13-05-28 Dispatch from Tel Aviv - hot middle-eastern summer...with "regulars" and "specials"...

 
Tel Aviv, May 27 - today two air-bombing/missile attack drills were held in the Tel Aviv area and other parts of Israel.  There were two distinct types of alarms, one for "regulars" and one for "specials".  You were expected to stop whatever you were doing, figure out the nearest shelter, matching the alarm type, get there and stay there for 10 minutes.
I was in the center of the city.  People just ignored it.  The idea is so off the wall, that Bibi is unable to get the People to take him seriously and get scared on this one.
However, with two usurpers at the helm in Washington DC and in Jerusalem, there is no way to tell what this summer will bring us, and the rest of the world.
Today's alarm drills should be seen as an escalation in drumming the dogs of war.  Previously there were only "earthquake preparedness" drills.
In addition, one senior official in the know, volunteered to the media this week that now it is not an "if", but a "when" the missiles will start showering the State of Israel.
And about 2 weeks ago there was a major military drill for war in the Syrian/Lebanese front.  According to Israeli media (much like the FBI whistleblower on Patreaus) the drill was a behind the back surprise by the Chief of Staff on the new Minster of Defense. (I happen to have had the acquaintance of the latter, and I doubt the story very much).  Military drills of this scope at this time are another clear escalation, since the "drills" may always turn into something else.
With all these coordinated efforts to bring the area into a crisis, there is still a catch:  On June 7, or so, there is gay pride week in Tel Aviv (I am not sure according to which tradition they count the start and end of the week in such events...), which draws into Tel Aviv many young European tourists and brings in a lot of needed income to the city. (The young gay tourists in Tel Aviv and the pilgrims in Jerusalem are not exactly our favorites.  We preferred the old school wealthy tourists from Europe and the US, but that species appear to be extinct).
I am sure that Bibi and the Ayatollahs would reach consensus not to disturb this important local celebration, and therefore I rest assured that there will be NO WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST UNTIL ABOUT JUNE 9TH, 2013!