Matanyahu seal found near remains of 1st Temple

Archaeologists digging under Robinson’s arch have discovered a seal inscribed with a name similar to Israel’s current Prime Minister. The semi-precious stone seal was found in a location close to the foundations of King Solomon's Temple.

“I can remember each of the 64 years”

Happy Independence Day from Israel’s President Shimon Peres.

The museum of legend

The Israel Air Force Museum at Hatzerim contains 150 aircraft including famous exhibits. Spitfires made from abandoned British spare parts; a MIG-21 flown by an Iraqi defector; the Boeing 707 used in the Entebbe rescue and the F-16 flown by Ilan Ramon, in the raid on the Iraqi nuclear reactor.

The Kurds of Israel

Jewish immigrants from Kurdistan established the Moshav of Yardena in the Beit She'an Valley in late 1952. The history of the community will be told in the new Centre for Kurdistan Cultural Heritage and for the History of Kurdish Agriculture Settlement in Israel.

64 reasons to love Israel

Barbara Sofer writes an annual Yom Ha’Atzmaut article, each one containing fresh and exciting observations and events that celebrate Israel’s existence. Here is her list for Israel’s 64th birthday.

And here are six more

This JPost blog describes some of the major categories of achievements that Israel can be proud of. The author has missed out one, however. See if you can spot it. If not, check the comments.

Appreciating the achievements

Excellent advice from the Jerusalem Post Editor - Stop being negative and emphasise the positive aspects of the Jewish State.

Standing Together to celebrate

Since 2003, volunteers and donors to Standing Together have provided food to Israel’s soldiers and those civilians who are under threat of attack from Israel’s enemies. This year Standing Together organised a series of barbecues at army bases to celebrate Independence Day.

See Israel Up Close

The website www.israelupclose.org contains a library of hundreds of videos that highlight Israel’s contributions to humankind. Please read this recent introduction to the site and then have a look at some of the films that you haven’t seen already.

Celebrating more than one birth

We may be celebrating the birth of the Jewish State, but we can also be proud that a record 161,000 babies were born to Israeli citizens in the last 12 months.