tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47300037446319316222024-03-13T12:20:58.778-07:00Jerusalem Greater IsraelYJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.comBlogger60125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-23453491603728316132017-12-12T23:07:00.002-08:002017-12-12T23:07:56.024-08:00al-Haram al-Sharif — Temple Mount Guide 1927<br />
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<a href="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/2010/08/02/the-palestinians-alone/" rel="bookmark" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">al-Haram al-Sharif — Temple Mount Guide</span></a></h2>
<small style="color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.5em;">August 2, 2010</small><div class="entry" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; line-height: 1.4em;">
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<strong>al-Haram al-Sharif</strong><br /><strong>Temple Mount Guide</strong><br />
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<strong><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/guide.pdf" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Click here</a></strong> to review a pdf of all 16 pages of a 1927 edition of<em> al-Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount Guide). — </em>Pages 4 & 16 have the content most significant within the context of this blog. (pdf provided by <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">BiblePlaces.com</span>).<br />
<strong>ORDER</strong>: For quantities of the 1924 reproduction first edition of Temple Mount Guide. Please include your name, city/country (to determine S&H cost) and telephone number when making inquiries. Which email address is the best for you to contact?<br /><strong>Israel (only): </strong><a href="mailto:IsraelTempleGuide@gmail.com;%20templemountguide@gmail.com?subject=Please%20tell%20me%20more%20about%20Temple%20Mount%20Guides%20for%20Israel" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">IsraelTempleGuide@gmail.com</a><br /><strong>Rest of the World: </strong><a href="mailto:TempleMountGuide@gmail.com" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">TempleMountGuide@gmail.com</a><br />
<strong>MEDIA</strong>: For media inquiries contact The Simon Wiesenthal Center (LA):<br />TEL: 310.553.9036 EMAIL: <a href="mailto:information@wiesenthal.net;%20templemountguide@gmail.com?subject=More%20information%20about%20the%20al-Haram%20al-Sharif%20Temple%20Mount%20Guide" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;"></a><a href="mailto:information@wiesenthal.net;%20templemountguide@gmail.com?subject=More%20information%20about%20the%20al-Haram%20al-Sharif%20Temple%20Mount%20Guide" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">information@wiesenthal.</a>net<br />
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<div class="post-14 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-5584 tag-al-husayni tag-al-hussayni tag-amin-al-husseini tag-arab tag-bosnian tag-british-mandate tag-dome-of-rock tag-hitler tag-israel tag-jerusalem tag-palestinian-authority tag-waffen-ss tag-yassar-arafat" id="post-14" style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 40px; text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/historical-context/" rel="bookmark" style="color: #333333; text-decoration-line: none;">Historical Connection between Amin al-Husseini and the 1924 edition of Temple Mount Guide</a></h2>
<small style="color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.5em;">March 26, 2010</small><div class="entry" style="line-height: 1.4em;">
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<span style="color: blue;"><strong>Haj Amin al-Husseini </strong>&<strong> 1924 Temple Mount Guide</strong></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><img align="bottom" alt="" border="0" hspace="0" src="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/Documents%20and%20Settings/Joel/My%20Documents/My%20New%20Pictures/Husseini-facesmall.wmf" style="max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></span><br /><img alt="" src="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/DOCUME~1/Joel/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" style="max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /><img alt="" src="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/DOCUME~1/Joel/LOCALS~1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" style="max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" /></div>
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<li style="margin: 7px 0px 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><em><span style="font-size: small;">President of the Supreme Muslim Council (1922-1937)</span></em></span></li>
<li style="margin: 7px 0px 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em>Grand Mufti of Jerusalem (1921-1948)</em></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Amin al-Husseini </strong>(1895 – 1974) was the president of the Supreme Muslim Council (1922–1937) when the al-<em>Haram al-Sharif Temple Mount Guide</em> was first published in 1924.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The same material was printed in every Temple Mount Guide from 1922 (first edition) until 1953. In 1954 everything was revised, with information about Herod’s Temple replacing information about Solomon’s Temple.</span></span></span></div>
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<li style="margin: 7px 0px 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><cite>The Temple Mount Guide (</cite><cite>A Brief Guide to al-Haram al-Sharif</cite><cite>) was published by the Supreme Muslim Council (SMC).</cite></span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 7px 0px 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><cite>Amin al-Husseini was the president of the SMC at the time.</cite></span></span></span></li>
<li style="margin: 7px 0px 8px 10px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><cite>If you were a visitor to Jerusalem during that era, you may have purchased this informational Guide as a souvenir of your trip. The upper left-hand corner of the back cover of the Guide would have been marked with the official Supreme Muslim Council stamp and then torn off for the SMC’s internal accounting purposes.</cite></span></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><cite>Let’s learn more about al-Husseini (Hussayni, Husayni).</cite></span></span></span></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" class="alignleft" height="226" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.freemaninstitute.com/AlHusayni.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left; margin: 0px 7px 2px 0px; max-width: 100%; padding: 4px;" width="188" /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Amin al-Husseini</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td width="89%"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>BACKGROUND:</strong></span><strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">:</span></strong></td><td width="11%"></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The British (against the local Muslim vote) appointed Amin al-Husseini as Grand Mufti of Jerusalem in 1921. In 1922 Amin al Husseini implemented restoration of Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. He had the Dome gold-plated for the first time. Thereafter, Jerusalem takes on more importance as Holy Muslim site in the eyes of the Arab World.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In 1933, within weeks of Hitler’s rise to power in Germany, al-Husseini contacted the German counsul-general in the British Mandate of Palestine offering his services.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Al-Husseini’s offer was rejected at first out of concern for disrupting Anglo-German relations by allying with an anti-British leader.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">By 1938, Anglo-German relations were no longer a concern. al-Husseini’s offer was accepted. al-Husseini links to the Nazi regime were very close. From Berlin, al-Husseini played a significant role in inter-Arab politics.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In 1941 Amin al-Husseini met with Adolf Hitler in Berlin and was active in the decision to exterminate all Jews through the infamous Final Solution. Amin Al Husseini created the Hanzar Division of Nazi Muslim Soldiers in Bosnia, which he called ‘the cream of Islam’ — becoming the largest division of the Third Reich Army (26,000 men).</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">In 1946 Egyptian-born <strong>Yasser Arafat</strong> (real name before he changed it: Mohammed Abder Rauf Arafat al-Kudwa al-Husseini) met Amin al-Husseini (allegedly Arafat’s great-uncle) at age 17 and started to work for him. Amin al-Husseini placed Yasser Arafat in charge of arms procurement and shipment for the Mufti’s Irregular Forces: “The Holy Strugglers.” In 1974 Amin al-Husseini died in Syria, leaving a legacy of terror, which continues to this day.</span></span><br />
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____________________________________________<br /><strong>More Historical Background</strong></div>
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<tr><td width="46%"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Amin Al-Husseini, the Islamic Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, in Yugoslavia visiting German army Bosnian Waffen-SS volunteers in January 1944. The Hanzar </span></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong></strong><em></em><span class="messagetxt"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<em>also spelled Hansar, Handjar, or Hanjar, meaning “saber”</em>)<strong><em> </em></strong></span></span><strong><em></em></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Division was trained and armed as a mountain formation — the largest SS Division raised by the Nazis. The photo and article appeared in Minsker Zeitung (Minsk Newspaper), a weekly German paper in Occupied “White Russia,” published on January 26, 1944. Amin Al-Husseini (pictured to right) was one of the more revered allies of Hitler and the Third Reich.</span></span></span></td><td width="54%"><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber59" style="border-collapse: collapse; height: 388px; width: 197px;"><tbody>
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<tr><td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">13th Waffen-SS Handzar Division flag emblem</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/freemaninstitute.com/Al-Haram-Al-Husseini-GermanNews-350.jpg" style="max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="350" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Recently we acquired a 1947 German first edition copy of Simon Wiesenthal’s book, “<strong><em><span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">GrossMufti — GrossAgent der Achse</span></em></strong>.” <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial;">(<em>Head Mufti: Agent of the Axis</em>).</span></span></span><br />
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<img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="500" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.buchfreund.de/covers/12376/14476.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="353" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Wiesenthal was a Holocaust survivor who dedicated the rest of his life to capturing escaped Nazis war criminals. What’s amazing is that Simon Wiesenthal published this book less than two years after he was nigh unto death, weighing just over 100 pounds in a Nazis prison camp — released on May 5th, 1945. To add insult to injury, after Wiesenthal’s release he was almost beaten to death by a malicious Polish clerk in Mauthausen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">This 66-page book needs to be translated into English and re-published, with an updated forward that connects his historical activity with current events. Perhaps this could be an important follow-up to the Temple Mount Guide, connecting the Guide with the President of the Supreme Muslim Council. Anyone willing to translate about 50+ pages to help spread the truth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Review the full German edition (with 22 pictures) online: <a href="http://aval31.free.fr/grossmufti/web/index.htm" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;">http://aval31.free.fr/grossmufti/web/index.htm</a></span></div>
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<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center" bgcolor="#999999" colspan="3" valign="center"><span style="font-family: Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, san-serif;"><strong><br />World War II</strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: #999999;"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Bosnian-Muslims-reading-pro_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Muslim Soldiers reading German Propaganda" border="0" height="121" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Bosnian-Muslims-reading-pro_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></span></div>
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Muslim Soldiers reading German Propaganda.<br />The name of the book is <span style="text-decoration-line: underline;">Islam Und Judentum<br />(Islam and Judaism </span><em>in German</em>)</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/4-Husseini-nazi_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/4-Husseini-nazi_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini with one of his Nazi Muslim Troops – 1943 Hanzar SS Division.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/5-himmler_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="200" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/5-himmler_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="193" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini meets Heinrich Himmler, Head of Nazi SS.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Husseini-Hitler.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini spends WWII by Hitler's side" border="0" height="143" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Husseini-Hilter-Berlin.jpg" style="border: none;" width="190" /></a><br />
Berlin-1942</div>
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Amin Al Husseini spends WWII by Hitler’s side.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/troops_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini inspecting Nazi Muslim troops" border="0" height="126" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/troops_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini inspecting Nazi Muslim troops – 1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/troop%20inspection_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Nazi officer inspecting Muslim Bosnian SS troops" border="0" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/troop%20inspection_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Nazi officer inspecting Muslim Bosnian SS troops.</div>
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<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center" valign="center" width="226"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Husseini-Rashid_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Rashid" border="0" height="188" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Husseini-Rashid_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a><br />
Rashid</td><td align="center" valign="center" width="238"><div>
<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/7-Husseini-soldier_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini inspects his Muslim Nazi Hanzar troops" border="0" height="150" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/7-Husseini-soldier_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini inspects his Muslim Nazi Hanzar troops 1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/5-poster_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="200" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/5-poster_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="141" /></a></div>
