Happy Christmas

From Bethlehem. Not much peace and goodwill around here.

Life in Israel

My brain reads the news but parts of my cortex are so numb that I reject most of what I read. As Christmas approaches I note that the cards we receives at work all fall into the 'Happy Holidays' style of avoiding any mention of anything to do with, well religion. No Hanukkah cards, no Christmas cards just bland Seasons Greetings.

Humbug.

Welcome Mr Blair

As Tony Blair continues his futile search for a legacy to end his time in office, he arrives in Israel for a day, yes, one whole day from his busy schedule to try and do something, anything to make the mess that is the Middle East slightly better. He would be better off looking for the Holy Grail or the lost Ark of the Covenant.
Am I being a tad over cynical? Belittling a well meant, sincere man who genuinely wants to help? Probably. The problem here are structural and do not admit of a cure, especially one lasting one day with a compulsory visit to Yad Vashem thrown in. Deep Falafel said it well last night on the phone.

The Jews are like a person who found his house on fire and jumped out of the window. Unfortunately , he landed on someone's head who was innocent and the two have been arguing over it ever since.

Peace in our time?

Mrs E. spent the day attending a workshop on non violent confrontation in a local Kibbtuz school. When I went to pick her up, we gave a lift back home to Abu Amir, a local Sheikh who is interested in these things. He invited us in for coffee and the inevitable food served by quiet and obedient daughters. A fascinating person his Grandfather fled in1948 to a shed on the family lands where he, and his descendants stayed ever since. Now there are forty families living there including two Jewish families who rent property in the village that grew up.
He has no bitterness or hatred for anyone. His sons and daughters speak a Hebrew that is better than most Israelis, are Doctors, dentists and lawyers.

They hope to get connected to the electricity supply in a few weeks.

Happy birthday

Happy birthday me!