Javier Milei, pictured on the left, won the Argentinian Presidential election by a landslide (photo credit: Chabad of Argentina). Geert Wilders, pictured on the right, has been to Israel no less than 40 times and is set to become Prime Minister of Holland (photo credit: Geert Wilders X account).
While Israel is fighting a vital war to eradicate the genocidal terrorist organization Hamas, with many Israelis still held as hostages, Israel gained two major (and important) allies outside the country. In a landslide victory (56% to 44%) Javier Melei defeated the peronist, left-wing Economic Minister Sergio Massa in the run-off elections for Argentina’s presidency on November 19. Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom was victorious in the multi-party Dutch House of Representatives, securing 37 out of 150 seats, making it the largest party by far and virtually guaranteeing Wilders’ appointment as the country’s next prime minister. Both leaders have pledged to relocate the embassy of their respective nations from Tel Aviv and Herzliya to Jerusalem.
President-elect Javier Milei waves a giant Israeli flag at his rally, a few days prior to the election. Photo Credit: X account
Javier Milei, who will take the oath of office as president of Argentina on December 10, has never held back in endorsing Israel with unconditional backing. He routinely studies Torah with Rabbi Shimon Axel Wahnish and has stated his desire to become a Jew (as Jews are commanded to keep Shabbat, he says he will wait until after his tenure is finished to convert so that his presidential duties won’t clash with his observances). He frequently cites Jewish sources of knowledge in his economic policy speeches (he was a brilliant economist himself). Jewish symbols, including the Shofar—a Ram’s horn converted into a short trumpet used in Jewish ritual, particularly on Rosh HaShana, are often featured in his rallies. Additionally, he has a strong bond with the Lubavitch Chasidic community. In July, he traveled 11 hours from Argentina to New York to visit the tomb of the revered Rebbe of Lubavitch, Rav Menachem Mendel Schneerson, ZT”L (he frequently invokes the Rebbe’s teachings on television). Regarding foreign policy, he responded “Our most natural allies are the United States and Israel. I want nothing to do with the communists of Cuba, China, North Korea. What does that mean? Trade with whoever you want, but I am not going to foment those relationships.” He intends to make Hamas illegal (it is not yet considered a terrorist organization in Argentina).
Geert Wilder’s tweet on X calling for a Palestinian State in Jordan. Photo Credit: Geert Wilder’s X page.
Under the parliamentary system in Holland, where minority governments are common, Geert Wilders’ party received the most votes in an overwhelming (by Dutch standards) victory. They will likely be able to form a coalition government, due to the number of seats they won. He spent two years in Israel as a student, one of those years spent in a “settlement.” This experience, along with other significant travels throughout the Middle East, shaped his political beliefs. He says he developed a “special feeling of solidarity” over his more than 40 visits to the Jewish State. A free speech advocate, he has been fighting radical Islam his entire career, including with his 2008 acclaimed film “Fitna”. He has compared radical Islam to Nazism, and stated that he will close mosques that preach extremism and expel their adherents from the Netherlands. He believes that Israel should have special status with the Dutch government in terms of foreign policy since it “is the West’s first line of defense” against terrorism and genocide. Wilders has long supported Jewish settlement expansion in Judah and Samaria and held Arab nations accountable for the suffering of Palestinian refugees. According to Wilders, Jordan is the true Palestine; indeed, over 70% of its people are Palestinian, and they reject the existing monarchy that oppresses them.
Although good for Israel, many members of the “mainstream media” are not pleased with the results of the elections in Argentina and the Netherlands and have incorrectly referred to both leaders as “far-right,” a word that journalists frequently use to describe politicians who do not share their worldviews. A far more accurate description would be “populist libertarians.”
