middle east current events – Page 60 – The Real Jerusalem Streets

5 Special Israeli Women on International Women’s Day

March 8, 2017Sharon A

International Women’s Day.

Photos of Arab women went viral in 2011.

Then in 2012, I published photos of Arab girls

that just keep going and going.

Muslim girls in Jerusalem Israel shopping

Arab girls still can be found shopping in Jerusalem

on just about any day in most neighborhoods.

But this year I would like to focus on a few special women.

MK Rachel Azaria is using her position in the Knesset,

Rachel Azaria in Knesset committee room

with the assistance of various women’s groups,

to help working conditions and family life.

Yesterday another committee meeting was held on issues

including extended parental leave and allowing fathers to

take time off on the birth of child without fear of losing their jobs.

On my way out of the Knesset I passed

Arab students in Knesset on tour

an Arab school group starting a Knesset tour.

Arab girls going to visit Knesset

Muslim girls were on their way to the Knesset also.

I have meet some impressive Arab women and girls,

but most have not wanted their photo and names shared.

Perhaps times are slowly changing,

Norhan Abu Kutuv of Yafo at Ynet conference

because seated next to President Reuven Rivlin

on a teen panel at a Ynet education conference,

was Norhaan, who asked a question of the Israeli President.

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely

Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotolvely

held at a press conference at the King David Hotel.

Tzipi Hotovely speaking in Jerusalem

Justice Minister Ayelet Sheked answered questions

from American Jewish leaders.

Both women have promising futures in Israeli politics,

but one woman stands out for my special recognition

on this International Women’s Day,

Karnit Flug.

Bank of Israel president Karmit Flug at Jerusalem Press Club annual report

Remember how they said no man could replace

Stanley Fischer as President of the Bank of Israel?

Karnit Flug was interim head,

and was then appointed to the top position.

Each year she presents a report on the Israeli economy,

and each year she is more impressive.

Slowly banking is getting better

and things are changing.

Women in Israel are making a positive difference.

Jerusalem: Good, Bad and Ugly Week

February 1, 2017Sharon A

Jerusalem, Israel,

what a week!

Heavy rains fell over Shabbat,

strong enough to wash away layers of ad posters.

Effects of a municipal strike were being felt,

but I went looking for something good.

After the winter rains,

buds were popping out on branches.

In the Valley of the Cross there were

signs of new growth and small pools of water,

and a favorite sight,

rakefet, cyclamen, growing in rock structures.

Gan Sacher, Sacher Park, had puddles and

unattended, uncollected garbage bins.

The Old City was not affected,

as the municipal strike went on for another day,

but in most neighborhood bins were overflowing.

Only the street cats and birds were happy.

Overflowing trash on the streets

near Machane Yehuda Market, the shuk,

was not only an ugly sight,

but unhealthy and dangerous as well.

A friend saw these photos and

thought it was the aftermath of a terror attack.

On Agrippas Street, people waited for buses that did not come,

since buses could only pass through the ugly mess in one direction.

In addition, the mess by the shuk which overflowed on to the streets

caused the light-rail trains to stop running.

Jaffa Road became a pedestrian mall,

perfect for the occasional skate boarder.

Thousands trudged along to find transportation.

However, by walking along Agrippas Street,

I did find a new and colorful piece of graffiti,

and poorly translated signs

are always good for a smile or laugh,

like this one posted across from Cinema City

near the Supreme Court Building.

The strike is finally over.

It will take awhile to clear the mountains of trash accumulated

while the mayor and finance minister feuded.

But at least children are back in school,

so parents can go back to work.

Now back to normal?

It has rained again, and the sun has come out again.

It’s that time of year when the water from the tap

is colder than the water in the refrigerator.

Hope we can go back to complaining about the cold.

But if reality gets too ugly again,

we can go to Beit Avi Chai to see a movie.

It’s free.

Future Israeli Leaders in the Negev

January 25, 2017Sharon A

The southern Israeli desert called the Negev

has been in the news this week.

Sadly, two lives were lost there,

and the details are still emerging.

On a recent trip to the Negev

we passed dozens of Bedouin encampments

like this one along the roadside.

Thousands of Bedouins live in hundreds of homes like these

that just “popped up” along side the Negev roads.

But I would rather share a new, special “village” with you,

an elite army training base named for Ariel Sharon.

Entering the grounds, a large

outdoor stadium is on the right side of road.

Near the entrance,

one of three synagogues sits on the main square.

The commander of the base, Colonel Avi Motola,

says he feels more like a mayor, with a budget and services

for 10,000 soldiers who are on the training base.

A map of the base, larger than some Israeli cities.

This slide shows the governing structure of the IDF and its branches

on this state-of-the-art consolidated training campus.

A convention center, pool, library and more are planned.

There are six dining rooms with huge kitchens to serve up meals.

This view from one central location

and another show the barren desert in background.

Desert lands take up a third of the country.

New infrastructure, such as roads, were built to benefit everyone.

Civilians work on the base, which helps the local economy.

The plan is for families to come and further develop

the surrounding Negev cities.

Inside the training center,

simulator rooms have sound and smoke

to prepare young soldiers for action.

Especially impressive are the areas to train medics.

On the ground covered by a “blood” stained blanket

is a dummy with equipment around the walls.

The window on right lets medical teams be supervised.

There are multiple rooms, reflecting the various terrains.

Training with artificial bodies and body parts

helps prepare efficient medical response teams.

With the shorter attention-spans of new recruits,

plus shorter terms of service,

new means of more effective education are crucial.

Basic training is three weeks,

the special courses can last from 3 weeks to 14 months.

Young soldiers learn to drive on these simulators.

The large truck dashboard and weather conditions

are two factors which can be programmed.

Outside were new plantings to landscape the campus.

One journalist on our trip commented on the relaxed

atmosphere of the base, so different to army life in China.

This is a perfect spot to sit in the shade and talk on phone.

As more young women are serving in IDF,

it was impressive to see their presence on the base.

Hope you enjoyed this brief look

into the training of new officers for the IDF.

Oh, the last words as you exit,

Go in peace.