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Regina asked for an explanation of what I meant when I wrote that we
can't visit the Old City for security reasons. Very sadly, the answer was
given on Friday morning when a terrorist car bomb exploded at the entrance
to the Mahane Yehuda street market ( this was one of the alternative sites
the class had proposed). The bomber placed the car just beside the number
36 bus stop. This bus serves our neighbourhood and school. Although we
were in school at the time and at that very moment discussing the problem
of describing the old City without visiting as a class, many of our pupils'
parents were doing their
weekend shopping at the market. By some "miracle" no shoppers were
killed in the attack but many were injured and traumatised. As you
can imagine, yesterday was a very difficult day for all of us at school.
We live in a wonderful and fascinating city and, in general, our everyday
life is similar to life in most western countries. In fact, our streets
and public transport are freer of violence, day and night, than many other
places. For example, young people can and do travel about safely
on buses until after midnight. Unfortunately, we in Israel are still
dealing with very difficult political problems which extremists are
trying to solve by violent means. In the face of terrorist attacks,
we have to be even stronger in our resolve to solve the problems of the
area through negotiation and compromise.
As regards visits to the Old City - the Ministry of Education does,
in fact, give permission for field trips to most parts of the city, but
parental permission is also required and many parents refuse, although
as individuals they would go everywhere in the city There may be
the feeling that a group of children is an easy target.
Having said all that, we have to keep things in propoportion. Jerusalem
hosts almost two million foreign tourists every year. They are to be found
wandering about in every part of the city and there are no restrictions.
The chance of being involved in a violent incident is statistically very
small indeed. What I always say to tourists who ask me if Jerusalem is
dangerous - I always say, "Yes, it is" - if you don't take care when
you cross the road!
Here is our Grade 8 ( English as a Foreign language) collected vocabulary
base for the Old City of Jerusalem
Nouns: Wall / walls, synagogue, church, mosque, , buildings, towers, history, archeology, religion, people, Jews, Muslims, Christians, ceremony, kfeiyah, skullcap, prayer shawl, notes, quarters, stores, market, houses.
Verbs: walk, look, pray, visit, travel, tour, believe, cry ( weep) buy, sell, negotiate, bargain, enjoy, build, destroy.
Adjectives; wonderful, magnificent, gold, silver, crowded, exciting,
old, ancient, beautiful, glorious, noisy, special, unusual, holy,
shining, interesting.
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