A stunning mosaic depicting King David found in the ruins of the sixth-century synagogue. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
“And Abraham (the first Jew) … sojourned in Gerar (Gaza) (Genesis 20: 1)”
“This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Judah according to their families…Gaza with her towns and her villages, to the river of Egypt, and the Great Sea, and its border. (Joshua 15: 20, 47)”
“For the first time in decades, Israeli soldiers prayed in the ancient synagogue in Gaza, which was built in the 6th century and where a beautiful mosaic floor depicting King David was unearthed years ago. Jews have returned to Gaza!!.” Michael Freund, the creator of Shavei Yisrael (a nonprofit organization) triumphantly posted these comments on X, formerly known as Twitter. This touching scene was made possible by the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) recent ground offensive into the Gaza Strip, which is a part of biblical Israel, in order to drive out the Hamas terrorists. Since 2007, Hamas has occupied the Strip and most recently carried out the largest act of genocide against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.
The ancient synagogue was constructed in 508 CE, more than sixty years before the advent of Islam. It is situated in the affluent and exclusive Rimal district, where a number of senior Hamas officials have erected residences. The exquisitely maintained mosaics featuring King David playing the harp, and exotic creatures are the focal point of the synagogue. More than a century later, the synagogue was thought to have been demolished by Muslim Arab invaders from Saudi Arabia who began to conquer and occupy most of the Middle East, Turkey, North Africa, Iran, Spain, Central Asia, and other lands not originally belonging to them.
This giraffe is one of the exotic animals depicted on the vast synagogue mosaic. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The world’s first Jew, Abraham, settled in Gerar, which is now the Gaza Strip. (see Genesis 20). That marked the beginning of Gaza’s rich Jewish history. There, too, lived his son Isaac (see Genesis 26). Gaza was assigned specifically to the tribe of Judah (see Joshua 15) and was part of the territory that G-d granted the Jewish people (see Genesis 15:18). The holy prophet and judge, Samson, died in Gaza (see Judges 16). Under the Jewish Maccabean rulers (of Chanukah history) Gaza developed into a major port city for international trade. There was a sizable Jewish population in this area in the Talmudic era, and a Yeshiva (Academy of Advance Torah Studies) was also located there. Many prominent Jewish scholars settled in Gaza in the Middle Ages, producing significant works. Included among them were Rabbi Yisrael Najara, who penned the well-known Shabbat song Kah Ribon Olam, and Rabbi Avraham Azoulay, who (while serving as Gaza’s chief Rabbi) wrote the well-known book Chesed L’Avraham. The Jewish community continued to flourish in Gaza until 1929, when Arab rioters expelled all of its Jews. Subsequently, the British rulers forbade Jews from returning.
Israel freed the Gaza Strip from Egyptian rule in 1967, and the Begin government began promoting Jewish settlement there in 1977. Eventually 21 different-sized communities were constructed, and by 2005, some 8,600 Jews were living there, who went on to establish a farming empire never seen before. They constructed expensive greenhouses where they grew organic, pest-free vegetables and herbs using Israeli technology and setting the global standard for Kosher vegetables. Notwithstanding its modest size, the area produced 15% of Israel’s total agricultural exports, including 60% of cherry tomatoes (an Israeli invention), 70% of organic vegetables, 95% of pest-free lettuce and greens, and 60% of geraniums. The greenhouses owned by 200 farmers living there grossed $200 million USD per year. Along with a sizable telesales and ad printing sector, they also boasted the second-largest dairy in Israel (with 800 cows). An assessment of the community’s assets put it at about $23 billion USD.
In 2005, the left-wing “peace camp” in Israel were successful in pressuring the IDF to withdraw unilaterally from Gaza and force its Jews out of the region (with support from the governments of Israel’s “friends” in Europe and North America who claimed that this would lead to peace). This is perhaps the biggest mistake Israel has ever made, because not only did it fail to bring any peace, but also opened the door for Hamas to take control, launch tens of thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians, murder countless innocent people, initiate at least five wars, and commit the worst atrocity against the Jewish people since World War 2.
Amazingly, the multibillion dollar assets were gifted to the Arabs of Gaza by the Israeli government so that they could have a prosperous economy. However, as soon as they received them, all the greenhouses were either looted or used for fighting the Jewish State. As a result, not a single vegetable was ever grown there.