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Nazi propaganda poster featuring Amin Al Husseini recruiting young Muslims.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Bosn%20soldiers_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Muslim soldiers" border="0" height="186" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Bosn%20soldiers_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Muslim soldiers with hat showing Nazi insigna- WW II.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/1-flag_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Bosnian Nazi Muslim Flag under Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="140" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/1-flag_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Bosnian Nazi Muslim Flag under Amin Al Husseini – 1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/2-mufti2_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="183" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/2-mufti2_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini in Berlin during World War II.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Copy%20of%20meets%20Croat%20Nazi%20A_Artukovic%20and%20M_Budak_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Hussseini meets Croat Nazi A.Artukovic and M,Budak, planning Serbian genocide." border="0" height="91" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Copy%20of%20meets%20Croat%20Nazi%20A_Artukovic%20and%20M_Budak_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Hussseini meets Croat Nazi A.Artukovic and M,Budak, planning Serbian genocide.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/mufti_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini inspecting his Nazi Muslim troops" border="0" height="157" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/mufti_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini inspecting his Nazi Muslim troops- 1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/Bosnian-volunteer-hanging-p_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="200" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/Bosnian-volunteer-hanging-p_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="133" /></a></div>
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Bosnian Soldier posting picture of Amin Al Husseini – 1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/nazi-meeting_gif_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="200" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/nazi-meeting_gif_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="140" /></a></div>
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Amin Al Husseini at Nazi meeting in Berlin<br />during WW II.</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/prayer_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="150" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/prayer_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Muslim Nazi troops in traditional Muslim prayer -1943</div>
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<a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/3-Moslems-praying_jpg_jpg_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" height="150" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/3-Moslems-praying_jpg_jpg_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" width="200" /></a></div>
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Muslim Nazi troops in traditional Muslim prayer -1943</div>
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<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/han5_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/han5_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/muftiinstitut_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/muftiinstitut_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/muftiss_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/muftiss_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/muftiss1_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/muftiss1_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/NEW09_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/NEW09_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new10_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new10_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td></tr>
<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new11_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new11_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new12_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new12_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new13_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new13_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new14_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new14_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new3_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new3_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new4_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new4_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new5_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new5_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new6_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new6_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new7_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new7_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al Husseini<br />Head of SS Muslim Hanzar Division</td></tr>
<tr valign="bottom"><td align="center"><a href="http://www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/pages/new8_jpg.htm" rel="nofollow" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="Amin Al Husseini" border="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/www.tellthechildrenthetruth.com/gallery/thumbnails/new8_jpg.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a><br />Amin Al-Husseini Reviewing troops</td></tr>
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____________________________________________<br />Important Historical Background<br />
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<tr><td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br />Brief video clip about Amin al-Husseini — 1:23</span></td><td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><br />Another brief video clip about Amin Al-Husseini — 3:28</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td width="46%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://i0.wp.com/freemaninstitute.com/Al-Haram-Al-Husseini-GermanNews-350.jpg" width="350" /></span></td><td width="54%"><div>
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<tr><td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><img align="left" alt="" border="0" height="223" src="https://i2.wp.com/freemaninstitute.com/Al-Haram-Al-Husseini-newspaperphoto.jpg" width="141" /></span></td><td width="50%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><img alt="" border="0" height="104" src="https://i0.wp.com/freemaninstitute.com/Temple-BosnianNaziflag.jpg" width="89" />13th Waffen-SS Handzar<br />Division flag emblem</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Amin Al-Husseini, </strong></span><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">the Islamic Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, in Yugoslavia visiting German army Bosnian Waffen-SS volunteers in January 1944. </span><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;">The</span></em><span id="topicmain"><span class="messagetxt"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Handzar </span></span></span></strong><span id="topicmain"><span class="messagetxt"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(<em>also spelled Hansar, Handjar, or Hanjar, meaning “saber”</em>)<strong> </strong></span></span></span><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Division was trained and armed as a mountain formation — the l</strong></span></em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><strong>argest</strong><strong> SS Division raised by the Nazis.</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The photo and article appeared in, <em>Minsker Zeitung</em> (Minsk Newspaper), a weekly German paper in Occupied “White Russia,”</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">published on January 26, 1944. Amin Al-Husseini (pictured above) was one of the more revered allies of Hitler and the Third Reich.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">The <em>Minsker Zeitung</em> was published from April 15, 1942 to June 28, 1944 and had a network of correspondents who covered the situation on the fronts of WWII, events in the world and happenings in the Third Reich.</span></td></tr>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-45948339709232691112017-12-12T22:58:00.001-08:002017-12-12T22:58:56.140-08:00The Battle Over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount<br />
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<a href="https://templemountguide.wordpress.com/2010/03/26/palestinian-leaders-deny-jerusalems-past/" rel="bookmark" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="color: blue;">The Battle Over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount</span></a></h2>
<small style="color: #777777; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.9em; line-height: 1.5em; text-align: justify;">March 26, 2010</small><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Lucida Grande", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"></span><br />
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<tr align="center" valign="middle"><td colspan="2"><strong>An important article published by CAMERA</strong><em>(Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America)</em></td></tr>
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<em><br />Article was originally published by Palestinian Media Watch<br /><a href="http://www.palwatch.org/" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">www.PalWatch.org</a></em></div>
<span class="articleauthor">– by Ricki Hollander</span> (CAMERA)<br />
One of the main obstacles in previous peace-making efforts has been the issue of dividing Jerusalem and control over the Temple Mount. Muslim denial of Judaism’s historical and religious ties to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, the Waqf’s illegal construction there, and the violent response to Jewish activities there present an obstacle to peace-making efforts.<br />
Both Israel and the Palestinians lay claim to Jerusalem and its holy sites. Israel maintains security and legal control over the Temple Mount while the Muslim Waqf has religious, economic, administrative, and some security control there. Past negotiations have faltered on Palestinian denial of any Jewish religious or historical connection and rights to the Temple Mount. During the July 2000 negotiations at Camp David, Yasir Arafat refused to acknowledge Jewish ties to the Temple Mount, claiming the Jewish Temple never existed there. When talks resumed in Taba later that year, the Israelis agreed to full Palestinian sovereignty on the Temple Mount, but requested Palestinians acknowledge the sacredness of the Temple Mount to Judaism. They refused. According to then-foreign minister Shlomo Ben-Ami:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
What particularly outraged me on that occasion wasn’t only the fact that they refused, but the way in which they refused: out of a kind of total contempt, an attitude of dismissiveness and arrogance. At that moment I grasped they are really not Sadat. That they were not willing to move toward our position even at the emotional and symbolic level. At the deepest level, they are not ready to recognize that we have any kind of title here. [Interview with Ari Shavit, <em>Haaretz, </em>Nov. 25, 2001]</blockquote>
It is therefore useful to look back at the history of the conflict. Throughout history, Jerusalem’s stature as a Muslim holy city typically diminished during periods when it was securely under Muslim control. As Dr. Daniel Pipes has chronicled in an overview of the topic, “the stature of the city, and the emotions surrounding it, inevitably rise for Muslims when Jerusalem has political significance. Conversely, when the utility of Jerusalem expires, so does its status and the passions about it.” (See “<a href="http://www.meforum.org/490/the-muslim-claim-to-jerusalem" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Muslim Claim to Jerusalem</a>,” <em>Middle East Quarterly, </em>September 2001)<br />
Since 1967, there has been a growing attempt by Palestinians to marshal the religious fervor of the Arab and Muslim world in order to wrest Jerusalem from Israeli control. As historian Dr. Yitzhak Reiter documented in a 2005 study entitled “<a href="http://www.jiis.org.il/imageBank/File/publications/reiter-eng.pdf" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">From Jerusalem to Mecca and Back: The Islamic Consolidation of Jerusalem</a>,” their campaign involves denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount while advancing Jerusalem and particularly the al-Aqsa compound’s sacredness in contemporary Islam. It also involves reinventing history to create an Arab connection to Jerusalem predating the Jewish one.<br />
Even now, there are mounting accusations that the Muslim Waqf is deliberately destroying ancient Jewish artifacts and structures from the First Temple period under the guise of renovations on the Temple Mount in order to erase any archeological evidence of Jewish existence there.<br />
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BACKGROUND</h3>
<h4>
1) The Centrality of the Temple Mount to Judaism</h4>
Jewish reverence for the Temple Mount (<em>Har HaBayit) </em>long predates the building of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa Mosque in the 7<sup>th</sup> century CE, and even predates the construction of the first Jewish Temple (<em>Beit HaMikdash) </em>by King Solomon almost 2000 years earlier in 954 BCE and which was destroyed in 587 BCE.<br />
The <em>Beit HaMikdash</em> was built, according to Jewish tradition, on the<em> Even Hashtiya</em>, the foundation stone upon which the world was created. This is considered the epicenter of Judaism, where the Divine Presence (<em>Shechina</em>) rests, where the biblical Isaac was brought for sacrifice, where the Holy of Holies and Ark of the Covenant housing the Ten Commandments once stood, and where the Temple was again rebuilt in 515 BCE before being destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. The Temple Mount is also known as Mount Moriah (<em>Har HaMoriah),</em> mentioned frequently in the <em>Torah</em>.<em></em><br />
Jerusalem, Judaism’s holiest city, is mentioned hundreds times in the <em>Tanakh. </em>It was the capital city of ancient Israeli kingdoms and home to Judaism’s holiest Temple. Jews from all over the ancient world would make pilgrimages to the Beit HaMikdash three times a year to participate in worship and festivities, as commanded in the Torah. Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash have remained the focus of Jewish longing, aspiration, and prayers. Daily prayers (said while facing Jerusalem and the Temple Mount) and grace after meals include multiple supplications for the restoration of Jerusalem and the Beit HaMikdash. Jews still maintain the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, the date on which both the First and Second Temples were destroyed, as a day of mourning. The Jewish wedding ceremony concludes with the chanting of the biblical phrase, “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning,” and the breaking of a glass by the groom to commemorate the destruction of the Temples. And Yom Kippur services and the Passover Seder conclude each year with the phrase “Next Year in Jerusalem.”<br />
The Western Wall (<em>Kotel Hama’aravi, </em>known simply as the Wall or <em>Kotel) </em>is the remnant of the outer retaining wall built by Herod to level the ground and expand the area housing the Second Jewish Temple. Its holiness derives from its proximity to the Temple site and specifically its proximity to the Western Wall of the Temple’s Holy of Holies (<em>Kodesh Hakodashim—</em>the inner sanctuary that housed the Ark of the Covenant<em>–Aron HaBrit–</em>and where<em> </em>the High Priest–<em>Kohen Gadol</em>— alone was permitted to enter on Yom Kippur). According to Midrashic sources, the Divine Presence never departed from the Western wall of the Temple’s Holy of Holies.<br />
For the last several hundred years, Jews have prayed at Herod’s Western Wall because it was the closest accessible place to Judaism’s holiest site. According to Jewish tradition, the third and final Temple will be rebuilt with the coming of the Messiah.<br />
There is a controversy among Orthodox rabbis regarding the permissibility of entering the Temple Mount compound. Many prohibit entering the compound because of the risk that someone ritually unpure might tread on the site of the Holy of Holies whose precise location is not known. Others permit entering the Temple Mount, saying they have determined where one can stand without touching holy soil. This area includes Herod’s expansion of the Temple, such as Solomon’s Stables, and the strip behind the Western Wall.<br />
<h4>
2) The Temple Mount as an Islamic Holy Site</h4>
Jerusalem assumed significance as an Islamic holy site during the rule of the Umayyads (661-750 CE). Facing challenge to his power from Ibn al-Zubayr, a rebel who controlled Mecca, the Syrian-based Caliph Abd al-Malik sought to consolidate his leadership by establishing a place of worship for his followers in Jerusalem in place of Mecca. He built the Dome of the Rock (<em>Masjid Qubbat As-Sakhrah) </em>in 688-91 CE on the spot where the Jewish Temples had stood.<br />
Two decades later, in 715 CE, the Umayyads built another mosque on the Temple Mount which they named the <em>Masjid</em> <em>al Aqsa </em>(The Furthest Mosque) to connote the “furthest mosque” alluded to in the Quran (17:1). This was the metaphorical spot from which Mohammed was said to have ascended to heaven in a vision (referred to in Arabic as the <em>Mi’raj) </em>after a night journey from Mecca (the <em>Isra)</em> on a winged steed named <em>Al Buraq</em>.<br />
