No.

135
From Hamas to Jesus | Spies in Dubai and Jericho | Silwan or Shiloach?

POLITICAL DEAD END

JERUSALEM
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April 2010 www.israeltoday.co.il printed in Israel

 Politics 6
3 ‘Son of Hamas’
4 Spy vs. Spy in Dubai and Jericho
Shalom Haverim, 6 U.S.-Israel Ties Plummet after Biden Visit
Dear Friends, 7 ‘Jewish Heritage’ Dubbed Roadblock to Peace
For Israel to be understood around the 8 Israeli Film Disappoints at Oscars
world is more difficult than I thought. Day
after day, year after year, we write articles, Arab Press
talk to groups, publish magazines, and cre-
ate web pages and TV shows to present
9 Who is Responsible for the Palestinian Refugees?
Israel’s position in the Middle East conflict. It Palestinians
is a miracle of God that there are those, such as
yourselves, who want to learn more about Israel 10 Israeli Expert: There Are no Palestinian Refugees 8
and who have the courage to support us, to swim Focus on Jerusalem
against the current of negative public opinion. For
this I thank God and each of you, our readers. 11 Silwan or Shiloach?
In contrast to our supporters in the US, Bri- Spotlight
tian, South Africa, Europe and throughout the
world, most people do not really care about Is- 12 Historic Synagogue Rebuilt for Third Time
rael. A German publisher told me that the num-
Jesus in Modern Hebrew Culture
ber of German Christians who are interested in
Israel is about 300,000, less than .4 percent of 13 David Flusser: ‘Mouthpiece for Jesus’
the population.
Most people don’t seem to care who in the Word From Jerusalem
Holy Land is right, as long as the region is quiet. 14 Envy: The Source of Hatred of Israel
Since people don’t seek to be accurately informed,
Israel is widely misunderstood. The whole world Bible Study 12
thinks that “land for peace” is the only solution to 15 Is the Old Testament Still Relevant?
the conflict even if it poses a grave danger to Israel.
Who knows anything about the Rwanda Debate
genocide of 1994, and who was in the right, the 18 Why of All Places, Jerusalem?
Tutsis or the Hutus? It doesn’t matter as long
as it’s quiet. The same thing is happening with Prophecy
Israel. When there is no real interest in a proper
19 The Order of Things to Come
COVER – THE MAZE: Jerusalem has baffled the world's top diplomats for decades

perspective, in looking behind the scenes, the 16

truth will rarely come out. The sympathies of CHRISTIANS
the world simply go to those who appear to be
suffering the most. 20 Chritian Zionism vs. Palestinian Theology
As long as there is a Jewish state in the Mid- Messianic Jews
dle East, the conflict between Muslims and Jews
will not go away. Peace will only come when the 21 'Gardens of Life' for the Unborn 23
Prince of Peace brings it.
I do not know when that happy ending for the
Military
Middle East will arrive, but I do know that it is 22 Unmanned Flying Ambulance
not up to the United States or European Union.
Until we achieve peace, we need to encourage one Archaeology
another not to give up hoping for it. And together, 23 3,000-Year-Old Inscription Bears Earliest Hebrew
let us keep the world informed about God’s plan
for Israel. Culture
We wish all our readers a Happy Passover 24 Einstein’s Theory of Relativity on Display
and Resurrection Day!
In Brief
Aviel Schneider
30 Missionary Built Ultra-Orthodox Quarter 30
and the isra­el today editorial staff

Publisher: nai – israel today | Founder of nai: Ludwig Schneider | Editor-in-Chief: Aviel Schneider | Co-Editor & Art Director: Michael Schneider | Senior Editor/Correspondent: Shlomo
Mordechai | Editor: Barry Rosenfeld | Website/Staff Writer: Ryan Jones | Managing Editor/Director of Marketing: Lorraine Rubinow | Administrator: Daniel Goldstein
Biblical Commentary, Word from Jerusalem, Debate, Prophecy: Ludwig Schneider | Politics, Focus on Jerusalem, Arab Press: Aviel Schneider, Ryan Jones | Messianic Jews, The Land, Profile, In Brief:
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‘Son of Hamas’
Son of top terrorist puts his life on the line for Israel, and for Jesus
T
here are three things
a respectable Middle
East Muslim must
never do: help Israel, love the
Jews and believe in Yeshua
(Jesus). Those three things
are tightly connected since
Yeshua came as a Jew and DOUBLE AGENT
is the Messiah of Israel. So Mosab Hassan Yousef
when Mosab Hassan Yousef
decided to help Israel, he also came to
love the Jews and found Yeshua.
The son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef,
the top Hamas leader in Judea and
Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”),
Mosab’s evolution from Israel-hating
Islamic fundamentalist to God-fear-
ing supporter of the Jewish state was
nothing short of miraculous. His story
started out similar to most Palestinian
youths who get caught up in the cam-
paign of violence against Israel. At the
age of 18, Mosab was arrested by Is-
raeli security forces. Realizing who his
father was, Israel’s Shin Bet Security
Service (the Israeli equivalent of the
FBI) recruited him as a double agent.
Many Palestinians end up helping
the Shin Bet, but only in return for
money or other benefits. Mosab Has-
san Yousef chose do to so for no other
reason than to save Jewish lives and to
renounce a way of life and ideology he
had come to realize was wrong.
“I was taken to the detention facil-
ity...where I underwent harsh torture
and was beaten repeatedly in the in-
terrogation,” Mosab said in an inter-
view with Israel’s Ha’aretz newspaper.
“Then this Shin Bet man arrived and
suggested that I work with him...I
thought of telling him that I would
accept the offer, and then become a
double agent and take revenge on the
Shin Bet and on Israel for arresting
me and for the things that were done
to my father.”
But while Mosab was held in prison to
solidify his cover, he witnessed things that
convinced him of who the real enemy was.
“I was in jail with Hamas
people,” he says. “They tor-
tured prisoners, most of them
from Hamas, whom they sus-
pected of collaboration. As the
sheikh's son, I was trusted. It
was there that I lost my faith
in Hamas…While everyone
was warning me about the
Shin Bet, for the first time in
my life I saw Hamas people torturing
their comrades, members of their na-
tion, with exceptional cruelty.”
Determined to genuinely cooperate
with the Israelis, Mosab soon learned
they were not the monsters he had been
taught they were.
“I was stunned by their behavior,” he
recalled. “They did not want to take ac-
tion against the Palestinians as such, only
against the extremists. I looked at these
people, whom in the past I had so much
wanted to kill, and discovered that every-
thing I knew about them was incorrect.”
At this time, Mosab started seriously
considering the message of the Bible,
which seemed to guide the overall actions
of the Israelis, even if they were not believ-
ers themselves. Soon after, he dedicated
his life to Jesus and started to understand
that the conflict is religious in nature.
“The root of the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict is not military or political; it is a
war between two ‘gods’—the God of the
Torah and the god of the Koran,” he said.
Politics
“Even a moderate Muslim reads in the
Koran that Jews are sons of monkeys and
are to be killed as heretics. The Palestin-
ians must stop blaming Israel for all their
problems. If they really want to be free,
they must be set free from their god.”
Code-named the “Green Prince”—
the official color of Hamas is green, and
Mosab is the son of a terrorist “king”—
the Shin Bet said Mosab became the
most valuable asset it ever had. His for-
mer Israeli handlers attributed dozens
of prevented terrorist attacks to Mosab’s
intel, including an assassination attempt
against then Foreign Minister Shimon
Peres, who is now Israel’s president.
“So many people owe him their lives
and don’t even know it,” former Shin
Bet intelligence coordinator “Captain
Laoi” told Ha’aretz. “People who did a
lot less were awarded the Israel Security
Prize. He certainly deserves it.”
Since going public with his conversion
and Shin Bet exploits in his new book Son
of Hamas, Mosab’s life has been in danger.
His father disowned him, and his relatives
no doubt want him dead to preserve “the
family honor” (honor killings are a regular
occurrence in the Middle East).
In the wake of Mosab’s revelations,
there are reports that Palestinian Muslims
have started intimidating Evangelical
Arab Christians in Ramallah, Jerusalem
and Bethlehem, making it increasingly
dangerous for them to share the gospel.
As the saying goes, a single stone
can start an avalanche. If there are more
Palestinian believers out there with the
faith, dedication and courage of Mosab
Hassan Yousef, it could change the face
of this conflict. Y By Ryan Jones
BEHIND BARS
Sheikh Hassan Yousef
has disowned his son
 Politics
Spy vs. Spy
in Dubai and Jericho
B y Av i e l S c h n e i d e r
I
t was a real-life cloak-and-dagger
thriller in the Middle East. And ac-
cording to police in the Persian Gulf
city-state of Dubai, it was carried out by
Israel’s legendary Mossad spy agency.
Using closed-circuit video, police
were able to piece together the plot, in
which Hamas arms dealer Mahmoud
al-Mabhouh was assassinated by secret
agents in his hotel room. He was appar-
ently neutralized with a Taser gun and
then smothered to death.
An alleged 26-member hit squad
entered Dubai on false passports, but
it left behind some “fingerprints”: Some
16 alleged agents bore the names of Is-
raelis who hold foreign passports and
who immigrated to Israel from abroad.
These shocked duel-citizens say they
were victims of identity theft.
Intelligence agencies prefer to use the
names of real people on false passports to
avoid detection. But Britain, Ireland and
Australia were furious over the forgery of
their passports and issued sharp protests
to Israel.
Israel, which does not comment
on alleged Mossad operations, has
remained silent. “You’ve watched too
many James Bond movies,” quipped
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman.
Israel’s biggest newspaper Yediot
Ahronot featured a front-page story
with the pictures of six alleged female
Mossad agents published by Dubai
police, with a screaming headline:
“WOMEN POWER” (see picture).
“Female fighters deep in enemy ter-
ritory, changing wigs, hiding under
hats, establishing surveillance,” read
the subtitle. Foreign media spoke of
“blonds, redheads and brunettes” who
set a “honey trap.”
4  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
MINISTER OF INTELLIGENCE Dan Meridor
‘Spy Out the Land’
(Numbers 13:2)
By “coincidence,” the following
Knesset (parliament) Bible study was
dubbed “Espionage in Dubai and Jeri-
cho.” “Today we will discuss Joshua and
Rahab (Joshua 2) as well as espionage,”
said the host, former Supreme Court
Justice Michael Cheshin.
More than 100 people took part in
the event in the Knesset’s Galilee Hall.
Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin intro-
duced the speakers, Professors Yair
Zakovitch and Avigdor Shinan of He-
brew University in Jerusalem. Then he
pointed out another distinguished guest
with a smile: “Among us is Dan Meridor,
the Minister of Intelligence!”
“It is interesting that the biblical
conquest of the Land of Canaan start-
ed with a woman and with espionage,”
said Prof. Zakovitch. He said that on
the face of it, the operation in Jericho
failed because already in the second
verse, the king of Jericho is told about
the two spies. In the third verse, he
knows that they are in the house of
Rahab the harlot.
Zakovitch compares the Hebrew word
lehatzpin (to hide) in verse 4 to the same
word in Exodus 2:2, which describes how
Moses was hidden by his mother for three
months. Lehatzpin also has the same root
as tzophen (secret code).
“Rahab did not lie and admitted
that two spies came into her house,”
said Zakovitch. “Whether they had fake
documents or not, she did not know the
nationality of the spies.”
The audience laughed and someone
said: “The 26 spies in Dubai had many
different nationalities, but in Jericho
there were only two with the same na-
tionality!” Another person noted that
“Moses sent 12 spies to Canaan, more
than Joshua sent to Jericho but less than
there were in Dubai!”
Rahab, Spies
and Redemption
“Why did Joshua send out those two
spies?” Zakovitch asked. “Now, this is
interesting. Rahab said she did not know
where they came from (verse 4) and
where they went (verse
5). But in verses 9-10
she suddenly remem-
bered that the God
of Israel, the Lord,
gave them the Land.
According to the Mi-
drash [rabbinical com-
mentary], the woman
from Jericho recites a
passage from Moses’
song of victory [Exodus
15:15, 16] after crossing
the Red Sea: ‘All the in-
habitants of Canaan have
melted away. Terror and
dread fall upon them.’”
Two important points
are hidden in these verses,
according to Zakovitch:
“We understand now why
Joshua sent the spies to Jer-
icho. He was eager to find
out whether the people of
Canaan feared the Israelites
or not. Joshua did not care

