The weight of history

Part 1 - Just back from holiday in the Holy Land. For those of you who don't know me well, it is where I come from - Israel. As you will know, it is a small place rich in history and quarrel. Most of it centring on Jerusalem. More specifically, focused in less than 1/4 of a square mile of the Old City.

It is the place of the Jewish Temple and its single remaining wall. Where Jesus was crucified and resurrected and where Muhammad rose to the heavens to hear the word of God.

Less than 1/4 sq mile that is at the heart of the 3 monotheistic religions followed by, starting from the youngest, 1.5bn, 1.5bn and 15m people.

Not bad for such a small place? Very bad! For the people leaving there. On and off the place has been the focal point for wars for the last 2,000 years. In the last 70 years it is definitely 'on'. The weight of history and religious importance are weighing on the place and its inhabitants. If only it wasn't such a significant place.

You see, if every stone and every hill weren't so important they would not be worth so much fighting over. There is no way the Jewish state will give up on the only surviving wall of the Temple. Equally, how can the Muslim world give up on the oldest surviving Mosque?

Taking that into account it is surprising the Crusades are over. The Christian world seems to be comfortable with taking a tour bus to its holy sites rather than an armoured personnel carrier. How odd.

PS I did not relinquish my commitment to running whilst in Israel. Despite the heat and humidity I managed to stick to the usual mileage. In the next few days I will make up for the fact I didn't follow the runs with the promised blog-posts. On Aug 3rd, 635km down, 365km to go.