The troops’ joint prayer in the Gaza synagogue moved the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to see it, but no pictures have been posted online due to the IDF’s strict rules on documentation during warfare.
Nosson Shulmanis a journalist andLicensed Tour Guidein Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video serieswhich brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel,click here.
Under the Hamas Government in Gaza, military training—wherein they acquire terrorism practices such as kidnapping and operating weapons for young schoolchildren (even toddlers) are the standard, rather than the exception. Lessons on hatred towards Jews and the west are instilled from an early age, going hand in hand with these directives.
Israel is fighting one of the biggest and most powerful Islamic terror groups, Hamas, who is also currently in control of the Gaza Strip. Thousands of these Arab terrorists snuck into Israel on Saturday, October 7, and carried out the worst, most extensive killing of Jews (almost all civilians) since the Holocaust. Additionally, they are detaining more than 200 civilian captives in appalling conditions, including infants, children, and the elderly. Regretfully, as Israel fights this battle for survival, the Jewish state is also being attacked on an entirely different front, the mainstream western media!
Sadly, there are a lot of hateful and nasty antisemitic blood libels in the media covering Palestinian terror. Fake news reporting has sparked pro-Palestinian riots around the globe, attacks against Jews, including on college campuses, attacks against Americans and Europeans all over the world and several other real-life consequences. Some fake news reporting is the result of specific journalists’ personal prejudices, while other misleading coverage is the result of careless, poor, and incompetent journalism. It is therefore imperative to fact-check the media and expose their lies in order to combat misinformation, which is a significant battlefront itself! Unfortunately, because of the enormous abundance of misinformation on the internet, it is not feasible to cover every single problem in this piece. I’ve chosen what I believe to be the top 6 myths regarding this conflict that need to be dispelled. Here are the first three:
Myth 1) “Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people and are blameless for its actions”
In the Gaza Strip, Hamas and its terrorist tactics continue to enjoy great popularity, as seen by the large turnout for the group’s 25th anniversary celebration. Photo credit: Fars Media Corporation- Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Following the October 7 Palestinian genocidal attacks and Israel’s rightful and forceful defense of itself, the media has seized the opportunity to portray the majority of Palestinians residing in Gaza, Judah, and Samaria (commonly referred to as the West Bank) as opposing Hamas and violence against the Jewish State, thus casting Israel’s defensive actions in Gaza as immoral and even criminal.
Before I disprove this particular allegation, I have to state that the debate about who the population supports is irrelevant. For instance, the United States chose correctly to strike Afghanistan after the September 11 attacks. Pressuring America to forego self-defensive (though lethal) actions on the grounds that Al Qaeda and the Taliban “do not represent the people of Afghanistan” would have been ludicrous. Sadly, many children died in those battles as a result of their extremist Islamic government placing them in danger and using them as human shields. It was widely acknowledged that the U.S. needed to eradicate the terror that posed a serious threat to its citizens. The U.S.’s War on Terror was neither any less essential nor any less justified despite the thousands of innocent civilian deaths that it caused.
That being said….
It is blatantly untrue to say that the Palestinian people reject Hamas and its methods—quite the opposite is true. In the 2006 election for the Palestinian legislature, Hamas democratically gained 56 percent of the seats, more than enough to establish a majority government on its own (the pro-jihadist PFLP party, which the U.S., the EU, Canada, and Australia identify as a terrorist group, also won several seats).
Even worse news is presented by scientific surveys carried out in the Palestinian controlled-territories. A study by the Palestinian Center for Polling and Survey Research in Ramallah (PCPSR) in late 2015, during the “knife intifada” (a large rise in stabbings of Israeli civilians) revealed that 67% of Palestinians (and 85% of Gazans) supported the stabbings. More recently, a poll conducted in June 2023 revealed that 71% of Palestinians (including 79% of Gazans) were in favor of arming more groups to combat Israel. According to a July 2023 Washington Institute for Near East Policy survey, 57% of Gazans and 64% of Arabs living in East Jerusalem had a positive opinion of Hamas. The second-largest terrorist group in Gaza is the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. They have a 75% favorability rating and are even more violent and extreme than Hamas. Tens of thousands, sometimes even hundreds of thousands, of applauding supporters can usually be seen in the streets during Hamas-organized rallies and parades. This was the case on October 7, when the hostages, including old women and toddlers, were paraded around Gaza’s main streets to a boisterous audience. Regretfully, a mountain of data demonstrates how terrorist organizations, who want Israel destroyed and Jews to perish, are emblematic of the majority of the Palestinian Street.