about the strength of
the wall like Moses did;
he needed to boost his
soldiers’ morale before
sending them to conquer
Canaan.
“Secondly, it was
probably Rahab who
spread the rumor about
the two spies with the
intention of saving her
family and herself. She BIBLICAL ESPIONAGE: Prof. Yair Zakovitch through which you let
hid the two spies on her
roof and expected this favor in return
(verse 12). Rahab gave precise instruc-
tions where to hide in the mountains
because her life depended on the safe re-
turn of the spies to the people of Israel.” reads …et tikvat chut hashani, which
Secret Agents,
Messengers or Angels?
During the conquest of Jericho
(Joshua 6:20-25), the city wall collapsed;
but Rahab’s house, though built on the
wall (Joshua 2:15), was not harmed by
the sound of the trum-
pet. Rahab rescued her-
self and her family with
the same rope the spies
used to descend from
her window (Joshua
2:18, 19):
“When we come into
the Land, you [must]
tie this cord of scarlet
thread in the window
us down, and gather to
yourself into the house your father and
your mother and your brothers and all
your father’s household.”
The Hebrew text of the first line
means …the hope of this cord of scarlet.
Within the word tikva (hope) is also
the word kav (line), so there is a double
meaning: The rope is a lifeline and a
symbol of redemption.
Prof. Shinan said the color scarlet
is reminiscent of the redemption from
Egypt when blood was placed on the
Politics
doorposts of homes and those inside
were saved (Exodus 12:22). “Rahab was
joined to Israel from that day on be-
cause she hid Joshua’s angels.” He noted
that after the conquest of Jericho, Josh-
ua’s spies were called angels (Hebrew:
mal'achim), which is often translated as
“messengers” (Joshua 6:25).
Zakovitch concluded that no espio-
nage or trickery can influence destiny,
unless it is from above—God is able
to use it for His purposes. Of course,
Israeli generals and intelligence chiefs
do not “ask God” about their decisions.
But since Israel is God’s Chosen People,
He is deeply involved in their affairs.
“God will act today as He did back
then and fulfill His plan and influ-
ence our future,” a Knesset member
who asked to remain anonymous told
isra­el today. “Operations like those
in Jericho and Dubai—assuming we
are the ones behind it—are political
from a human point of view; but from
a biblical point of view, God controls
the destiny of Israel.”

This Terrorist Was no Tourist

By Roni Shaked

T he assassination of Hamas terrorist Mahmoud al-Mab-

houh in Dubai was a hot story in the international media
because it was like a James Bond movie: fake passports and a
26-member hit squad with a license to kill. But no one seems
to care about why Mabhouh was killed.
He was not some tourist traveling from Damascus, via
Dubai, to China and Sudan. He was a top terrorist of Hamas.
He killed two Israeli soldiers with his own hands and in recent
years was responsible for the massive smuggling of weapons
from Iran to Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Mabhouh, 50, grew up in the Jabaliya refugee camp in
Gaza. When the first intifada (uprising) broke out in 1987,
he founded one of the first terror cells of Hamas. In 1989,
he and a fellow terrorist dressed up as Orthodox Jews, stole
an Israeli car and kidnapped soldier Avi Sasportas. He was
killed with a shot to the head. Using Sasportas’ gun, they killed another
Israeli soldier, Ilan Sa’adon, three months later.
If Israel is responsible for Mabhouh’s assassination, it was a cunning
operation—and a success. The smuggling of weapons suffered a setback,
and it was a severe blow to the morale of Hamas. The mission achieved
its goals: The wanted man was killed and the hit team got away. And a
‘WOMEN POWER’: Alleged Mossad murderer got his just reward.
agents who operated in Dubai

  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  5

 Politics
Israel-US Ties Plummet
I srael’s ambassador to Washington
Michael Oren gathered Israeli diplo-
mats and told them, according to Israeli
media, that Israel and the US are experi-
encing the “worst crisis in relations in 35
years.” Relations plummeted when Israel
announced it would build 1,600 homes
in disputed East Jerusalem during a visit
by US Vice President Joe Biden.
Biden, who considered the an-
nouncement a slap in the face, quickly
issued an angry condemnation saying
the plan “undermines trust” in the
peace process. Blindsided and em-
barrassed, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu apologized to Biden and
explained that the announcement was
made without his knowledge by the
Interior Ministry. But clearly, it was a
major foreign policy gaffe considering
that Washington backs Palestinian de-
mands for a state with East Jerusalem as
its capital and has demanded a complete
freeze on Israeli “settlement” expansion.
The Obama administration was
furious. Three days after the ill-timed
announcement, Secretary of State Hill-
ary Clinton phoned Netanyahu and
gave him a 43-minute tongue lashing.
Clinton’s spokesman P.J. Crowley said
she made “clear that the United States
considered the announcement to be a
deeply negative signal about Israel’s
approach to the bilateral relationship.”
If that was not enough, Clinton
asked to go on international television,
telling CNN: “The announcement of the
settlement the very same day the Vice
President was there was insulting—an
unfortunate and difficult moment for
everyone.” This harsh tone was repeated
two days later on national television by
Obama’s top advisor David Axelrod
who described the announcement as
an “affront” and “an insult.”
The neighborhood in question is
Ramat Shlomo, built in 1996 and home
to 20,000 Orthodox Jews. This is one
STUMBLING BLOCK: The Ramat Shlomo neighborhood in disputed
East Jerusalem sparked outrage
in Washington
6  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
'INSULTED': Biden with Netanahu
of many neighborhoods Israel has built
on no man’s land captured from Jordan
during the Six Day War in 1967.
From the Israeli point of view, these
neighborhoods, including Gilo, French
Hill, Ramat Eshkol and Ramot are part
of the capital. And everyone knows, Jews
and Arabs alike, that they will not be re-
linquished in any final peace agreement.
The reason is simple: Jerusalem would
effectively become an Arab-Muslim city
and Jews would not want to live there.
Labeling these neighborhoods “set-
tlements” gives the false impression that
Israel is building in the heart of Arab-
populated areas, which simply isn’t true.
Furthermore, it hardens Palestinian de-
mands: With Obama on their side, why
should they settle for less.
The bottom line is that when it comes
to the extremely delicate and thorny is-
sue of Jerusalem, the Jewish state and its
guardian ally are at loggerheads.
“The US and Israel…get on particu-
larly well when Israel adopts policies in its
own interests that more or less coincide
with US policies and what the US thinks
Israel should do,” Hebrew University Po-
litical Science Professor Peter Medding
told isra­el today. “There are prob-
lems when the US sees things as being
in Israel’s interest, while Israel does not
necessarily see it that way.”
To repair the damage in relations,
the US demanded that Israel cancel the
Ramat Shlomo building project, a move
that would, in Arab eyes, nullify Israeli
claims to the other Jewish neighbor-
hoods in East Jerusalem as well.
“The American tantrum serves some-
thing useful,” Professor Steven Plaut of
Haifa University told isra­el today. “It
shows all Israelis that the Obama ad-
ministration really is operating under a
master plan that involves turning East
Jerusalem eventually over to a terrorist
Palestinian state.”
Not surprisingly, as the US publicly
lambasted Israel, there were several days
of violent, though small-scale clashes
between Israeli police and Palestinian
stone throwers in East Jerusalem includ-
ing at the volatile Temple Mount.
“The Arab violence was triggered
by the appearance of Israeli weakness
and its apparent willingness to consider
capitulation under American pressure,”
said Plaut. “As always, pressure on Is-
rael produces Arab violence.”
The US has always opposed Israeli
building in East Jerusalem, but Israel
has acted in its own interests to solidify
its control of the Holy City and bring
a strong Jewish majority to the capital.
And while there are deep divisions in
Israel about the peace process, there
is a strong national consensus that the
Jewish neighborhoods of the capital will
never be handed over to the Palestinians.
“For the past 40 years, no Israeli gov-
ernment ever limited construction in the
neighborhoods of Jerusalem,” Netanyahu
told the Knesset (parliament). “Not Levi
Eshkol, not Golda Meir, not Menachem
Begin, not Shimon Peres, not Yitzhak
Shamir, not Yitzhak Rabin, not Ariel Sha-
ron, not Ehud Barak, not Ehud Olmert.”
And Netanyahu does not intend to go
down in history as the first prime minister
to change that. Y By Ryan Jones

‘Jewish Heritage’
Dubbed Roadblock to Peace
I t never fails to amaze how the small-
est action or decision by Israel can
set the international community ablaze.
So when Israel’s Cabinet declared two
Jewish holy places in areas claimed by
the Palestinians to its list of national
heritage sites, the Arab world and inter-
national community were up in arms.
The Tomb of the Patriarchs in He-
bron, where Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
are buried, is the second holiest place
for the Jews, and Rachel’s Tomb in
Bethlehem is revered as a biblical place
of pilgrimage. But when Israel added
both to a list of 150 historical sites that
will receive priority attention for pres-
ervation, the world reacted as though
the Jews were usurping something un-
related to their faith.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
sought to calm the brewing storm.
“Israel is committed to freedom of
religion for worshippers of all faiths at
all holy places,” Netanyahu said in a
statement. “This policy also applies to the
Tomb of the Patriarchs, where the state is
constantly acting to ensure proper condi-
tions for prayer, for both Jews and Mus-
lims. This may be seen in the reconstruc-
tion work, currently being concluded, on
the entrance plaza and path that lead to
the Islamic prayer room at the site.”
That did not appease the Arabs. Jor-
dan’s King Abdullah, the most moderate
of Israel’s neighbors, labeled the move
“aggression” against Muslim rights and
a “dangerous provocation,” before urg-
ing the Arab world and international
community to mobilize public opinion
against Israel.
Israel’s ostensible peace partner,
Palestinian President Mahmoud Ab-
bas, went a step further, effectively
threatening holy war if Israel failed to
rescind the decision. “This could pro-
voke a religious war,” warned Abbas in
an address to the Belgian parliament.
The European Union and United
Nations followed suit. “I’m concerned
over the proclamation made over the
sites in Bethlehem and Hebron,” said
UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry.
“Those sites are in Palestinian territory
and bear an importance not only in Ju-
daism but in Islam as well.”
And in line with the disturbing trend
under President Barack Obama, Wash-
ington also backed Israel’s detractors.
“The administration viewed Israel’s move
as provocative and unhelpful,” said State
Department spokesman Mark Toner,
while failing to address the violent Pal-
estinian reaction to Israel’s decision.
Israeli analysts have warned that by
constantly reprimanding Israel in such
terms, the US, the sponsor of the Mideast
peace process, is giving the Palestinians
all the justification they need to continue
hostilities against the Jewish state.
Which is just what they did. Not
only did Palestinian Muslims riot in
Hebron and Bethlehem, they also threw
stones at Jewish and Christian visitors
to the Temple Mount and Western Wall
in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israeli police
were forced to enter the Temple Mount
 
