Apartheid, Segregation and now: Oppressive Occupation

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,

Arab women

 Muslim women were in Mamilla Mall shopping as usual.

Jaffa Gate

On Friday mid-day prayer time, this was the scene outside Jaffa Gate

Jaffa Plaza

and inside Jaffa Gate.

Arab shuk

At the entrance to the Muslim shuk,

South African Deputy Minister Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim,

Arab women

would have seen the security of the oppressive “occupation”.

kosel

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,

Ramadan

so there were no restrictions or barriers as people were leaving, though

Jaffa Gate

 several men covered their heads with prayer rugs for protection from the sun.

Israeli occupation

There were no military vehicles on the street below

Israel occupation

and people freely went up and down the steps to

palesitian

and through Mamilla Mall.

arab girls

Because of past suicide bombers, there is always a security check

to enter Jerusalem malls, but security checks are for everyone.

Israeli police

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,

Muslim man

but it was not a restriction of Muslims oppressed under “occupation” .

New Warnings in Jerusalem Shuk

In 1997, 16 people were killed by suicide bombers and

over 175 wounded at the Machane Yehuda Market, the Shuk.

Ten years ago another 7 people were killed in a terrorist attack at the Shuk.

Six years ago during the Second Lebanon War, 

I made aliyah and moved a short distance from the Shuk.

At first, every time I ventured out to the center of town or to the Shuk, 

it felt like a big deal, with fear of it being my last trip.

What if today another suicide bomber was out for a midday murder mission?

However, what I found in the Shuk was very different from what I expected;

"arab women" "Arab woman", "muslim woman"

Arab women strolling freely and shopping,

"picture fresh garlic"

mountains of garlic before it is dried,

"photo Natan Sharansky"

and Natan Sharansky buying fresh pita.

This month’s Balabasta Festival has brought more people to the Shuk.

 There is security at the entrance, but now a new warning is needed:

 the crowds have returned, so hold on to your kids!

The Mystorin Theater Group has some of the most clever performers. 

They performed two nights last week near the Shuk.

It is hard to describe what they do with costume, light and color.

This scene in the amphitheater was projected on to a large screen

"SAND"

and was created by hand with sand sprinkled on a light table

The ‘Sea in Jerusalem’ show also had several dance performances.

 People walking by also stopped to look at the larger-than-life actors.

However, be warned:

"Mystorin"

 this show was not appreciated by everyone as it was way ‘out of the box.’

These new warnings for the Jerusalem Shuk may be amusing, 

however,

 this caterpillar, constructed of cement pipes, is located in a park in Sderot

to provide immediate shelter for children who play in the park.

When Hamas decides to send a kassam rocket from Gaza,

the children of Sderot do not always get a warning.

Last night another rocket landed in southern Israel.

 No one was killed.

How can there be any excuse for trying to blow up children,

with or without warning?

Jerusalem: Exhaustion in August

Most of Israel may be on holiday in August, but in Jerusalem

things begin to heat up and not just the weather.

After the three sad weeks leading up to Tisha B’Av,

 mourning turns into serious celebrating,

with wedding season and festival time. 

During the first week of August,

"photo Israel Museum"

 the Israel Museum hosted a successful Israeli Wine Festival.

Festivals once again range from,

" picture sign in Hebrew", "Image J Street", "photo Hebrew sign "

an International Puppet Festival to a beer festival at the end of the month!

Schools are out and summer camps are over,

so it is time once again to keep the kids busy.

"khutsot Hayozer"

Khutzot Hayotser, The International Arts and Crafts Fair,

near the Old City in the Sultan’s Pool, with its

"photo arts and craft fair"

 huge stage for nightly entertainment has been held for almost 40 years.

Running from August 6-18 and  similar to recent years,

"picture kites", "photo J Street", "image Art festival"

food, local artists’ works and international crafts are for sale.

A relative newcomer to the August festival season is the Balabasta Festival,

 held on Sunday nights in August in Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.

"photo shuk", "image machane yehuda market"

Some businesses closed early,

"fruit market picture"

but others were well stocked.

Balabasta seemed more small child-friendly than it was last year,

"photo puppet show"

with puppet shows,

"photo balloons"

balloons,

"juggler"

balancing acts,

"juggler"

a juggler and a 5:00pm advertised start time.

By 6:30 pm, the laundry was hung and the alleyways were getting crowded.

"puppet"

I caught a familiar face from last year

as he was coming out of a store,

"puppet'

and he quickly gained new fans.

"music"

There was music of all kinds

"art with seeds"

and art of many types,

"photo art"

culture in Jerusalem is so varied it can be hard to define,

and to take it all in can be exhausting.

It is probably impossible to attend all the Jerusalem festivals,

but if you want to try, here are a few more  suggestions and

 more Balabasta photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets Facebook page.