Myth 2) Israel’s response to Palestinian Terror is not proportional and therefore illegal
Hamas’ main command centers and hideouts (where they plot the destruction of Israel) are located under Al- Shifa hospital. Photo Credit: IDF
This falsehood, incorrectly defining proportionality as the equivalency of civilian casualties to the initial attacks, is perhaps the most frequently used by the media and anti-Israel figures worldwide. The fact that many more Palestinians have died than Israelis, they say, is evidence of this. Israel is also acting disproportionately (they claim) given their superior firepower, they have a greater obligation to restrict the extent of their defense to protect their citizens. For instance, to suggest that Israel’s actions are out of proportion, the New York Times published daily charts showing the number of Gazan casualties alongside Israeli casualties in the majority of the prior (Hamas initiated) engagements. Thankfully, proportionate does not mean “tit for tat” in the context of international humanitarian law, often known as the Laws of Armed Conflict (LOAC), as established by the Geneva Conventions and the Hague. Should Hamas launch more than ten rockets, Israel is not restricted to responding with just ten rockets. It also doesn’t mean that because Hamas beheaded 40 Jewish babies (a war crime) Israel can now behead 40 Palestinian babies because that would also be a war crime as one cannot DELIBERATELY attack civilian regardless of what the other side does. Thus, what does it mean to be proportionate to such a serious crime (and ongoing threat) against the Jewish State? Let me respond to that by describing a similar situation:
Imagine, if you will, if the drug cartels proclaimed their independence from the Mexican government in Mexico City and took control of the northern state of Baja California. The Baja government then authorizes the firing of 6000 rockets from its city of Tijuana toward San Diego and Los Angeles, and 3500 terrorists enter Southern California, killing over 1400 innocent civilians—before taking 240 of its citizens hostages and displaying these “trophies” to the jubilant crowds in Tijuana. Subsequently, they relocate their command centers and arsenals inside every city school, hospital, church, and daycare facility, and fire their weapons at American targets from these vulnerable locations. How would the U.S. react, and should it? If America retaliates in defense, will the fact that civilian casualties will be unavoidably high constitute a war crime? Or does the U.S. have a duty to protect its citizens from future attacks?
According to international law, proportionality does not forbid collateral harm to civilians; rather, it only requires that the harm be weighed against the significance of the military necessity. In international law, the laws of necessity and proportionality are irrevocably intertwined, which in this case is the complete defeat of Hamas to stop the genocide of Israel and the Jewish people (which is expressly stated in their charter) and to allow the people of Israel to live in security. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have been displaced, and it is doubtful that many of them will be able to return to their homes while Hamas is still in power. Additionally, it does not imply that Israel must absorb the same proportion of losses to its citizens to be legitimate.
Because Hamas deliberately conducts wars from schools and hospitals, knowing that Israel will be more reluctant to strike, a great deal more Gazans have died as a result. The largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Shifa, is actually home to Hamas’ main headquarters. As per international law, Israel is legally entitled to target the hospital’s location as a military site. Despite the fact that millions of Israeli citizens are in danger, Israel has opted not to attack the site as of this writing.
If Hamas were to cease its genocidal actions against Israel, or at the very least choose to fight from separate military bases away from civilian areas as Israel does (as required by LOAC) these vulnerable civilian sites would legally lose their status as military sites of strategic value, and Israel would no longer have any justification (or legal ability) to deliberately attack these sites, as doing so would constitute a war crime. It should be noted that many of the Gazans killed were by rockets launched by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as up to 1/3 of the rockets they fired did not reach their targeted destination.