Politics
PROTECTING THE HOLY PLACES: Israeli troops on
patrol at the Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron
on two different occasions to quell the
disturbances, and wall-to-wall coverage
on pan-Arab TV news stations like Al
Jazeera and Al Arabiya incited Muslim
anger across the Arab world. Since the
Second Intifada (Palestinian uprising)
erupted at the Temple Mount in 2000, the
violence raised fears of a Third Intifada.
Israel, in turn, accused the Pales-
tinian Authority of harming efforts to
revive peace talks.
“Just as Israel understands the Mus-
lim connection to the Tomb of the Pa-
triarchs, we are entitled to hear from
the Palestinian side that they respect
our connection to a site that is very
important to the Jewish people,” said
government spokesman Mark Regev.
“It is disappointing to hear other mes-
sages from the Palestinian leadership.”
Another spokesman, Nir Hefetz,
said, “Rachel’s Tomb and the Tomb
of the Patriarchs—the burial place
for more than 3,500 years of the pa-
triarchs and matriarchs of the Jewish
people—are certainly worthy of being
refurbished and preserved.”
But the Arabs and international com-
munity seem determined to put Israel in
the impossible position of choosing be-
tween its historical and religious ties to
the Land, the very things that make the
Jewish state what it is, and peace with its
Muslim neighbors. And therefore, the
episode of the national heritage sites rein-
forced deep skepticism among the Israeli
public about the prospects for peace. Y
By Ryan Jones
www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  7
 Politics
Israeli Film Disappoints at Oscars
Israeli-Arab co-director disavows Israel on the world stage
By Ba rry R o se n f e l d
T he excitement of having yet anoth-
er Israeli movie nominated for an
Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film
ended in disappointment in more ways
than one. Not only did the film, Ajami,
lose; but ahead of the Academy Awards
ceremony in Hollywood, the movie’s
Arab Christian co-director Scandar
Copti said that he was not represent-
ing Israel.
“I cannot represent a state that does
not represent me,” Copti said, noting
that the award nomination says “Israel”
because the funding comes from the
state. He identified himself as a Pal-
estinian who happens to have Israeli
citizenship. “There’s a Palestinian di-
rector and an Israeli director, Palestin-
ian actors and Israeli actors. The film
technically represents Israel, but I don’t
represent Israel.”
Yaron Shani, the film’s Jewish co-
director, disagreed. “It’s an Israeli film,”
he said. “It represents Israel, it speaks
in the Israeli language and it deals with
Israeli problems.”
Other Israeli Jews were outraged.
“It is because of Israeli funding,
which Copti now tries to renounce,
that the film Ajami was produced and
8  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU
Arab co-director Scandar Copti (left)
with his Jewish counterpart Yaron Shani
nominated for an Oscar,” said Culture
Minister Limor Livnat. “In the name
of artistic license and pluralism, the
movie was given a budget of more than
2 million shekels [$541,000]. It is sad
that a director supported by the state
ignores those who helped him create
and express himself.”
Asked if he would change anything
in the wake of the uproar, Copti said:
“I’m not changing a thing. I don’t have
to change. It’s the country that has to
change.”
Using first-time actors who share
similar backgrounds with the film’s
characters and infused their roles with
real-life experience, the story is told of
five families living in Ajami, an Arab
neighborhood in Jaffa just outside Tel
Aviv. Most scenes were shot in one take,
using multiple cameras to preserve the
sense of spontaneity. The dialogue is in
both Hebrew and Arabic.
The movie follows a young Muslim
who gets caught in an Arab clan feud
and his own forbidden romance with
a Christian woman; a Jewish police of-
ficer in search of his missing soldier
brother; and a Palestinian youth who
sneaks into Israel for menial work.
“To a certain extent, you have to
take into account the whole notion of
being politically correct,” said Shani.
“But at the same time we didn’t want
to beautify reality.”
In the end, reality struck hard.
What started with high hopes for an-
other Israeli film making it to the world
stage, ended with a sense of betrayal.
“We are certain that it was nice to
fly to the film industry’s most impor-
tant event, rub shoulders with the rich
and famous, and see the lights,” wrote
Hanoch Daum in Israel’s biggest news-
paper Yediot Ahronot. “We feel a little
itchy when we see someone who would
not get anywhere without our money cel-
ebrating at the public’s expense, using
the resources courageously provided by
our state…As for your next movie, Mr.
Copti, you will have to make it with the
help of foundations funded by taxpayers
you feel you belong with. Who knows,
maybe the government in Gaza has a
special budget for promoting culture.” Y
FALLEN STATUE: A film about Jewish-Arab tensions
spills over to reality
 Arab Press

Who Is Responsible
for the Palestinian Refugees? arab Political cartoons

“T hey [the Arab leaders] said:

‘A week, two weeks approxi-
mately, and you’ll return to Palestine.’”
These are the words of Palestinian refu-
gee Sadek Mufid, describing how he and
other Arabs fled their homes in Israel
for Lebanon during the War of Inde-
pendence in 1948, after Arab leaders
said their armies would wipe out the
fledgling Jewish state. In an interview
on government-run Palestinian Tele-
vision, Mufid describes an exodus to
Lebanon from Israel, which led to the
creation of “11 to 15 Palestinian refugee
camps.”
Mufid’s comments explode the Arab
myth that the Jews forced 700,000 Arabs
out of their homes and expelled them.
Accompanied by his family, Mufid left
his home near Acre, just north of Haifa,
at the beginning of the war and ended
up a refugee.
“We fled from our village to Leba-
non…as the Arab armies marched into
Palestine,” he said. “In the name of Allah
I am telling you, we were promised that
we would be able to return within two
weeks. None of us believed that we would
never return.”
In another Palestinian TV interview,
an elderly Arab recalled how his family
left Ein Kerem, the village of John the
Baptist in Jerusalem: “Radio stations in
Arab countries kept warning us: ‘Get
away from the battle lines. In 10 days or
two weeks at the most, we’ll bring you
back to Ein Kerem.’”  could fester and grow. If the Palestinians
Jordanian journalist Jawad Al Bashiti
also pointed a finger at the Arab regimes
in an article in the Gulf newspaper Al-
Ayyam: “The reasons for the Palestinian
nakba [“catastrophe” of the establish-
ment of the State of Israel] are the same
reasons for our catastrophes today... The
first war between the Arabs and Israel
started, and the ‘Arab Liberation Army’
told the Palestinians, ‘We have come to
liquidate the Zionists and their state.
Leave your homes and villages, and you
will return to them safely in a few days.
Leave so you won’t be hurt.’ It became
clear already then, when it was too late,
that the support of the Arab states was
a big illusion.”
The Arab Peace Initiative, drawn up
by Saudi Arabia, calls for a normaliza-
tion of ties with Israel on condition that
it creates a Palestinian state within the
1967 borders and allows the return of
approximately five million Palestinian
refugees and their descendants. This is
known as the right of return, a pillar of
Palestinian nationalism.
All Israeli governments, from left
to right, categorically reject the right of
return because flooding Israel with mil-
lions of hostile Arab refugees would be
tantamount to national suicide for the
Jewish state. What is never mentioned
by the Arabs or the western media is that
700,000 Jews were also expelled from
Arab countries in 1948 and most came
to the State of Israel. So effectively, it was
an even population exchange.
But while Israel absorbed and settled
the Jewish refugees, the Arabs left the
Palestinians to rot in squalid refugee
camps where their hatred for the Jews
were resettled among their Arab broth-
ers this conflict might have ended long
ago. But the Arabs did not want to re-
solve the conflict, and they have achieved
their goal of perpetuating it.

Two-State Solution? others: “Dear children...this program is certainly yours too,

While the Palestinian Authority (PA) ostensibly seeks a
two-state solution, its official television station tells a differ-
ent story. A PA TV program for kids addressed young Arabs
in the Israeli cities of Lod, Nazareth and Beersheba, among
just as it belongs to every Palestinian child, since you are
part of occupied Palestine.” Palestinian Media Watch re-
ports that the host avoids using the name “Israel,” referring
instead to “the occupied territories,” “the 1948 territories”
and “occupied Palestine.”

TOLL FREE ORDERING: 1.866.854.1684 (N. America) 00.800.60.70.70.60 (UK/Norway)   www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  9
 P A LESTI N I A N S
Israeli Expert:
There Are no Palestinian Refugees
PAWNS OR REFUGEES?
The Arabs have used the Palestinian refugees
to perpetuate the conflict with Israel
P
rofessor Nitza Nachmias of
Haifa University, an expert
on Jewish-Arab relations,
says there are no Palestinian refugees,
though they are exploited with great ef-
fect to extract concessions from Israel.
Nachmias, who also teaches at the Uni-
versity of Maryland, explained that the
word “refugee” is applied to Palestinian
Arabs to elicit international sympathy,
though few realize that they do not fit
the common perception or the legal
definition of what a refugee really is.
“If people would stop calling the
places in which they live ‘refugee
camps,’ then they would see that these
places are just like villages and towns
anywhere else, and the inhabitants are
totally rehabilitated,” Nachmias told the
pro-settler radio station Arutz 7. “Real
refugee camps are like the...camps now
in Haiti—not the villages with streets
and stone houses in what are known as
Palestinian refugee camps today.”
Nachmias noted that most Pales-
tinians living abroad who claim to be
refugees have been fully integrated into
their host countries, meaning they are
technically no longer refugees. She also
took issue with the unique rules allowing
10  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
or were sent beyond the 1948 borders
of Israel, and a large portion of them
are no longer alive.
Nachmias criticized the United
Nations Relief and Works Agency
(UNRWA), the organization respon-
sible for so-called Palestinian refugees.
She pointed out that UNRWA, using the
tax dollars and donations of UN mem-
ber states, is no longer a welfare agency,
but one of the largest employers in the
Palestinian-controlled territories with
some 30,000 workers. She even “dis-
covered documents of pension funds of
over a billion dollars a year, managed by
brokers in Switzerland. All this for what
is defined as a ‘welfare agency’ whose
mandate is renewed every three years.”
Nachmias concluded by urging Is-
rael to shift tactics in combating the
the descendants of real Palestinian refu- “right of return”—the Palestinian de-
gees to continue claiming refugee status. mand that millions of refugees and
“According to international law, a their descendants be allowed to return
refugee is an individual or family that to their former homes in Israel. This has
was forced to flee—but this definition been a major stumbling block in peace
does not extend to children, a commu- talks because every Israeli government,
nity or a group. The only exception to left or right, understands that this is a
this rule is the Palestinians, for whom ploy to destroy the Jewish state demo-
the international laws are apparently graphically.
different,” she explained. “Israel should take a pro-active ap-
That unique set of double standards proach, basing itself on international
enables the Palestinians to claim a law and precedents, and declare that
worldwide refugee population of nearly the Palestinian refugee issue no longer
five million. During Israel’s War of In- exists,” the professor said. “They are no
dependence, some 700,000 Arabs fled longer refugees.” Y
Hamas Releases British Journalist
Hamas released a British journalist after holding him for a month in Gaza on
alleged security violations. Mahmoud al-Zahar, a Hamas leader, said Paul Martin
“was working on defaming the image of the Palestinian people by saying that they
smuggle weapons through tunnels” under the border with Egypt. Zahar said he
was also working on a story about the use of civilians as human shields by Hamas.
Martin said he was working on a documentary about a former Gaza militant
who is on trial for collaborating with Israel.
“I have gone through a lot,” he said. “But I think if my release today is worth
anything, it is worth showing the world that journalists must do their stories
irrespective of the risks involved, if they wish to maintain freedom of the media.”
 Focus on Jerusalem
Siloam, the pool where Je-
sus healed the man who
was blind from birth
(John 9).
In modern times,
the village was set-
tled by Jews before
BEFORE AND AFTER the establishment of
Today’s Arab neighborhood of Silwan the State of Israel. In
was once a Yemenite Jewish village 1882, Jews fled from
persecution in Yemen

