Dispatch from Jerusalem

Are the Palestinians Ready for Statehood?

{image_1}In August of 2009, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad announced a bold and ambitious plan to build the institutions for statehood in just two years. In March of 2010, the US, the EU, the United Nations, and Russia followed suit, calling for a Palestinian state to be formed within two years of the restart of peace talks with Israel. Beyond the political questions of whether or not negotiations can be complete by then, or whether the world is prepared to accept unilateral Palestinian statehood, lies a much more essential question: Can the Palestinians be ready for statehood in two years or less?

Teaching Conservation

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Last year, the first international conservation training program in Israel was opened in Acre (or Akko). In an effort to solve the existing shortage of archaeological conservators, “Saving the Stones” provides practical training with Acre—a World Heritage site and one of the oldest ports in the world—as its classroom. Students gain experience in ancient masonry work, fresco treatment, and building conservation using materials and techniques utilized in antiquity.

A “New” Jaffa Gate

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The Israel Antiquities Authority [IAA] Conservation Department has completed the rehabilitation work of Jaffa Gate, the main entrance to the Old City of Jerusalem. It was unveiled on Independence Day [April 20].  Being some of Jerusalem’s most important cultural heritage assets, the Old City walls of Jerusalem were built by Sultan Suleiman (1520–1566), the ruler of the Ottoman Empire.

King Solomon’s Wall Uncovered

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A section of an ancient city wall in the Old City of Jerusalem from the 10th century BC, possibly built by King Solomon, has been revealed in archaeological excavations directed by Dr. Eilat Mazar. The preserved portion is 70 meters long [230 feet] and six [20 feet] meters high, located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.

Investment in Israeli Venture Capital Drops

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Israeli venture capital firms are finding it difficult to find investors for the country’s high-tech sector, a recent report found. Venture capital funds function as a bridge between investors and start-up companies requiring initial investments to develop new products and services. According to a report by the Israeli Venture Capital Research Center (IVCRC), 2009 was the third worst year in the last decade for the country’s venture capital funds, as only US $228 million was raised compared to US $803 in 2008, a drop of 72%.

UNICEF Supports Palestinian Hate Ad

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Donor organizations to the Palestinian Authority [PA] have been challenged for years to prevent their well-intentioned contributions from being directed towards hate promotion by the PA, its institutions, and its NGOs.

Israel, Egypt May Unite on Solar Project

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At the recent Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference, it was announced that Israel and Egypt may collaborate on a mega solar project. Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer revealed at the conference that during a visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he launched discussions with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak about the possibility of establishing a huge joint solar project in Egypt's Sinai Desert—a prime location for such a project with its clear skies, flat topography, and high annual solar concentration.

Preaching to Incite

“The Jews, the enemies of Allah and of his messenger, the enemies of Allah and of his messenger! Enemies of humanity in general and of Palestinians in particular—they wage war against us using all kinds of crimes, and as you see, even the mosques are not spared their racism…

Above-Average Rainfall Falls Short

{image_1} Israel’s rainy season—the majority of which traditionally runs from the fall (or autumn) until the early spring—had posted above-average rainfall as of early April in various areas around the country, including the North where the Sea of Galilee is located. The lake is a key part of Israel’s fresh water supply. Despite that good news, the past few years’ drought means that even an above-average rainy season isn’t enough to recover from the bad years.

Mauritania Cuts Ties with Israel

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Israel’s last official ambassador to Mauritania said he was surprised by the country’s announcement that it had completely severed ties with the Jewish state. “To be honest,” Boaz Bismut told The Media Line, “I didn’t believe it would happen because I knew the relations were something good and had positive consequences on both sides.