Knesset

See Jerusalem before the Iranian missiles of Operation Roaring Lion

Sharon A

What a week this was!

The warnings and sirens of Operation Roaring Lion/Epic Fury rang out on Shabbat morning.

It’s almost hard to remember what happened in Jerusalem, Israel, before the alarms sounded, sending us to the shelter in our building multiple times.

But always, things were happening on and off the Jerusalem streets you should know about.

Before the cold weather and skies raining ballistic missiles from Iran, there were important events.

President Herzog hosted the annual Iftar meal at Beit Hanasi, the President’s official residence.

Important to note that the Abraham Accords Ambassadors to Israel attended, along with Arab leaders.

The Knesset was preparing all day for the afternoon arrival of the Prime Minister of India.

Flags and banners were outside the building

and inside the Knesset building, too.

I remember when the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, was in Israel from July 4- 7, 2017.

He received lots of warm hugs from President Rivlin and media attention.

This time, besides the warm welcome, Modi also spoke at the Knesset Plenary.

I went to attend the session where US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was speaking at the Knesset Caucus for Israel–U.S. Relations, initiated by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Chaired by Knesset Member Ohad Tal, it marked the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

“For a $7 trillion-a-year budget, the support that goes to Israel is a tiny blip,” he said.

He mentioned that Americans don’t think about it because Iran is 8,000 miles away. Emphasizing that for over 47 years, Iran has killed thousands of Americans and is working to build a global nuclear threat.

For the distinguished guests, there was a display of Israeli antiquities along a main hall.

The Israel Museum is closed today. Important works were moved to secure locations.

I was there on Thursday to see the new exhibits to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

It was very different than the 50th big birthday bash.

The iconic Shrine of the Book is where the Dead Sea Scrolls are safeguarded.

The Israel Museum preserves and displays invaluable antiquities.

For the first time, a behind-the-scenes preservation lab is visible, enabling museum visitors to watch the work being done.

The crown jewel of the celebration is “A Voice from the Desert: The Great Isaiah Scroll,” curated by Hagit Maoz.

The story began in 1947 when a young Bedouin shepherd entered a cave near Qumran.

He found a parchment in one of the clay pots.

The exhibit shares a video of the journey of the Isaiah Scroll from the desert to Jerusalem and its current home.

For the first time since 1968, the Great Isaiah Scroll has been unrolled to its full 24-foot length.

The public can book to see it for ten minutes in groups of 25.

Hopefully, the Israel Museum will be able to open again soon.

Because of preservation precautions, this exhibition was to be for only 4 months.

Leaving the room with the real deal, a copy is on the wall. Highlighted are quotes along the text.

“Comfort, Oh comfort My people” is one.

Oh, how timely, beating “their swords into plowshares” and “The wolf shall dwell with the lamb” are two others.

Cinema City is preparing for the Jerusalem Marathon on March 27, 2026.

Shops are preparing for Purim.

What will the celebrations be this year?

No one knows for sure.

The big signs and plans are for a Shushan Purim mega event near the National Library and Museums.

 “Shout for joy, you who dwell in Zion!” is another quote from Isaiah – as we take shelter from Iranian ballistic missiles – again.

Tu Bishvat on the Jerusalem Streets

Sharon A

For over 15 years, The Real Jerusalem Streets has shared Tu Bishvat posts.

Of course, each time wondering how best to spell — Tu Beshvat or Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were the simple colors of Tu B’Shvat.

Some years were much more ambitious for Tu Bishvat.

Remember those Amygdalus Communis growing in Jerusalem?

This past week, I set out to find what was new for you.

Jerusalem, Israel, and the cranes rise higher and higher into the sky.

Mountains have to be moved to install new light rail tracks.

Buildings rise above the expanded highways.

And wow, the mess as new sidewalks and bike trails are being worked on – it seems – everywhere.

But the winter green has returned to the nature spots.

And the first almond blossoms were out in time for Tu Bishvat.

The protest sites near the Knesset are still there, though the last hostage has returned.

This Knesset building opened on Tu Bishvat 60 years ago.

I went to the 50th celebration.

I went to the Knesset for the 60th celebration last week.

On Tu Bishvat this year, I did not get in.

I contacted 4 people, and a Minister tried to help. After waiting an hour, I left.

I did get to chat for an hour with a reporter I had not seen in a long time; she also did not get in.

It was a beautiful day to be in Gan Sacher. The piano is no longer yellow for the hostage return.

Had time to walk through the National Library and see all the people.

Good to see the space that was filled with chairs and books for the hostages is back to normal.

‘There are Flowers’ was the Tu Bishvat theme in the library.

Flowers were coming from the stones, as every year, as winter ebbs.