Silwan or Shiloach? to the Holy Land and

settled in caves near Dung
Gate, later establishing the Ye-

J erusalem’s Mayor Nir Barkat has

unveiled a controversial plan to
demolish dozens of illegally-built Arab
homes in disputed East Jerusalem and
replace them with a tourist center. The
project is slated for the village of Silwan,
just outside Dung Gate in Jerusalem’s Old
City and across from the Temple Mount.
Gan Hamelech, or the King’s Gar-
den, would be linked to the City of Da-
vid, where the biblical monarch is said to
have written his psalms. The municipal-
ity wants to build shops, restaurants, art
galleries and a large community center.
Barkat is offering the Palestinians
whose homes would be demolished new
apartments nearby, and he claims all vil-
lagers will benefit from the boom in tour-
ism. But residents aren’t buying it and say
that it’s just another step by Israel to “Juda-
ize” Jerusalem and drive the Arabs out.
“Barkat acts like a firefighter who is
setting himself on fire,” railed Arab par-
liamentarian Ahmad Tibi in the Knes-
set. “He is creating hate among the Arab
population. This must stop immediately.”
Palestinians say they build illegally in
East Jerusalem because they cannot get
permits from the municipality.
Destruction of Palestinian homes
has the potential to spark a new outbreak
of violence, especially near the volatile
Temple Mount. And with international
condemnation a given, Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu intervened and
put the project on hold pending further
negotiations between the municipality
and Arab residents.
Biblical and Modern
Jewish Roots
The Arab roots in Silwan are rela-
tively new, while the Jewish connection
goes back to the Bible and to pre-state
Palestine.
Silwan is known as Shiloach in the
Old Testament. It is the site of Heze-
kiah’s Tunnel, a conduit built in 700
BC by King Hezekiah which still flows
with water today (2 Chronicles 32). In
the New Testament, Silwan is called
menite Village or Kfar (village) Shiloach.
Pictures from 1890 (see above) show the
Jewish village in the sparsely-populated
area near Dung Gate.
Further evidence appears in the 1907
travel guide Cooks Handbook for Pales-
tine and Syria: In the “village of Silwan,
east of Kidron…great extension of the
village southward has sprung up, owing
to the settlement here of a colony of poor
Jews from Yemen, etc. many of whom
have built homes on the steep hillside.”
These Jews, however, were forced
to flee during the Arab Revolt between
1936 and 1939, and their abandoned
homes were taken over by Arabs. Today,
their descendants are fighting against
the city of Jerusalem which seeks to re-
store the Jewish presence there.
The international community sees the
Silwan plan as a violation of Palestinian
rights in Jerusalem. But what the world
conveniently ignores is that this Arab vil-
lage was originally a Jewish one. Y
By Aviel S chneider

First Test-Drive of Jerusalem Tram

A fter years of planning, and construction that has snarled traffic, the Je-
rusalem Light Rail finally rolled out for a test-drive. The test route was
only 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long, from the northern suburb of French Hill
to Ammunition Hill, scene of a major battle during the Six Day War in 1967.
The test run went well, with hundreds of excited spectators turning out. But
it will be at least a year, probably longer, until the light rail goes into full service.
There will be 24 stops along the 14-kilometer (8.4-mile) route. It begins in
the northern suburb of Pisgat Ze’ev, goes through Jaffa Road downtown and
ends at Mount Herzl at the south-western edge of the city. The 46 trams will
travel at a speed of 70 kilometers (42 mph) per hour and carry 18,000 passengers
per day. Y By Mi chael S chneider LIGHT RAIL: The train is aimed at easing heavy traffic

  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  11

 Sp o t l i g h t

Historic Synagogue
Rebuilt for Third Time
Is it a sign of the building of the Third Temple?

I sraelis sang scriptural songs and danced in the streets as

the beautiful new Hurva Synagogue was rededicated in the
Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. The building, with
its 80-foot (25-meter) high dome, took three years to build
and was another sign of the restoration of Israel.
The synagogue was destroyed by the Jordanian army dur-
ing the War of Independence in 1948. That is significant,
considering that the world is demanding that Israel hand
the Old City back to the Arabs, under whom there was never STAIRWAY
freedom of religion for the Jews. to heaven
Indeed, the Palestinians were up in arms over
the dedication of the synagogue so close to
the Temple Mount. As we reported last
month, the Vilna Gaon, a renowned
18th century rabbi, prophesied that
the Hurva Synagogue would be de-
stroyed and rebuilt twice, and that bears four paintings of holy places: Ra-
when it was completed for the third chel’s Tomb in Bethlehem, Tiberias, the
time, construction of the Third Tem- Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron and
ple would begin. David’s Citadel in Jerusalem.
“This is my dream, to be part “Despite all the political tension,
of the rebuilding of the Third threats and tight security, this is a pro-
Temple—even if it’s only the foun- phetic scene that we are witnessing here in
dation,” said Nissim Arzi, director Jerusalem,” Chris Johnston of Lafayette,
general of the Jewish Quarter Re- Louisiana, told isra­el today. “The Jew-
construction and Development Co., ish people are not deterred from acting on
which built the synagogue. their faith.” Y
The Palestinians accused Israel By Michael S chneider
of planning to destroy the Mosque A RABBINICAL PROPHECY
of Al Aksa in order to start rebuild- stirs up tension
ing the Temple. They called for a ARK of the in Jerusalem
Covenant
“Day of Rage” and there were spo-
radic riots in the capital, but 3,000
Israeli police and soldiers were able to contain the violence.
The Palestinian threats didn’t stop the celebrations. There was
rejoicing as the Torah scrolls were brought into the synagogue
and the mezuzah placed on the doorposts. There were evening
prayers and a spectacular sound-and- light show.
“My house will be called a house of prayer for all na-
tions,” said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat, quoting from
Isaiah 56:7.
The Hurva was first built by the fol-
lowers of Rabbi Yehuda haHassid of
Vilna in 1702. The wooden ark, which
holds the Torah scrolls, is an exact rep-
lica of the original one with handicrafts
overlaid in gold. The eastern wall inside
contains the original stones. The dome

12  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il

Jesus in Modern Hebrew Culture
David Flusser:
‘Mouthpiece
for Jesus’
B y Ts v i S a d a n
I would not consider writing about David Flusser’s view of
Jesus were it not for the recent Hebrew publication of his
book Jesus. This book was originally published in German
in 1968, and a year later in English.
The Hebrew version is the fruit of Flusser’s students, pri-
marily Steven Notley, a Christian scholar at Nyack College
in New York, and Jewish scholar Serge Ruzer of the Hebrew
University in Jerusalem.
Flusser, a devout Orthodox Jew, was born in Vienna in
1917, grew up in Bohemia, and studied in Prague, where
he earned his doctorate in classical philology and Ger-
manic studies. He came to Israel in 1939, where he taught
at the Hebrew University from 1962 until his death in
2000. Flusser became a world-renowned scholar of Sec-
ond Temple history, his best-known book being Judaism
and the Origins of Christianity (1988). In 1980, he was
awarded the Israel Prize for his contribution to the study
of Jewish history.
Not only is it extremely rare to find such a prominent fig-
ure in Israeli society who is concerned with Jesus; it is even
rarer to find a person who permits himself to express an
almost religious affiliation to Jesus. Flusser’s interest in Jesus
began with his meeting of Josef Perl, a pastor of the Unity
of Bohemian Brethren (based on the 18th century Moravian
Protestant movement), who stirred in him, as he put it, “a
healthy, positive interest in Jesus and who influenced the
very understanding of my own Jewish faith as well.”
In contrast to the prevailing scholarly trend of his time,
Flusser refused to make a distinction between the “historical
Jesus” and the “theological Christ.” “I am confident that the
first three Gospels reliably reflect the reality of the ‘histori-
cal’ Jesus,” he said. “Moreover, I do not like the dichotomy
between the ‘historical’ Jesus and the kerygmatic Christ” (the
Messiah proclaimed in Christian teachings).
Always aware of the difficulties inherent in the Jewish
study of Jesus, Flusser said, “I know that some readers will
open this book in order to discover the prevailing Jewish
opinion about Jesus. I have not written this book to describe
Jesus from the ‘Jewish standpoint.’”
Then, Flusser makes this bold statement: “I readily admit,
however, that I personally identify myself with Jesus’ Jewish
worldview, both moral and political, and I believe that the
content of his teachings and the approach he embraced have
always had the potential to change our world and prevent the
greatest part of evil and suffering.”
Consequently, Flusser readily admits that “my ambition is
simply to serve as a mouthpiece for Jesus’ message today.” Y
100 Names of the Messiah
B y Ts v i S a d a n
‫ּתֹור‬
Turtledove
To better understand “Turtledove” as a name for the
Messiah, we must study the English name of this bird.
Etymologically, the term “turtle” probably derives from
the Latin turtur. If so, it falls into the onomatopoeic cat-
egory of words which imitate sounds. Indeed, the bird’s
call sounds like this word.
Although tor—its Hebrew name—resembles the Lat-
in term, this is where all similarities end. The Hebrew
root “tur” means “to look from side to side,” pointing to
words like “traveler,” “scout” and “examiner.” The turtle-
dove appears in Israel throughout the summer, which
brings to mind the verse from which the name of the
Messiah is derived: “The flowers have already appeared
in the land; The time has arrived for pruning the vines,
and the voice of the turtledove has been heard in our
land” (Song of Songs 2:12).
The medieval sage Rashi interprets the phrase “the
voice of the turtledove is heard” as follows: “The voice
of the great traveler is heard.” To find out the identity of
this “great traveler,” we turn first to the Aramaic transla-
tion of Job 29:15 (“I was feet to the lame”): “I was guide
[tayar] to the lame.” Rashi’s “great traveler” can thus be
identified as the great guide Moses, who directed Israel
spiritually in their wandering through the desert.
But Rashi is looking to the future: “‘The flowers ap-
peared in the land’—behold Moses and Aaron are ready
to serve all your needs. ‘The time of singing has come’—
you are going to sing upon the seashore. ‘The voice of
the turtledove’—the voice of the great traveler [announc-
ing] that the time for your Exodus has arrived. ‘The fig
tree puts forth her green figs’—the time of First Fruits
has come, to gather you to the Land.” It is obvious that
Rashi is speaking about the future Moses—the Second
Redeemer, who is the Messiah.
This interpretation is based upon the words of the
Talmudic Sage R. Yohanan: “‘The voice of the turtledove’:
This is the voice of the King Messiah of whom it is pro-
claimed: ‘How lovely on the mountains are the feet of
him who brings good news, who announces peace and
brings good news of happiness, who announces salva-
tion, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”’” (Isaiah 52:7).
Accordingly, Tor is the one who announces salvation
and guides Israel to live according to the Torah, teaching
and demonstrating the ways of the Lord (Torah Temimah,
Song of Solomon 2:12-13).
Comments: dzsadan@netvision.net.il
  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  13
 word from jerusalem
Envy:
The Source of
Hatred of Israel
By Ludwig Schneider
W
hat is wrong with Jacob loving Rachel so
overwhelmingly that he twice served seven
long years for her? What is unjust in Jacob
plunging into inexpressible grief after Ra-
chel’s death following the birth of Benjamin? What is so bad
about Jacob then loving Joseph, Rachel’s first son, as dearly
as he had loved Rachel, and presenting him with gifts such
as he gave to Rachel? There is no accounting for love.
However there is also a dark side to love and that is the
envy of others, for when Jacob presented Joseph with a bright-
ly-colored coat, envy rose up in his brothers’ hearts. A path of
suffering now began for Joseph, though ultimately it brought
victory to him and led to his father and brothers being saved
from a severe famine. Everything began with a sincere and
heartfelt love between Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 29-35).
Love is also the foundation for God choosing Israel. Thus
spoke the Almighty to Israel: “For you are a holy people to
the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be
a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who
are on the face of the earth. The Lord did not set His love on
you nor choose you because you were more in number than
any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but
because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore
to your forefathers” (Deuteronomy 7:6-8).
But where there is light there is also a shadow. Anyone
who is loved need not wait long for someone to envy them.
This is also why the Jews have been so hated throughout
the ages: envy and hatred go hand in hand. Religious-based
anti-Judaism, racist anti-Semitism, and politically-based anti-
Zionism are nothing more than envy over the fact that God
has chosen Israel out of love.
Why should empires such as Egypt, Babylon, Rome and
Nazi Germany, culminating with the Arab states, envy tiny
14  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
Israel, if there were not somewhere in their subconscious the
knowledge that Israel is God’s beloved people. The Arabs, who
did nothing with this land in nearly 2,000 years, are jealous
of the Jews who, in just 60 years, made the desert bloom and
created a technological revolution. As rust consumes iron so
envy consumes the soul, for those who are envious can never
be satisfied—not even with a two-state solution.
In Jeremiah 33:24-26, God says, “Have you not observed
what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families
which the Lord chose, He has rejected them?’ Thus they
despise My people, no longer are they as a nation in their
sight. Thus says the Lord, ‘If My covenant for day and night
stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have
not established, then I would reject the descendants of Jacob
and David My servant.’”
In many churches Replacement Theology, which teaches
that the Church has replaced Israel and God has rejected the
Jews since the coming of Christ, is still flourishing. How-
ever, the Church of Jesus is not meant to replace Israel but
to complete her.
Here too envy plays the major role. As the daughter of
envy is slander we should not be surprised that the Jews are
continually being slandered. And slander creates anger, in
this case self-righteous anger against Israel. The Church,
which for centuries saw itself as the Bride of Christ at the
expense of Israel, has a hard time coming to terms with the
fact that God is still faithful to His Covenant people.
But God has embedded His love for Israel in an oath
(Genesis 22:16-18). And in Ezekiel 36, God promises that
for His name’s sake and because of His love, He will restore
Israel to its land and not reject her, even though she has
dishonored Him.
And, of course, this once again creates envy! Y

