#Jerusalem 9650230 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

nataliesnews · 1 year

Text

Fwd: Cadace, a different letter with mainly pictures, Jessie's cardigan, an aunt's knitted dress, Anita, Jill, Janeen....and no politics 4.2.2023 Inbox Natalie Ginsburg <[email protected]> 9:06 AM (5 minutes ago) to carmel, Ellie, Karen, me, nancy, Emma, Monica, Irving, Ruth, Stephanie, Phylly, Nadav, Ronnie, Eve, Jan ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Natalie Ginsburg <[email protected]> Date: Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 9:03 AM Subject: Cadace, a different letter with mainly pictures, Jessie's cardigan, an aunt's knitted dress, Anita, Jill, Janeen....and no politics To: The weirdest thing. Lying in bed I suddenly thought of the word cadace. With no reference to anything I had been thinking. I have no idea where it came from and that I have ever heard it before. I looked it up. A material for padding doublets from a middle English compendium. Now is that not weird. It is pouring outside. No way to go for a walk. Luckily it was not so yesterday. I went with Ellen to Hiriah. Something good that Arik Sharon promoted https://www.timesofisrael.com/recycling-a-park/ . It was difficult to really understand what was going on....neither I nor Ellen understood exactly how the carbage was differentiated. But afterwards there was a discussion and much was said about how much carbage and what kind there was when, I for one at least, was much younger. I am superficial and Ellen delves into everything so I will wait to see what she answers to this letter. But it is true. Think of all the telephones, computers, furniture, we throw out every day. Remember women sitting and and darning socks or holes in cardigans. Elbow coverings for school blazers. How many bottles we throw out. Plastic. I give my clothes away though rarely do I do so as I no longer buy anything. https://www.timesofisrael.com/recycling-a-park/ I remember once in Vietnam when we were walking through agricultural lands and I was going to throw away a coke bottle and the guide said to go and give it to an elderly woman working in the field. And the smile I got from her as she took it. Afterwards there was a discussion which centered around knitting and people were asked to give their memories. I got up and said that I was probably the only person there who remember during the Second World War going into the church hall with my mother.....I must have been about five or six then....and the woman of the village were sitting with the spinning wheels preparing the wool which would eventually be turned into hats and sweaters and scarves for the soldiers. Anita, Jill, Janeen do any of you remember this? Cynthia? I, also as a coincidence, was wearing a green jersey which Jessie had knitted for me years ago and which is still pristine. I have several of hers. I was once told that such knitted goods were out of fashion but everytime I wear one I get complimented. I also have a knitted dress which Milly gave me when I left for Israel. It had been knitted by one of the aunts...I don't know if it was for Milly or whom but it is still hanging in my cupboard and I do not have the heart to throw it out. One of the organisers gave me the name of a museum which might be interesting in it. It hurts me to think that when I die it will in all probability just be thrown out. Here are some of the pictures I took. A glass table made with tin cans. A bench made me shavings or pieces of wood IMG_3439.jpg IMG_3440.jpg IMG_3437.jpg A seat made inside an old rubbish bin IMG_3448.jpg Sign made of old records to show where the toilet is IMG_3446.jpg --the shop window with what was rescued from the rubbish IMG_3443.jpg A rocking chair IMG_3449.jpg A covering made of remains of wool IMG_3441.jpg And Jessie's jersey with even a nameplate which someone made for her IMG_3451.jpg IMG_3452.jpg And with a great effort I end this letter with no politics -- Natalie Natanya Ginsburg Henrietta Szold 2 Migdal Nofim Room 708 Kiryat Hayovel Jerusalem 9650230 Israel Tel 0528-375593 Nofim Tel 972-(0)2-6580222 Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages Cellphone preferable Displaying IMG_3439.jpg.

Date: Sat, Feb 4, 2023 at 9:03 AM

Subject: Cadace, a different letter with mainly pictures, Jessie's cardigan, an aunt's knitted dress, Anita, Jill, Janeen....and no politics

To:

The weirdest thing. Lying in bed I suddenly thought of the word cadace. With no reference to anything I had been thinking. I have no idea where it came from and that I have ever heard it before. I looked it up. A material for padding doublets from a middle English compendium. Now is that not weird.

