Dispatch from Jerusalem

Iran’s Nuclear Program…Evolving

{image_1}THE EVER EVOLVING DEVELOPMENTS of Iran’s nuclear program—with weekly, if not daily, new reports—are keeping the world on its toes wondering what’s coming next. The Media Line reported that, on September 23, Iran’s nuclear head said that a “new generation” of centrifuges had been constructed, which were “stronger and faster” and were being tested.

Netanyahu to UN: Stand with Israel against Iran

{image_1}ON SEPTEMBER 24, ISRAELI PRIME Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his hope that the world can “learn from history—that we can prevent danger in time.” In an English speech that touched on topics ranging from the reality of the Holocaust to the “travesty” of the recent UN report on Operation Cast Lead in Gaza that accused Israel of war crimes, Netanyahu attempted to portray a world in which forces for peace are faced off against extremist forces, with the UN facing vital choices on how to respond.

Drawing Electricity from Roads

{image_1}PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES could be the newest electricity generators in Israel, thanks to technology being developed by the Israeli Innowattech company. The Innowattech Piezo Electric Generator technology converts mechanical energy generated by pressure on the roads from passing cars into usable electricity that can be stored or sold to the national electric grid. As cars drive over the energy harvesters placed into the roads, the system is able to generate electricity for streetlights and even homes. The technology could potentially be applied to train tracks and runways as well.

Fatah: Peace Partner or Peace Preventer?

{image_1}They openly call for maintaining the option of “resistance.” They run children’s programs on television that refer to Israeli cities as Palestinian ones. And, they glorify terrorists in public events and by naming government-funded facilities after them. No, the Palestinian group in question isn’t Hamas. It’s the supposedly moderate Fatah party of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen). Yet, despite the above examples, Abbas publicly denounces terrorism and declares that the preferred route to statehood is negotiations. If this sounds confusing and self-contradictory, that’s because it is.

Unique Menorah in 2nd-Temple Synagogue

{image_1} A synagogue from the Second Temple period (50 BC–AD 100) was exposed in archaeological excavations the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) is conducting at a site where a new hotel is being constructed in Migdal (“Magdala” in Aramaic) on the Sea of Galilee. The main hall of the synagogue is c. 120 square meters [1,291 square feet] in area, and its stone benches, which served as seats for the worshippers, were built up against the walls of the hall. Its floor was made of mosaic, and its walls were treated with colored plaster (frescos).

OPEN House OPENS Hearts

By Rev. Cheryl Hauer,  BFP International Development Director

{image_1}There is a saying about Jerusalem, that even though it is a city of over 700,000 people, it is really just a very large small town. Bridges for Peace’s recent participation in the community open house event, called “Houses from Within,” made that seem even truer than ever. For the second year in a row, Bridges for Peace had the privilege of opening its doors to Israelis from all over the Land as they visited historic Jerusalem buildings on walking tours. Last year, we were excited that we had 300 visitors during the two-day event. This year, we welcomed 820 people through our gates, not only to see our building, but to learn about the work we are doing to build bridges of friendship between Jews and Christians.

Plums & Dates – Good For You

{image_1}ISRAELI RESEARCH is not just about new inventions or medicines; it is also interested in prevention and ways to promote good health. For instance, ISRAEL21c reported on new research from Israel's Volcani Institute, revealing that eating one fresh red plum with your meal counters the oxidizing agents in a seven-ounce portion of red meat. Antioxidant levels in plums are three times as high as those in pomegranates and five times higher than those in red wine, apples, and bananas.

Massive Passageway Revealed

{image_1} WHAT APPEARS TO BE a fortified passageway at least 3,700 years old, leading to ancient Jerusalem’s water supply, has been uncovered in the City of David site outside Dung Gate of Jerusalem’s Old City. According to Dr. Ronny Reich, professor of archaeology at the University of Haifa and one of the leaders of the excavation, “This is the first time that such massive construction that predates the Herodian period has been discovered in Jerusalem.” The find puts ancient Jerusalem “more or less” on par as a city-state with other ancient sites, such as Shechem and Hebron.

Susita

{image_1} AS BFP VOLUNTEERS IN ISRAEL, my friend Teri and I love to discover new places that are off the beaten tourist path. We’ve scrambled down narrow openings to hidden caves, hiked to a Crusader castle covered by overgrown brush, and participated in a dig at Dor, a little-known ancient seacoast town. This summer was no different. While driving along the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, Teri took a turn off the road up a 3.5 kilometer (2 mile), narrow, pitted road that zig-zagged up a foothill of the Golan Plateau, 350 meters (1,150 feet) above the lake. I was surprised to see a national park sign in the small parking lot and wondered why I’d never heard of it before. The sign at the main road said Susita, but it wasn’t marked there as a place of interest.

Ancient Footprints Under Mosaic

{image_1} IN A UNIQUE FIND in the plaster beneath a 1,700-year-old mosaic, Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) conservators discovered the imprint of several feet and sandals. According to a press release from the IAA, Jacques Neguer, head of the IAA Art Conservation Branch, said, “The excitement here was great. It is fascinating to discover a 1,700-year-old personal mark of people who are actually like us, who worked right here on the same mosaic. We feel the continuity of generations here.”