You can scan the New York Times and read every word of your local paper - but you will miss the relevant news from our region of the world...at least relevant to us.
The first story I won't explain, but you might find it interesting: Here is the link.
The second story is fascinating (and does not cause harm to us or represent and increased level of danger).
Version One: My version. Paul and Jen were working late at the office. When they finally left at 7pm, the sun was beginning to set over the Mediterranean Sea and beach-goers were coming out of the water and crossing the street like wild crabs or baby turtles. The couple walked to the car and drove home along the usual route, stopping briefly at the Embassy. At approximately half-way home the traffic got thick. This wasn't the usual pedestrians crossing the street, cars parked in the driving line, or other Middle Eastern driving habit we've written about. No, this type of traffic was unprecedented for post-rush hour Tuesday night driving.
Inching through the intersection, around the bend, down the hill, under the bridge, up the hill and to the next intersection, Paul and Jen could see police lights ahead. As they approached one foreign embassy (not ours), Paul noted the police tape on the fence. Hmm...perhaps a car accident at their gate. No...the heavy traffic continued and the police presence increased. As the couple passed the second embassy on the block Paul pointed out the high security and the news cameras: "Look Jen, high security and news cameras." The traffic dispersed like mist on a water fall, yet Jen contributed to mess by driving slow to get a glimpse at the action. The Turkish Embassy. Cameras. Crowds. Police...something was happening.
As the couple pulled onto their road after an hour commute, Paul found the headlines on his blackberry: Shots fired at Turkish Embassy. Palestinian...blood thirsty Isaelis...Not good.
Version Two: For the Haaretz version click here. (Haaretz is one of two English-language newspapers in Israel). The second picture is the Turkish Embassy - the street in the story above is pictured.
Version Three: An Arabic news article - translated for me by a co-worker. A Palestinian man who used to sell secrets to Israeli intelligence (their CIA) stormed the Turkish embassy demanding asylum. He took two hostages and after 6 hours the Turkish embassy turned him over to Israeli police. Apparently he can't go back to the West Bank or Gaza (or he'll be killed for being a traitor), yet the Israeli's have betrayed him. He is now stuck in Israel with no job and no where to go. He can't get a job here (for political reasons) and he can't get a visa (because of his record). Four years ago he did the same thing at the Brittish embassy (which is just down the road) and went to jail for year. (Insert something about drugs...spies...and treason.) But wait! There is more: Apparently he did all of this....with a plastic gun.
I kid you not folks. True story - or at least they tell me it is true.
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