The summers of our discontent

It's as if 17 years have not passed: I recall clearly the day when I first drove up Israel's Route 1 from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem past fragrant forests of pine, almond and olive.

- NAVTEJ SARNA

It was not just the excitement of a new mission that quickened the pulse: perhaps stronger was the thrill of finally putting foot in Jerusalem, the ancient city whose name echoes down the hallowed halls of history.Sadly, the same Route 1 had to be shut down last week because the forests on those time-worn, biblical hills were burning. As the swirling wildfires, emboldened by unusually hot and dry conditions and backed by strong winds, raced towards the ancient city, communities were evacuated, a national emergency declared and independence day celebrations cancelled, no easy move when Israeli nationalism is at its peak. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that his priority lay in “defending Jerusalem” from the flames. Inevitably, there were accusations of politically motivated arson and some preliminary arrests were made but according to Israel's Haaretz, no indictment has been filed so far. Meanwhile, a staggering 3,200 acres of valuable forest went up in flames.

But this goes beyond conflicting political narratives, at least in two aspects.