Myth 3) Israel’s control over Gaza’s access to food, water, and electricity amounts to a siege and is therefore illegal under international law.
An October 24 aerial shot showing twelve oil tanks where Hamas is currently storing a minimum of a whopping 500,000 liters of fuel for its war efforts (while complaining that hospitals and bakeries are in danger of closing down due to the lack of fuel). Photo Credit: IDF
As long as the main objective is not to intentionally starve the civilian population, sieges are recognized by the Geneva and Hague treaties as legitimate tactics for resolving conflicts quickly and effectively. Indeed, Israel is legally required in this case to do so under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which almost all countries have signed. The IDF has made it very clear that their sole goal is to defeat Hamas and create a new reality in Gaza, where Israel does not face a genocidal terrorist organization with the will and capability to maim and kill its civilians.
Under international law, Israel is only required to facilitate the movement of food and medical supplies by third parties into Gaza IF—and only IF—those supplies can be distributed to the populace WITHOUT any diversion to Hamas, which is not the case in this instance since Hamas is in charge of Gaza. Indeed, during the 16 years that they have ruled Gaza, they have been funding their terror operations with the proceeds from the theft of aid intended for civilians and their infiltration of international and human rights groups in Gaza, all the while allowing their people to go hungry. Diversion is not just possible, but almost a given in light of Hamas’s 16-year abuse of humanitarian aid and infiltration of human rights and international organizations in Gaza. Increasing the amount of supplies they obtain (that won’t be distributed to civilians) could prolong the conflict and increase the number of civilian casualties. As a matter of fact, the UN claims that on October 16, Hamas stormed its warehouses, stealing medical supplies and fuel intended for refugees (the anti-Israel New York Times reports that officials from Arab and Western governments claim Hamas has enough fuel for three to four months of warfare). International law does not compel Israel to provide Hamas with the means (such as electricity) by which it might wage war against Israel or to finance its attempts to massacre Jews. It is hoped that the billions of dollars designated for the needs of Gazans will actually wind up in the hands of its citizens after Hamas is eliminated.
The US embassy in Jerusalem, Israel’s Capital. It might no longer be common to see Israelis waiting in long queues to apply for visas to enter the US. Photo Credit: U.S. Embassy Jerusalem – _DSC0557 – CC BY 2.0
Beginning November 30, Israelis will be able to enter the US with an Israeli passport, which will significantly strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries. Without a visa, Israeli tourists and business travelers will be permitted to enter the US for up to 90 days (this does not apply to individuals who wish to stay longer for study or employment). Currently, Israeli citizens who want to travel to the US must first show up in person, stand in enormous lines, pay $140, and then wait weeks or even months for their tourist visa—which is good for up to 10 years—to arrive. Israelis will now simply need to complete a brief electronic application called the ESTA, pay $21, and receive approval within 72 hours (though it is anticipated that this will really happen within hours of applying).
This historic decision has significant economic ramifications. At the moment, 450,000 Israelis travel to the US annually. That number is now expected to grow immediately (and exponentially), creating new business opportunities for citizens of both countries. For instance, an Israeli CEO who has to arrange a last-minute meeting with the board of directors or colleagues in the US won’t have to wait months for a visa. It is also anticipated to generate a significant amount of employment opportunities, enable the profitable opening of additional direct routes to popular US locations both old and new, as well as facilitate the entry of new airlines into the routes. In fact, El Al has just revealed that it will soon increase the number of daily flights on the JFK/Newark-Tel Aviv route to up to six.
Countries which already allow Israelis to enter without a visa include Canada, the European Union countries, Switzerland, United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Russia, Singapore, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, South Africa and Thailand.
Israeli Prime Ministers have worked hard for years to be accepted into the program, thus its acceptance marks a significant victory for Prime Minister Netanyahu and his coalition.
Disclaimer:
The author of this article is not an attorney, and this article should not be construed as legal advice or an authoritative source. This article is for informational purposes only and should never be relied upon. The author takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of this article.
Nosson Shulmanis a journalist andLicensed Tour Guidein Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video serieswhich brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel,click here.