Although the Quran never mentions Jerusalem or the Temple Mount, the designation of a concrete site to what had been until then just a figurative name provided Muslims with a new religious focus. Several Qur’anic verses were subsequently construed to be obliquely referring to Jerusalem. The Temple Mount was renamed by Muslims <em>al</em> <em>Haram al Sharif</em>, the Noble Sanctuary.<br />
Following the end of Umayyad rule in 750 CE, Muslim interest in Jerusalem faded until the Crusaders took over in the 12<sup>th</sup> century CE. Kurdish leader Saladin (Salah-al-Din ibn Ayyub) reconquered Jerusalem in 1187, re-establishing Muslim rule there and embarking on a building campaign, which continued under his descendents, the Ayyubids. During Ayyubid rule, there were periods when Jerusalem and its holy sites were ceded to the Christian Crusaders, who built churches on the Temple Mount. Perhaps in reaction to Crusader conquests, Jerusalem became established in Muslim consciousness as the third holiest city in Islam, after Mecca and Medina. Even so, worship at this holy site was followed by long periods of Muslim neglect and disinterest.<br />
The Western Wall, where Jews gathered to pray since the Ottoman conquest at the beginning of the 16<sup>th</sup> century, held little interest or significance for Muslims until the period of the British Mandate. Following the British government’s Balfour Declaration in 1917 which supported the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, the Western Wall began to assume national as well as religious significance for Zionists and Jews began gathering there in larger numbers. The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al Husseini, used the Wall as a focal point for his anti-Zionist campaigns. He incited Muslims by proclaiming the Western Wall a holy Muslim site which Jews were trying to seize. The Western Wall, after having been ignored for centuries, was suddenly declared the spot to which Mohammed had tied his winged steed during his Night Journey. The Wall was renamed <em>Al Buraq </em>after the horse. (Before this point, there had been several sites mentioned as the place where Muhammed had tethered his steed, including the eastern wall and the southern wall, but never the western wall.) Muslim riots in 1929 against Jewish worshipers at the Wall were instigated by the claim that Jewish prayer endangered the mosques holy to Islam.<br />
While Jews were barred from entering and praying at their holy sites during Jordanian rule (1948-67), Jerusalem and the Temple Mount were largely ignored as important Muslim holy sites. But when Israel gained control of eastern Jerusalem and the Temple Mount in 1967, the area once again became a focal point for Muslim religious fervor and incitement. Despite the fact that Israeli authorities turned control of the Temple Mount over to the Jordanian Islamic Waqf as a gesture of peace, Muslims have followed the example set by Haj Amin al Husseini and have attempted to use the Temple Mount as a pretext to gain world support against Jewish authority over Jerusalem.<br />
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CONTROL OF THE TEMPLE MOUNT</h3>
During Jordan’s 19-year occupation of eastern Jerusalem (1948- 1967), Jewish holy places were desecrated, vandalized and destroyed. Jews were denied access to their holy sites (including the Western Wall and Temple Mount area) in violation of Article 8 of the 1949 Israeli-Jordanian Armistice Agreement. Christian churches were prohibited from buying property in Jerusalem and Christian religious organizations were restricted from owning property near Holy places. (For more details see: Backgrounder: History of Jerusalem)<br />
Upon Israel’s 1967 capture of eastern Jerusalem containing Judaism’s holiest sites, Israeli Minister of Defense Moshe Dayan immediately ordered soldiers to remove an Israeli flag that had been raised over the Temple Mount. He declared:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
To our Arab neighbors we extend the hand of peace. To members of the other religions, Christians and Muslims, I hereby promise faithfully that their full freedom and all their religious rights will be preserved. We did not come to Jerusalem to conquer the Holy Places of others. (Meron Benvenisti, <em>Jerusalem: The Torn City</em>, Isratypeset, Jerusalem, 1976)</blockquote>
Handing administrative control over the Temple Mount to Jordan’s Islamic Waqf, Dayan banned Jews from holding prayer services there. Israel, however, retained sovereignty and security control of the area.<br />
Israel promised to continue the Hashemite Kingdom’s special status administering Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem. But following the Oslo II Agreements in 1994, Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat attempted to replace the Jordanian Waqf’s authority over the Temple Mount. He appointed Sheikh Ikrima Sabri as Mufti of Jerusalem and Hassan Tahboub as Minister of the Waqf and Religious Affairs, overshadowing the Jordanian-appointed head of the Islamic Waqf, Adnan Husseini.. Although Husseini was not dismissed from his post, his position became less relevant, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan thus effectively lost administrative and religious control of the Waqf to the Arafat’s Palestinian Authority.<br />
In 2004, the Jordanians began to reassert their control over the Jerusalem Waqf. In July 2006, Sheikh Ikrima Sabri who was aligning himself more and more with the radical Israeli-Arab was replaced by Sheikh Mohammad Hussein as Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. In March 2007, Sheikh Azzam Khatib al Tamimi became head of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="denial" style="color: #0066cc;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="denial"></a>REWRITING HISTORY: ERASING THE JEWISH CONNECTION TO HOLY SITES AND CREATING A FICTITIOUS ARAB HISTORY</h3>
In 1924, the Supreme Moslem Council published an English-language tourist guide to the Temple Mount entitled “A Brief Guide to al-Haram al-Sharif,” which stated:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The site is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest times. Its identity with the site of Solomon’s Temple is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings.</blockquote>
But Muslim acknowledgement of a Jewish historic bond to this holy site changed following Israel’s victory in the 1967 war, when Jerusalem came under Israel’s control.<strong> </strong>Palestinian and Muslim leaders began to alter their line.<strong> </strong>While the stories they recount differ from one to another, they are consistent in their attempt to erase the Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem, and indeed all of Israel.<strong></strong><br />
Below are examples of statements by Palestinian political and religious leaders and academics as well as other Arab and Muslim leaders denying the Jewish connection to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount, especially during negotiations over Jerusalem and its holy sites.<br />
<h4>
1) Palestinian Political Leaders</h4>
<strong>Yasir Arafat</strong><br />
<strong> </strong>Ambassador Dennis Ross, who shaped U.S. involvement in the Middle East peace process as Special Middle East Coordinator and who presided over President Clinton’s failed Israeli-Palestinian peace summit at Camp David in 2000, reported that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat raised only one idea at the Camp David talks – namely, to deny the core of the Jewish faith by claiming that the Temple had never existed in Jerusalem, but in Nablus.<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
Arafat feared acknowledging the existence of a Jewish connection. He told Clinton “I am a religious man, and I will not allow it to be written of me [in history] that I have… confirmed the existence of the so-called temple underneath the mountain.” {<em>Al-Hayat Al-Jadida</em>, August 12, 2000, <a href="http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP12100" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Translation: MEMRI </a>)</blockquote>
Later, in an Oct. 5, 2002 interview with London’s <em>Al Hayat, </em>he went even further in his denial of Jewish history, changing the story once more. He alleged not only that the Jewish Temple never existed in Jerusalem, but that it had never existed in any of Palestine:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
For 34 years they [Jews] have dug tunnels, the most dangerous of which is the great tunnel. They found not a single stone proving that the Temple of Solomon was there, because historically the Temple was not in Palestine [at all]. They found only remnants of a shrine of the Roman Herod. (<a href="http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP42802" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Translation: MEMRI</a>)</blockquote>
<strong>Mahmoud Abbas</strong><br />
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, bolstered by the West as a moderate, similarly denies that a Jewish Temple existed on the Temple Mount. He was quoted as saying:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
Anyone who wants to forget the past [the Israelis] cannot come and claim that the [Jewish] temple is situated beneath the Haram. They demand that we forget what happened 50 years ago to the refugees – and I speak as a living, breathing refugee – while at the same time they claim that 2000 years ago they had a temple. I challenge the assertion that this is so [that there has ever been a Jewish Temple}. But even if it is so, we do not accept it, because it is not logical for someone who wants a practical peace. (<em>Kul Al-Arab</em> (Israel), August 25, 2000; <a href="http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sd&ID=SP12200" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Translation</a>: <a href="http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=archives&Area=sr&ID=SR01503" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">MEMRI</a>)</blockquote>
<strong>Nabil Sha’ath</strong><br />
Other Palestinian political leaders have followed suit. For example, Nabil Sha’ath of the Palestinian Legislative Council and senior advisor to President Mahmoud Abbas who previously was chief negotiator in Israeli-Palestinian talks labels the Jewish temple as “fictitious.” He said:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
[The Israelis] are insisting on sovereignty over the Al-Aqsa mosque on the pretext that an Israeli Temple is buried beneath it and that, through their continued sovereignty, they can one day unearth it…Their claim was not substantiated by the excavations they carried out around and under the mosque. [Voice of Palestine Radio Station<em>, </em>July 26, 2000<em>]</em><br />
Israel demands control of the Temple Mount based on its claim that its fictitious temple stood there. (<em>Al-Ayyam</em>, July 27, 2000).</blockquote>
<strong>Walid Awad</strong><br />
Walid Awad, foreign press spokesman for the Fatah Central Media Commission and formerly director of foreign publications for the PLO’s Ministry of Information, stated an interview with IMRA on Dec. 25, 1996:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
There is no tangible evidence of Jewish existence from the so-called ‘Temple Mount Era’. . . . The location of the Temple Mount is in question. . . . It might be in Jericho or somewhere else.</blockquote>
In an online article “Jerusalem, A City Crying Out For Justice” put out by Awad as the director of foreign publications for the PA Ministry of Information (the PA Web site is no longer available), Awad accuses Israel of falsifying history and archeology after 1967 in order to create a Jewish connection to Jerusalem:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
Immediately after Israeli soldiers occupied Arab East Jerusalem back in 1967, the Hebrew University, the Israeli Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Department of Antiquities collectively and individually began a massive excavation campaign in Arab East Jerusalem in a bid to find allocate traces of Jewish existence from the so called ‘Temple Mount Era.’<br />
The fact of the matter is that almost thirty years of excavations did not reveal anything Jewish, no tangible evidence of theirs was unearthed. Much to their chagrin, what surfaced from their underground excavations turned out to be more Muslim palaces, courts and mosques. Other excavations revealed archeological ruins belonging to the Romans, Greeks and Canaanites…<br />
…To give credibility to these claims, and to translate the ingenious falsified historical accounts of the city in order for them to obtain worldwide authenticity, they[Israeli archeologists and authorities] decided to manipulate connect the history of Jerusalem as they want it to be seen by the world, and to present it in a way acceptable to contemporary thinking of everyday people…<br />
…Jerusalem is not a Jewish city, despite the biblical myth implanted in some minds. Nothing tangible has been found to give credibility to these claims.</blockquote>
<h4>
2) Palestinian Religious Leaders</h4>
<strong>Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, previous Mufti of Jerusalem</strong><br />
<strong> </strong>Ikrima Sabri, until recently the Palestinian Authority-appointed mufti of Jerusalem and the highest ranking Islamic clerical authority in the PA, insists Jews have no connection to any part of the Temple Mount, including the Western Wall. In 1997, he proclaimed:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The Al-Buraq Wall [Western Wall] and its plaza are a Muslim religious property, and the Israeli government’s decisions do not affect it…The Al-Buraq Wall is part of the Al Aqsa Mosque. The Jews have no relation to it. (<em>Al Ayam</em>, Nov. 22, 1997)</blockquote>
In 2000, he reiterated this in an Israeli-Arab weekly::<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
No stone of the Al-Buraq [the Western] Wall has any relation to Judaism. [<em>Kul Al-Arab</em>, August 18, 2000]</blockquote>
And a few months later, he gave an interview to a German daily in which he again asserted:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
There is not [even] the smallest indication of the existence of a Jewish Temple on this place in the past. In the whole city, there is not even a single stone indicating Jewish history… The Jews cannot legitimately claim [the Western] wall, neither religiously nor historically. The Committee of the League of Nations recommended in 1930, to allow the Jews to pray there, in order to keep them quiet. But by no means did it acknowledge that the wall belongs to them. [<em>Die Welt</em>, January 17, 2001]</blockquote>
In 2002, Sabri wrote a booklet, entitled Palestine – the Human Factor and the Land which was published in Egypt in August 2002. In it, he used as evidence the anti-Semitic forgery “The Protocols of the Elders of Zion”to support his allegation that the Jews have for centuries been secretly plotting to take over Palestine. He denied any Jewish historic connection and right to the land, labeling the Jewish Temple built by Solomon as “imaginary.”<br />
<strong>Tayseer Tamimi, Chief Religious Justice of the PA</strong><br />
The Palestinian Authority’s chief religious official, Tayseer Tamimi frequently speaks at public events and on Palestinian TV. In a televised interview on June 9, 2009, he demonized Jews, denying Jewish heritage and ties to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
I know of Muslim and Christian holy sites in [Jerusalem]. I don’t know of any Jewish holy sites in it… Israel has been excavating since 1967 in search of remains of their Temple or their fictitious Jewish history.</blockquote>
Reversing history and turning truth on its head, he accused Jews of falsely converting the “Al Buraq” wall into a Jewish site.<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
When the Prophet [Muhammad] entered Jerusalem, after landing with his ‘riding animal’ in the Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, he tied it to the western wall, which is known today [by Muslims] as the al-Buraq Wall, and which the Jews usurped by falsification and deception [saying it is the Western Wall of the Temple].</blockquote>
He made absurd allegations about Jewish scientific attempts to destroy Arab holy sites:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The [Israeli] excavations’ purpose is to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque. In fact, its foundations have been removed. Chemical acids were injected into the rocks to dissolve them. The soil and the pillars [were moved] so the mosque is hanging in midair. There is an Israeli plan to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to build the Temple.</blockquote>
<strong>3) Palestinian Academics</strong><br />
Palestinian academics, using their credentials to lend weight to their claims–often on Palestinian educational TV– have frequently denied the Jewish historical connection to the land, replacing it with a fictitious Arab connection. According to them, the Bible has no historical veracity. Palestinians, they claim, are the direct descendants of Canaanites, while Jews, they say, are descendants of Khazars who have no claim to the land.<br />