Is the Old Testament
Still Relevant?
F
or many Christians the Old
Testament is a book that has
been replaced by the New
Testament. They see it as obsolete
and of limited literary value. Cer-
tain parts of Scripture, such as the
accounts of creation and the f lood,
Psalms and some prophecies, at least
those alluding to Jesus as the Mes-
siah, are still regarded by Christians
as relevant.
But just as many Christians live
their faith almost exclusively within
the context of the New Testament,
the early Christians based their faith
solely on Old Testament Scripture. In
the first century, at the time of Jesus
and the apostles, the New Testament
did not yet exist.
The term “Old Testament” does
not formally appear in the Hebrew
Scriptures. In Hebrew, the book is
called Tanach, an acronym for Torah
(the first five books of the Bible or Five
Books of Moses); Nevi’im (the Proph-
ets) and Cetuvim (the Writings).
It wasn’t until the Vulgate, the 5th
century AD Latin translation of the
Bible, that the term “Old Testament”
first appeared. The Vulgate is based
on the Septuagint, a Greek translation
written in Alexandria,
Egypt in 250 BC. The
term “Old Testament”
or “Old Covenant” ap-
pears only once in the
New Testament, in 2 Cor-
inthians 3:14.
The Hebrew term for
New Testament is Brit Cha-
dasha, described in Jeremiah
31:31-37: God has given us a
New Covenant, written on our
hearts, and He will never cast
off the offspring of Israel.
We need the Old Testament
in order to return to the roots of the
Christian faith. Jesus says, “He who
believes in Me, as the Scripture said,
‘From his innermost being shall flow
rivers of living water’” (John 7:38).
Jesus frequently quotes the Hebrew
Scriptures, and if the Son of God
learned from the Old Testament, so
should we.
When the risen Messiah was on
the way to Emmaus with two of His
followers, He interpreted for them “all
the Scriptures…beginning with Moses
and with all the prophets” (Luke 24:27).
Similarly the Jewish community in
Berea, Greece who were “examining
the Scriptures daily” to see whether
God’s promises about the Messiah
were really so, were of course read-
ing the Old Testament (Acts 17:10-
11). Even the Jewish writer of most of
the New Testament, the apostle Paul,
referred solely to the Old Testament
because, again, in his day there was
no New Testament.
The Gospels were written after the
middle of the 1st century; the epistles
were written in the late 1st century, and
it was not until 180 AD that the New
Testament was canonized. By this time
many years had passed since the min-
istries of Jesus and the apostles. Today
BIBLE STUD Y
we have the benefit of the entire Bible.
But we cannot correctly interpret and
understand the New Testament without
the Old Testament.
Even the Codex Sinaiticus, which
is regarded as the original version of
the New Testament, only dates to the
4th century and is, in part, a transla-
tion into the dominant language of
the time, Greek. The Church Fathers
such as Papias (60-120 AD) and Poly-
carp (82-165 AD) referred to a Gospel
of Matthew in the Hebrew language,
which has since been lost. Y
By Ludwig S chneider
Torah Portions
April 2010
(from 17th of Nisan to 16th of Iyyar 5770)
The Sabbath (Shabbat) Readings
April 3 – Intermediate Sabbath of Passover
Exodus 33:12-34:26; Num. 28:19-25
Ezekiel 37:1-14
April 5 – 7th Day of Passover
Exodus 13:17-15:26; Num. 28:19-25
2 Samuel 22:1-51
April 10 – Shabbat Shemini – On the Eighth Day
Leviticus 9:1-11:47; 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17
April 12 – Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Memorial Day
April 17 – Shabbat Tazria; Metzora – She Conceived; Leper
Leviticus 12:1-15:33;  2 Kings 7:3-70
April 19 – Yom haZikaron – Remembrance Day
for the Fallen
April 20 – Yom haAtzmaut – 62nd Independence Day
April 24 – Shabbat Acharei Mot; Kedoshim –
After the Death; Be Holy
Leviticus 16:1-20:27; Amos 9:7-15
www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  15
H a pp y
Purim!

Israelis took to the streets to celebrate Purim, marking the

deliverance of the Jews from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia
(today’s Iran). The story is told in the biblical Book of Esther.
As Mordechai dressed up in splendor at the behest of the king, so the
Jewish people dress up in costumes for Purim. Purim parties were held
at homes and schools, while festivals and parades brought cheer to the
streets. The most popular costumes were those of Mossad spies (see
pages 4-5) and characters from the Hollywood blockbuster Avatar.
Megillat Esther (the Scroll of Esther) was read in synagogues,
where people made noise with rattlers every time the evil Haman was
mentioned. Once again, the Jews celebrated a great victory over their
enemies and remembered how God turned the pur (lot) from bad to good.
By Michael Schneider

HAMAN’S EARS: The traditional

Purim pastry hamantaschen means
Haman’s ears
 ‘THE JEWS RID THEMSELVES OF THEIR ENEMIES: Sorrow was
turned to gladness and mourning into a holiday’ (Esther 9:22)

CLOWNING AROUND
in Jerusalem

LECHAIM! Purim is the only Jewish holiday in which it

is a commandment to get drunk
 DEB A TE
Why of All Places,
Jerusalem?
By Ludwig Schneider
J
erusalem has been the capital
of the Jewish people for more
than 3,000 years. Even Chris-
tians refer to it as the “center of the
world” or the “navel of the earth.” Jeru-
salem, Yerushalayim in Hebrew, is men-
tioned 632 times in the Old Testament
alone, as well as many times in the New
Testament, yet it is not mentioned even
once in the Koran. The name Yerusha-
layim can be translated as “inheritance
of peace” or “inheritance of salvation,”
or more commonly, “city of peace.”
I have been living in Jerusalem with
my family for over 30 years and have
no desire to live anywhere else. Jerusa-
lem covers an area of about 49 square
miles (127 square kilometers) and has
770,600 inhabitants; in other words,
15,727 people live in each square mile
(6,067 per square kilometer). Some 65
percent of the population is Jewish and
35 percent are Arabs. Among the Arabs,
13 percent are Christians.
Jerusalem is the “Holy City” for
Jews, Christians and Moslems: There
are 1,204 synagogues in Jerusalem as
well as 158 churches and 73 mosques.
Thus there are 415 Jews for every syna-
gogue, 2,230 Moslems for each mosque
and 633 Christians for every church.
In comparison with other world cap-
itals Jerusalem is a small town: Great-
er Tokyo has 35 million inhabitants,
Mexico City 19 million, New Delhi 16
million, Buenos Aires 13 million, Cairo
18  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
12 million, Paris 10 million, London 9
million and even Berlin, with its almost
4 million inhabitants, still has five times
as many inhabitants as Jerusalem.
In view of all this, we could ask
ourselves, what makes Jerusalem so
desirable? After all, in the struggle over
Jerusalem we are not dealing with a
theological dispute but rather with a
very real declaration of war. It is not only
Islam that issues the call for “Holy War”
for the sake of Jerusalem; but God also
pronounces a declaration of war through
the biblical prophet Joel (3:9-11):
“Proclaim this among the nations:
Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let
all the soldiers draw near, let them come
up! Beat your plowshares into swords,
and your pruning hooks into spears;
Let the weak say, ‘I am a mighty man.’
Hasten and come, all you surrounding
nations, and gather yourselves there.”
The word surrounding (Hebrew:
saviv), which also appears in Zechariah
12:2, indicates that the Holy War over
Jerusalem involves the neighboring
countries which surround Israel—a clear
reference to the Muslim Arab states.
With this in mind, it is not so
strange to behold the future of the
Middle East with concern. While we all
desire peace in the Middle East, these
sober prophecies enable us to discern
that the current efforts to achieve peace,
however well-intentioned, will not lead
to the desired goal.
O JERUSALEM! The city is mentioned
632 times in the Old Testament but is
never mentioned in the Koran
And all this fuss over a simple
“town” like Jerusalem, that will first
of all become a “cup of reeling” for all
the surrounding peoples, and then turn
into a “heavy stone” for all the nations
who will wage war against it (Zecha-
riah 12:1-3). Despite the overwhelming
odds, the Lord will shelter the inhabit-
ants of Jerusalem and win the victory
for His people (Zechariah 12:4-9).
“All the nations” could refer to the
United Nations, which is intensely in-
volved in the conflict over Jerusalem.
The Arabs cite UN Resolutions 242 and
338 as requiring Israel to end its “illegal
occupation” of Jerusalem, though this
is a biased interpretation.
In the end, Israel may not even be
able to rely on its guardian ally—the
United States. While the US has diplo-
matic relations with 184 countries, the
only capital it does not recognize is that
of the State of Israel. Even Costa Rica
and El Salvador, the last two countries
to have embassies in Jerusalem, moved
to Tel Aviv a few years ago.
Furthermore, both the UN and the
US want to limit Israeli construction in
Jerusalem—when, where and how many
dwellings Jews are permitted to build in
their own capital. By doing so they are bla-
tantly encroaching on Israel’s sovereignty.
And all simply because of the little
town of Jerusalem, seemingly insignifi-
cant, but ultimately the fuse that will
ignite a Holy War. Y

