Boiling over

"Jerusalem is boiling," a friend said today. Riots and protests in the Old City have been escalating for days. It was strange to walk by the Old City today and see the usually bustling streets closed off and guarded by soldiers in riot gear. It doesn't help that there has been a strange gray haze settled over the city for the last few days. (Note to my mom and others concerned: This is not dangerous for me. The outbreaks of violence are far away from where I'm living and I'm monitoring the situation carefully.) "Good. It needs to boil," my co-worker replied angrily. Jerusalem has been considered a cold conflict. The only comparison I can think of is a married couple who are tired of fighting with each other and exist in a state of tense silence. So compared to that, maybe bringing the conflict to the surface is better. But, I've heard a few people say that the events of the last few days have an ominous feel.