Dr. Issam Sissalem, Professor of Middle Eastern History at the Islamic University of Gaza, frequently appears on PA television, denying any Jewish connection to the Temple Mount, Jerusalem and the Land of Israel.<br />
About Solomon’s Temple, he asserts:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
This is the biggest lie in history by those liars. (PA TV, Oct. 8, 2001)</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
There is no historical text that proves the existence [of Solomon’s Temple] or that it has a real history other than the Bible, and the Bible as we have previously mentioned… was written based on ancient legends. (PA TV, Aug. 2, 2004)</blockquote>
And about the Western Wall, he claims:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
That’s the place where Muhammad went to Heaven and is part of Al-Aqsa Mosque. The Zionist enemy falsely claims that this wall is part of the so-called temple. This is a deceitful lie. {PA TV, Oct. 8, 2001)</blockquote>
In fact, Sissalem attempts to erase all Jewish connection to the Land of Israel:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
As I’ve already said, the ancient Hebrews were destroyed. Utterly decimated. Actually, they were foreigners in this land. They were primitive Bedouin from the Arabian Desert. This land is ours. Jerusalem, and every one of her stones, are ours. {PA TV, Oct. 8, 2001)</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
I want to point out that we should not focus much on what is called the [Biblical] Hebrew tribes, who are in fact Bedouin – Arab tribes. There is no connection between them and these Khazar Jews [of Israel today]. (Aug. 2, 2004)</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The Jews lived in isolated areas, in ghettos in Poland and in Russia. They were the remains of the Khazars with no connection to our land or its history … (PA TV, Nov. 21, 2004)</blockquote>
Historian and former Arafat advisor Jarar al Qidwa makes similar assertions:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
Solomon’s Temple, I believe, was built by the Canaanites who were the neighbors of the Israelis, the Israelites… I want to state several words clearly: the Bible became an archival document, not representing what the Israelis and the first Jews were, but what they thought they were, what they imagined. The Temple is the fruit of their imagination. In any case, when our nation or our Canaanite forefathers came to Palestine, they built the Temple… a temple in Jerusalem…</blockquote>
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
…The issue of the temple is a Zionist innovation. No one said that the temple that was built in Jerusalem, neither the Canaanite nor Roman, no one said that it was in the place of the [Islamic] Al Haram.” (PA TV, Aug. 2, 2004)</blockquote>
<h4>
4) Other Arab and Muslim Claims</h4>
The attempt to erase the Jewish connection to Israel is not limited to the Palestinians. The extent to which this denial has caught on in the Arab and Muslim world was revealed in Yitzhak Reiter’s study (in Hebrew) which was based on thousands of Islamic legal rulings, proclamations and writings that he found at the Cairo book fair, Arabic websites and Islamic bookshops. (<em>Ha’aretz</em> columnist Nadav Shragai summarized some of Reiter’s findings in a November 27, 2005 column entitled “<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=650192" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">In the beginning was Al-Aqsa</a>.”)<br />
Below are just a few of many examples since 1967:<br />
On December 30, 1973, King Feisal of Saudi Arabia proclaimed on Radio Riyadh<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The Jews have no connection whatsoever with Jerusalem and have no sacraments there. They claim that the Temple of Solomon is there…The Temple of Solomon does not exist in Jerusalem…Therefore the Jews have no connection or right to have any presence in Jerusalem, or any authority there.</blockquote>
Saudi historian Muhammed Hassan Sharab declares that the Quranic Al Aqsa mosque encompasses the entire Temple Mount compound including the Western Wall and that the Temple of Solomon was never located there.<br />
Egyptian archaeologist Abed al-Rahim Rihan Barakat, Director of Antiquities in the Dahab area of Sinai. Barakat asserts:<br />
<blockquote style="border-left: 5px solid rgb(221, 221, 221); color: #777777; margin: 15px 30px 0px 10px; padding-left: 20px;">
The legend about the Jewish temple is the greatest historic crime of forgery.</blockquote>
University of Cairo lecturer and one-time TV host Abed al-Tuwab Mustafa claims that there is no basis for the Jewish claim of a holy Temple on Mount Moriah.<br />
Lebanese historian Kamal Salibi, Professor Emeritus at the American University of Beirut theorizes that ancient Israelites never inhabited Palestine and that biblical events occurred, not in Palestine but in southwestern Arabia, between Mecca and Yemen. He expounds upon this theory in a1985 book, <em>The Bible Came from Arabia</em>, basing his claims on the fact that many places in Arabia bear biblical names.<strong></strong><br />
In the U.S., Nadia Abu El Haj, a tenured professor of Anthropology at Barnard College, wrote a book alleging that Israeli archeology is compromised by nationalist political motives to substantiate the nation’s “origin myth.” Although she has no archeological expertise herself, she dismisses the vast archeological evidence supporting historical and biblical accounts of the long Jewish presence in Israel as having been manipulated in order to produce evidence for an Israelite connection to the land.<br />
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5) Claims that Al Aqsa Mosque was built by Adam</h4>
In recent years, differing new claims have arisen as to who built the Al Aqsa mosque. Almost all these claims predate Solomon’s construction of the First Jewish Temple in 954 BCE. But the allegation gaining the most currency among Muslims is that this mosque was built by Adam. Abdullah Marouf, a former Media and Public Relations Officer of the al-Aqsa mosque now runs a Web site (<a href="http://www.camera.org/siteadmin/Innova/scripts/%28http://www.ouraqsa.com/english/?action=askaboutaqsa" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">http://www.ouraqsa.com/english/</a>) devoted to the Al Aqsa mosque providing English readers with the rewritten “history” of the structure:<br />
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The first building of al-Aqsa mosque was done by Prophet Adam (PBUH), then it has been renovated and rebuilt many times, one of them was by Prophet Sulayman (Solomon) (PBUH), but his building of al-Aqsa was only a renovation of the mosque, not a first-time building. Therefore, we cannot say that Prophet Sulayman was the one who BUILT al-Aqsa mosque, but we can say that he (PBUH) RENOVATED or REBUILT the mosque.</blockquote>
Western journalists must find it difficult to understand an Arab revisionist history that rejects and denies basic truths accepted in the Judeo-Christian tradition. And so they tend to dismiss or ignore it. But understanding Arab denial of Judaism’s foundation and therefore Israel’s right to exist is essential to understanding the entire Arab-Israeli peace process.<br />
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THE WAQF’S ATTEMPT TO CHANGE THE STATUS QUO</h3>
In 1967, Israel passed the <a href="http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace+Process/Guide+to+the+Peace+Process/Protection+of+Holy+Places+Law.htm" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Protection of Holy Places Law</a>, granting special legal status to the Holy Sites and making it a criminal offense to desecrate or violate, or impede freedom of access to them.<br />
Other laws mandated prior agreement from the Ministry of Religious Affairs or Ministry of Education and Culture in order to carry out excavations in or near a holy site. A 1978 Antiquities Law stipulates that where such a site is used for religious reasons, paving, quarrying, and interment and other actions can only be carried out with the written agreement of the Director of the Department of Antiquities.<br />
The Muslim Waqf, however, consistently refuses to recognize Israeli sovereignty or the laws governing holy sites. Attempting to change the status quo of the Temple Mount, the Waqf has repeatedly flouted these laws with excavations and construction of new mosques. Many believe that under the guise of renovations on the Temple Mount, the Waqf is deliberately destroying archeological evidence of the site’s Jewish history.<br />
In the 1970’s, the Waqf illegally dug a trench for utility lines without archeological supervision. This excavation exposed a 16-foot-long, six-foot-thick wall believed to have been part of the Herodian Temple complex. The wall was dismantled and covered up.<br />
A 1983 article and editorial in <em>Biblical Archeology Review</em> accused the Waqf of concealing evidence of the First (Solomonic) and Second Temples with dirt, plantings and paving. The editorial demanded that qualified archeologists be given access to survey the Temple Mount site and called upon Muslim and Jewish archeologists to cooperate in preserving archeological remains there. The journal published before and after pictures of the archeological damage..<br />
The Israeli authorities repeatedly failed to enforce the antiquity laws or to stop the Waqf’s unauthorized excavations because they felt it would be harmful to Arab-Israeli relations. This prompted a lawsuit against both the Waqf and Israeli authorities by “The Temple Mount Faithful,” an Israeli group seeking to rebuild a third Jewish temple on the site of the First and Second Temples. The Supreme Court ruled that the Waqf had indeed violated Israel’s antiquities laws on 35 occasions, causing irreparable damage or destruction to antiquities, but refused to intervene because of political sensitivities and the understanding that the laws would be enforced appropriately in the future.<br />
But in 1996, the Waqf embarked on the conversion of the area under the southeastern corner of the Temple Mount — Solomon’s Stables and the eastern Hulda Gate — into what was to be the largest mosque in the country with a capacity of 7-10,000. Calling it the Marwani mosque, the Waqf claimed that this was simply a renovation of a pre-existing mosque, although archeologists stated that there was no evidence for this. Operating without any archeological oversight and with no permits, the Waqf surreptitiously brought in heavy machinery and proceeded to construct, prompting the Jerusalem municipality to obtain a court order to halt the unsupervised building. This became highly politicized when Palestinians reacted with violent riots to Israel’s attempt to open a second exit from the Hasmonean tunnels (see below). Not wanting to escalate the situation, Israel’s Labor government allowed the Waqf to complete its work and open the mosque.<br />
Over the next few years, the Waqf continued with its unilateral, unapproved construction and inaugurated a new mosque, called al Aqsa al Qadima. This incorporated the western Hulda gate double passageway — the only complete passageway remaining from the time of the Second Temple.<br />
In 1999, after receiving approval to open an emergency exit in the Marwani mosque, the Waqf used bulldozers to expand the Solomon’s Stable mosque and excavate a massive opening (18,000 square feet by 36 feet) . As <em>Ha’aretz </em>columnist Nadav Shragai wrote, “For the first time since 1967, a fleet of dozens of bulldozers and trucks was put to work on the Temple Mount, and 6,000 tons of earth from the Mount was dug up and removed.” Workers dumped this rubble in the Kidron Valley. Amir Drori, director of the Antiquities Authority at the time, called it “an archeological crime” and Attorney General Elyakim Rubenstein denounced it as “an assault on Jewish history.” (See “<a href="http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=2&x_outlet=33&x_article=121" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Media Mute on the Temple Mount Desecrations</a>“)<br />
Archeologists claimed that important artifacts from the First and Second Temples were found in this rubble, and in 2004, a project to sift the dumped material was initiated. Funded by the City of David Foundation and directed by Professor Gabriel Barkai and Tzachi Zweig, archeologists and volunteers have uncovered thousands of rare and important artifacts from the First and Second Temple periods, as well as from Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Early Arab periods, among them a rare bulla dating from the <a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=776922" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">First Temple period</a>.<br />
The Waqf cut off all access to the Israeli Antiquities Authority from the Temple Mount in 2000. In response to the continued unauthorized construction work by the Waqf on the Temple Mount, a non-political, volunteer committee was formed to take action. Called “The Committee for the Prevention of Destruction of Antiquities on the Temple Mount,” (CPDATM) it included prominent archeologists, judges, lawyers, literary and other public figures from across the Israeli political spectrum.. They called upon the Prime Minister to order the immediate halt to the illegal, unsupervised construction by the Waqf on the Temple Mount – work which, they claimed, was causing “grave harm to archeology.” The Waqf was accused of large-scale construction over an area of thousands of square meters, using heavy machinery, paving over extensive areas, and removing earth rich in archeological findings. The Shin Bet also warned the prime minister of Waqf plans to open additional mosques on the Temple Mount.<br />
Despite the Waqf’s banning of archeologists, journalists and government officials from entering the area, aerial photographs and undercover reports and films provided a picture of what was happening . A <a href="http://www.har-habayt.org/vaade16-12-01.html" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">letter by the CPDATM</a> to then-Prime Minister Ariel Sharon includes details of the damage and destruction by the Waqf. Despite numerous legal petitions by CPDATM and other groups to halt the Waqf’s illegal construction, but the Supreme Court continued in its refusal to intervene.<br />
Again in the summer of 2007, the Waqf began to dig a deep trench to replace old electric cables. Although Israeli police and the antiquities Antiquities Authority approved the excavation, heavy tractors were used. The CPDATM protested the use of heavy equipment and the lack of careful archaeological supervision but the work went on, apparently damaging what was later found to be structures dating to the First and Second Temples.<br />
<em>Ha’aretz</em> columnist Nadav Shragai has written about the lack of supervision over the Waqf’s illegal building. He points out that both the Israel Antiquities Authority and the municipal licensing and inspection department have been denied access to the Temple Mount and information about what happens there. Moreover, there appears to be a “deliberate interference” by police and whoever is in charge to prevent information from reaching the antiquities authority. ( See “<a href="http://www.jcpa.org/JCPA/Templates/ShowPage.asp?DBID=1&LNGID=1&TMID=111&FID=378&PID=0&IID=2035" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Latest Damage to Antiquities on the Temple Mount</a>” by Nadav Shragai.)<br />
By contrast, an attempt in 1981 by the rabbi of the Western Wall, Yehuda Meir Getz, to secretly reopen an ancient sealed gate and manually excavate an existent tunnel carved into the rock under the Temple Mount (believed to lead to the Holy of Holies and possibly the original lost Ark of the Covenant) was halted by the Israeli government, which ordered the opening sealed with reinforced concrete. (See “<a href="http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=286935&contrassID=2&subContrassID=15&sbSubContrassID=0&listSrc=Y" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Raiders of the Lost Ark</a>” by Nadav Shragai)<br />
The reluctance to enforce Israel’s laws protecting antiquities and evidence of its Jewish heritage is rooted in the desire to prevent Arab violence and rioting.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="jihad" style="color: #0066cc;"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="jihad"></a>CALLS TO JIHAD IN “DEFENSE” OF MUSLIM HOLY SITES</h3>
Even while they attempt to change the status quo of the Temple Mount, Muslim leaders oppose any Jewish effort to visit, investigate, excavate, repair, or renovate the area. From the 1920’s onward, Arab leaders have repeatedly incited anti-Jewish violence and jihad in the name of “defending” Muslim holy sites, a pretense for jihad in the name of Islam.<br />
In September 1928, a small group of Jews erected a “mechitza” (a divider to separate men and women during prayers) for Yom Kippur prayers at the Western Wall. The British forcibly dismantled the divider, but Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al Husseini used this incident as a pretext to incite Muslims. He accused the Jews of attempting to seize Muslim holy sites, including the al Aqsa Mosque.<br />