The Order of Things to Come
S
omeone building a sacred cathedral has to start
with the foundation before he can place the
crowning spire on top. Each stage of construc-
tion is of equal importance. For instance, the foundation,
which will be covered by the floor, is just as important as
the majestic colonnade that is exposed to everyone. The
same thing is true of God’s plan of salvation which consists
of five phases; each period has its own special value and
purpose, and therefore, is not any more or less important
than the others.
1. The Earthly Paradise
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the
earth” (Genesis 1:1). He is the Creator of all things and
the One who determines the complete cycle of the plan
of salvation. Mankind is directly under the authority of
God. Yet God still allows us to make decisions for good
or evil according to our own free will. This reveals God’s
almighty power because, in spite of our failures, He is able
to set everything right again—and that is the ultimate
purpose of the different phases of His plan of salvation.
2. Theocracy in Israel
In ancient times, when mankind turned away from God,
He left the nations to their own devices and turned to indi-
vidual people who heard his voice, such as Enoch, Noah or
Abraham. The consequence was that God chose one people
out of all the nations of the earth that He declared to be His
own—the nation of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:6).
It was God’s intention to establish His theocracy in
Israel so as to manifest His earthly authority there. Thus
Israel was ruled by anointed judges. It was in this context
that Gideon spoke to the people, “I will not rule over you,
nor shall my son rule over you; the Lord shall rule over
you” (Judges 8:23). The Israelites, to their own misfortune,
grew weary of theocratic regimes, and turned to the ways
of all the other nations. During this period God raised up
prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Joel, who
warned the people and pointed toward a Kingdom of God
that rules in the heart.
Let us wait expectantly, orienting our
lives solely toward God, for there is no
second chance, no sixth stage in God’s
plan of salvation.
TOLL FREE ORDERING: 1.866.854.1684 (N. America) 00.800.60.70.70.60 (UK/Norway)
Prophecy
3. The Hidden Kingdom of God
Even before His birth, Yeshua (Jesus) received the title of
the one who would inherit the throne of David: “The Lord
God will give him the throne of His father David; and He
will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom
will have no end” (Luke 1:32-33).
For now, this kingdom exists within and among those
who are chosen by the Lord: “For behold, the kingdom of
God is in your midst” (Luke 17:21). Yeshua’s disciples could
not comprehend this “hidden kingdom” of God, and asked,
“Is it at this time You are restoring the [earthly] kingdom
to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Church of Jesus is living in this
kingdom now.
4. The Millennium
In contrast to our era which is filled with wars and
distress, the millennium or thousand-year kingdom will
be one of peace. But this peace will be temporary because
Satan, who is responsible for hatred and war, will only be
restrained by God for those thousand years. Afterwards,
he will be set free, but only for a short time, so that he can
again make trouble in the world (Revelation 20:1-10). After
this, however, Satan will be destroyed forever (Revelation
20:14).
5. The Eternal Kingdom of God
Finally the time has come; God’s cathedral with all
of its different sections is complete. God has made all
things new. He has brought His people into the heavenly
Jerusalem, where there will be no more death or sorrow,
nor any crying or pain, and also no sin (Revelation 21:1-
5). This Kingdom of God will exist for all eternity. Here
we have the fulfillment of what God promised in Isaiah
65:17: “For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth;
and the former things shall not be remembered, nor come
into mind.” And as Paul put it: “Things which eye has not
seen and ear has not heard, and which have not entered
the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those who
love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).
Let us wait expectantly, orienting
our lives solely toward God, for there
is no second chance, no sixth stage in
God’s plan of salvation. Through His
almighty power God has arranged His
plan of redemption, begun in paradise
and repeatedly hindered by mankind,
during nearly 6,000 years of salvation
history. Y
By Ludwig S chneider
  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  Apri 2010  |  19

CHRISTI A N S
Christian Zionism
vs. Anti-Christian Zionism
By Shlomo Mordechai
S ome 1,000 people attended the
Christians United for Israel
(CUFI) Summit in Jerusalem, led by
Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone
Church in San Antonio, Texas. Ha-
gee spoke of the “debt of gratitude”
Christians have to the Jewish people
because “without Judaism there would
be no Christianity.”
Then he presented Prime Minister
Binyamin Netanyahu with a 237-foot-
long (73- meter) scroll containing
more than 200,000 names of Christian
supporters of Israel who had pledged
their support with
a signature. Hagee
said the scroll shows
“that we believe the
Jewish people have
the right to live in
their modern home-
land, and that Israel
has the same right as
any other nation to
defend herself from
attacks.” CHRISTIAN-MUSLIM ALLIANCE: Palestinian inflicted on Palestin-
Netanyahu was PM Fayyad at the conference
moved. “Your pres-
ence here today represents a profound
transformation in the relationship be-
tween Christians and Jews,” he told the
crowd. “Time after time, through thick
and thin, you have stood shoulder to
shoulder with our state, and I have
come here tonight to thank you for
your unwavering friendship,” he said.
“I salute you, the people of Israel salute
you, the Jewish people salute you.”
‘Christ at the Checkpoint’
A few miles and a world away, Pal-
estinian Christians held a conference
called “Christ at the Checkpoint” at
Bethlehem Bible College. The confer-
ence was “dedicated to Palestinian
theology”—which turned out to be
a complete renunciation of biblical
Zionism.
20  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
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ar-El
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• Experience first-hand the land where
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our faith was born
• Grow in a deeper understanding of
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sationalists Support the State of Israel—
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Just as Messianic Jews identify with of the nation of Israel
the State of Israel, so Arab Christians
identify with Palestinian nationalism, Sar-El Tours specializes in:
even though it is effectively an alliance • Biblical Study Tours
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for Israel was expressed in the most
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“Christian Zionism has spread her • Bible Colleges & Student Tours
tentacles” throughout the Christian
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ally intervene on be- Our feet are standing in the gates,
half of the Zionists? O Jerusalem (Psalm 122:1, 2)
Is God also excited
over the devastation
ians and Arabs?
“I choose to reject
and expose the teachings of Christian
Zionism…because of their harmful
effects…[namely,] militarizing the
Church; making the Church stand
for war and aggression in the Name
of God; [and] cultivating a culture of
hate against Muslims, Arabs and Pal-
estinians.”
Awad’s lecture makes it sound like
God never made any promises to bring
the Jewish people back to the Land of
Israel. Israel is the occupier and Pal-
estinians are the victim, and so, for
the sake of symbolism, the conference
took place against the background of
Israel’s security barrier. It’s as if Israel
chose war and was never threatened
with annihilation and the “wall” was
erected in a vacuum. In his 4,800-word
treatise, the word “terrorism” does not
appear once. Y
 M e s s i an i c J e w s

‘Gardens of Life’ for the Unborn

Messianic pro-life organization remembers those it could not save
B y R ya n J o n e s

L ATRUN – It is a shocking statistic: During the Holocaust

one-and-a-half million Jewish children were killed by the
Nazis; since Israel’s rebirth in 1948, over two million Jewish
A SIGN of hope

babies have lost their lives to abortion.

In their remembrance, the staff of the Israeli Messianic
organization Be’ad Chaim (Pro Life), together with 150 sup-
porters from around the world, gathered at Latrun in central
Israel to plant a forest called Ganei Chaim—the Gardens of
Life. Be’ad Chaim and its supporters also reaffirmed their
commitment to saving every unwanted Israeli baby—be
it Jewish or Arab—and removing from Israel the curse of
blood that is holding it back from the fullness of God’s
blessing.
Be’ad Chaim co-founder and chairman, Tony Sperandeo,
likened the situation to the “Iron Curtain” which prevented
the people of the Soviet Union from tasting real freedom for
so long. Though Israel has been restored in part, a “blood
curtain” is preventing it from fully receiving the blessings
that the Lord has for this nation.
More often than not, Be’ad Chaim’s considerable efforts
to educate Israeli women thinking of having an abortion
have opened doors to share the Gospel. Helping these wom-
en avoid the kind of destruction that abortion brings into
someone’s life is a powerful way to prepare the heart to hear
the Good News. Chaya Mizrachi, one of the first women
ever helped by Be’ad Chaim more than 30 years ago, is a
testament to that.
She explained that as a young unmarried woman who
got pregnant, she listened to conventional wisdom and had
an abortion. But years later, when she was married and had
a daughter, that decision come back to haunt her.
“As I held my daughter, I grieved for the baby I would
never hold,” Mizrachi said with tears in her eyes. “The pain
was unbearable. It affected my marriage and everything else
in my life.”
TREE OF LIFE: Be’ad Chaim says abortion is preventing
Israel from entering the fullness of God’s blessing
Mizrachi said God brought her to the depths of depression
to show her the dark power of abortion. Shortly afterward,
she found Be’ad Chaim and the healing process began. And
it continued right up until the founding of Ganei Chaim,
where Mizrachi joined others in planting a tree to remember
her unborn child and to thank God for the redemption that
He brought out of destruction.
Planted in the picturesque valley below the Latrun Mon-
astery, Be’ad Chaim director Sandy Shoshani said Ganei
Chaim will serve as a place of remembrance, mourning,
healing and celebration for many women like Mizrachi.
“For those who have had abortions, it is a kind of captivity,
and these women need restoration,” she said. “Those who
sow in tears will reap life. The healing of broken lives will
bring salvation.”
Be’ad Chaim operates counseling centers in Jerusalem,
Beersheba, Haifa, Tiberias, Ashkelon, Acre and Rishon LeZi-
on, as well as local hotlines across the country. Shoshani
noted that it is something of a miracle for an openly Messianic
organization like Be’ad Chaim to be able to plant an official
forest and operate in the way that it does in Israeli society.
It is evidence that God abhors abortion; and He will bless
those who work against it and restore the hearts of those it
has affected.
Shoshani echoed Sperandeo’s concerns that abortion is
holding the nation back from fulfilling its biblical destiny.
“This land has innocent blood shed on it,” she lamented. “But
God is doing something to redeem that.”

For more information: www.beadchaim.com

  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  21

 Military
Unmanned ‘Flying Ambulance’
T he Air Mule, an unmanned aer-
ial vehicle (UAV) that will assist
medical rescue and evacuation teams,
has passed its initial flight tests. The
“flying ambulance” was developed by
Urban Aeronautics in Yavne, just south
of Tel Aviv.
Able to fly in all weather condi-
tions, the drone can swoop into zones
where navigation is challenging, such
as high-rise neighborhoods and natural
crevices. One unique feature is inter-
nal propellers which enable the aircraft
to fly in narrow places, in contrast to
helicopters which can only operate in
open areas.
“The number one cause of aerial ac-
cidents is damage to the rotor, and we
managed to overcome this obstacle,”
says Urban Aeronautics CEO Rafi Yoeli.
KOSHER FOR PASSOVER: Sailors from the Israeli Navy do the
traditional spring cleaning for Passover. The aim is to remove any
remains of leaven before the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:17).
22  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il
ZIONIST INGENUITY: The drone can get
to places that helicopters cannot
The hi-tech Air Mule also benefits (1.8 meters) high and 7 feet (2.15 me-
from two laser sensors that monitor ters) wide. It has a maximum speed of
altitude and a flow of real-time flight 112 mph (180 kph), reaches an altitude
data to the ground crew. of 11,800 feet (3,600 meters) and is able
Weighing about a ton, it has a to carry a cargo of 545 pounds (247 kg)
length of 19 feet (5.9 meters), is 5.9 feet for four hours. Y
IAF Pilot to Serve
as Army Chief Rabbi
D efense Minister Ehud Barak and
army Chief of Staff Gaby Ashke-
nazi have appointed Lieutenant-Colonel
(reserves) Rafi Peretz as the new military
chief rabbi. Peretz, 54, will be taking the
place of Brigadier-General Avichai Ronsky.
A former Sikorsky CH-53 helicopter
pilot, he is currently a flight instructor at the Israel Air
Force (IAF) Academy. Peretz has also been the head
of the Etzem pre-army preparatory school for 15 years.
The school was located in Atzmona in the Gush Katif
settlement bloc until Israel pulled out of Gaza in 2005.
During the Gaza “disengagement,” in which 21
Jewish settlements were evacuated, he helped to calm
the Israelis who were expelled from their homes. The
army views Peretz, who will be promoted to Brigadier-
General, as someone who can reduce friction between
the military and the national-religious camp which op-
poses any evacuation of Jewish settlements in Judea and
Samaria (the so-called “West Bank”).
In his new position, Peretz will be responsible for the
growing number of religious soldiers who now make up
more than half of the officer corps and combat units.
These men will have to get used to their new rabbi who,
breaking from tradition, does not wear a beard. Y
C ompiled by Netanel D oron

