Jerusalem, Israel – what is really happening
Less than 48 hours after a deadly bomb exploded in Jerusalem,
streets were again clear of traffic.
Schools were closed in Beersheva on Friday, March 25
because of grad missiles.
In Jerusalem classes were cancelled
because the first full Jerusalem Marathon was running
from Gan Sachar, Sachar Park.
Parking was difficult, necessitating long treks to get to Read more
Boycott Israel Day approaches, Israel Apartheid Week goes on and on
and we hear that 6 people are killed in a mosque in Syria.
In Jerusalem,
in spite of calls for “Days of Rage”,
Muslim prayer services have gone on
Friday
after Friday.
Around Mamilla Mall
and the Old City walls,
freedom of movement is hampered only by wet and cold weather.
Purim security checks were required of everyone
when entering
areas crowded with costumed celebrants.
As hundreds of mourners tried to squeeze on the only Egged bus
to the funeral for the murdered Fogel family,
an Arab woman was waiting at the same bus stop,
the scene of the Jerusalem bombing where a woman was killed.
It is not far from Gan Sacher, Sacher Park,
where preparations for the Jerusalem Marathon were well under way.
Two hours before the bus stop bomb exploded,
bus loads of Arab school children arrived at Gan Sacher
for an outing in the park.
Human rights are abused, freedom of religion is denied,
ethnic cleansing and atrocities are in the media,
but hard to find on the real streets of Jerusalem.
Dozens of missiles keep coming from Gaza into many parts of southern Israel.
Jerusalem was on a high security alert for the Purim holiday
and there were more police uniforms in sight than usual.
Near Jaffa Gate, an ad for a food festival in the Old City was hard to miss,
but as Muslim prayers ended on Friday, security was hard to find.
Not the regular security in Malcha Mall
or selling bread in the Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk.
Most of the world celebrates Purim for one night and the following day…
in Jerusalem it goes on and on.
First there are weeks of school events, then the Fast of Esther on Thursday,
and the megillah, the story of Purim, is read three days later on Sunday night.
Mishloach manot, gifts of food, are delivered on Monday.
On Shushan Purim, March 21, Mamilla Mall
fills with colorful characters large
and small.
There is face painting,
more costumes,
and photo opportunities.
The large crowds
include everyone from Spiderman to
this Aussie bloke
and a mystery man.
It is way too warm for a real snow ball fight at Kikar Safra,
Safra Square’s snow and ice event,
so there are cotton ball fights instead.
But on Shushan Purim
the place to be
is on nearby Shushan Street!
The little side street is packed
with people
enjoying
the many street performers
and entertainers.
Even this Purim post is going on and on...
and everything from the buses
to pets are in holiday mode.
It is such a colorful day.
A light rail train near Shushan had to make an emergency stop,
and security is called…
to remove a party hat from the track.
Music fills many Jerusalem streets and goes on well into the night.
What next?
What could be bigger?
Friday the city will come to a complete standstill
for the first Jerusalem full marathon;
if you cannot walk or run…better to just stay home.
More Purim photos on The Real Jerusalem Streets’ Facebook page.