New signs for Jerusalem events have been posted.

Buds have appeared on the lemon tree.

And on Tu Bishvat, new signs went up over the Jerusalem streets for Shushan Purim.

This year’s celebration is to be on Ruppin Street on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The seasons are changing, and it feels like spring on the Jerusalem streets.

Hope to see you here soon, this year in Jerusalem.

Favorite photos from one busy week in Jerusalem

Sharon A

You may see headlines of impending doom and gloom, but the real Jerusalem streets have not been this busy in a long time.

Things are so busy that I had to select multiple times where to go and what to do.

Sharing a very brief wrap-up with only some highlights, favorite faces, and photos.

Monday morning – Knesset

The Knesset on Monday morning was full of activity.

The red carpet and flags were to welcome the Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama.

At the entrance security, I met Alan Clemmons and Natasha Hausdorff, two advocates who support Israel in legal matters.

They were also on the way to the Official Parliamentary Opening Plenary led by MK Amichai Chikli and Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana.

The 2026 International Conference on Combating Antisemitism- Official Parliamentary opening Plenary was the forum for international delegates to speak.

One dramatic presentation was by Christian Terhes, Member of the European Parliament, when he showed the glorification of martyrdom in the UNRWA text.

The man Chikli was pleased to shake hands with when he entered the room was Flavio Bolsonaro. His name card read: Senator, Pre-candidate for the Presidency, Brazil. He did not speak at this session. But at the main event, he was given the keynote position and launched his campaign. Let’s hope he wins.

The opening conference gala entrance was on Monday night, at the same time as the Jabotinsky lecture at the Israeli President’s Residence. I had to pass on the gala.

Monday evening – Beit Hanasi

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee was the featured speaker, and fans surrounded him before the event started.

The Ze’ev Jabotinsky Lecture is an annual event that was postponed from its earlier date.

The main room was full.

The yellow chair, which had been at all the Beit Hanasi events for two years, was in place.

However, with the announcement that the last hostage was retrieved from Gaza, the Ambassador helped President Herzog remove the chair.

Huckabee gave a proper talk about Jabotinsky; however, removing the yellow chair and his yellow pin stole the show.

I was on my way out to attend a special dinner with long-time friends, as astronauts were waiting to enter to meet the President.

Tuesday morning, Jerusalem International Convention Center, Binyunei Hauma

The full-day conference “Generation Truth” was held at the Jerusalem ICC.

Rabbi Yehoram Ulman of Bondi Beach, Australia, gave one keynote in the morning.

Social media stars participated in a morning panel discussion on antisemitism.

At these events, it is hard to stay inside listening and not go outside to see who is attending.

I first became a fan of Fiamma Nirenstein at a Jerusalem hotel many years ago, where she was featured at an event about antisemitism. I told her I remembered where she was sitting on the panel when the late Robert Wistrich warned of antisemitism becoming mainstream in Britain.

Gad Saad and his wife, I saw at Beit Hanasi. I was glad to be at his keynote talk as I had followed him as a fan online.

Flavio Bosonaro from Brazil gave his talk in English, but it seemed aimed more at the Brazilian presidential campaign.

The panel ‘Algorithms of Hate’ focused on social media.

The Mike Huckabee interview with Alex Traiman, JNS Jerusalem editor, was another favorite.

Dinesh D’Souza, on the left, and his wife were also at the Knesset.

Dumisani Washington, Lee Trink, Seth Dillon, Karyes Rhea, and Ruben Baumgarten are just a few names of impressive guests.

Not an internet or international star, but the man who gave me his chair at the crowded buffet lunch.

There could be much more about the conference.

Wednesday was a day focused on the funeral of Ran Gvili

Thursday night – Friends of Zion

I want to end with a special event at the Friends of Zion, where President Herzog opened with a video to commemorate the International Holocaust Remembrance Day. There were 6 candles for 6 million Jews murdered.

But also the movie ‘Quezon’s Game’ with the Philippine Embassy and Ambassador Aileen S. Mendiola.

Mike Huckabee was a guest, not a speaker. He rose to greet George Lewenstein, one of the Jews saved by Quezon, who spoke.

The story of how Manuel Quezon rescued 1200 Jews from Germany was new to me.

For those of you who are still reading here. Look it up, Manuel Quezon.

The movie is parallel with history. Not sure how comfortable the US staff were with how the US immigration policy worked to keep Jews out. The Philippines was a US territory at the time. Quezon went into exile in the US.

He had wanted to save 10,000 Jews, but only managed to get 1200 Jews to safety before the Japanese took over the Island. That is another chapter, and this is getting too long.

“He who saves one life saves the world entire.” Am Yisrael Chai