Here we go again.
First Israeli Apartheid was the rage,
then segregation became a popular ‘hot’ slur.
Now the Deputy Foreign Minister from South Africa calls on his people
not to visit “occupier” Israel.
Too bad, for if his people were in Jerusalem, Israel,
they could see the “oppression” for themselves.
Syrians are being killed daily by the hundreds,
in Egypt military leaders are being purged after Muslim terrorists
killed 16 fellow Muslims while they were breaking their Ramadan fast,
and violence in Myanmar is spreading to Jakarta and Mumbai.
As the month of Ramadan fasting comes to an end in Jerusalem,
Muslim women were in Mamilla Mall shopping as usual.
On Friday mid-day prayer time, this was the scene outside Jaffa Gate
and inside Jaffa Gate.
At the entrance to the Muslim shuk,
South African Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim,
would have seen the security of the oppressive “occupation”.
Yes, a security blimp was hovering near Damascus Gate,
but all appeared normal on a regular Friday near the Kotel, the Western Wall.
There was no violence or stone throwing,
so there were no restrictions or barriers as people were leaving, though
several men covered their heads with prayer rugs for protection from the sun.
There were no military vehicles on the street below
and people freely went up and down the steps to
and through Mamilla Mall.
Because of past suicide bombers, there is always a security check
to enter Jerusalem malls, but security checks are for everyone.
Suddenly, police closed off Agron Street with red tape,
even Egged bus drivers were stopped and had trouble getting through.
I did not stay around long enough to find out why the street was closed,
but it was not a restriction of Muslims oppressed under “occupation” .
Prejudice is always hard to hear and to read…thank you for your response in picture and in words…may open minds hear and see, clearly. I’m afraid that’s all we can hope for…wish it were more.
Thank you for showing the real situation and comparing it with SO many really troubling situations elsewhere.
I’m tired of Israel always being scrutinized while REAL crimes against humanity are ignored elsewhere!
When I was in Israel in March this year I felt more at ease than in one of the neighbouring countries. There was no violence, there were no riots, no shooting. I felt safe!
Years ago we went through the Athens airport and I felt so intimidated by the tanks and weapons there.
Just came back from the Israeli airport, there was plenty of security, but no tanks and I did not feel threatened.
Israeli crimes are not scrutinized enough. Why not show the obscene walls, illegal settlements, the long lines at checkpoints, the harassment of Palestinian children on the way to school by IDF.
???????
Dear Pat, I disagree. Israel is over scrutinized! Are you concerned about Egypt and Syria?
There were suicide bombers blowing up children on the streets and passengers on the public buses.
Walls were built to keep them out, before we drove through Bethleham on a regular basis, many Israelis shopped there and in other Arab villages.
Did you complain when Jordanians occupied The Old City, drove out the Jews and blew up all the synagogues in 1948? That was illegal.
I have sat in those long checkpoint lines of traffic, it is indeed very frustrating, but it does keep potential murders out.
It is a real shame they are needed, on that I do agree with you.
Arab children who do not throw rocks are not harassed by IDF.
Stop inciting Arab youth and teaching them to hate, then we have hope for peace in the future.
Maybe older Palestinians who did not grow up with a narrative of lies and remember the truth are less violent for good reason.
You mentioned 1948. At that time it was more the Jews that came in that chased the people that already lived there out. You probably understand that there was (and is) hatred for loosing the places they were living. It may be better to reach out to them and acknowledge that you understand their hurt than punish all Palestinians collectively for crimes that are done by a few.
Hatred has no logic. When S African leaders cry about “Israeli apartheid” it is the irony of their own history they are recalling. As we so easily see from your fabulous photos, there is no apartheid or threat to the local Arab population in Israel.
Sharon, it’s amazing that you make the time for this. Thanks so much for a terrific post.
Thanks please feel free to share.
no matter what deputy foreign ministers advocate on the safety of journeys to Israel – we will keep on coming because once you have breathed the blue air of Israel you know safety and freedom.Shalom!
Thank you Lynda!
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being a woman and getting aressted for wearing a prayer shawl while praying at the kotel is what for you? Fair? Law? For me that is just simple misogyny and religious coercion! Why not showing pics from the women aressted?
Ze’ev 4 women wearing prayer shawls and being taken in by police got a front page photo in main stream media and headlines.
How about the 1000s who crowded in to the Shuk for the Balabasta event last night, what did you see?
Nothing! If it is not negative, it is not news. So thank you for the suggestion,
but I will keep going to where the real people are on the streets of Jerusalem.
There are places at the wall where ANYONE who is sincere can pray their own way – even Mit Romney!
People who are sincere are free to pray at the wall,
thousands do everyday,
but Jews are not allowed to pray on the Temple Mount.
I have noticed that those who decry Israeli actions in the worst light, totally IGNORE truly bad things elsewhere – especially daily, relentless Anti-Jew messages throughout the Arab world including children’s TV. THAT is OK?
Besides the anti-Jewish messages, I have not seen action against the relentless killing in Syria another 200 today.
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