Sderot Israel

Guerrilla Graffiti

This last week the bomb shelters of Sderot became canvases for Artists 4 Israel. I didn't see the artists. Apparently they descended upon Sderot in a night time sneak attack.

On Tuesday, I noticed some of the surroundings were suddenly more colorful. Across the street, someone had stenciled "SEAC" onto a power cabinet. Big comical letters surrounded by color.

As you walk around town, you see "SEAC" appearing on some bomb shelters. I guess it's a signature, because it appears alongside some pretty creative graffiti. Take a look at the shelters now.

They didn't paint all the bomb shelters in Sderot. You can see some of their work in the center of town, and close to the entrances to town.

Comment: It is very nice to see that someone is paying attention to Sderot's appearance. And it is very nice that there are good-willed people - professional artists - willing to come to Sderot and contribute their talents. Wouldn't it be nicer if the people of Sderot took it upon themselves.

1) There are now trash bins scattered around the city. Yet still there is all sorts of debris floating in the streets and in the parks. Sderot would indeed be a nicer place if its residents decided to keep the city cleaner.

2) Not to downplay the effect that the kassams have had on the people of Sderot, but why overplay it. In general the people here are not suffering such adverse conditions that we need to keep bringing up the kassam problem.

Moreover, wouldn't the people of Sderot benefit most if THEY painted their own bomb shelters? Who is SEAC anyway? I would much prefer to see local signatures. The quality of the art may be lower than that of these international pros. But so what? It would belong to Sderot.

Someone(s) from Sderot painted this bomb shelter long before we ever heard of Artists 4 Israel.

The Shuk in Sderot

Sderot Israel is a quiet town. There is rarely a traffic jam. There isn't much crime. And the people seem to get along. Even the kassams have stopped coming here - for the time being.

You'd think the shuk - the outdoor market - would be the loudest place in town. And it is pretty lively. Every Sunday and Tuesday, this little area in the center of town fills up with tables and tables of vegetables, fruit, pastries, kitchen ware, and clothing.

The vendors shout for hours: "Yarad, Yarad, the price went down!" "Everything on this table for a shekel! Everything for a shekel, lady, eveything for a shekel!

Sometimes there is bickering. Sometimes dickering. Sometimes people don't act too friendly, and don't act politely at all. There are many faces unused to wearing even the sightest smile. Yet still, Sderot's outdoor market is a favorite place to go.

As for the noise level in Sderot's shuk? It's not nearly as loud as the traffic in Tel Aviv. Even the commotion of the crowds scurrying about Jerusalem could drown out the outdoor marketing in Sderot.

If it's noise you're looking for - loud, unreasonable sustained noise, don't go to the outdoor market. Go to the schools.

More later . . .