A virulent propaganda campaign calling for jihad against the Jews resulted in the frequent beating and stoning of Jews worshiping at the Wall and culminated in widespread, murderous riots across Palestine in August 1929. “Defend the Holy Places” became the battle cry.<br />
During Jordan’s occupation of Jerusalem, Jews were unable to even reach their holy sites. After Israel gained control of the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, large-scale archaeological expeditions near the Western Wall area were begun by Professor Benjamin Mazar, followed by additional excavations by Meir Ben Dov and Dan Bahat. They uncovered layers of history over 2000 years — from the First Temple period to Ottoman times– which were preserved and displayed. Despite the valuable historical finds — several of them Muslim, they were met by resistance and often violent efforts to obstruct Israeli excavations under the guise of Israeli “aggression” toward Muslim holy sites.<br />
An ongoing tunnel project to explore the length of the Western Wall under the supervision of Ben Dov and Bahat exposed the Herodian walls and a complex of subterranean vaulted spaces that extend along it along with dramatic archeological finds — a Herodian promenade alongside the Mount, cisterns, ancient masonry, Muslim construction, and an ancient Hasmonean aqueduct. The aqueduct, which had been discovered in the previous century by British archeologists, was re-excavated in 1987, connecting to the already completed 500-meter tunnel excavation to reveal the length of the Western Wall. Called the “Western Wall Tunnels,” the area was open to the public in 1987. Over the next nine years, several attempts were made by Israel’s Religious Affairs Ministry to open a second exit at the north end of the Hasmonean aqueduct/tunnel at the ground level near (but not within) the Temple Mount so that visitors would not have to retrace their steps through the narrow tunnel. These attempts were met by riots incited by Waqf leaders who called upon Arabs to defend their holy sites, falsely claiming that the Jews were trying to undermine Muslim shrines.<br />
In 1993, Israeli authorities started to construct an exit tunnel and staircase from the Hasmonean tunnel that exited on the Via Dolorosa — a considerable distance (more than 200 meters) from the Al Aqsa Mosque. Approval was given by the Netanyahu government to open this exit on September 24, 1996. Israel had negotiated with the Waqf, accepting limited Muslim worship in Solomon’s Stables in exchange for Waqf acceptance of the new doorway. Nevertheless, Palestinian reaction was swift and violent, with Waqf members joining in.<br />
PA leader Yasir Arafat called upon Palestinians to protest this “big crime against our religious and holy places.” Palestinian Council member Saeb Erekat fabricated on television that “the Israelis… announced that they will open this tunnel in order to build … a new temple now in the place of the Al-Aqsa Mosque.” The Palestinian Authority orchestrated violent protests, reminiscent of those in 1929. For the first time, PA police fired upon Israeli soldiers. Hundreds of people — both Israeli and Palestinian were killed or wounded. (See “<a href="http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=16&x_article=36" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Media’s Tunnel Vision 1</a>” and “<a href="http://www.meforum.org/426/the-medias-tunnel-vision" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Media’s Tunnel Vision 2</a>“)<br />
When Knesset member Ariel Sharon visited the Temple Mount (but none of the mosques there) in September 2000, Arafat used it as a pretext to launch a violent and bloody intifada against Israel that lasted for years and in which thousands were killed or maimed.<br />
In 2004, the Mughrabi ramp — leading from the Western Wall Plaza to the Mughrabi Gate (built over an ancient Temple gate, and the only one from which non-Muslims are permitted to enter the Temple Mount) — partially collapsed during a storm. After extensive deliberations, Israel’s Antiquities Authority decided to build a temporary bridge, remove the ramp in a careful salvage excavation and replace it with a new access route. The temporary bridge was built at the end of 2005, and after an additional year of deliberations, the permit for the new construction was finally issued. The guidelines for the construction of the new bridge required that special care and attention be given not to harm religious sensitivities, the holy places, or other religious interests.<br />
The Antiquities Authority prohibits excavation on the Temple Mount itself and so the work was to be done more than 60 meters away. The Waqf was duly informed of the plans. But when the excavation and construction finally began in February 2007, Muslim leaders incited Palestinian riots with their time-proven battle cry “Defend the Holy Places,” charging that the excavations were being carried out in order to damage the Al Aqsa Mosque. They threatened a new intifada, while Palestinian terrorist groups vowed to respond by carrying out attacks within Israel. In the face of Palestinian violence, some Israeli officials and archeologists called for a halt in the construction. International protests followed and the construction was suspended.<br />
The battle over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount is an ongoing one and the most important issue confronting Arab and Israeli peacemakers. A thorough understanding of the forces at work is thus essential.<br />
<a class="alignleft" href="http://www.camera.org/index.asp?x_context=7&x_issue=4&x_article=1404" style="color: #b85b5a; float: left; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank" title="www.Camera.org">http://www.camera.org</a><br />
<br />
<span class="Object"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: x-small;">Article was originally published by Palestinian Media Watch — <a href="http://www.palwatch.org/" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">www.palwatch.org</a></span></span></td></tr>
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<strong>PALESTINIAN LEADERS DENY JERUSALEM’S PAST</strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">By Bari Weiss</span> [Wall Street Journal]</span></h3>
Jews have no history in the city of Jerusalem: They have never lived there, the Temple never existed, and Israeli archaeologists have admitted as much. Those who deny this are simply liars. Or so says Sheik Tayseer Rajab Tamimi, chief Islamic judge of the Palestinian Authority.<br />
His claims, made last month, would be laughable if they weren’t so common among Palestinians. Sheik Tamimi is only the latest to insist that, in his words, Jerusalem is solely “an Arab and Islamic city and it has always been so.” His comments come on the heels of those by Shamekh Alawneh, a lecturer in modern history at Al Quds University. On an Aug. 11 PA television program, “Jerusalem—History and Culture,” Mr. Alawneh argued that the Jews invented their connection to Jerusalem. “It has no historical roots,” he said, adding that the Jews are engaging in “an attack on history, theft of culture, falsification of facts, erasure of the truth, and Judaization of the place.”<br />
<strong>The Western Wall and the Dome of the Rock</strong><br />
As politicians gear up to propose yet another plan for Israeli-Arab peace, they would do well to focus less on important but secondary issues like settlement growth, and instead notice that top Palestinian intellectual and political leaders deny basic truths about the region’s most important city. It is a widespread custom then to recite the 137th psalm (“If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither, let my tongue cleave to my palate. . .” ).</div>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="AutoNumber33" style="width: 101%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td width="64%">According to Jewish tradition, Jerusalem’s designation as Judaism’s most sacred city made it the obvious place for King Solomon to build the Holy Temple following the death of his father, King David. After the temple’s destruction by the Babylonians, it was rebuilt by King Herod before being destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70.<br />
Earlier this month, archaeologists with the Israeli Antiquities Authority discovered a 3,700-year-old Jerusalem wall—the oldest and biggest ever uncovered in the region—that they believe was built by the Canaanites before the First Temple period. It’s true: there is scant archaeological evidence of the First Temple. But not so for the Second Temple, which is accepted as historical fact by most archaeologists.</td><td width="37%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?jofree_A100_continue-page" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="[weiss]" border="0" height="254" hspace="0" src="https://i2.wp.com/s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/ED-AK219_weiss_DV_20090922135208.jpg" style="border: none;" width="169" /></a><cite><br /><strong>The Western Wall</strong> Associated Press</cite></span></td></tr>
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From the Herodian period, aside from dozens of Jewish ritual baths surrounding the temple that have been uncovered, one retaining wall of the temple, the Western Wall, still stands.<br />
But Sheik Tamimi doesn’t need to take the Jews’ word for any of this, or that of legions of world-class scholars. For proof of the Jewish connection to Jerusalem, he need only look at writings from his own religious tradition.<br />
The Koran, which references many biblical stories and claims figures like Abraham as Islamic prophets, also acknowledges the existence of the Jewish temples.<br />
The historian Karen Armstrong has written that the Koran refers to Solomon’s Temple as a “great place of prayer” and that the first Muslims referred to Jerusalem as the “City of the Temple.” Martin Kramer, a historian who has combed through Koranic references to the temples in Arabic, notes surra 34, verse 13, which discusses Solomon’s building process: “They [<em>jinn</em>/spirits] worked for him as he desired, (making) arches, images, basins large as wells, and (cooking) cauldrons fixed (in their places).”<br />
<strong>Genuine 1924 Temple Mount Guide Tells the truth</strong><br />
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<tr><td width="53%"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?jofree_A100_continue-page" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="380" src="https://i1.wp.com/www.freemaninstitute.com/AlHaramAlSharif-Cover-500pix.jpg" style="border: none;" width="229" /></a><strong><br />First Edition (1924) cover of <em>Al-Haram Al-Sharif</em></strong></span></td><td width="47%">There is still more recent official Muslim acknowledgment of Jerusalem’s Jewish history — a booklet (order a copy <a href="http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?jofree_A100_continue-page" style="color: #0066cc; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a>) put out in 1924 by the Supreme Muslim Council called “<em>A Brief Guide to Al-Haram Al-Sharif</em>.” Al-haram al-sharif, the Arabic name for the Temple Mount, is currently the site of the Dome of the Rock and Al Aqsa mosque. It is, according to Islamic tradition, where Muhammad ascended to heaven. Yet it is also, according to the council’s booklet, a site of uncontested importance for the Jews. “The site is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest (perhaps from pre-historic) times.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br />
Its identity with the site of Solomon’s Temple is beyond dispute.” And the booklet quotes the book of Samuel: “This, too, is the spot, according to the universal belief, on which ‘David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offering and peace offerings.” Later, the booklet says the underground structure known as King Solomon’s Stables probably dates “as far back as the construction of Solomon’s Temple.”<br />
Citing the historian Flavius Josephus, it claims the stables were likely used as a “place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus in the year 70 A.D.”<br />
So why do those like Mr. Tamimi deny what their predecessors acknowledged? To undermine Israel, which earned statehood in 1948 and captured the Old City of Jerusalem during the Six Day War of 1967. Since then, Palestinian leaders have fought to erase any Jewish connection to sacred places, particularly the Temple Mount.<br />
While Israel has never hesitated to acknowledge Jerusalem’s holiness in Islam—albeit saying that it has less importance than Mecca—Palestinian leaders insist that Jews are transplants in the region, nothing more than white European colonialists. This denial has formed the foundation for their argument that Jerusalem should become Palestine’s capital. This is why the previous mufti of the Palestinian Authority, Sheik Ikrama Sabri, dismisses the Western Wall as “just a fence.” Yasser Arafat classified it, bizarrely, as “a Muslim shrine.” As Saeb Erekat, Arafat’s chief negotiator, said to President Clinton at Camp David in 2000: “I don’t believe there was a temple on top of the Haram [holy site], I really don’t.”<br />
These sentiments are echoed in Palestinian primary-school textbooks, preached at mosques, and printed in official newspapers.<br />
Palestinian leadership isn’t bellyaching over borders—it is stating, in full voice, that Israel has no right to its most basic historical and religious legacy.<br />
This is no foundation for “peace talks.”<br />
<cite><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;">— This article appeared in </span></cite><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: xx-small;"><cite><a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203917304574413811883589676.html" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">The Wall Street Journal</a></cite><cite> (September 25, 2009).<br />— Ms. Weiss, the author, is an assistant editorial features editor at </cite><cite>The Wall Street Journal.</cite></span><br />
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________________________________________________<br />~ <strong>SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER</strong> ~<br />________________________________________________</div>
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The Global Islamic population is approximately 1,200,000,000<br />ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED MILLION or 20% of the world’s population.</div>
They have received the following Nobel Prizes:<br />
<strong>Literature</strong>:<br />
1988 – Najib Mahfooz<br />
<strong>Peace:</strong><br />
1978 – Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat..<br />1990- Elias James Corey<br />1994 – Yaser Arafat:<br />1999 – Ahmed Zewai.<br />
<strong>Economics</strong>:<br />
(zero)<br />
<strong>Physics</strong>:<br />
(zero)<br />
<strong>Medicine</strong>:<br />
1960 – Peter Brian Medawar<br />1998 – Ferid Mourad<br />
<strong>TOTAL: 7 — SEVEN</strong><br />>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<br />
The Global Jewish population is approximately 14,000,000<br />Only FOURTEEN MILLION or about 0.02% of the world’s population.<br />
They have received the following Nobel Prizes:<br />
<strong>Literature</strong>:<br />
1910 – Paul Heyse<br />1927 – Henri Bergson<br />1958 – Boris Pasternak<br />1966 – Shmuel Yosef Agnon<br />1966 – Nelly Sachs<br />1976 – Saul Bellow<br />1978 – Isaac Bashevis Singer<br />1981 – Elias Canetti<br />1987 – Joseph Brodsky<br />1991 – Nadine Gordimer World<br />
<strong>Peace</strong>:<br />
1911 – Alfred Fried<br />1911 – Tobias Michael Carel Asser<br />1968 – Rene Cassin<br />1973 – Henry Kissinger<br />1978 – Menachem Begin<br />1986 – Elie Wiesel<br />1994 – Shimon P eres<br />1994 – Yitzhak Rabin<br />
<strong>Physics</strong>:<br />
1905 – Adolph Von Baeyer<br />1906 – Henri Moissan<br />1907 – Albert Abraham Michelson<br />1908 – Gabriel Lippmann<br />1910 – Otto Wallach<br />1915 – Richard Willstaetter<br />1918 – Fritz Haber<br />1921 – Albert Einstein<br />1922 – Niels Bohr<br />1925 – James Franck<br />1925 – Gustav Hertz<br />1943 – Gustav Stern<br />1943 – George Charles de Hevesy<br />1944 – Isidor Issac Rabi<br />1952 – Felix Bloch<br />1954 – Max Born<br />1958 – Igor Tamm<br />1959 – Emilio Segre<br />1960 – Donald A. Glaser<br />1961 – Robert Hofstadter<br />1961 – Melvin Calvin<br />1962 – Lev Davidovich Landau<br />1962 – Max Ferdinand Perutz<br />1965 – Richard Phillips Feynman<br />1965 – Julian Schwinger<br />1969 – Murray Gell-Mann<br />1971 – Dennis Gabor<br />1972 – William Howard Stein<br />1973 – Brian David Josephson<br />1975 – Benjamin Mottleson<br />1976 – Burton Richter<br />1977 – Ilya Prigogine<br />1978 – Arno Allan Penzias<br />1978 – Peter L Kapitza<br />1979 – Stephen Weinberg<br />1979 – Sheldon Glashow<br />1979 – Herbert Charles Brown<br />1980 – Paul Berg<br />1980 – Walter Gilbert<br />1981 – Roald Hoffmann<br />1982 – Aaron Klug<br />1985 – Albert A. Hauptman<br />1985 – Jerome Karle<br />1986 – Dudley R. Herschbach<br />1988 – Robert Huber<br />1988 – Leon Lederman<br />1988 – Melvin Schwartz<br />1988 – Jack Steinberger<br />1989 – Sidney Altman<br />1990 – Jerome Friedman<br />1992 – Rudolph Marcus<br />1995 – Martin Perl<br />2000 – Alan J. Heeger<br />
