Thursday - The Holy Sites

I

Jerusalem is Holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims.  It is a moving spiritual place to seek connection with our history.  All have invested heavily over the centuries in places to worship and to remember the prophets.

On Thursday we started the day early with a tour the incredibly beautiful grounds of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock. 

 Next we prayed at the Western Wall 

followed by the Christian Holy sites starting with the mount of Olives and the Gasden of Gethsemane and the Church of All Nations, aka Church of the Agony of Christ.

Next we visited The Tomb of the Virgin Mary.

Then a walk along Via Dolorosa and a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

After lunch we took a walk on the walls of the old city followed by a visit to Silwan.

Madaa Silwan was established in 2007 by the Palestinian residents of Wadi Hilweh neighborhood in Silwan. The word ‘madaa’ (مدى) means horizon.

Our mission is to build a strong, knowledgeable and involved Arab Palestinian community in Silwan, and to provide educational and recreational activities and courses mainly for children, teenagers and women as well.  http://www.madaasilwan.org

Wall of posters showing the Israeli plan for Silwan, after takeover by Elad.

Silwan is a Palestnian town outside of Jerusalem.  Israelis are actively trying to evict the Palestinians and take ver the town.  The Israeli authorities have given control of much of the land in Silwan to Elad, an Israeli settlement organisation. Elad want to expand their tourist centre in the midst of this bustling Palestinian neighbourhood and the Israeli authorities have ambitious plans to turn the area into a National Park. These new tourist developments would see the largest single demolition of Palestinian homes since 1967, the year that Israel occupied East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Palestinian homes, businesses and schools would be replaced by gift shops, visitor centres and car parking for tourists.

After dinner we shared music with a choir at the Instituto Magnificat, a Jesuit run music school.

Returning to our hotel, we witnessed an example of the petty harassment experienced by Palestinians.  While we were waiting to pass through a security point for the Music of the Old City Festival, a Palestinian women was stopped after her young daughter had already passed through.  Words were exchanged while we waited and the women was finally allowed to pass.  We were allowed through without a murmur.