Israel Active

Former CBS news producer and renowned author on the subject of the Arab-Israeli conflict Joan Peters has died at the age of 76 but her unique legacy remains.  Her book “From Time Immemorial” analyzes thousands of British Mandate records that document the true history of pre-state Israel. =

Three rare white rhinos at Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari took advantage of a dozing guard and an open gate to explore the safari’s car park.  Fortunately, Rihanna and her friends couldn’t find a suitable vehicle in which to make a complete getaway.  (They should have chosen a Range Rover or Nissan Prairie!)

Explore Israel’s past and future with “The Israel Course” a 7-Part film series designed to reinforce your understanding of Israel’s history and future. Be pro-active in Israel’s miraculous narrative. 

Around 26,500 new immigrants arrived in Israel in 2014 marking a 32% increase over last year and a ten-year high.  Nearly 7,000 French arrived – more than double the 3,400 in 2013.  Immigration from the Ukraine increased by 190% to 5,840 in 2014.

(Thanks to David and Israel21c) A water well that may be the oldest wooden structure ever found, and the oldest evidence of an ancient olive-oil industry, are among the preserved remains of a prehistoric village discovered underwater by Israeli researchers off the coast of Haifa.

Remarkable recent account of a historic sea voyage by two lone soldiers to the fledgling Jewish State in 1948.  The Mayflower was a former US Presidential yacht; it previously served in the Spanish-American War and had later been sunk and raised from the sea bed.

Hundreds of intercity gas stations in Israel will lower their coffee prices to one shekel ($0.26) between midnight and 6:00 a.m. The one shekel coffee initiative will last until April 2015 to encourage late-night motorists to remain more aware on the road.

Archeologists have uncovered an elaborate entrance to King Herod’s 2000-year-old palace at Herodian in the Judean desert.  They also found hidden tunnels used by Bar Kochba’s army, used in the 132-136 CE revolt against the occupying Roman forces.

A Jerusalem family chose to hold their baby’s brit milah (circumcision ceremony) as planned, in the synagogue where 5 Israelis were murdered by terrorists on Tuesday. "Judaism is all about moving from tragedies to happy days", said the baby's grandfather.

The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has launched an app that makes the Dead Sea Scrolls available on iPhone and iPad. The App transforms a kid’s iPhone or iPad into an archaeological tool and lets them play games to hone their skills, solve puzzles and piece the past together.