<strong>Economics</strong>:<br />
1970 – Paul Anthony Samuelson<br />1971 – Simon Kuznets<br />1972 – Kenneth Joseph Arrow<br />1975 – Leonid Kantorovich<br />1976 – Milton Friedman<br />1978 – Herbert A. Simo n<br />1980 – Lawrence Robert Klein<br />1985 – Franco Modigliani<br />1987 – Robert M. Solow<br />1990 – Harry Markowitz<br />1990 – Merton Miller<br />1992 – Gary Becker<br />1993 – Robert Fogel<br />
<strong>Medicine</strong>:<br />
1908 – Elie Metchnikoff<br />1908 – Paul Erlich<br />1914 – Robert Barany<br />1922 – Otto Meyerhof<br />1930 – Karl Landsteiner<br />1931 – Otto Warburg<br />1936 – Otto Loewi<br />1944 – Joseph Erlanger<br />1944 – Herb ert Spencer Gasser<br />1945 – Ernst Boris Chain<br />1946 – Hermann Joseph Muller<br />1950 – Tadeus Reichstein<br />1952 – Selman Abraham Waksman<br />1953 – Hans Krebs<br />1953 – Fritz Albert Lipmann<br />1958 – Joshua Lederberg<br />1959 – Arthur Kornberg<br />1964 – Konrad Bloch<br />1965 – Francois Jacob<br />1965 – Andre Lwoff<br />1967 – George Wald<br />1968 – Marshall W. Nirenberg<br />1969 – Salvador Luria<br />1970 – Julius Axelrod<br />1970 – Sir Bernard Katz<br />1972 – Gerald Maurice Edelman<br />1975 – Howard Martin Temin<br />1976 – Baruch S. Blumberg<br />1977 – Roselyn Sussman Yalow<br />1978 – Daniel Nathans<br />1980 – Baruj Benacerraf<br />1984 – Cesar Milstein<br />1985 – Michael Stuart Brown<br />1985 – Joseph L. Goldstein<br />1986 – Stanley Cohen [& Rita Levi-Montalcini]<br />1988 – Gertrude Elion<br />1989 – Harold Varmus<br />1991 – Erwin Neher<br />1991 – Bert Sakmann<br />1993 – Richard J.. Roberts<br />1993 – Phillip Sharp<br />1994 – Alfred Gilman<br />1995 – Edward B. Lewis<br />
<strong>TOTAL: 129 – ONE HUNDRED TWENTY NINE!</strong><br />
This list of Nobel prizes is not submitted to show who is smarter. Intelligence shows no favoritism, transcending all races, ethnicities, and religions.<br />
The purpose behind the facts regarding Nobel prizes is to exhibit what can happen when the focus of one’s existence is to learn and to give back to others.<br />
It’s easy to blame, tear down, and <em>destroy</em>. It takes hard work, a focus on personal responsibility, determination, and proper motivation to <em>build</em>.<br />
The facts are clear: The Jews are NOT promoting brain washing children in military training camps, teaching them how to blow themselves up and cause maximum deaths of Jews and other non Muslims!<br />
The Jews DO NOT hijack planes, nor kill athletes at the Olympics, or blow themselves up in German restaurants. There is NOT one single Jew that has destroyed a church. There is NOT a single Jew that protests by killing people.<br />
The Jews DO NOT traffic slaves. Jews DO NOT have leaders calling for Jihad and death to all the Infidels.<br />
Perhaps the world’s Muslims should consider investing more in standard education and less in blaming the Jews and Americans for all their problems.<br />
Muslims must ask ‘what can we do for humankind?’ before they demand that humankind respects them!! Is Islam truly a peaceful religion? If so, why don’t all self-respecting Muslims take care of their own — publicly decrying all terrorism, searching and then rooting out all acts of terrorism?<br />
Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more culpability on Israel’s part, the following statement really say it all:<br />
“<em>If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more Israel</em>.” — Benjamin Netanyahu<br />
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Even those who aren’t particularly sympathetic to Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu, could get a good measure of satisfaction from this interview with British Television during the retaliation against Hamas’ shelling of Israel.</div>
The interviewer asked him: “How come so many more Palestinians have been killed in this conflict than Israelis?”<br />
Netanyahu: “Are you sure that you want to start asking in that direction?”<br />
Interviewer: (Falling into the trap) Why not?<br />
Netanyahu: “Because in World War II more Germans were killed than British and Americans combined, but there is no doubt in anyone’s mind that the war was caused by Germany’s aggression. And in response to the German blitz on London, the British wiped out the entire city of Dresden, burning to death more German civilians than the number of people killed in Hiroshima. Moreover, I could remind you that in 1944, when the R.A.F. tried to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Copenhagen , some of the bombs missed their target and fell on a Danish children’s hospital, killing 83 little children. Perhaps you have another question?”<br />
Apparently, Benjamin Netanyahu gave an interview and was asked about Israel’s occupation of Arab lands. His response was, “It’s our land”. The reporter (CNN or the like) was stunned –<br />read below “It’s our land…” It’s important information since we don’t get fair and accurate reporting from the media and facts tend to get lost in the jumble of daily events.<br />
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<strong>CRASH COURSE ON THE ARAB / ISRAELI CONFLICT</strong></div>
Here are overlooked facts in the current & past Middle East situation. These were compiled by a University professor: BRIEF FACTS ON THE ISRAELI CONFLICT TODAY…(It takes just 1.5 minutes to read!) It makes sense and it’s not slanted. Jew and non-Jew — it doesn’t matter.<br />
1. Nationhood and Jerusalem. Israel became a nation in 1312 BCE, Two thousand years before the rise of Islam.<br />
2. Arab refugees in Israel began identifying themselves as part of a Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after the establishment of the modern State of Israel.<br />
3. Since the Jewish conquest in 1272 BCE, the Jews have had dominion over the land for one thousand years with a continuous presence in the land for the past 3,300 years.<br />
4. The only Arab dominion since the conquest in 635 CE lasted no more than 22 years.<br />
5. For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied Jerusalem, they never sought to make it their capital, and Arab leaders did not come to visit.<br />
6. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy scriptures. Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran.<br />
7. King David founded the city of Jerusalem. Mohammed never came to Jerusalem.<br />
8. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs toward Jerusalem.<br />
9. Arab and Jewish Refugees: in 1948 the Arab refugees were encouraged to leave Israel by Arab leaders promising to purge the land of Jews. Sixty-eight percent left without ever seeing an Israeli soldier.<br />
10 The Jewish refugees were forced to flee from Arab lands due to Arab brutality, persecution and pogroms.<br />
11. The number of Arab refugees who left Israel in 1948 is estimated to be around 630,000. The number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands is estimated to be the same.<br />
12. Arab refugees were INTENTIONALLY not absorbed or integrated into the Arab lands to which they fled, despite the vast Arab territory. Out of the 100,000,000 refugees since World War II, theirs is the only refugee group in the world that has never been absorbed or integrated into their own people’s lands. Jewish refugees were completely absorbed into Israel, a country no larger than the state of New Jersey ..<br />
13. The Arab-Israeli Conflict: the Arabs are represented by eight separate nations, not including the Palestinians. There is only one Jewish nation. The Arab nations initiated all five wars and lost. Israel defended itself each time and won.<br />
14. The PLO’s Charter still calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has given the Palestinians most of the West Bank land, autonomy under the Palestinian Authority, and has supplied them.<br />
15. Under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were desecrated and the Jews were denied access to places of worship. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim and Christian sites have been preserved and made accessible to people of all faiths.<br />
16. The UN Record on Israel and the Arabs: of the 175 Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel.<br />
17. Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel.<br />
18. The UN was silent while 58 Jerusalem Synagogues were destroyed by the Jordanians.<br />
19. The UN was silent while the Jordanians systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives.<br />
20. The UN was silent while the Jordanians enforced an apartheid-like a policy of preventing Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.<br />
These are incredible times. We have to ask what our role should be. What will we tell our grandchildren about what we did when there was a turning point in Jewish destiny, an opportunity to make a difference?<br />
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<a href="http://www.ccnow.com/cgi-local/cart.cgi?jofree_A100_continue-page" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" class="aligncenter" height="242" src="https://i0.wp.com/freemaninstitute.com/Al-HaramAl-Sharif-Cover150Best.jpg" style="border: none; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong><a href="http://www.bibleplaces.com/guide.pdf" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Click here</span></a></strong> to review a pdf of all 16 pages of a 1927 edition of<em> al-Haram al-Sharif (Temple Mount Guide). — </em>Pages 4 & 16 have the content most significant within the context of this blog. (pdf provided by <span class="skimlinks-unlinked">BiblePlaces.com</span>).</span></span><br />
<strong>ORDER</strong>: For quantities of the 1924 reproduction first edition of Temple Mount Guide. Please include your name, city/country (to determine S&H cost) and telephone number when making inquiries. Which email address is the best for you to contact?<br /><strong>Israel (only): </strong><a href="mailto:IsraelTempleGuide@gmail.com;%20templemountguide@gmail.com?subject=Please%20tell%20me%20more%20about%20Temple%20Mount%20Guides%20for%20Israel" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">IsraelTempleGuide@gmail.com</a><br /><strong>Rest of the World: </strong><a href="mailto:TempleMountGuide@gmail.com" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">TempleMountGuide@gmail.com</a><br />
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<strong>“Peculiar proliferation of Palestine refugees: Status has been passed from one generation to the next”</strong></div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="94" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.danielpipes.org/pics/new/large/1714.jpg" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 16px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="228" />Of all the issues that drive the Arab-Israeli conflict, none is more central, malign, primal, enduring, emotional, and complex than the status of those persons known as Palestine refugees.</div>
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The origins of this unique case, notes Nitza Nachmias of Tel Aviv University, goes back to Count <a href="http://www.zionism-israel.com/hdoc/Bernadotte_plan_text_September_1948.htm" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">Folke Bernadotte</a>, the United Nations Security Council’s mediator. Referring to those Arabs who fled the British mandate of Palestine, he argued in 1948 that the UN had a “responsibility for their relief” because it was a UN decision, the establishment of Israel, that had made them refugees. However inaccurate his view, it still remains alive and potent and helps explain why the UN devotes unique attention to Palestine refugees pending their own state.</div>
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Folke Bernadotte, Count of Wisborg (1895-1948), whose legacy still guides United Nations policy vis-à-vis Palestinians.</div>
True to Bernadotte’s legacy, the UN set up a range of special <a href="http://www.un.org/wcm/content/site/undpa/main/issues/palestinian_rights" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">institutions exclusively for Palestine refugees</a>. Of these, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, founded in 1949, stands out as the most important. It is both the only refugee organization to deal with a specific people (the United Nations High Commission for Refugees takes care of all non-Palestinian refugees) and the largest UN organization (in terms of staff).<br />
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UNRWA seemingly <a href="http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=86" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">defines</a> its wards with great specificity: “Palestine refugees are people whose normal place of residence was Palestine between June 1946 and May 1948, who lost both their homes and means of livelihood as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.” The ranks of these refugees (who initially included some Jews) have, of course, much diminished over the past 64 years. Accepting UNRWA’s (exaggerated) number of 750,000 original Palestine refugees, only a fraction of that number, about 150,000 persons, remain alive.</div>
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UNRWA’s staff has taken three major steps over the years to expand the definition of Palestine refugees. First, and contrary to universal practice, it continued the refugee status of those who became <a href="http://www.badil.org/en/documents/category/35-publications?download=751%3Ach-3" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">citizens of an Arab state</a> (Jordan in particular). Second, it made a little-noticed <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=dRZZMA-6xMIC&lpg=PA53&ots=Anf21scrEx&dq=Michelmore%20kept%20trying%20to%20enlist%20the%20host-states%27%20assistance&pg=PA53#v=onepage&q=Michelmore%20kept%20trying%20to%20enlist%20the%20host-states%27%20assistance&f=false" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">decision in 1965</a> that extended the definition of “Palestine refugee” to the descendants of those refugees who are male, a shift that permits Palestine refugees uniquely to pass their refugee status on to subsequent generations. The <a href="http://unispal.un.org/UNISPAL.NSF/0/891EBC30C64DF1AA852562CE00682973" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">U.S. government</a>, the agency’s largest donor, only mildly protested this momentous change. The UN General Assembly endorsed dit in 1982, so that now the definition of a Palestine refugee officially includes “descendants of Palestine refugee males, including legally adopted children.” Third, UNRWA in 1967 added refugees from the Six-Day War to its rolls; today they constitute about <a href="http://www.badil.org/en/documents/category/35-publications?download=750%3Ach-2" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">a fifth</a> of the Palestine refugee total.</div>
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These changes had dramatic results. In contrast to all other refugee populations, which diminish in number as people settle down or die, the Palestine refugee population has grown over time. <a href="http://www.unrwa.org/etemplate.php?id=86" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">UNRWA</a> acknowledges this bizarre phenomenon: “When the Agency started working in 1950, it was responding to the needs of about 750,000 Palestine refugees. Today, 5 million Palestine refugees are eligible for UNRWA services.” Further, according to James G. Lindsay, a former UNRWA general counsel, under UNRWA’s definition, that 5 million figure represents only half of those potentially eligible for Palestine refugee status.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" height="221" src="https://i0.wp.com/www.danielpipes.org/pics/new/large/1716.jpg" style="float: right; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 16px; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px;" width="160" />In other words, rather than diminish 5-fold over six decades, UNRWA has the population of refugees increase almost 7-fold. That number could grow faster yet due to the growing sentiment that female refugees should also pass on their refugee status. Even when, in about 40 years, the last actual refugee from mandatory Palestine dies, pseudo-refugees will continue to proliferate. Thus is the “Palestine refugee” status set to swell indefinitely. Put differently, as Steven J. Rosen of the Middle East Forum notes, “given UNRWA’s standards, eventually all humans will be Palestine refugees.”</div>
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Were the Palestine refugee status a healthy one, this infinite expansion would hardly matter. But the status has destructive implications for two parties: Israel, which suffers from the depredations of a category of persons whose lives are truncated and distorted by an impossible dream of return to their great-grandparents’ houses; and the “refugees” themselves, whose status implies a culture of dependency, grievance, rage, and futility.</div>
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A giant key (said to be the world’s largest) sits atop the entrance to the Aida Refugee Camp in Bethlehem, reminding residents to insist on their “right of return.”</div>
