Dispatch from Jerusalem

Transportation in the Holy City

By Melissa Reagan, BFP Graphic Designer

{image_1} It was about a week and a half after first moving to Israel that my cell phone rang as I was at the Jerusalem Municipality waiting in line to get the water service turned on in my new apartment. I was pleasantly surprised to hear the soft, southern drawl of my former boss back in America. When I explained where I was and what I was doing, she replied, “I’m picturing camels lined up out front…”

Israel Chooses National Bird

{image_1} The hoopoe or Duchifat (in Hebrew) has been named Israel’s national bird after winning a majority vote by a landslide. President Shimon Peres made the announcement at a ceremony on May 29 to coincide with Israel’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Long-range Missiles in Gaza

{image_1} It is only a matter of time before Hamas uses the long-range missiles capable of hitting Ashdod and Kiryat Gat, reported Israel’s internal security organization Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin. Diskin warned that until the Philadelphi corridor between Rafah and Egypt is totally sealed off, Hamas will continue to receive smuggled weapons, rockets, missiles, and other high quality weaponry.

Robots on IDF Patrol

{image_1} In April, G-Nius Unmanned Ground Systems unveiled to the press the Guardium UGV. Its goal is to “equip war fighters and law enforcers with systems that reduce combat friction and expedite decision cycles.” Straight from the Israeli Army operational laboratories, where it went through extensive operational trial and evaluation, the Guardium UGV revolutionizes the effectiveness of perimeter security.

Authorities Recover Stolen Antiquities

{image_1} Acting on specific intelligence, the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) raided a home in Haifa recently where they discovered several hundreds of items, some of them unique and very valuable. According to the IAA, the items had been either stolen or acquired illegally and were going to be smuggled out of the country for sale abroad.

Palestinian Human Rights Abuses Increase

{image_1} A Palestinian rights group is charging that human rights abuses have increased in both the West Bank [Judea and Samaria] and Gaza Strip since Hamas routed Fatah in Gaza last year. The Palestinian Independent Commission for Citizens’ Rights (PICCR) charges that both Fatah and Hamas “use the law as a tool to justify practices and policies each side uses to challenge the other.” The group says that the abuses include torture and the deaths of prisoners in detention.

JNF Says “Happy 60th Israel”

{image_1} The Jewish National Fund gave the Adulam Park to the State of Israel for its 60th anniversary, as reported in the Good News section of the last Dispatch from Jerusalem, the Jewish National Fund gave the Adulam Park to the State of Israel for its 60th anniversary. Since then, we have received further information about the park. Located near the Valley of Elah, where David fought Goliath, the park covers some 50,000 dunams (12,500 acres) and will be developed with bike and hiking trails and other outdoor activities.

Coexistence Through Medicine

{image_1} Palestinian Bedouin Nadia Aieed, 32, was bitten by a very poisonous saw-scaled viper. Her mother’s screams caught the attention of some Israeli farmers working nearby, who rushed her to a clinic. Within minutes, an Israel Defense Forces ambulance arrived with two paramedic soldiers dressed in military uniform, but the Palestinian women were desperate and gave it no thought. They just needed help—fast!

Shekel Goes International

{image_1} The Israeli shekel joined the foreign exchange market’s CLS [Continuous Linked Settlement] Bank global settlement system on May 26, making it available for international payment instructions.

The State of Negotiations

{image_1} Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the President of the Palestinian Authority, is described by many as a moderate man. That assessment is based on the observation that he is rarely seen making inflammatory calls for violence and his public comments have, from time to time, opposed the murder of innocent people. In the international arena, his champions include US President George W. Bush and the former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. They insist Abbas is the appropriate partner for peace and have worked to establish that prospect in their advice to Israel.