It is pouring outside. No way to go for a walk. Luckily it was not so yesterday. I went with Ellen to Hiriah. Something good that Arik Sharon promoted

https://www.timesofisrael.com/recycling-a-park/

. It was difficult to really understand what was going on....neither I nor Ellen understood exactly how the carbage was differentiated. But afterwards there was a discussion and much was said about how much carbage and what kind there was when, I for one at least, was much younger. I am superficial and Ellen delves into everything so I will wait to see what she answers to this letter. But it is true. Think of all the telephones, computers, furniture, we throw out every day. Remember women sitting and and darning socks or holes in cardigans. Elbow coverings for school blazers. How many bottles we throw out. Plastic. I give my clothes away though rarely do I do so as I no longer buy anything.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/recycling-a-park/

I remember once in Vietnam when we were walking through agricultural lands and I was going to throw away a coke bottle and the guide said to go and give it to an elderly woman working in the field. And the smile I got from her as she took it.

Afterwards there was a discussion which centered around knitting and people were asked to give their memories. I got up and said that I was probably the only person there who remember during the Second World War going into the church hall with my mother.....I must have been about five or six then....and the woman of the village were sitting with the spinning wheels preparing the wool which would eventually be turned into hats and sweaters and scarves for the soldiers. Anita, Jill, Janeen do any of you remember this? Cynthia?

I, also as a coincidence, was wearing a green jersey which Jessie had knitted for me years ago and which is still pristine. I have several of hers. I was once told that such knitted goods were out of fashion but everytime I wear one I get complimented. I also have a knitted dress which Milly gave me when I left for Israel. It had been knitted by one of the aunts...I don't know if it was for Milly or whom but it is still hanging in my cupboard and I do not have the heart to throw it out. One of the organisers gave me the name of a museum which might be interesting in it. It hurts me to think that when I die it will in all probability just be thrown out.

Here are some of the pictures I took. A glass table made with tin cans. A bench made me shavings or pieces of wood

A seat made inside an old rubbish bin

Sign made of old records to show where the toilet is

--the shop window with what was rescued from the rubbish

A rocking chair

A covering made of remains of wool

And Jessie's jersey with even a nameplate which someone made for her

And with a great effort I end this letter with no politics

#Fwd: Cadace a different letter with mainly pictures Jessie's cardigan an aunt's knitted dress Anita Jill Janeen....and no politics 4.2.2023

0 notes

nataliesnews · 2 years

Text

Banksy’s hotel 7.5.2022

As I wrote……I always accept Karin’s offer to go somewhere and on Saturday we went to a church which is on the one side of the wall and freedom on the other. It is in Bethlehem and as we drove in, Waze said, “You are going into a dangerous area for Israelis”. Neither of us were bothered. We have both often been Bethlehem as have many other Israelis. We got to the church too late to hear the lecture on the icons. Very frustrating. The turning to the church is just before the checkpoint ,which we did not realise, and so were stuck in the line for 40 minutes. We got in at the end of the lecture where the artist was showing how, in Russia, the icons are desecrated by having Putin and other leaders painted into them. And this is a famous icon painted on the wall of the checkpoint. The sad face of the Virgin Mary made me think of Rachel sitting by the wayside and weeping

Anyhow, feeling very frustrated, and thirsty we decided to do and have a drink somewhere and Karin suggested the hotel. You really must read the icon. It is fascinating. I had often heard about it and wanted to see it but never got there. They have a museum which tells the story of the occupation. We laughed because as we drove up, Karin said to me, “Ask the man if they are open” and I said “But Karin that is a monkey, not a man” and then a man came out who had been standing where only she could see him.

Opposite the hotel is the wall with graffiti some of which really pierces your heart. And we had ourselves taken with this graffiti which we saw many people doing after us

https://inspiringcity.com/2019/01/10/banksys-walled-off-hotel-in-bethlehem/

The museum is very well done. No ranting and raving. As far as I was concerned very factual. In the opening to the rooms sits Balfour

This was a mural on the wall….very graphic….a child trying to dig through the wall.

And another

But then two things happened which really made the day for us

The one room represented all the human rights movements and I suddenly saw two photos of people whom I know very well. We had been asked not to photograph inside so I went and asked at the desk if I could do so , explaining why. The woman came in with us and was fascinated by the story we told of the following..

Hanna Barag

Arik Ascherman

But that was not the end of the story.

As we were leaving we got into conversation with the people at the desk. This man asked Karin whom I was as he thought he might know me.

Karin said I was from Machsomwatch and Balfour and it turned out that years ago he had had a problem as he wanted to go overseas and could not get to the embassy for an appointment. He was told to contact Sylvia Fiterman and, as she could not help him, she referred him to Hanna Barag and he got his appointment and went overseas. He says they will not remember him but he remembers them.

