There is likely always tension in Israel, particularly in Jerusalem. The film
denigrating the Prophet Mohamed has not only affected decorum in the Arab countries, but also here. So far, no injuries but there was a pretty big demonstration outside the Damascus Gate in East Jerusalem after Friday prayers. Observant Muslims pray 5 times a day but Friday at noon, Jumu’ah, is their big event each week. Because of the unrest caused by the film, the State Department has sent out alerts to all Fulbright people and U.S. government workers in Jerusalem to keep away from the Old City and Arab neighborhoods until things calm down.

On Wednesday evening we went to a great Italian restaurant, Pera e Mela, in Safra Square near the Jerusalem City Hall and other municipal buildings.  We had a lovely evening sitting outdoors, drinking wine, and eating hand-made pasta with mushroom creme sauce (Marty) and salsa rosa (Carol) (in NYC we’d call that vodka sauce).  Suddenly we heard an announcement over the load speaker at the
tram station that an unattended bag was left on the station. The police came
immediately and blocked off the crowded area and proceeded to blow it up.  Standard operating procedure. These are rather tense times
in the middle East, but the Israelis seem to be used to this sort of thing. As
soon as the even was over, hectic activity resumed.