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All other refugees from the World War II era (including my own parents) have been long settled; the Palestine refugee status has already endured too long and needs to be narrowed down to actual refugees before it does further damage.</div>
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Mr. Pipes (<a href="http://www.danielpipes.org/" style="color: #b85b5a; text-decoration-line: none;">DanielPipes.org</a>) is president of the Middle East Forum and Taube distinguished visiting fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University. This article is based on a recent MEF seminar in Jerusalem on UNRWA.<em>© 2012 by Daniel Pipes. All rights reserved.</em></div>
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Palestinian Leaders Deny Jerusalem’s Past</div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-84074334737915176552017-07-19T15:32:00.002-07:002017-07-19T15:32:49.382-07:00Supreme Muslim Council: Temple Mount is Jewish - by YJ Draiman<br />
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Supreme Muslim Council: Temple Mount is Jewish - by YJ Draiman</h3>
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<b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;">Supreme Muslim Council: Temple Mount is Jewish</span></b><br /><b style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: blue;"><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 13.2px; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #1d2129;">Click here for the 1925 Temple Mount Guide.</span><br /><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.raptureforums.com%2FIsraelMiddleEast%2Fguide.pdf&h=ATMW74A7x6iSfMcJUuVV_7V7VV5zXbGs62TGoj1uWYAohh02g8mLCxAOmdzHLxLBUNdbkjJIPr1NTHd83pZEUvGtd4d9rGP0RKgag8hWekXy7lbKobssJYy9mOkDFg3IRxS3JRHNjoj7WyQ" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #4267b2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.raptureforums.com/IsraelMiddleEast/guide.pdf</a><br /><a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.templeinstitute.org%2Fwakf-1925-guidebook.htm&h=ATMW74A7x6iSfMcJUuVV_7V7VV5zXbGs62TGoj1uWYAohh02g8mLCxAOmdzHLxLBUNdbkjJIPr1NTHd83pZEUvGtd4d9rGP0RKgag8hWekXy7lbKobssJYy9mOkDFg3IRxS3JRHNjoj7WyQ" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #4267b2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">https://www.templeinstitute.org/wakf-1925-guidebook.htm</a><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">The widely-disseminated Arab Muslim position that the Temple Mount is not Jewish has been debunked - by the Supreme Muslim Council (Waqf) of Jerusalem, in a Temple Mount guide published in 1925.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">Wakf guidebook, 1925, cover</span><br /><span style="color: #1d2129;">The Temple Institute</span></span></span><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br />Guidebook Puts the Lie to Current Arab Campaign In 1997, the chief Muslim cleric of the Palestinian Authority, Mufti Ikrama Sabri, stated, "The claim of the Jews to the right over [Jerusalem] is false, and we recognize nothing but an entirely Islamic Jerusalem under Islamic supervision..."<br /><br />Thus began a campaign to convince the world that the millennia-old natural association between Jerusalem and Jews was untrue. As Islamic Movement chief Raed Salah stated in 2006, "We remind, for the 1,000th time, that the entire Al-Aqsa mosque [on the Temple Mount], including all of its area and alleys above the ground and under it, is exclusive and absolute Muslim property, and no one else has any rights to even one grain of earth in it."<br /><br />However, it is now known that this "absolute" Muslim claim is actually not as absolute as claimed. In fact, back in 1925, the Supreme Muslim Council - also known as the Waqf, which has overseen Temple Mount activities on behalf of the Muslim religion for hundreds of years - boasted proudly that the site was none other than that of Solomon's Temple.<br /><br />The Jerusalem-based Temple Institute (<a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.templeinstitute.org%2F&h=ATMW74A7x6iSfMcJUuVV_7V7VV5zXbGs62TGoj1uWYAohh02g8mLCxAOmdzHLxLBUNdbkjJIPr1NTHd83pZEUvGtd4d9rGP0RKgag8hWekXy7lbKobssJYy9mOkDFg3IRxS3JRHNjoj7WyQ" rel="nofollow noopener" style="color: #4267b2; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">http://www.templeinstitute.org</a>) reports that it has acquired a copy of the official 1925 Supreme Muslim Council Guide Book to Al-Haram Al-Sharif (the Muslim name for the Temple Mount). On page 4, the Waqf states, "Its identity with the site of Solomon's Temple is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which 'David built there an altar unto the L-rd...', citing the source in 2 Samuel XXIV,25.<br /><br />Wakf guidebook, 1925, excerpt close-up<br />The Temple Institute<br /><br />In addition, on page 16, the pamphlet makes reference to the underground area in the south-east corner of the Mount, which is refers to as Solomon's Stables. "Little is known for certain of the history of the chamber itself," the guide reads. "It dates probably as far back as the construction of Solomon's Temple. According to Josephus, it was in existence and was used as a place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus in the year 70 A.D."<br /><br />The Temple Mount in Jerusalem was in fact the site of the two Jewish Holy Temples which stood for nearly 1,000 years (see below).<br /><br />Wakf guidebook, 1925, excerpt<br />The Temple Institute<br /><br />Proof of Muslim Anti-Jewish Revisionism The Temple Institute's Rabbi Chaim Richman writes that the pamphlet provides proof that the Waqf's current position is a departure from traditional Muslim belief. "In recent years," he writes, "the Muslim Waqf has come to deny the historic existence of the Holy Temple, claiming that the Temple Mount belongs solely to the Muslim nation, and that there exists no connection between the Jewish nation and the Temple Mount. It is clear from this pamphlet that the revised Waqf position strays from traditional Muslim acknowledgment of the Mount's Jewish antecedents."<br /><br />"The current denial of historical reality is merely one tool in the war being waged by Muslims against the G-d of Israel and the entire 'infidel' world," Richman declares.<br />Posted by YJ Draiman</span></span></div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-51899624989290578922017-05-28T11:30:00.001-07:002017-10-03T22:57:34.500-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel photos<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jerusalem Pearl Hotel photos</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><img alt="Jerusalem Pearl hotel palm tree.JPG" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1280px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG" /></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<br />
<div id="annotation-pane" jstcache="0">
<div class="noselect widget-annotation-pane-mobile widget-annotation-pane-mobile-hidden" jsan="t-bzx7DEuRxl0,7.noselect,7.widget-annotation-pane-mobile,7.widget-annotation-pane-mobile-hidden" jstcache="178">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane" id="widget-annotation-pane" style="background-color: white; height: 937px; left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; position: absolute; top: 937px; transform: translateY(0px); transition: transform 0.3s; width: 420px; z-index: 6;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-content" style="padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-main-wrapper" style="transform: translateY(-200px); transition: transform 0.3s;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-title-section" jsaction="annotationpane.clickTitle;clickmod:annotationpane.clickTitle" style="background: rgb(66, 133, 244); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; padding: 16px 0px 20px 24px; position: relative; width: 420px;">
<br />
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank">
<label class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-label" style="color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: center;">View in HD</label></a><br />
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</h1>
<h2 class="widget-annotation-pane-subtitle" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-subtitle" jstcache="151" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h2>
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-summary" jsaction="annotationpane.clickTitle;clickmod:annotationpane.clickTitle" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; height: 76px; left: 0px; padding: 16px 24px 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 420px;">
<h1 class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-title" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-summary-title" jstcache="152" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 320px;">
</h1>
<h2 class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-subtitle" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-summary-subtitle" jstcache="153" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 320px;">
</h2>
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-close" jsaction="annotationpane.close;clickmod:annotationpane.close" style="background-image: url("//maps.gstatic.com/tactile/omnibox/clear-1x-20150504.png"); background-position: 24px 0px; cursor: pointer; height: 24px; position: absolute; right: 24px; top: 20px; width: 24px;">
</div>
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-description" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px 24px;">
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<ul class="widget-annotation-pane-facts" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 20px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"></ul>
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-link" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="160" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 12px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 24px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jstcache="161"></span></a></div>
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</div>
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<div class="widget-gallery" jstcache="60" style="background: white; height: 937px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 420px;">
<div class="gallery-container" jstcache="2" style="height: 875px; left: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 62px; width: 420px;">
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<jsl jstcache="5"></jsl><br />
<div jsinstance="0" jstcache="7">
<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="0" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:5" role="link" style="height: 306px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 408px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:16543,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:5" vet="16543">
<div jstcache="22">
<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/mfrxyCOJqeCCT4r_B1nDgY9SWHMj2_JkbYEvmyNUaBCEzr7wM-WSQlFkYJEM0gidGTqhhp-3CON2ti0cxyHLUm8Mgc0Q0ip1dDcABr1gidjSC4lQnT31sjQv1MpexY5D4cPlLIgZt3wI5IvyzhwO0LzFAK9mmw=w203-h152-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-container" style="position: relative;">
<div class="gallery-image-high-res loaded" jsan="7.gallery-image-high-res,7.loaded,5.width,5.height,5.background-image,5.background-size" jstcache="37" style="background-image: url("https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/wgOWRBP7zt28xIMB9j5Nu130bUZUv1oLuhGJGidBsCKqyXYHjfPvKzOMxjLIEIr8ixNyogplJqwpddpGF-gmUYtuSdsKXDxydLv5WwTQad6Mmw4RvIlVrkQV9NN9JjaDYsZve7-8WczSe0O6EKaR6Hb4MJXIWlu988im1D4T_zix8BTLZQHe6FNGyC9gyPzvdrZj0gECxKn5cw=s408-k-no"); background-size: 408px 306px; height: 306px; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 0.5s linear; width: 408px; z-index: 1;">
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<div jsinstance="1" jstcache="7">
<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="1" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" role="link" style="height: 272px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 308px; width: 408px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:19244,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" vet="19244">
<div jstcache="23">
<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="30" style="background: url("//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=ZdjlKQJXV_yhG1UNTThtew&output=thumbnail&cb_client=unknown_client.imagery_viewer.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=165.10294&pitch=0&thumbfov=100") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-container gallery-pano-container" style="overflow-x: auto; position: relative;">
<div class="gallery-image-high-res loaded" jsan="7.gallery-image-high-res,7.loaded,5.width,5.height,5.background-image,5.background-size,5.background-position" jstcache="31" style="background-image: url("//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?output=thumbnail&panoid=ZdjlKQJXV_yhG1UNTThtew&minw=552&minh=272&thumb=2&yaw=165.10294&pitch=0"); background-position: 0px 0px; background-size: 408px 272px; height: 272px; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 0.5s linear; width: 408px; z-index: 1;">
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<div class="gallery-image-gradient-container" style="background-image: linear-gradient(transparent, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87)); bottom: 0px; height: 46px; pointer-events: none; position: absolute; transform: scale3d(1, 1, 1); width: 408px; z-index: 1;">
<div class="gallery-image-pano-icon" style="background: url("//www.gstatic.com/images/icons/material/system/2x/360_white_36dp.png") 0% 0% / auto 100% no-repeat; bottom: 6px; height: 30px; left: 14px; position: absolute; width: 30px;">
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<div jsinstance="2" jstcache="7">
<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="2" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:7" role="link" style="height: 157px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 582px; width: 197px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:16543,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:7" vet="16543">
<div jstcache="22">
<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9AV5BmHBPFqrBSFc7J53mGoYDrb5ghF8D-sO-ncillUBTREVNbhFN2nP2hFDCg8HNbPswscuK0LhNNr3-8R26cDv7ErXCaFF0AmP0MI2FeomxHj-P96ZcgJUr8dEmNX0hKUBc8JFFDRSWhoVKySxa_fDhMPCvZ0=w203-h161-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; color: #cccccc; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div id="annotation-pane" jstcache="0">
<div class="noselect widget-annotation-pane-mobile widget-annotation-pane-mobile-hidden" jsan="t-bzx7DEuRxl0,7.noselect,7.widget-annotation-pane-mobile,7.widget-annotation-pane-mobile-hidden" jstcache="178">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane" id="widget-annotation-pane" style="background-color: white; height: 937px; left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; position: absolute; top: 937px; transform: translateY(0px); transition: transform 0.3s; width: 420px; z-index: 6;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-content" style="padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-cover-photo-wrapper" style="background: rgb(66, 133, 244); height: 200px; overflow: hidden;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-cover-photo-container" id="widget-annotation-pane-cover-photo-container" style="opacity: 0;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-close" jsaction="annotationpane.close;clickmod:annotationpane.close" style="background-image: url("//maps.gstatic.com/tactile/omnibox/clear-1x-20150504.png"); background-position: 48px 0px; cursor: pointer; height: 24px; position: absolute; right: 24px; top: 20px; width: 24px;">
</div>
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-main-wrapper" style="transform: translateY(-200px); transition: transform 0.3s;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-title-section" jsaction="annotationpane.clickTitle;clickmod:annotationpane.clickTitle" style="background: rgb(66, 133, 244); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; padding: 16px 0px 20px 24px; position: relative; width: 420px;">
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank"></a><br />
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-button" style="background: white; border-radius: 50%; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3) 0px 1px 6px 0px; height: 56px; margin: auto; position: relative; width: 56px;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-icon" style="background-image: url("//maps.gstatic.com/tactile/omnibox/zoom-in-1x.png"); height: 20px; left: 19px; position: absolute; top: 18px; width: 20px;">
</div>
</div>
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank">
<label class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-label" style="color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: center;">View in HD</label></a><br />
<h1 class="widget-annotation-pane-title" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-title" jstcache="150" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h1>