He also asked me to give him the tag I have of Machsom as they would like to have it for the museum.

We spoke to the young woman you see in the photo . By the way we were talking to the young woman whom you see in the photo at the desk about Rachel’s tomb and saying how revolting they had made the touching little monument and she said well she would not know. As a Christian she is not allowed to go in. So next time you speak of how the Palestinians would not allow Jews to go into the Cave of the Patriarchs just remember that we are no better. We told her she was not missing anything. I have been there twice, once to see and once for Machsom and I will never go there again. It is a fortress

Quite a day which started with frustration and ended with a very good feeling.

Natanya

Natanya Natalie Ginsburg

Henrietta Szold 2

Migdal Nofim Room 708

Kiryat Hayovel

Jerusalem 9650230

Israel

Tel 0528-375593

Nofim Tel 972-(0)2-6580222

Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages

Cellphone preferable

#Baksy’s hotel 7.5.2022nn #Banksy's hotel 7.5.2022

0 notes

nataliesnews · 2 years

Text

Subject: a trip to Arab Nazareth, and just a taste of the pictures 12.2.2022

From: [email protected] Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2022 9:04 AM To: [email protected] Subject: a trip to Arab Nazareth, and just a taste of the pictures

https://photos.app.goo.gl/q4EcnwgDWNWgSYpy9

I spent an interesting weekend with a group in Nazareth…the Arab area….much neglected and difficult to walk as the city is very, very hilly, even more so than Jerusalem. We visited some churches, for those of you who are interested in the pictures I have sent the above link. But mainly we met with some of the Arab residents of the city which was something very different than the usual tour. We also stayed in a fascinating little hotel, very homely and just the sort of thing I like. Here too the owner told us the entire history of the family. The two group leaders took me in their car as it was a car tour though most of the time we walked to where we had to go. At times I found this very tiring as the streets are so steep that when you go up your nose practically hits your next step but people helped me and I kept up well with the group.

But I managed to do a Ginsburg ….in the courtyard there were two hotels and I took a long walk when we arrived as Yael had gone to fix up some last minute details. I kept changing directions in my walk as there were very many steps and no bannisters to help one. I said it was not a city I would like to live in and wonder how much the old people there get about. When I got back I could not understand why I could not unlock the gate until I heard her calling me and found that I was sitting at the wrong hotel. But the reason was that I had had a long talk with the owner about the name of the other hotel and it had stuck in mind.

The building is all in stone as you can see from the entrance to the one room and I was lucky that Yael had asked them to give me a room near the desk as you can see by the steps going up to the other rooms

Amongst others we met with Rada, a very modern young Arab lady. I must say that however modern these girls are I often wonder how they manage in the family circle. She is quite amazing with all the languages she knows including Turkish. But one of the connections I had never made with Ali Baba and the fourty thieves is “Open Sesame.” I had never wondered at the word Sesame but of course it is sesame seeds.

What you see here on her fingers are a protection when harvesting

A wonderful toilet sign for the ladies

Jerusalem 9650230

#Subject: a trip to Arab Nazareth and just a taste of the pictures 12.2.2022

0 notes

nataliesnews · 3 years

Text

Abu Hummus, theatre, DCO 14.8.2021

13.8.2021 Something very strange has been happening with my drafts. Twice I have written drafts which have disappeared and I know that I have not deleted them as I checked before I switched off the computer that they were there. So let us see now. I also checked if I had sent them by mistake but I had not. I can well believe that one day automation will take over the world as already my phone seems to have a mind of its own and writes the words before I have even thought of it or changes my arrangements on the calendar computer so that I seem to live in a world which is completely upside

I was at a joyous performance of Theater in the Rough which you can read about above and also some good pictures. It means a lot of running round the park and also carrying your own chair. Not always easy to keep up or move around the grass but so far I kept my balance. My chair which is rather like an accordion is a bit heavy but fits into my rucksack and I can move from place to place.

I had a good laugh though when I saw Falstaff lying on his back and then I happened to look around and saw this dog lying in ecstasy with its stomach being caressed by its owner.

Unfortunately there are the usual things around me which are not so good. But still this evening I am doing a picnic and last night I had supper with Varda Levi (my friend on the right) and family. Nir and Dror whom I had not seen since the mohel removed an important part of his anatomy

And though the rest of what I write is not so good this afternoon we are having a picnic in the evening out in the hills.

