The Real Jerusalem Streets – Page 411 – Jerusalem, Israel

Outrageous

May 18, 2011rjstreets

Princess Chulabhorn of Thailand who is visiting Jerusalem

is recovering from an injury and presently unable to climb stairs.

The grounds of Beit HaNasi, the President’s official residence

are accessible for those with disabilities,

however it is reported that on an official visit she had a difficult time

because of the stairs inside.

Many places in Jerusalem can be difficult if you cannot do steps.

The Kotel, the Western Wall can be accessed by wheelchair

but until a proposed elevator is built,

getting there from the Jewish Quarter requires going down many steps.

Some sidewalks are narrow,

very narrow.

The new Mamilla Mall

and the central square in the Rova, the Jewish Quarter, are passable,

but too many sidewalks

are blocked,

or non-existent,

forcing wheelchairs and similar vehicles into busy streets.

None of this is news in Jerusalem,

for too many restaurants, synagogues and public buildings

are not accessible to the disabled.

In Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, on Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day

when thousands and thousands of people gathered

…there were NO additional bathrooms provided.

Those women patient enough to wait in line had to navigate steps.

Some women required assistance,

requiring men in the toilet area to help them in and out of a waiting wheelchair.

Outrageous…

there is no excuse for this situation in the center of Jerusalem!

It may be hard to avoid going in the street in some locations,

but one should not have to be royalty to have their basic needs accommodated.

Outrageous!

Update: April 17, 2012,

New bus stops make walking easier,

now we need better public toilets in Gan Sacher for Yom Ha’atzmaut.

Catastrophe and Tragedy

May 15, 2011rjstreets

Amin al-Husseini, the exiled Muslim Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, recruited Arabs for Nazi Germany,

and in May 1948,

he called for the Arabs residing in Israel to leave their homes and flee to neighboring Arab countries.

Thus began the ‘catastrophe’ which today is celebrated as Nakba Day.

Space within the Old City of Jerusalem is very limited.

The Arab town of Silwan

is really just down the street from the Kotel, the Western Wall.

The Jewish Quarter of the Old City was attacked in 1948

by the invading Jordanian forces and destroyed.

Jordan did not allow Jews access to the Jewish Quarter for 19 years. Until June 1967,

the only view available to Israelis of the walls of the Old City was from across a vast No Man’s Land.

Many Arabs still live in the Muslim Quarter in Jerusalem, but the tragedy is that after all this time,

so many others are still in refugee camps–all second-class citizens

in all the Arab countries to which they fled.

While in Jerusalem, either by day

or at night,

no matter what their attire,

an Arab man can freely walk alone

or with his family.

Even on the recent Fridays of the “Days of Rage” in Egypt, Libya and Syria, men of all ages

did not encounter security or check points in the Old City on the way to prayers.

Public parks are used for playing soccer with the kids

or school outings.

Space may be limited and tight, but if Arab leaders would stop inciting hatred,

stop spending their money on weapons and invest in education,

peaceful co-existence could be achieved.

When 900,000 Jews were expelled from Arab countries in1948, they were forced to leave their fortunes behind,

they resettled around the globe and built new lives.

Today, hundreds tried to get through the border to Israel today from Syria in the North…

where would you rather be?

Yom Ha’atzmaut 5771

May 11, 2011rjstreets

As the sun sets and the many solemn Yom Hazikaron observances come to an end,

the varied and diverse celebrations of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Independence Day, begin.

In some communities, the holiday begins in the synagogue with

with a special evening thanksgiving service, as this one in Rabbi Benny Lau’s Ramban synagogue.

Beginning at nightfall, stores and businesses close.

The mangals, BBQs and charcoal have been hard to miss this week,

because as early as sunrise people are out looking for a good spot

to start grilling.

There were so many people headed to nature trails that the list of parks

that were closed for lack of space got longer as the day went on.

But in the center of Jerusalem, as usual, it was Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,

where thousands of families and groups gathered-

some camping out from the night before,

others arriving early to get the perfect place,

and a few lucky ones succeeding to find both privacy and shade.

There were blue and white flags,

lots of blue and white flags,

new and improved plastic hammers,

and tee shirts,

lots of tee shirts.

Three helicopters flew over in formation.

followed by five F-16 fighter planes,

but it was the huge El Al jets that got the most attention.

Smoke filled the sky and cars were everywhere they could find a spot, legal or not, until late at night.

A day which started with the televised International Bible Quiz competition,

ended with the televised presentation of Israel Prize Honors.

Getting through the layers of security to sit in the audience took time, patience and a special ticket.

Certainly not the ‘real streets’ in the International Conference Center

with government leaders at the dais waiting to congratulate the 10 distinguished honorees…

but what a way to celebrate Israel at 63.

Happy Independence Day!