Politics, Art and Birds

Thursday, we also had an opportunity to visit the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. One of the outstanding features are large inspiring paintings and mosaics by Marc Chagall. The Knesset was not in session, but we had an opportunity to learn about its history, both older and more recent.

Close by the Knesset is a small three acre area of urban wildlife. The Jewish Bird Observatory is to be found within the shadow of the Knesset, and here on a daily basis, there is an observatory for watching and for banding (in Israel they say ringing) birds. Shai Agmon showed us a Scops Owl (similar to a Screech Owl), which had been found in poor condition and which they were now rehabilitating. It is a wonderful spot for young people to learn about birds.

We were also privileged to have the opportunity to have discussions with Ifat Reshef and Ilana Mittelman of the situation in the Middle East (top photo). In the middle photo, I am standing with Avi, our guide in front of the Knesset. If you look carefully, you will see that Avi is wearing his LIBERAL hat. In the bottom photo, we are at the Jerusalem Bird Observatory with their staff who are looking after a Scops Owl.