A young boy of about 15 had been shot while he was entering his home. The soldiers, according to the father , were about 400 to 500 metres away. Also according to the father, the soldiers themselves said that the boy had done nothing to merit this. So what else is new. They had bandaged his leg and put on some iron contraption which looked very painful as you can see in the picture. He has no money for the operations the boy will have to have, nor does he have money to pay for a lawyer. We gave him both the numbers of the Doctors for Human rights and Yesh Din. Also some additional numbers which I was given by Aziza, a nun who is known to us. The leg was really messed up. The question is if the army admits that they were responsible, surely the IDF should be dealing with this. The man says that his family are law-abiding and there is nothing against him. They have been vaccinated and no one who is not vaccinated comes into their home.

He had not made a complaint at the police. The father said that the boy had been in hospital in Hebron but he had not been able to pay the full sum. The father said that a captain had told him to make a complaint with the police and had said that if they helped him, he would help them. A coverup? However the father was very vague on this point. It is sometimes very difficult to get exact details, not only because of the language difficulty but also because for we Israelis it is always not easy to deal with bureaucracy. How much more so for the Palestinians when they have to deal with the IDF who sees no reason to be polite to them or explain anything.

The demonstration at Shiekh Jarrah. There is nothing in the law which says one cannot wave a Palestinian flag but to the police who have IQs of minus zero it is like a red rag to a bull. Abu Hummus

Here is a little introduction to the political discourse of Ben-Gvir and King, who were caught on video shouting and insulting a wounded Palestinian protester. The video starts with MK Ben-Gvir disparagingly yelling at a Palestinian who was apparently wounded by Israeli police, yet, returned to protest against the evictions planned for Sheikh Jarrah.

Ben-Gvir is heard shouting, “Abu Hummus, how is your ass?”

“The bullet is still there, that’s why he is limping,” responds the deputy mayor, King, to Ben-Gvir. King continues, “Did they take the bullet out of your ass? Did they take it out already? It is a pity it did not go in here,” King continues, pointing to his head.

Delighted with what they perceive to be a whimsical commentary on the wounding of the Palestinian, Ben-Gvir and King’s entourage of Jewish extremists laugh.

While “Abu Hummus”, wounded yet still protesting, is a testament to the tenacity of the Palestinian people, King, Ben-Gvir, the settlers and the police are a representation of the united Israeli front aimed at ethnically cleansing Palestinians and ensuring Jewish majority in Jerusalem.

Abu Hummus is very prominent at these demonstrations. I find it hard to sit on the one little rock I have found….standing for me is harder than walking…. But as soon as I get too near to the action some people not so hot-headed drag me back to the pavement,

But he is tall and walks on two long crutches and even then limps has become a target for the police especially when he waves a Palestinian flag…..and again I emphasize that this is not illegal. This time they attacked him and beat him to the ground where I saw him bent over with the flag held beneath his stomach and one of the young men I know trying to protect him

I took the little Palestinians flag had been given and pinned it on to my shirt. One of the young men said, “They will pull the shirt off you.” and I relied that after so many years it would be a pleasure” But one day the police will kill someone here and it is not at all sure that it will be a Palestinian but rather a demonstrator as the police hate us more than they do the Palestinians. That is my friend Varda Heled with whom I often go to demonstrations.

Natanya Natalie Ginsburg

Henrietta Szold 2

Migdal Nofim Room 708

Kiryat Hayovel

Jerusalem 9650230

Israel

Tel 0528-375593

Nofim Tel 972-(0)2-6580222

Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages

Cellphone preferable

I had a good laugh though when I saw Falstaff lying on his back and then I happened to look around and saw this dog lying in ecstasy with its stomach being caressed by its owner.

And though the rest of what I write is not so good this afternoon we are having a picnic in the evening out in the hills.

The demonstration at Shiekh Jarrah. There is nothing in the law which says one cannot wave a Palestinian flag but to the police who have IQs of minus zero it is like a red rag to a bull. Abu Hummus

Ben-Gvir is heard shouting, “Abu Hummus, how is your ass?”

Delighted with what they perceive to be a whimsical commentary on the wounding of the Palestinian, Ben-Gvir and King’s entourage of Jewish extremists laugh.