RELICS IN HAND
Ayelet Dayan
Prehistoric
Find in Tel Aviv
T he remains of a prehistoric dwell-
ing estimated to be 8,000 years
old have been discovered by the Israel
Antiquities Authority (IAA) in the Tel
Aviv area. In addition, flint tools and
bones of a hippopotamus believed to
be up to 100,000 years old were uncov-
ered. The find was made during excava-
tions prior to the construction of a new
apartment building.
“This discovery is both important
and surprising to researchers of the pe-
riod,” said archaeologist Ayelet Dayan,
director of the excavation. “For the first
time we have encountered evidence of a
permanent habitation that existed in the
Tel Aviv region about 8,000 years ago.”
Dayan said the ancient building con-
sisted of at least three rooms. Pottery
shards attest to the age of the site, which
dates to the Neolithic Period. A fragment
of a basalt stone bowl was also found.
“The site is located on the northern
bank of the Yarkon River, not far from
the confluence with Nahal Ayalon [the
Ayalon Stream],” she said. “We can as-
sume that this influenced the ancient
settlers in choosing a place to live.
The fertile soil along the fringes of the
streams was considered a preferred loca-
tion for a settlement in ancient times.” Y
8,000-YEAR-OLD dwelling
ArchAeology
Jordan Claims Dead Sea Scrolls
J ordan is demanding the return of a portion of the renowned Dead Sea Scrolls
currently on exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. The scrolls
were compiled about 2,000 years ago by the Essenes, an obscure Jewish sect that
may have had ties with John the Baptist and some of Jesus’ followers. They were
found in caves at Khirbet Qumran on the western shores of the Dead Sea, which
was an Essene settlement as late as the first century AD.
The documents in question were confiscated by Israeli forces from a museum in
East Jerusalem, when that part of the city was captured from Jordan during the Six
Day War in 1967. Consequently, Jordan is claiming their return under the condi-
tions of the 1954 Hague Convention governing the protection of cultural property
during armed conflict.
The Jordanian Ministry of Antiquities called on Canadian authorities to seize
the exhibits but the request was denied. Jordan claims ownership on grounds that
the scrolls were found in 1947 when there was no State of Israel. Y
3,000-Year-Old Inscription
Bears Earliest Hebrew
Despite Palestinian claims that there was
never a Jewish presence in the Land of Israel
in biblical times, new archaeological evidence
points to the contrary. Professor Gershon Galil
of the Department of Biblical Studies at the
University of Haifa believes that an inscription
found on a pottery shard discovered in 2008 at
Khirbet Qeiyafa near the Elah Valley (1 Samuel
17) southwest of Jerusalem is the earliest example
of Hebrew writing.
The inscription is written in ink on a 6 inch
x 6.4 inch (15 cm x 16.5 cm) trapezoid shard
and was discovered during excavations by Prof. HEBREW from King David’s time
Yosef Garfinkel. Khirbet Qeiyafa is the only site
in the Kingdoms of Judah and Israel where two
gates were uncovered, one in the east facing Jerusalem and one facing the west.
This is a clear indication of the site’s identity as biblical Sha’arayim, Hebrew
for “two gates.”
Sha’arayim is mentioned three times in the Bible: Joshua 15:36, 1 Samuel
17:52 and 1 Chronicles 4:31-32. It is associated with King David, supporting
the archaeological data that the settlement dates to the early 10th century BC.
The inscription indicates that Hebrew was established much earlier than
most scholars believe.
“This text…uses verbs that were characteristic of Hebrew…which were
rarely used in other regional languages,” says Galil. “The content itself was
also unfamiliar to all the cultures in the region besides the Hebrew society.
The inscription provides social elements similar to those found in the bibli-
cal prophecies and very different from prophecies written by other cultures
postulating glorification of the gods.”
This precious artifact once again proves the existence of the Kingdom of Israel. Y
C ompiled by Netanel D oron
  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  23
 Culture

Einstein’s Theory
of Relativity on Display
F or the first time, Albert Einstein’s
original manuscript of the Theory
of Relativity has been placed on public
display. The 46-page document, which
helps explain black holes, the Big Bang, an
expanding universe and how gravity can
bend time and space, is on exhibit at the Is-
rael Academy of Sciences and Humanities
in Jerusalem in honor of its 50th anniver-
sary. The exhibit coincides with the 131st
anniversary of Einstein’s birth, which took
place on March 14.
“We wanted something unique that
would have global significance, and for-
tunately we have access to a manuscript
that has never been seen in its entirety
before,” said the academy’s president,
Menahem Yaari.
The handwritten document has
been with Jerusalem’s Hebrew Uni-
versity since its founding 85 years
ago, when Einstein, who was one of
its founders, donated it for posterity.
The “General Theory” is considered a
groundbreaker with regard to modern
physics. It is still being tested today
with regard to light reaching us from
distant galaxies and the effect of grav-
ity on this light.
The significance of Einstein’s pages
of careful script, diagrams, and per-
fectionist’s scratches is not lost on the
casual viewer. The display presents the
manuscript in the context of the theory’s
JEWISH GENIUS
Albert Einstein
legacy—which includes everything from
modern space exploration to commer-
cial satellite and GPS technology and
present-day attempts to create a univer-
sal explanation of the forces of nature.
“The greatest challenge at the frontier
of physics is to make progress on these
issues,” said former Hebrew University
President Hanoch Gutfreund, who is
responsible for the Albert Einstein Ar-
chives. “People are able to appreciate the
Theory of Relativity even if they’re not
able to understand the contents…I refer
to it as the Magna Carta of physics.” Y
By Barry Rosenfeld

Chain of Generations PILLAR OF FIRE: The glass pillar spans the ages

I n 2006, the Tunnel Museum, or Center for the Chain of Generations, opened
near the Western Wall in Jerusalem’s Old City. Unlike other archeological
tunnels, this one features stunning sound and light effects.
A 30-foot (9-meter) high, 15-ton pillar made of colorful glass displays the names
of all the soldiers who fell in battles for Jerusalem since Israel became a state in 1948
to the liberation of the Old City during the Six Day War in 1967. Light glass repre-
sents Jerusalem’s glorious times while dark glass stands for the city’s catastrophes.
The pillar cuts through walls from the Second Temple Period (516 BC-70 AD)
as well as Crusader (1095-1291 AD) and Mameluk times (13-14th centuries AD).
The pillar stands on top of a mikveh (ritual bath) from the First Temple Period (9th
to 7th centuries BC).
The underground exhibition
splits up into two rooms: One FALLEN HEROS: The monument
contains a glass slab with the bears the names of Israeli soldiers
who fell in battles for Jerusalem
names of the twelve tribes; the
other focuses on the nearly two
millennia of Jewish longing for
the Land of Israel during the exile.
The theme of the museum is
from Psalm 137:5: “If I forget you,
O Jerusalem, may my right hand
forget her skill.”

By Lu dw i g S c h n e i de r

24  |  April 2010

THANK YOU from the Children of Israel!
Thanks to your generous donations we were able to deliver hundreds of Purim Surprises to needy children in Israel.
Everyone was amazed and happy! We are grateful to our friends around the world who blessed Israel and pray that you
will be blessed in return (Genesis 12:3).

Here is a thank you note from Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem to

israel today:
On behalf of all the children of the Pediatric Ward at Hadassah
Ein Kerem, we thank you with all our heart for the Purim Surprises
you donated. These gifts contributed to the joyful
atmosphere at the Purim party and gave an enormous
boost to the children’s morale. You succeeded in
bringing great joy to our hospital!
With our deepest gratitude,
Hadassah Jerusalem

*The faces are disguised upon

request of the hospital management

Believe me Yossi, we are not so different Such good coffee must be Arab!
after all. Jews and Arabs love coffee.

No way, Ahmed! When it

Great coffee! Where is it comes to first-rate coffee,
made, by the way? we Jews passed you long ago.

You know what? Let’s ask the waitress. From Italy!

Excuse me, where does this

coffee come from?

  www.israeltoday.co.il  |  April 2010  |  25

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 J e w i s h A ffa i r s

Remembering the Former Gaza Settlements

T o mark the 33rd anniversary of its founding, 400 Israeli schools
participated in a week devoted to educating students about Gush
Katif, the bloc of 21 Israeli settlements in the southern Gaza Strip that
were dismantled in 2005 under the government of Prime Minister Ariel
Sharon. The first settlement, Netzer Hazani, was established in 1977.
The program was introduced two years ago when the Knesset
approved a law for “the founding of a memorial center that will
commemorate the settlements of Gush Katif and Northern Samaria
through the endowment of national values.” Three settlements in
Northern Samaria were also evacuated in the 2005 “disengagement.”
Unlike memorial days commemorating the assassination of Prime
Minister Yitzhak Rabin or the Holocaust, student participation in this
curriculum is not mandatory. Observance was mostly among the reli-
gious schools, with few secular schools and no Arab schools taking part.
Programs included speeches by evacuated settlers as well as movies and
slide shows illustrating daily life before the evacuation. Y PARADISE LOST: Beautiful beach communities were destroyed

‘Lost Tribe’ Prospers in Israel he said. “And the ones who do are very
reluctant to accept charity because it’s

T he Bnei Menashe (Sons of

Manasseh), an ethnic group from
northeast India that believes it is one of
the Ten Lost Tribes, is adapting well to
its new life in Israel. A survey of 1,700
members of the tribe living in Israel
INGATHERING OF THE EXILES
Indian Jews arrive in the homeland
found that only about 4 percent depend
on government assistance, compared to
9 percent for the general population.
The Bnei Menashe believe they are
descendants of the biblical Tribe of Me-
nashe. After more than 2,500 years of
exile they have rediscovered their roots
and are returning to Judaism. Through
the assistance of Shavei Israel (meaning
“those who return to Israel”), an organi-
zation dedicated to locating “lost Jews”
and helping them return to their Jewish
roots and to Zion, many members of this
community have settled in Israel.
Noah Massil, who heads the Central
Organization of Indian Jews in Israel, said
he was not surprised by the study’s results.
“Welfare is not a concept that new Indian
immigrants immediately understand,”
humiliating for Indian Jews.”
The study found that “nearly all”
of the immigrants speak English, and
all have a good command of Hebrew.
Literacy is 100 percent. 
Shavei Israel hopes to bring more
than 7,000 Bnei Menashe home to Is-
rael in 2010. As a part of that process
they are being formally converted to
Judaism.
“The Bnei Menashe are a close-knit
community, and the ones in Israel will
undoubtedly serve as the absorbing
foundation for the 7,232 who will soon
make aliyah [immigrate to Israel],” said
Shavei Israel founder Michael Freund.
“The study shows that this group con-
stitutes a high-quality aliyah which
strengthens this country.” Y

Putting Teeth in the ‘Levin Law’

Y ou shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus
23:15). Jews traditionally keep the Passover by not eating
bread other than matzah—unleavened bread. This is in accor-
dance with the Bible story of the Exodus from Egypt when the
children of Israel were forced to leave their homes in such haste
that the bread was taken from the oven before it had time to rise.
Bread and other leavened products are referred to as chametz
and its sale is forbidden by law in parts of the State of Israel dur-
ing the weeklong Passover holiday. The “Chametz Law” bars the
sale of leavened products during Passover in “public” places. This
refers to such places as supermarkets and restaurants. Chametz in
this context refers to anything that is not “kosher for Passover.”
Now, the ultra-Orthodox Shas Party wants to change the
law in order to put more teeth in it. They want the removal
of the word “public,” making it impossible for any Jewish
business in Israel to sell leavened products during Passover.
They argue that this new wording is more in line with Jewish
tradition and the biblical laws of Passover.
Over the years, there has been a gradual erosion in obser-
vance of the Chametz Law, especially in ultra-secular Tel Aviv. Y

