Dispatch from Jerusalem

Looking to the East

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“Look to the east, young man,” could be the slogan for the coming decade and beyond as the world is increasingly impacted by the influence of China and other Asian nations. From matters of the economy to the military, science to space exploration, even tourism, the East is flexing its muscles, and the countries of the world are taking notice. Certainly not least among them is Israel.

Is Sabotage the Key to Stopping Iran’s Nukes?

{image_1}Having been unable to convince Iran to halt their nuclear program with international criticism, sanctions, and even threats of military action, the world took notice when a computer worm appeared to threaten that otherwise invincible nuclear drive. According to The New York Times, the computer worm, or malware named Stuxnet, targeted several countries, but its impact in Iran was enormous. Around 30,000 computers were affected, including personal computers connected to Iranian nuclear personnel. According to The Washington Post, Stuxnet has the ability to attack industrial control systems—including nuclear ones. Then came the big news: Iran’s IRNA news group reported that the Bushehr nuclear reactor start-up process had been delayed, for weeks at least.

Samaritan Synagogue Discovered

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A third Samaritan synagogue was discovered in Beit She’an, south of the Sea of Galilee. Built at the end of the fifth century AD, it was used until the Muslim conquest in 634. The floor of its rectangular hall (5 x 8 meters, 16 x 26 feet) is covered in a colorful mosaic, in the center of which is a Greek inscription that says, “This is the temple.”

Cameo Found

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Unearthed in the parking lot opposite the City of David, this 2,000-year-old cameo of two layers of semi-precious onyx stone bears the image of Cupid.

The Museum at the Heart of the Universe

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On July 26, Israel’s largest cultural institution, the Israel Museum, reopened after undergoing a three-year-long, $100-million renovation.

Chariot Linchpin Identified

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Sometimes it takes years to identify finds from an archaeological excavation. One such unidentified piece was found in 1997, when excavators unearthed what they believed to be Harosheth Hagoyim (in central Israel), the hometown of Sisera, the Canaanite commander of Judges 4 in the Bible. It was a small (2 cm. or 0.8 in. in diameter) round bronze “tablet” with a carved face of a woman wearing a cap and earrings shaped like chariot wheels.

Exquisite 2,200-year-old Gold Coin Found

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Excavations being carried out at Tel Kedesh, near the Lebanese border, have revealed an extremely rare 2,200-year old gold coin. Minted in Alexandria by Ptolemy V in 191 BC, it bears the name of the wife of Ptolemy II, Arsinoe Philadephus (II).

BFP in Action: God’s Economy

I have traveled extensively in Canada, the US and the UK in the past couple of months, sharing the message of God’s love for Israel with Christians and sharing the message of Christian support for Israel with the Jewish community…

Early Canaanite Village Exposed

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An intriguing find that is fascinating the archaeologists was exposed in archaeological excavations at Ramat Razim, southeast of Safed [overlooking the Sea of Galilee]. The excavations were carried out within the framework of the development of the region in which new neighborhoods, commercial areas, and a medical school are due to be built.

Soldier-free Checkpoint Control

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The Israel Defense Forces [IDF] has found a way to minimize friction between soldiers and the Palestinians. After years in which residents of the territories [e.g. the West Bank or Judea and Samaria] had to present entry permits and IDs on the way to work in Israel, the IDF has prepared a “soldier-free” entry procedure. Soldiers will soon be replaced by electronic terminals checking the Palestinians by handprints.