Dome of the Rock

On of the highlights of our trip last November was to spend time in East Jerusalem in the old city. We stayed at St. Thomas guesthouse and frequently walked about the old city.  One of the most peaceful parts of the city is the courtyard outside of the Dome of the Rock.

The court links the Dome with the Al-Aqsa Mosque.  This is considered the third most holy site in the Muslim world.  We enjoyed watching the beehive of activity as Muslims and tourists mingled in this area.  We were disheartened to learn that the Israeli Government has recently closed off this site to Muslim access.  The last time this was done was during the 1967 war.  This move is sure to heighten tensions which are already high.  The Israeli government has been slowly and surely choking off Palestinian access to this site and the latest move closes it off entirely.

This appears to be another carefully calculated decision to tighten the noose around the Palestinian people.

Today is my birthday.  I received a greeting from Matts Nilsson, one of the members of EAPPI group 37.  He sent along a picture taken at St. Georges in Jerusalem at the beginning of our service.  It stirred many memories of our work to support peace with justice among the people of the area.

Susanne

EAPPI Group 37