Natanya Natalie Ginsburg

Henrietta Szold 2

Migdal Nofim Room 708

Kiryat Hayovel

Jerusalem 9650230

Israel

Tel 0528-375593

Nofim Tel 972-(0)2-6580222

Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages

Cellphone preferable

0 notes

nataliesnews · 3 years

Text

Politics and when I came to Israel 22.4.2021

21/4/2021 I really suggest you watch the short movie on Netflix….The present…….and I endorse every scene in that movie. It could be a documentary. It is hard to watch. But believe me it represents every aspect of the lives of Palestinians. One example I always remember….Azzun…a man told he can only take one chicken through the checkpoint. He says it is for his family of 12. No he is told only one. Also a case when a soldier told a man that he was wearing an army jacket and forced him to take it off and the Machsomwatch person heard him saying, “Wow, my brother will really like this jacket”

The political situation. No comment. I cannot listen to Netanyahu on the tv. He is given prime time and primes himself. Easier to read and keep my blood pressure under control. I had an MRI for the brain as so often in the mornings when I wake up my left is absolutely stiff. They found no explanation but at least they found the brain. I will now speak to Michal, my orthopaedical friend if there is anything to be done. I take plenty magnesium and drink tonic so it can’t be that.

We (machsom) were at the DCO and twice men came up to us to say that they had been prevented from entering Israel for some time and just when the ban ended, without their knowing it, had been slapped on for an extra few years. No reason has to be given by the Shabak. All we can do is tell them to contact Sylvia and her team who deal with these cases. So often they tell us that they have already been to Israeli or Palestinian lawyers, paid them an arm and a leg, with no results. Sylvia has lawyers who are honest and often have very good results to deal with the problem. We are well known as sometimes, even when we stop at the grocery shop near there, people come up to us or the shopkeeper tells us of problems.

It is very worrying about this evening. Attacks from both sides but the problem is that while Palestinians are often arrested immediately, nothing is done about the Jewish extremists and even if the latter are arrested, the revolving door takes place almost immediately. I am wondering what to do as Tag Maier has written about it and there may be a decision to go to the city also to see and report on what is happening there. I am invited to a family in Hebron for the end of the fast day to share their meal with them but may decide not to go so as to go to the Damascus gate or the centre of town. Tomorrow also I am going with Anat, from Machsom, to the Old City as there has been a lot of trouble there. It is Ramadan and Palestinians come from all over Israel and the West Bank (for those who are lucky enough to get permits) to pray.

Jewish extremists plan rally in Jerusalem’s Old City amid rising tensions

Police to deploy in force as Lehava head says members of anti-miscegenation group will march Thursday to Damascus Gate 'without fear'; report of plans by activists to bring weapons

https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-extremists-plan-rally-in-jerusalems-old-city-amid-rising-racial-tensions/

4 arrested, 1 ‎hurt, in Jewish-Arab clashes in Jerusalem; reporters assaulted

TV crews attacked by mobs, shoved to ground and beaten; violence comes amid rising ethnic tensions in capital

https://www.timesofisrael.com/4‎-arrested-1‎-hurt-in-jewish-arab-clashes-in-jerusalem-reporters-assaulted/

I was listening to an interview that Idit Teperson sent me about her father and was reminded of when I came to Israel and the reception I received at the airport. I am alone and my aunt and uncle, Bessie and Joe, took me to the airport. Those were the days when you walked to the plane. I remember the tarmac as being deserted except for me and my small suitcase…..or was is the lonesome feeling I had inside me. I arrived in Israel and got off the plane completely confused. I knew I was to be met. I don’t know if it was by someone from the SA Fed or the Jewish Agency. All I know is that I stood there not knowing where to turn. The first time I had left SA, the first time I had flown. I went to a policeman and said that I was to be met there but I did not know whom to look for.

He must have helped me because I remember going to Tel Aviv in a taxi with two men. One was evidently a local and the other was more evidently a big macher. All I know is that neither of them addressed a word to me all the way to Tel Aviv, hardly a welcome, nothing. Looking back on it again I think what a pair of shits. I was going into something completely unknown. They dropped me off at what I think was then the South African hostel and I don’t think that the man even took me inside. I was taken to a room where the other girls were not present but found a note from them welcoming me and telling me to help myself, also in the morning, to anything that was in the fridge. I don’t remember much about the next day or two but then another woman and I were put into a taxi and sent to Beit Hashita to the ulpan. The woman was Tanya. I am not sure what her surname was but she was very different from anyone I had ever known.