“And Ben Haddad listened to king Asa, and he sent the captains of his armies against the cities of Israel, and he struck Ijon and Dan and Abel-Beth Maachah and all Kinereth with all the land of Naftali (1 Kings 15:20)”
The well-preserved city walls and outer gate of Tel Dan, probably built during the reign of the biblical, Israelite King Ahab. Tel Dan is one of Israel’s most beautiful sites, combining the best of nature and history for an incredible visitor experience! Photo Credit: Shutterstock
We saw last time how King Jeroboam of Northern Israel set up a temple and alter dedicated to a Golden Calf at Dan, ultimately causing the destruction of Northern Israel as the people slid into idol worship. His son was overthrown by Basha, who decimated the house of Jeroboam. Subsequently, he went to war with Asa, the King of Judah. Basha took over Ramah, a city in Judah and was building a fortified tower that would have strangled trade in Jerusalem. Asa sent a bribe to Ben-Haddad, King of Aram, to attack Basha’s cities (which he did) destroying Dan (see 1 Kings: 15) and causing Basha to withdraw from Judah’s territory.
Under the infamous King Ahab the city was rebuilt, reaching its zenith with elaborate construction projects that tourists still walk through today. Indeed, most of the well-preserved ruins we saw are from this exact time period.
Most of the ruins we see at this wonderful site were likely built during the days of King Ahab, who initiated many building projects throughout his Kingdom. Photo Credit Shutterstock
Just outside the city gate where much of the trade was conducted, an altar was set up for travelers (in ancient times, the less outsiders you had to allow in your city, the better). Next to it, one of the greatest archeological finds in world history was discovered; the oldest ancient inscription (about 2800 years old) that mentions the “House of David.” This Stele was commissioned by the biblical King Hazael, King of Aram, whom Elisha had correctly prophesized would become King (see 2 Kings 8: 7-15). It describes his victory in a huge chariot battle over the alliance of King Jehoram of Israel (whose father Ahab built Dan) and King Ahaziah of Judah (these exact events are explicitly referenced in 2 Kings 9: 24-27). When the inscription was found referring to the “House of David”, several biblical minimalist professors (who incorrectly claimed that King David was as fictitious as King Arthur) were at a loss of words (today even in secular academia, the broad consensus is that this Stele is referring to the house of King David).
The Tel Dan Stele today can be viewed by tourists on display at the Israel Museum. The words “House of David” are bolded in white. Photo Credit: Oren Rozen – CC BY-SA 4.0
In the 6th century BCE, Tiglath-Pileser iii, King of Assyria, invaded the Kingdom of Israel and destroyed Dan (see 2 Kings: 15:29). In Greek times, the cultic site continued to be used. Indeed, a joint Greek-Aramaic inscription found by the main altar says “to the god who is in Dan (which helped archeologists positively identify the site)”.
The joint Greek-Aramaic inscription translates as “to the god that is in Dan”. It was found by the location of the original cultic site of Jeroboam. In the ancient pagan world, once a site had been established as being holy, it usually continued to be viewed by its inhabitants that way centuries later, even under new rulers.
In Roman times, the site was abandoned. In the 19th century, a flour mill was built that used the strong water currents of the Dan River to turn two millstones that ground flour. It was abandoned in 1948 when the Dan became an IDF military outpost (the Syrian/Lebanese border was on the other side, and thus too dangerous for civilians to walk there).
The old flour mill can still be seen while walking along the gorgeous nature trails of Tel Dan. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
In 1967, the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon were liberated by the IDF, and as a result the Tel Dan nature reserve was opened to the public. Whether you wish to see amazing nature, one of a kind biblical history, Geo-politics or relaxing in refreshing water, this is one site you definitely would not want to miss!
