3000-year old treasure unearthed
Archaeologists from Tel Aviv University have found jewellery from the eighth millennium BCE at Tel Megiddo, near Afula. The jewels include over 1000 beads of gold, silver and carnelian. Nine gold earrings include one shaped as a basket bearing a bird.
Bethlehem was Jewish 800 years BCE
Archaeologists in Jerusalem have discovered a 1.5cm clay seal with the name of Bethlehem in ancient Hebrew. It is the first time the name Bethlehem appears outside the Bible. Another “one in the eye” for those denying the link between the Jews and the Land of Israel.
The 2012 Moskowitz prize
The winners of the 2012 prize for Zionism are are Dr. Yitzchak Glick, Chairman of the Emergency Medical Center in Efrat; Attorney Nitzana Darshan-Leitner, who fights against terrorist "lawfare"; and Tzvika Slonim, a founder of Gush Emunim and of the Ariel University Center.
‘Israeli prison 5-star hotel compared to Syria jail’
A Turkish journalist compared his experiences in Israeli and Syrian jails having recently been released from a Syrian prison after a two-month detention period. Palestinian Arab terrorists previously on hunger strike should take note.
Tel Aviv streets to shut on the Sabbath
The centre of Tel Aviv is to become a pedestrian paradise from Friday evening to Saturday evening. Rothschild Boulevard, Haaretz Avenue, most of the length of Hasmoneans Street, Dizengoff Street, and Herzl Street will be closed to allow the residents some peace.
Stand-up cops
You may have seen Israeli police using 3-wheeler Electric Stand-up Vehicles (ESVs) to supervise popular events in Tel Aviv, Haifa and even in Netanya. Following pilot trials, the Israeli government has signed a two-year contract for the T3 Series ESV personal mobility vehicles.
Jerusalem to become global tourism centre
The Israeli cabinet approved the allocation of NIS 350 million over the next six years for the development of public tourist spaces in Jerusalem. The funds will be used to develop the city’s infrastructure and open spaces, as well as to renovate major tourism sites.
Israeli author wins international book prize
Holocaust survivor Aharon Appelfeld has become the oldest recipient of the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize at the age of 80. The Israeli author's Blooms of Darkness was inspired by his own escape from a concentration camp during World War II. (Note the BBC’s headline.)
The 1000th Torah Titbits
For 20 years, The Orthodox Union’s Jerusalem Centre has published its weekly guide to the Torah portion. Volunteers deliver the magazine to 500 synagogues across Israel. It is also published online at www.ttidbits.com
Jerusalem Day Parade – in pictures
Thousands took part Sunday in the annual Flag March in Jerusalem, which celebrates the city’s reunification in 1967 after 19 years of division.