The Scene in Jerusalem Today

June 21, 2007 - 3:07 PM by Israelity

When I stepped out

into the bright sunlight

from the darkness of the dreary office…

A giant horse stepped out right in front of me

It cut me off from walking down the hill. And on top of it, a burly police officer. The men in blue and the Magavnikim (border police) in green lined up all along Hillel St., King David St., Keren Ha-Yesod, and King George.

Instead of cutting through Queen Shlomtzion St., I accidentally took a wrong turn and walked up and around, alongside Independence Park where clumps of police officers sat on large rocks talking and—waiting. Waiting and waiting endlessly for who knows what’s going to happen today.

Just wanted to give you all an inside peek at what’s going on today in Jerusalem in the center of the city. Tonight, the gay pride parade will be snaking up along King David St. to Liberty Bell Park.

I think I saw one police officer rummaging through garbage left on the ground, and I watched him pick up a cement brick, as if getting ready for the violence that’s expected when the Ultra-Orthodox come out to protest. They were protesting last night by torching garbage in haredi neighborhoods.

Apparently, Magen David Adom, Jerusalem’s ambulance service, is on highest alert and the city is clearing out prisons, preparing for new arrivals.

And somewhere in Mea Sharim, a dumpster is still smoldering…

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