By Nosson Shulman – Licensed Tour Guide and Trip Organizer in Israel who specializes in History, Tanach (Bible) and Adventure Tours. For more itinerariesclick here. Check out our new Virtual tours including free sneak preview videos
Israel (in green circle) and Papua New Guinea (in orange) have had diplomatic relations since 1975. Photo Credit: קרלוס הגדול – CC BY-SA 4.0]
Papua New Guinea opened their embassy in Jerusalem on Tuesday, September 5, giving Israel another diplomatic win. Together with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Papua New Guinea’s President James Marape was on hand for the inauguration in Israel’s capital. President Marape revealed that religious values (the country is 95% Christian) played a large role the move saying, “Many nations choose not to open their embassies in Jerusalem but we made the conscious choice. This has been the universal capital of the nation and people of Israel. For us to call ourselves Christians, paying respect to G-d will not be complete without recognizing that Jerusalem is the universal capital of the people and nation of Israel
Despite having diplomatic relations with Israel since 1978 (three years after gaining independence) the primarily Christian country, situated on an island in the South Pacific, will open its first embassy there. Eli Cohen, the foreign minister of Israel, said, “I thank Papua New Guinea for the close relationship, the overwhelming support at international institutions, and the decision to establish an embassy in Jerusalem.” Indeed, in the UN General Assembly Papua New Guinea has frequently voted against anti-Israel resolutions.
With the move completed, Papua New Guinea now joins the United States, Guatemala, Kosovo, and Honduras who have already moved their embassies to Jerusalem. Countries such as Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Brazil and Colombia have opened branches of their embassies in Jerusalem, which in effect gives de facto recognition of Israel’s sovereignty in Jerusalem. The embassy islocated in the Malha High Tech Park in southern Jerusalem.
Looking forward, Sierre Leonne and Paraguay have also declared their intention to relocate their respective embassies to Jerusalem.
Nosson Shulmanis a journalist andLicensed Tour Guidein Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video serieswhich brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel,click here.
The brand-new pedestrian bridge is 202 meters (663 feet) long. Photo Credit: City of David
“And you shall go out to the Ben-Hinnom Valley which is at the entrance of the Harsith Gate, and you shall call there the words that I will speak to you… Therefore, behold days are coming, says the Lord, when this place will no longer be called Topheth or Ben-Hinnom Valley, but the Valley of Slaughter. (Jeremiah 19: 2-6)“
Israel’s everlasting capital, Jerusalem, has recently welcomed visitors to its newest attraction, predicted to become one of the most popular destinations in the city. A brand-new $20 million pedestrian suspension bridge that connects the vicinity of the Menachem Begin Heritage Center, the renowned Moses Montefiore Windmill, and the trendy First Train Station complex to Mount Zion (where King David’s Tomb and sites popular with Christian tourists are located) and the Old City itself (via the Zion’s gate). Construction took nine months. The 202-meter (663-foot) bridge is anticipated to develop into one of the city’s main attractions, rather than merely being a crossing point.
The bridge rises high above the biblical Ben-Hinnom Valley and offers views of its lush greenery. From its southern side it offers easy access to the valley itself, which is filled with ancient burial caves (the world’s oldest Biblical verse ever found was discovered in one of them), hiking trails, and an agricultural farm where tourists can participate in ancient crafts such as olive-picking, wine making and collecting honey.
The oldest known biblical text (500-600 years older than the Dead Sea Scrolls) was found in a burial cave in the Ben-Hinnom valley. It contains parts of the Priestly blessings (see Numbers 6). Photo Credit: Tamar HaYardenit
The valley is referenced several times in the Bible. Besides being the border between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin (see Joshua 15:8), it was the site of the Molech worship, a depraved form of idol worship where the copper idol (with outstretched hands) was heated up and the parents would place their kids on its red-hot hands, killing them (see Jeremiah 7:31). The idol worship in the valley ended when the righteous King Josiah destroyed the idols and places of worship (see 2 Kings: 23:10). G-d later sent Jeremiah to the valley to warn the people about the destruction that would be wrought on Jerusalem if the people didn’t repent at the level expected of them (see Jeremiah 19: 2-6). Between 1948-1967 when Jordan occupied parts of Jerusalem, the valley was the border between Israel and Jordan.
Photo Credit: City of David
As a tour guide leading walking tours of Jerusalem’s Old City, this is wonderful news for my tourists. (For a sample itinerary, including Jerusalem Old City walking tour, click here). The bridge will be open from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily.