28  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il

 economy
URBAN SPRAWL: Israel
is running out of space
Urbanization of the Desert
Worries Green Groups
D espite bitter opposition by environmental groups and
nearby cities that are upset over the potential loss of
millions of shekels for their own urban development, the
National Building Council has recommended the establish-
ment of Kassif, a new city near Arad.
It will be built in the Negev Desert in southern Israel spe-
cifically for the ultra-Orthodox community, which has a high
birthrate and is suffering from a shortage of affordable apartments
for young couples. The Ministry of Housing estimates that the
ultra-Orthodox population will require some 100,000 apartments
in the coming years. The town will cover some 1,200 acres (475
hectares) and include 10,000 housing units for 50,000 inhabitants.
The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel objects to
the establishment of the town, saying it will destroy the coun-
tryside and its ecological environment. It argues that housing
needs could be better met through the expansion of existing
Negev cities and towns, including Beersheba (the Capital of the
Negev), Arad, Dimona, Yeruham, Ofakim and Netivot. Y
Israel Survives
Economic Meltdown
Israel is emerging from the global economic crisis and
experts are projecting that in 2010, the Jewish state will be
among the countries with the highest economic growth. Is-
rael’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to rise by 3
percent this year. The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
had high praise for Israel’s handling of the crisis, especially in
lowering unemployment. Israel’s unemployment rate stands
at 7.4 percent, compared to 9.7 percent in the US.
Nevertheless, there is a disturbing gap between rich and
poor in Israel. A report by the Organization for Economic
Cooperation and Development shows that if the OECD ac-
cepts Israel in a vote this May, it will be its poorest member
with the widest social gaps. According to the survey, every
fifth Israeli is twice as poor as the average person in the OECD
member states. Most of the poor in Israel come from Arab
and ultra-Orthodox communities, in which the poverty level
reaches as high as 50 and 60 percent, respectively.
More than half of the Israeli work force makes less than 4,000
shekels a month ($1,066). A big challenge facing most families here
is making ends meet when prices are high and wages are low. Y
Stand in the Gap
Intercession for Israel
I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all
the peoples; all who lift it will be severely
injured. And all the nations of the earth will be
gathered against it. Zech. 12:3
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
We ask you to protect the “Son of Hamas,” Mosab Has-
san Yousef. Bless him for throwing his lot in with Israel
in the name of Jesus. We thank you for his courage and
ask that his message will reach far and wide. (Page 3)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Bless the work of the Mossad in tracking down ter-
rorists and making them know that they are not safe
wherever they are. Give the Mossad wisdom and
cunning for every operation. (Pages 4-5)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Humble the Obama administration for taking an arro-
gant stand against Jerusalem and the promises of God
to Israel. Raise up voices in Congress, the Church and
the Jewish community to stand against this. Give Prime
Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government wis-
dom about how to protect Israel’s interests while also
improving relations with Washington. (Pages 6, 18)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Strengthen Israel’s grip on Jerusalem and make Your
city a praise in the earth! (Isaiah 62:7). Let Jerusalem
be built! (Page 6, 11, 12, 18)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Protect the holy places in Jerusalem and throughout
the Land. Let them remain firmly under Israeli control.
Give the security forces wisdom and strength to thwart
every attempt at violence and terror. (Pages 6, 7, 12, 18)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Expose the false claims of the Palestinian refugees
and demands for the “right of return.” (Pages 9, 10)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Strengthen the Christian Zionists who stand with
Israel. Reveal Your plan for Israel to Palestinian
Christians who cannot see it. Thwart the attempts
of Palestinian believers who spread the word that
Christian Zionism is a false doctrine. (Page 20)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Bless the work of Be’ad Chaim and remove the
scourge of abortion from Israel. (Page 21)
‫  *אבינו  שבשמיים‬Avinu She’BaShamayim –
Reveal the Messiah to Jews and Palestinians alike.
(Pages 3, 12, 21)
* Our Father in Heaven
 In B r i e f

tid bits man Turks appointed him "Architect

 LIEBERMAN LOOK-ALIKES: A survey taken
during the Purim season found that when it comes
to dressing up as a politician, four out of 10 Israeli
youth would choose Foreign Minister Avigdor Li-
eberman. Second place went to President Barack
Obama.
 TERROR SURVIVOR: Seven years ago, when
Oren Almog was 11 years old, he lost five members
of his family in a suicide bombing in Haifa’s Maxim
restaurant. He was critically injured, but now he is
ready to serve in the army even though he is partial-
ly handicapped. “I received so much from the State
of Israel,” he says. “I want to give some of it back.”
 HAPPY FAMILIES: Israel’s Central Bureau of
Statistics reports that of the 1.73 million families
in Israel, 97 percent are headed by a man and wife.
In other words, most of the 7.5 million Israelis are
members of families headed by a couple. The aver-
age size of an Israeli family is 3.7 persons. At least
one of them owns a cell phone and six out of ten
families have a computer.
 HONEST JOHN: While sorting cucumbers at a
supermarket in Tel Aviv, Alex Istrachov found a wallet
filled with 250,000 shekels ($67,000)! And he prompt-
ly turned it in to the lost and found. “I didn’t think for
one second about keeping the money,” he said.
 HI-TECH SENIORS: A survey of Israel’s senior
citizens (60 years and above) found that 55 per-
cent use a computer, 76 percent exchange emails
and 15 percent use Facebook. Some 44 percent
of women and 29 percent of men report playing
computer games. Nevertheless, television, mainly
news programs, remains the most popular free-
time activity for 95 percent of the elderly.
MEA SHE'ARIM is a trip back in time
Missionary Built
Ultra-Orthodox
Quarter
W hen architect Conrad
Schick died in 1901,
the city of Jerusalem mourned
his passing. Born in 1822 in
Germany, he came to live in
pre-Mandate Palestine at the
age of 24. He was a missionary
who taught carpentry and oth-
er useful trades to young Jews.
Schick constructed a notable se-
ries of replicas of the biblical Temple, and
his model of the Tabernacle was visited
in Jerusalem by heads of state and ex-
hibited at the 1873 Vienna World’s Fair.
Schick also built a model of the Temple
Mount and Dome of the Rock for the
Ottoman sultan. His final model, in four
sections representing the Temple Mount
in different eras, was exhibited at the St.
Louis World’s Fair in 1904 and can be
seen today at Christ Church, near Jaffa
Gate in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Schick was also a top architect,
though largely self-taught. The Otto-
of Jerusalem." His projects included the
ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea
She'arim which was built in the 1870s
and still stands today; the lepers’ hos-
pital in the Mamilla area in the 1860s;
the Talitha Kumi Orphanage in 1868;
the Anglican St. Paul’s Chapel; and the
Deaconess Hospital on Prophets Street,
known today as Bikur Holim.
Some consider his greatest master-
piece to be Tabor House, his own resi-
dence which still stands today. The name
is derived from Psalm 89:12: “Tabor and
Hermon shout for joy at Your name.” The
facade of the building includes an Alpha
and Omega chiseled into the stone (Rev.
1:8). Today the building contains the
Swedish Theological Institute.
Schick is buried together
with his wife in the Protestant
Cemetery on the southwest-
ern flank of Mt. Zion, next
to Oskar Schindler of the
movie Schindler’s List fame.
At the age of 74, when Schick
was honored for his 50th year
in Jerusalem, he said: “It is only
the Lord who has accomplished
this work and enabled me to do any-
thing. His name be praised!” Y
MASTER ARCHITECT: Schick’s Tabor House in Jerusalem

Haitian Boy with a Heart

SALUTE TO ISRAEL: Israeli doctors
saved Woodley's life
T he fate of a 6-year-old boy from earthquake-stricken Haiti won the hearts of Israelis.
The Israeli rescue team brought Woodley Elysee back with them from Haiti because he
needed life-saving heart surgery. His laughter and upbeat personality amazed everyone, even
after his complicated operation at Wolfson Medical Center in Holon near Tel Aviv.
The operation was possible thanks to the Israeli medical organization Save a Child’s Heart.
Woodley was born with a genetic heart defect but doctors expect a full recovery.
“I am so grateful to the state of Israel for its help,” said Woodley’s Aunt Judith, who came here with
the boy. “But I am anxious to go back to Haiti and bring him home to his parents in good health.” Y

30  |  April 2010  |  www.israeltoday.co.il

 In B r i e f

Israel Falls
in Terror Ranking

T his is one time that a fall in the rank-

ings is a good thing. The UK advi-
sory group Maplecroft ranks countries
most at risk from terrorist attacks, and
from 2000-2004, during the height of the
Palestinian terror war, Israel was high on
the list. But thanks to a lull in violence it
has dropped to 17th in the latest Terrorism
Risk Index survey. Iraq ranks no. 1 for the
second straight year, Afghanistan is no. 2, ECCENTRIC BIRD: Peterchen will be missed KIBBUTZ KID with the stork’s ID
Pakistan 3, Somalia 4, Lebanon 5, India
6, Algeria 7, Colombia 8 and Thailand 9.
The report tracks the risks of an attack,
Famous Stork’s Final Journey
the intensity of violence as measured by
casualties per incident, a country’s history
of extremist violence and threats made
I n Petershagen, Germany, there lived a very famous stork named Peterchen. In
2005, when he was 25 years old, he had his last brood. Residents of the town took
this special bird into their hearts. Every season was a sensation, and a movie was
against it by terrorist groups. The first nine even made about him. But in 2006, the stork went missing.
countries on the list are considered “very Residents of Petershagen feared that the annual migration to Africa was too long for
dangerous.” In most of these countries the the elderly bird and he couldn’t make it back home. But his fate was unknown—until
threat is from Islamic militants. now. Israeli ornithologist Kobi Merom told israel today that Peterchen’s bones
Other rankings of note: Turkey 14, were discovered at Kibbutz Nir David in northern Israel. The remains were found
Russia 15, Iran 19, Britain 41, China 43, by fish ponds along with “Helgoland 6443,” the identity band the stork had received
the US 46, France 56, Germany 81 and when he was a small nestling. The kibbutz is located in the Beit She’an Valley, a route
Canada 116. Australia is ranked 125th, or for millions of birds migrating between Europe and Africa.
last place, and is considered the “safest Peterchen’s identity band is on exhibit at the Westphalian stork museum in
country in the world.” Y Germany along with the story of his final resting place in the Holy Land. Y

It’s the Israeli Keffiyeh! Roller Cops

F or years it has served as a
symbol of Palestinian re-
sistance, but now many young
T he Israeli Police have developed a
special civilian volunteer force which
patrols the streets of Tel Aviv on roller-
Americans can be seen wearing blades. The first group of 30 Roller Cops
keffiyehs. This is not your typical completed a one-year training course.
Arab headdress, but rather a new “They have far greater agility and speed
version with Israel’s national col- than police on foot or bicycle and they
ors, blue and white. Some sport can reach places that other police can’t,”
the Star of David while others NEW FORMAT for the Star of David said policeman Shimi Zinir, one of
brightly display Am Yisrael Chai! the initiators of the project. “Also, on
(The People of Israel Live). Even though the new “Israeli keffiyeh” is selling well, many skates they’re taller than your aver-
think it is inappropriate for people with a pro-Israel attitude. age patrol officer, so they’re impres-
“In the beginning we encountered many critics,” says Erez Safar, head of the sive and they have a deterrent effect.”
US-based Jewish advertising agency Shemspeed which markets the product. “For
thousands of years, Jews in Arab countries have worn many different head covers,
FLEET OF FOOT: Criminals watch out!
among them the keffiyeh…As a Jew I am not insulted when the pope wears a kippah
[skull cap]. So why should it be an insult if a Jew wears a variant of the keffiyeh?”
Safar is a member of the Jewish-Muslim hip-hop “Sulha Band” that promotes rec-
onciliation. Sulha is the Arabic world for “reconciliation,” and it is commonly used by
both Jews and Arabs in Israel.
“It is sad that we must have a political discussion over a piece of clothing,” Safar said.
“It separates people. Our goal is dialogue.” Y C o m pi l e d b y Michael S chneider
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