I promised myself not to write about politics here, but everything is political ~ and mystifying.  A graduate education in Middle East histories, trying to keep my finger on the pulse of the Zeitgeist here in the region, following the news closely ~ still leaves me, well, mystified by the stupidity, the short-sightedness, yes, but mostly by the ill-will.  

So far today, Islamic Jihad has fired 6 Qassam rockets into Israel, mostly at Sderot, but one hitting Ashkelon as well.  (Two rockets hit Ashkelon yesterday, too).  Since the Palestinians announced a cease-fire a few weeks ago, they have fired more than 50 rockets into Israel, (including almost 30 this past week), not to mention their having mis-fired several rockets and killing Palestinian children in Gaza.  (I don't suppose the UN wil dispatch Archbishop Desmond Tutu to head up an inquiry as they proposed to do for Beit Hanoun...).

Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are still in captivity.  

King Abdallah of Jordan commented yesterday that Israel is not as strong as the Arab world had thought, and that the Israeli loss in Lebanon will only inspire further acts of violent agression.

Yesterday, the Israeli government announced a comprehensive plan to ease restrictions on Palestinians in the West Bank.  Israeli PM Ehud Olmert kissed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen).  Abu Mazen's Fatah claimed responsibility for yesterday's Qassam rockets.  On Christmas Eve, Olmert announced that he was considering a mass release of Palestinian prisoners before the Palestinians release Shalit (who marked six months in captivity this week), and this, despite oppostion from Defense Minister Peretz and the IDF.

Iran? Iraq?  No, I can't go there.  You all know.  Syria?  Sure, with Iran's help, they continue to support and arm Hizballah and sure, they've amassed troops and armored divisions on our north-eastern border, but the Israel Foreign Ministry suggested yesterday that Jerusalem should take Damascus seriously when Assad says he's ready to talk peace.  Huh? 

Ethiopia bombed two airports in Modadishu yesterday, and Ethiopian troops are currently approaching the Somali capital.  

I love how wicked_danu abruptly changes subject with a "In other news..."

I've been counting down to the arrival of my friend, Elke from Germany.  She and her husbland flew in Christmas Eve and I'm joining them for a late dinner.



Elke is a teacher and always dreaming up art projects with her students.  I'm waiting to see photos of the Chagall-esque stained glass windows, their most recent project.  For the 100th anniversary of their school, they created this:

Elke!

The project soars up to the heavens!



Here in Tel Aviv, the monsoon started (finally, rain!) several hours ago.  My street is not quite a Venetian grand canal, nor is my flat on Amsterdam's Prinsengracht, so I guess a gondola or a barge is out.  I'll have to take the train to school for a lecture this evening.  You'd think a boy from Oregon wouldn't get so excited about a little rain!  

Tags: ashkelon, ehud goldwasser, eldad regev, elke, ethiopia, gilad shalit, iran, iraq, islamic jihad, israel, jordan, qassam rockets, rain, sderot, somalia, syria
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