Nosson Shulmanis a journalist andLicensed Tour Guidein Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video serieswhich brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel,click here.
JoinVIP Israel tour guide, creator of Authentic Virtual Israel Tours and radio host Nosson Shulman each week as he leads you on an inspiring, short virtual tour of a different off the beaten track biblical site in Israel. The new series airs live every week on Israel News Talk Radio and is then posted here in video form
Nosson Shulmanis a journalist andLicensed Tour Guidein Israel specializing in Biblical tours. To allow tourists to experience Israel during the Corona era, he created the new hit Israel tour video serieswhich brings Israel to the home of viewers by simulating actual tours. To check out his free sneak preview tour videos, click here.To view sample tour itineraries or to inquire about private tour opportunities with a personalized itinerary on your next trip to Israel,click here.
“The king took counsel and made two golden calves, and he said to them, saying, “It is far for you to go up to Jerusalem; here are your gods, O Israel, that have brought you up from the land of Egypt. And he placed one in Beth El and the other he placed in Dan. And this thing became a sin, and the people went before the one even until Dan.” (1 Kings 12-30)”
The site where King Jeroboam of Israel erected an altar in Tel Dan. Take note of the stairs leading to the “high place” mentioned in the Bible that was a temple dedicated to a Golden Calf. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
We saw last week how the tribe of Dan conquered the biblical city of Laish and quickly renamed it after their forebearer. They swiftly erected a graven image-focused Temple with a priest from the Levite tribe as its guardian. This quickly turned the city into a major center of idol worship, although by the time of the Judean Monarchy of David and Solomon, idol worship largely ceased to exist here.
Map of the divided kingdom. After Solomon’s death, his Kingdom split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (where Hezekiah reigned). Photo Credit: Oldtidens_Israel_&_Judea.svg: FinnWikiNo – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
After King Solomon’s death, the city experienced significant growth. The tax policy of King Rehoboam (Solomon’s son and successor) caused his empire to be divided in two.
Rehoboam continued to hold onto the southern Kingdom of Judah, (including Jerusalem) while the majority of the nation (all except the tribes of Benjamin and Judah) split into the northern kingdom of Israel with Jeroboam as its King. Although Jeroboam was initially very righteous, (Jewish sources point out that G-d would not have chosen him to be King over the ten tribes if he wasn’t) his newfound power quickly got to his head, and he made some catastrophic decisions. When the Temple stands, Jews are required to visit Jerusalem at least three times a year (for Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot). Jeroboam was concerned that when his subjects—all of whom were Jewish—went to Jerusalem, their hearts would turn to the king of Judah. He thought that they would start to perceive him as a minor king, and ultimately topple him. As a result, he made the decision to establish two new temples, one in Beit El and the other in Dan, both of which included golden calf statues (1 Kings 12:28–29). He even made up his own holidays and declared himself a priest, burning incense to the calves in Beit El. Dan became the most important city in the North (1 Kings 12:30). His misguided fears led to the spiritual destruction of the Kingdom of Israel.
This temple (in red circle) is believed to be the exact location where King Jeroboam housed his golden calf. Photo Credit: Mboesch – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Besides the Temple, he also built an altar (see 1 Kings 12: 32). All of this, according to Jewish sources, is the reason the northern Kingdom was exiled 133 years earlier than the more righteous southern kingdom of Judah. In the end, his descendants continued in his wicked ways and were eradicated from the face of the earth (1 Kings 13:33-34) with Jeroboam having no portion in the World to Come.
The altar built by Jeroboam in the temple complex. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
The city would reach its peak with numerous building projects under the infamous King Ahab, the remnants of which can be seen everywhere here. It is from this time period that arguably the greatest biblical archeological find in history was unearthed at this location!
By Nosson Shulman – Licensed Tour Guide and Trip Organizer in Israel who specializes in History, Tanach (Bible) and Adventure Tours. For more itinerariesclick here. Check out our new Virtual tours including free sneak preview videos
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