orit Peleg-Barkat, The Hebrew University of JerusalemLaura A. Peri, Israel Museum, Jerusalem, and Israel Antiquities Authority         Dr. Micha Perry, University of Haifa       Dr. Tomer Persico, Shalom Hartman Institute       Dr. Avi Picard, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Lotem Pinchover, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Assaf Pinkus, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Yona Pinson, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Meira Polliack, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Aldina Quintana, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Oded Rabinovitch, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Iris Rachamimov, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Em. Rachel Milstein, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Itamar Radai, The Open University of Israel     Dr. Yoel Rappel, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Sivan Raveh, Bar-Ilan University       Dr. Dvir Raviv, Bar-Ilan University       Dr. Yosefa Raz, University of Haifa       Prof. Revital Refael-Vivante, Bar-Ilan University       Prof. Raanan Rein, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Elchanan Reiner, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Daniel Reiser, Herzog Academic College       Anita Reisler, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Nir Reisler, The Hebrew University of JerusalemProf. Em. Elisheva Revel-Neher, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem         Prof. Ronit Ricci, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Alex Ripp, Tel Aviv UniversityDr. David (Dudu) Rotman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem                  Dr. Adolfo D. Roitman, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem            Prof. Freddie Rokem, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Jochai Rosen, University of Haifa       Prof. Steve Rosen, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Anat Rosenberg, Reichman University        Prof. Lilach Rosenberg-Friedman, Bar-Ilan University       Prof. Ishay Rosen-Zvi, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Claudia Rosenzweig, Bar-Ilan University        Prof. Pinchas Roth, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Tamar Rotman          Prof. Jonathan Rubin, Bar-Ilan University Prof. Em. Rehav (Buni) Rubin, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem    Dr. Aynat Rubinstein, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Serge Ruzer, The Hebrew University of JerusalemProf. Mariana Ruah Midbar, The Academic College of Tzfat and University of Haifa     Prof. Galia Sabar, Tel Aviv University, Former President of Ruppin Academic Centre Prof. Shalom Sabar, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Em. Sarah Stroumsa, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Rachel Sarfati, Chief Curator, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem    Dr. Alon Schab, University of Haifa       Dr. Sagi Schaefer, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Miriam Schiff, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Adiel Schremer, Bar-Ilan University        Dr. Ray Schrire, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Daniel Schwartz, The Hebrew University of Jerursalem        Prof. Yossef Schwartz, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Tsafi Sebba-Elran, University of Haifa       Dr. Einat Segal, Kibbuzim College of Education, Technology and the Arts  Prof. Michael Segal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Arik Segev, Sapir Academic College       Anat Sella Inbar, Sapir Academic College       Dr. Orly Senior Niv         Prof. Iris Shagrir, The Open University of Israel     Prof. Oron Shagrir, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Ido Shahar, University of Haifa       Dr. Idit Shaked, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Zur Shalev, University of Haifa       Prof. Sarit Shalev-Eyni, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Racheli Shalomi-Hen, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Faydra Shapiro, Tel Hai Academic College       Prof. Miri Shefer-Mossensohn, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Hizky Shoham, Head of The Program for Hermeneutics and Cultural Studies of Bar-Ilan UniversityProf. Ephraim (Effie) Shoham-Steiner, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev    Prof. Eviatar Shulman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Dalit Simchai, Tel-Hai Academic College       Dr. Uriel Simonsohn, The Haifa Laboratory for Religious Studies, University of Haifa Prof. Moshe Sluhovsky, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Reuven Snir, University of Haifa       Dr. Gal Sofer, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Jonathan Stavsky, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Dina Stein, University of Haifa       Dr. Oded Steinberg, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem        Shlomit Steinberg, Senior curator of European Art, The Israel Museum, Jerusalem Dr. Yuval Tal, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Prof. Rina Talgam, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Daniella Talmon-Heller, The Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Oz Tamir, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Lea Taragin-Zeller, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Hannah Teddy Schachter, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Amir Teicher, Tel Aviv UniversityProf. Em. Chava Turniansky, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem    Mor Hajbi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Ithamar Theodor, Tzfat Academic College       Prof. Nurit Tsafrir, Tel Aviv University       Prof. Yulia Ustinova, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Dr. Anat Vaturi, University of Haifa       Prof. Gal Ventura, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Sandro Ventura, Shir Hadash, Comunità Ebraica Progressive, Florence, Italy   Prof. Dror Wahrman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and President of the Academic College of Tel-Aviv-Yaffo Dr. Eynel Wardi, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Judith Weiss, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev    Dr. Rachel Werczberger, Haddassah Academic College       Prof. Cana Werman, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev     Prof. Em. Jon Whitman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Shmuel Wygoda, Herzog Academic College       Dr. Ynon Wygoda, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem       Prof. Em. Yael Bentor, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem    Dr. Moshe Yagur, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Alexander Yakobson, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Dr. Yolanda Yavor, Tel Aviv University and Oranim academic college   Prof. Uri Yiftach, Tel-Aviv University        Dr. Hanan Yoran, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev       Prof. Israel Yuval, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem     Dr. Avinoam Yuval-Naeh, University of Haifa       Dr. Naomi Yuval-Naeh, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Gur Zak, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Avihu Zakai, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Rachel Zelnick-Abramovitz, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Shelly Zer-Ziion, University of Haifa       Prof. Yossi Ziegler, University of Haifa       Dr. Ariel Zinder, Tel Aviv University       Dr. Oded Zinger, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem      Prof. Boaz Zissu, Bar-Ilan University       Dr. Uri Ziv Shachar, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Elderly parishioner sheltering
in our church hall

The flu bug is around. And one old guy in our house is with it for over 2 weeks now ... refuses to stay in his room and has now affected one third of my community. Me included. I had a high fever, sore throat and lost my voice since yesterday. The head is all stuffy and muddled. I tested for Covid. Negative. But I'll stay in room so as not to infect others.

Our friars continue their tireless work with the thousands of refugees sheltering in our churches and schools; feeding them and providing blankets against the cold. The elderly are most vulnerable now. Since the 2 quakes yesterday, more families are coming for shelter because their houses that survived the first quake, have cracked due to the 2nd and 3rd. Pray for them.

Jerusalem has been rocked by tens of thousands of Israelis flocking to the PM's house to protest his attempt to override the Supreme Court's powers. That way the pending court trial against him for corruption would be overruled, as would other cases against other ministers; or convicted ministers can come back to serve in parliament; or laws against arabs or others be curbed. It's a very scary prospect for all minorities as our rights can overnight be cancelled.

But yesterday there was one more protest and riot ... by ultra-orthodox Jews against the police for arresting one of their own because their vandalised a cellphone shop that is not kosher. The City center was at a standstill as traffic and tramways were blocked by thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews.

All these balagan (chaos) ... and it's not even summer yet!