She had been in the theatre scene in South Africa as far as I remember where she had had a non-Jewish boyfriend. I don’t know that had brought her to Israel. But a few weeks after we arrived on the kibbutz it turned out she was pregnant by him. Looking back now I ask myself if I asked her what had brought her to Israel but I know that the boyfriend was the father. They were very good to her on the kibbutz and eventually she gave birth to a little boy, also like her a redhead. He was adopted and I often wonder what happened to him. Today he must be nearly 60.

She continued what was a very different experience. On the kibbutz we had a lovely woman who looked after the ulpaniestiem. We learned Hebrew half day and worked in the fields or wherever half day. I started writing this and find that it opens up so many memories. What a pity we did not have internet in those days. Ruthie Shemi. I think that when we arrived she was not yet divorced and she was very good to Tanya. Her husband, Aaron, afterwards left the kibbutz and married Tanya but then I lost contact with her.

How I came to Israel

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/wife-of-mk-elkin-verbally-accosted-by-likud-supporters-near-her-home-665667Natanya Natalie Ginsburg

Henrietta Szold 2

Migdal Nofim Room 708

Kiryat Hayovel

Jerusalem 9650230

Israel

Tel 0528-375593

Nofim Tel 972-(0)2-6580222

Home 972 (2)6418387 no messages

Cellphone preferable

0 notes

nataliesnews · 4 years

Text

Arik and Tisha Ba’av 30.7.2020

You don’t have to be stupid to live in Israel but it does help. I went with Arik Ascherman today on Tisha B’av to see and hear what is happening with certain Palestinian villages. We started off at the Taibe junction where shepherding communities have lived for tens of years, and then Rashrash, Umm el Hiran, Susya and of course Khan Al Akhmar. The latter are well known, bitterly well-known. Not that I learned anything new.

So first let me say I was stupid. It is a fast day both for the Jews and also for the Palestinians, Id Adha..

Secondly it is corona time which meant that we just met one or two people outside the villages.

Thirdly 45%in the shade. Not that we moved far from the cars but even just getting out of the car was hell. I came back limp and with all the water that I had drunk still dried out.

This was the only place where we sat with the people. This man has had to pay thousands of shekel to get his own household goods back which were confiscated when his house was destroyed. His three sons were also arrested when they tried to drive settlers off their lands

Let me say I learned nothing new which is why I will not enlarge on what we heard from the various people with whom we met about the villages. Because at various times I have written all this before.

The aim of the Jewish state is to drive them off their lands and out of their villages. Where will they go? Most Bedouin towns in Israel have no place for them and they are also not wanted there.

Why to drive them off? To make the Jordan valley and the Negev Arabrein so as to build Israeli towns. Some of the people have gone to Ramallah and Bethlehem. For the moment that is satisfies Israel although I am sure a calculating eye is also being thrown that way.

The Palestinians are warned not to accept any help from the activist groups and people like Arik because then things will go the worse for them.

How much is worse? How much worse can it get when your lands are taken……..even when you have documents proving ownership…. and handed over to Jewish settlers and the settlements. Or the area where you have lived for years and where some of you have been born is decreed to be a firing zone. Or an archaeological site. Trees are cut down. Fires are started and their crops burned. That is to say if the crops are not stolen before by the settlers who come with their guns and also with dogs, tractors and horses to drive the flocks into a stampede.

But the settlers even with their guns are not brave enough to come without the army which stands stolidly behind them and does not lift a finger even when a Palestinian is beaten up. And don’t think that there is any consideration given for age or gender……by the way and that is what is being handed down to the extremists of the last demonstrations. Also when there are altercations between the settlers and the Palestinians it is always the Palestinian who are arrested.

Such a bare landscape….is there not enough for other people to live on?

As for housing…their houses are demolished. So tents are donated. The tents are then confiscated. Their goods from inside the tents often confiscated too and they have to pay thousands of shekel to get back even their household goods. As for schooling. Schools are demolished. If they then set tents, ditto as above. And even chairs which have been brought out of the tents are then confiscated and the school books and exercise books. Pencils, pens, you have it …now you don’t . The army has it and who knows in which Israeli homes these items will now be found. I wonder what Janus Korschak would say about us today

Can I think of more injustices? Surely this should be enough

Tischa B’av? And people mourn for one building, however holy it was. And yet I see Arik and some of those with us reading from Lamentations. And I wish I had their faith.

But in the meantime I think that in the future we will have to hold a fast for the destruction of our own heritage and morality’

In the meantime I think I have written my own book of Lamentations.

Natalie