Israel Active

As it says at the end of the video “Then, Now and Forever”.

I reported two weeks ago that Paraguay’s President hoped to relocate his country’s embassy to Jerusalem before the end of his term in mid-August.  Well, he’s certainly beaten that target as it will be moving this coming Tuesday – 22nd May.

In 1948, Guatemala was the 2nd country (after the USA) to recognize the State of Israel.  On 16th May 2018, Guatemala became the 2nd country (after the USA) to move its embassy to Jerusalem - capital of the State of Israel.  (Open link to see United with Israel at the opening ceremony).

This video shows seven examples of archaeological evidence that the city of Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Official seals, parchment, burnt stone walls, ritual baths, siege weapons and Temple floor tiles.

Last year I included a long video featuring a selection of the residents of Jerusalem, capital city of Israel.  It showed that despite their different faiths and different levels of religiosity, they all get along with each other.  This version says it all, in just two-and-a-half-minutes.

A list of events to mark the 51st anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem.  If you hurry, you might just be able to make it to some of them. Also, see how Jerusalem has grown in the last 10 years.

The life of Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai is celebrated on Lag B’Omer. His mentor Rabbi Akiva supported Bar Kochba in his 134-136 CE revolt against Roman occupation of Judea. So, it was apt that this year on Lag B’Omer, archaeologists found a coin minted by Bar Kochba’s supporters.

Jerusalem Municipality workers (including the Mayor) have been putting up new street signs in Hebrew, Arabic and English, directing travelers to the new US embassy.  Note that the last sentence in the video commentary is wrong - many other countries are moving their embassies to Jerusalem.

Writer Joseph Puder puts Israel’s last 70 years into context. He highlights the revival of the Hebrew language, population and infrastructure growth, cultural integration, its transformation into a technological powerhouse and associated economic success.

The world is still celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday.  This video was made by UK ex-Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks, to mark the event.