November clouds in the sky over Jerusalem, Israel,
after pure blue skies all summer,
picture perfect days.
שבת שלום
Shabbat Shalom.
jerusalem israel
Israeli Knesset Opening Day Photos: Outside and In
In Jerusalem, Israel,
the 4th session of the 20th Israeli Knesset
opened this week after a long break.
Early on, nearby streets were closed to traffic
but closings did not prevent protests.
In the road near the Israel Museum,
were visually impaired folks with their guide dogs.
Closer to the Knesset there were more groups protesting.
Once getting past the protesters,
and while waiting in the security clearance line,
I saw the flags were being changed.
Israeli flags came down, and Georgian ones went up,
which meant a leader of Georgia
(not the US state) is soon on his way to Knesset.
Once inside,
here is the mandatory photo of the Knesset.
But, who else
takes the Knesset view of where I live?
Arriving early takes off timing pressures,
so there was plenty of time to oblige these young men with a photo.
Being one of the first ones in the plenary hall
meant that I could get the seat behind the webcam.
WomenWagePeace were there early too,
and saved front row seats in the visitors’ gallery.
MK Oren Hazan was one of first
members of the Knesset to arrive,
but there were no infamous selfies like with Trump.
He only wandered over to talk with the opposition.
I wonder what they were saying?
But promptly at 4:00 pm,
the international ambassadors were seated
and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived.
President Reuven Rivlin and Speaker Yuli Edelstein
took their seats at the dais and
the session was called to order.
Many seats were still empty.
Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat was one late arrival.
There were
selfies galore from spectators,
and MKs could also be found with cameras in hand.
The diversity of guests seated
throughout the galleries was obvious.
As the Speaker and President spoke,
the room was respectfully, boringly quiet.
But as the Prime Minister got into his remarks,
Yair Lapid might have said something,
but this MK would not stop shouting and was removed.
It was quite a show to behold
as Knesset members exited stage left.
When the Prime Minister returned to his seat
after touting Israel’s successes,
and responding to shouts from the opposition
by calling them “sourpusses,”
his ministers rose to shake his hand.
There were handshakes from coalition,
and more selfies.
MK Miri Regev seemed to be having a great time.
Though he was one of last to arrive,
MK Aryeh Deri had MK Avigdor Liberman’s ear.
You know the expression,
“Read my lips?”
Well,
many of those who spoke to the
Prime Minister covered their mouths,
like Mk Ofir Akunis above.
The leader of the opposition MK Yitzhak Herzog
was the final speaker in this part of the program.
The crowds filed out, as more visitors waited to get in.
The Jerusalem streets were quiet
as the sun was setting,
and traffic returned to the littered, post-protest streets.
What an afternoon.
For more of the experience, here is a one minute video,
as stills could not capture it all.
Now I am left wondering
how does anything get done in the Knesset?
What’s Happening on Jerusalem Streets after Holidays?
After the chagim, after the holidays.
The holiday visitors have gone.
Now what? Plenty.
The universities are finally starting.
The Knesset is back in session after long break.
Way too much is happening in Jerusalem to keep up.
The imposing Tower of David (ToD)
was open for the launch of its new Innovation Lab.
These old statues were being relocated,
and over 20 technology startups in augmented reality/virtual reality,
AR/VR, were being presented.
Click and see history of 3000 years unfold!
With glasses like these,
one day you will be able sit at home
and feel as if you were in Herod’s old fortress.
And with these glasses,
eye movements can operate a robot.
Much more is happening and planned for AR/VR.
It all sounds like science fiction,
but is being developed daily to enhance the museum experience
and improve quality of life.
Oh the contrast of old and new!
Outside those walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate,
these Christian tourists were singing and dancing,
while across the street a woman was sorting
the olives she had just taken from this olive tree.
Olive harvesting is nearly finished for this year.
However, new festivals are beginning.
Here are 3 favorites of new Hebrew signs.
Until I saw it in English,
I had hard time understanding,
the Lev Smadar Theater is hosting “Eclectic Jerusalem” cultural films.
Then there is this sign for an illustration and poetry,
“Out-Line Festival.”
And how about an International Animation Festival
in Jerusalem, at Cinematheque?
Not enough?
Houses WithIn, now called “Open House”
starts on Thursday, with 117 interesting and free tours.
Some are fascinating sites open to public,
some are announced as free access,
others were fully booked at warp speed.
Poor Folks’ Cemetery or the Har Herzl military cemetery,
famous private homes
or the Jerusalem home of the Electric Company, are a few options.
The Pillbox in Rechavia was opened last year.
It was less than comfortable inside and a worse photo op,
but it was interesting to hear about.
Photos from the International Jerusalem
Jewish Contemporary Art Bienalle will have to wait for next time.
Oh and soon, Open Restaurants – 5 days, 100 options!
More next time,
will see how many I can get to.
So much is happening on the Jerusalem streets.