Showing posts with label Lod. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lod. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Ramla, Lydda, and...Honor Killing



The names Ramla and Lydda belong to two central  little towns, adjacent, and similar in structure, size, and population.
Ramla 's known for its White Tower, Lydda (Lod - modern name) is home to the israeli Ben-Gurion international airport.

(Pls. type the name Ramla in the search box, and you get to my posts on the White Tower and the  Ramla-Lod market).

The White Tower of Ramla

Both towns have a significant arab minority (centered mainly around the old part of the city), and that expresses itself in the history, religion, architecture, and culinary aspects of the place.

muslim women at Ramle open market 

Despite  their central position ,interesting history,  several touristic attractions, and a famous  market -  non-residents keep away from visiting the two towns, unless strictly neccessary. The reason - violence - as a result of drug transactions , and/or aimed against arab women, on the ground of protecting  'family honor' . Sometimes, an innocent passerby might get hurt or even killed during a murder deed or a fight.

Yesterday, I went to Lod by train, and from the train station took the bus to the old town. This part of town has a bus terminal, a small city market which gets bigger on Tuesdays with the addition of a flee market, religious institutions, archeological remains. 
It was at midday,  the heat was scorching and as I was dressed in black I totally attracted  the sun rays. Not a very pleasant feeling.


city market - apparently renovated


city market  

at the end of market street - an in indian jewish synagogue

across the synagogue - the ruins of an ancient soap factory

the 3-language explanatory tin sign near the soap factory

back to back ;  mosque in the background

Across the parking lot  seen in the above picture - there's an alley with a holy muslim place (entrance forbidden) and a greek church which is visited by tourists.


the alley - tourists in and out of  the greek church

 door of the greek church; above, stone plate with greek inscription 

Coexistence of religions gives much hope. A bit further, near the mosque there is a church and a synagogue. The last two even have a common wall!! Peace and coexistence are said to reign in this place. Nice, isn't it?

the trio: mosque between the church and synagogue.

In spite of technology and education, the issue of family 'honor killing' (domestic violence) is still valid.  Rumors can be enough to tarnish family reputation, and trigger an honor killing . 
In March this year, a bride- to- be was shot and killed  in Lod,one day before her wedding!  How very tragic!


young muslim woman in jeans and...head cover - in Lod

muslim girls chatting in Ramla's covered market.

There were several tiny things on my route that brightened up reality:a painted plant pot,  a mural with a camel at the bottom of a building, a painted phone cable box, an old building with some special windows,  a nice door gate.

plant pot outside the church's door

painted phone cable box

lively mural with camel and sands

beautiful black gate door

old structure with interesting window design

At the end of the tour, before heading home, I treated myself to a turkey meat schawarma (schawarma - meat roasted on a revolving spit, and then 'shaved' to be put  with salad, hummus, tachine, fries in a pita/baguette/lafa/or on a plate.). Life is good!