<h2 class="widget-annotation-pane-subtitle" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-subtitle" jstcache="151" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
</h2>
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-summary" jsaction="annotationpane.clickTitle;clickmod:annotationpane.clickTitle" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; height: 76px; left: 0px; padding: 16px 24px 0px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 420px;">
<h1 class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-title" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-summary-title" jstcache="152" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 320px;">
</h1>
<h2 class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-subtitle" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-summary-subtitle" jstcache="153" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 4px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: nowrap; width: 320px;">
</h2>
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-close" jsaction="annotationpane.close;clickmod:annotationpane.close" style="background-image: url("//maps.gstatic.com/tactile/omnibox/clear-1x-20150504.png"); background-position: 24px 0px; cursor: pointer; height: 24px; position: absolute; right: 24px; top: 20px; width: 24px;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-description" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px 24px;">
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<a class="widget-annotation-pane-link" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="160" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 12px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 24px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jstcache="161"></span></a></div>
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<div class="widget-gallery" jstcache="60" style="background: white; height: 937px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 420px;">
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<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="1" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" role="link" style="height: 272px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 308px; width: 408px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:19244,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" vet="19244">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="30" style="background: url("//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=ZdjlKQJXV_yhG1UNTThtew&output=thumbnail&cb_client=unknown_client.imagery_viewer.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=165.10294&pitch=0&thumbfov=100") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9AV5BmHBPFqrBSFc7J53mGoYDrb5ghF8D-sO-ncillUBTREVNbhFN2nP2hFDCg8HNbPswscuK0LhNNr3-8R26cDv7ErXCaFF0AmP0MI2FeomxHj-P96ZcgJUr8dEmNX0hKUBc8JFFDRSWhoVKySxa_fDhMPCvZ0=w203-h161-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-content" style="padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-main-wrapper" style="transform: translateY(-200px); transition: transform 0.3s;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-title-section" jsaction="annotationpane.clickTitle;clickmod:annotationpane.clickTitle" style="background: rgb(66, 133, 244); box-sizing: border-box; color: white; padding: 16px 0px 20px 24px; position: relative; width: 420px;">
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank">
<label class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-label" style="color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: center;">View in HD</label></a><br />
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-summary-close" jsaction="annotationpane.close;clickmod:annotationpane.close" style="background-image: url("//maps.gstatic.com/tactile/omnibox/clear-1x-20150504.png"); background-position: 24px 0px; cursor: pointer; height: 24px; position: absolute; right: 24px; top: 20px; width: 24px;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-description" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.5em; margin-top: 20px; padding: 0px 24px;">
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<ul class="widget-annotation-pane-facts" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 20px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 24px; vertical-align: baseline;"></ul>
<a class="widget-annotation-pane-link" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="160" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 12px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px 24px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-link-text" jstcache="161"></span></a></div>
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<div class="widget-gallery" jstcache="60" style="background: white; height: 937px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 420px;">
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<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="0" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:5" role="link" style="height: 306px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 0px; width: 408px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:16543,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:5" vet="16543">
<div jstcache="22">
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<div jsinstance="1" jstcache="7">
<div class="gallery-cell" data-photo-index="1" jsaction="click: gallery.main; mousedown: gallery.main; mouseup: gallery.main; mouseout: gallery.main; touchstart: gallery.main; touchmove: gallery.main; touchend: gallery.main;" jsan="7.gallery-cell,0.data-photo-index,0.jstrack,0.ved,0.vet,5.left,5.top,5.width,5.height,5.z-index,0.jsaction,0.role" jstcache="21" jstrack="rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" role="link" style="height: 272px; left: 6px; margin-bottom: 4px; position: absolute; top: 308px; width: 408px; z-index: 0;" ved="1i:0,t:19244,p:rxUrWcjzIMnIjwPfsYqgAg:4" vet="19244">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="30" style="background: url("//geo0.ggpht.com/cbk?panoid=ZdjlKQJXV_yhG1UNTThtew&output=thumbnail&cb_client=unknown_client.imagery_viewer.gps&thumb=2&w=203&h=100&yaw=165.10294&pitch=0&thumbfov=100") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/9AV5BmHBPFqrBSFc7J53mGoYDrb5ghF8D-sO-ncillUBTREVNbhFN2nP2hFDCg8HNbPswscuK0LhNNr3-8R26cDv7ErXCaFF0AmP0MI2FeomxHj-P96ZcgJUr8dEmNX0hKUBc8JFFDRSWhoVKySxa_fDhMPCvZ0=w203-h161-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/lp7ooxxq_R9YnGaXXn3AVE4dxs5_RHUStAre4cAM5bn01Ld6MOswJlHNnUuwAvDIaWBbFtlYpaKoCpYjERUK_dnmogKwbnWg4f1sFmsHm1p2PUqfqG3Zfpo4aeFbqT42efZ3vtXtzOiyK8NFaEM07jl5HzaKKg=w203-h152-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; color: #cccccc; font-family: Roboto, Arial, sans-serif; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div id="annotation-pane" jstcache="0">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-content" style="padding-bottom: 20px; position: relative;">
<div class="widget-annotation-pane-cover-photo-wrapper" style="background: rgb(66, 133, 244); height: 200px; overflow: hidden;">
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<div class="widget-annotation-pane-main-wrapper" style="transform: translateY(-200px); transition: transform 0.3s;">
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<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank"></a><br />
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<a class="widget-annotation-pane-hd" data-link-url="" href="https://www.google.com/maps/uv?hl=en&pb=!1s0x150329d1c477ca61:0x535de664f235c25b!2m19!2m2!1i80!2i80!3m1!2i20!16m13!1b1!2m2!1m1!1e1!2m2!1m1!1e3!2m2!1m1!1e5!2m2!1m1!1e4!3m1!7e115!4zaHR0cHM6Ly9oZS53aWtpcGVkaWEub3JnL3dpa2kvJUQ3JTlFJUQ3JTlDJUQ3JTk1JUQ3JTlGXyVENyVBNCVENyVBMCVENyU5OSVENyVBMCVENyVBQV8lRDclOTklRDclQTglRDclOTUlRDclQTklRDclOUMlRDclOTklRDclOUQ!5sjerusalem+pearl+hotel+-+Google+Search&imagekey=!1e1!2shttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG/1200px-Jerusalem_Pearl_hotel_palm_tree.JPG&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq44aV7ZHUAhVC9mMKHZxRBMIQoioI2wEwEA#" jsaction="log.outbound;clickmod:log.outbound" jsan="7.widget-annotation-pane-hd,0.data-link-url,8.href,0.target,22.jsaction" jstcache="149" style="background: transparent; border: 0px; color: #3a84df; cursor: pointer; float: right; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; list-style: none; margin: 0px 8px; min-width: 90px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; top: -40px; vertical-align: baseline; width: min-content;" target="_blank">
<label class="widget-annotation-pane-hd-label" style="color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; font-size: 13px; margin-top: 12px; text-align: center;">View in HD</label></a><br />
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<div class="widget-gallery" jstcache="60" style="background: white; height: 937px; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; width: 420px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-container" style="position: relative;">
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<div jsinstance="5" jstcache="7">
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<div class="gallery-image-low-res" jstcache="36" style="background: url("//lh3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/SwVkLnqFzPy-AsqD07iAnM8IZNa9y4pOBkcV4nzX9iNQrPkrEAskDwY8Ij0Go7Q5JW6AvdAv_AOU_ZwhoWCfsXIuIjx49TwMKWGt1jrbTpjXD7C27XiLHNzL1u52atMQVGLhL_eyb82zzhA1C0NZmItNhzTsJ7I=w203-h135-k-no") center center / cover no-repeat rgb(204, 204, 204); bottom: 0px; left: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; top: 0px;">
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<div class="gallery-image-container" style="position: relative;">
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<div class="gallery-image-high-res loaded" jsan="7.gallery-image-high-res,7.loaded,5.width,5.height,5.background-image,5.background-size" jstcache="37" style="background-image: url("https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zgirMBL1j4ZM6ydvzpqSo9DKb-OiXv7tMe1VUHSTSuwWcU-dVadq0SW5CrKoAx0VrbqiAGgACUBRv_c_sHLLW1rqj3gyJPY6WwBY2k4iBGQJG-m7GEZnR_5Sst4EP94GfZOf0q0IoN6xxu5_uioCm_Q=s191-k-no"); background-size: 191px 143px; height: 143px; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 0.5s linear; width: 191px; z-index: 1;">
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1245YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-4825278575834948932017-05-28T11:15:00.000-07:002017-05-28T11:15:01.290-07:00Information for visitor to Jerusalem<br />
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Informations pour visiter Jérusalem</h1>
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<figure class="cc-imagewrapper cc-m-image-align-3" style="height: auto !important; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative; text-align: center; width: 550px;"><img alt="Carte de Madaba (Jordanie, VIème siècle) Représentation de Jérusalem à l'époque byzantine" class="" data-image-id="1637265619" data-src-height="362" data-src-width="537" data-src="https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=510x10000:format=jpg/path/s2787768425446047/image/iffa0d11a70af74b6/version/1281592669/image.jpg" id="cc-m-imagesubtitle-image-2101274619" sizes="(min-width: 510px) 510px, 100vw" src="https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=510x10000:format=jpg/path/s2787768425446047/image/iffa0d11a70af74b6/version/1281592669/image.jpg" srcset="https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=320x10000:format=jpg/path/s2787768425446047/image/iffa0d11a70af74b6/version/1281592669/image.jpg 320w, https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/dimension=510x10000:format=jpg/path/s2787768425446047/image/iffa0d11a70af74b6/version/1281592669/image.jpg 510w, https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/image/transf/none/path/s2787768425446047/image/iffa0d11a70af74b6/version/1281592669/image.jpg 537w" style="border: 0px; display: inline; left: 0px; max-width: 100%; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;" /><figcaption style="clear: both; font-size: 9.6px; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; text-align: inherit; width: 510px;">Carte de Madaba (Jordanie, VIème siècle) Représentation de Jérusalem à l'époque byzantine</figcaption></figure><div class="cc-clear" style="clear: both;">
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<div class="j-module n j-text " id="cc-m-2101260219" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 12px; padding: 5px; word-wrap: break-word;">
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<tr><td colspan="2" data-mce-style="border-bottom: #959595 0.75pt solid; border-left: #000000; background-color: transparent; width: 470.1pt; border-top: #000000; border-right: #000000; padding: 7.5pt;" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 0.75pt solid rgb(149, 149, 149); border-left: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-right: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-top: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; line-height: 16.8px; padding: 7.5pt; width: 470.1pt;" width="627"><div class="MsoNormal" data-mce-style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 16.8px; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; padding: 0px;">
<span class="headingprint1"><span data-mce-style="font-family: Verdana; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-font-width: 100%;" style="font-family: Verdana;">Jerusalem Mini Guide</span></span></div>
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<span class="headingprint1"><span data-mce-style="font-family: Verdana;" style="font-family: Verdana;">Content from WORLD TRAVEL GUIDE:</span></span></div>
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<span class="headingprint1"><span data-mce-style="font-family: Verdana;" style="font-family: Verdana;">Printing date: 16 Aug 2009</span></span></div>
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<tr><td colspan="2" data-mce-style="background-color: transparent; width: 470.1pt; border: #000000; padding: 7.5pt;" style="background-color: transparent; border: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-stretch: normal; line-height: 16.8px; padding: 7.5pt; width: 470.1pt;" width="627"><h2 data-mce-style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 3pt 0cm 1.5pt;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 12pt; margin: 3pt 0cm 1.5pt; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Overview</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">City Guide</span></h1>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Jerusalem</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br data-mce-bogus="1" /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" data-mce-style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 6pt;" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 6pt; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Few cities inspire as much passion as Jerusalem (<em>Yerushalayim</em> in Hebrew, <em>Al-Quds</em> in Arabic), rooted deep in the past and revered by three major religions.<br /><br />With its pleasant, temperate climate, fine upland setting, extraordinary historical sites and world-class museums, Jerusalem fascinatingly contrasts ancient and modern, oriental and western.<br /><br />The larger part of the city, including the city centre with its shopping and leisure district, is vibrant, Jewish West Jerusalem, characterised by broad avenues, busy pedestrianised streets and squares, cafes, restaurants and vivacious nightlife. Smaller East Jerusalem, predominantly Arab, is a 19th-century neighbourhood lying north of the Old City. It has a slow but chaotic pace of life, with crowded, colourful street markets.<br /><br />The Old City, on the eastern boundary, is where most of Jerusalem's main sights are found. Enclosed within awesome 16th-century stone walls, are a labyrinth of winding lanes where visitors to the city spend much of their time.<br /><br />The Old City is divided into quarters, named after its four major communities in the 19th century: Arab, Jewish, Christian and Armenian, and preserving those sharp distinctions to this day. Within minutes, you may wander from calm squares where Jewish children play under the watchful eye of their mothers, to the hustle and bustle of an Arab souk, and into a tranquil Armenian garden, before arriving at the splendour of a medieval citadel.<br /><br />Jerusalem came into being over 3,000 years ago as the site of the Jewish Temple. The Western (or Wailing) Wall at the foot of Temple Mount is all that survives of the Temple, destroyed by the Romans, yet it remains Judaism's most revered place of prayer.<br /><br />Extensive restoration and archaeological exploration gives astonishing insight into the structure and layout of the vast Temple in the time of Jesus.<br /><br />For Orthodox and Catholic Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre encloses the site of the Crucifixion and tomb where Jesus was laid, having carried the cross here along the Via Dolorosa.<br /><br />The Muslim's beautiful gilded Dome of the Rock on Temple Mount is Jerusalem's most iconic landmark, while Al-Aqsa mosque, beside it, is proclaimed Islam's third holiest shrine.<br /><br />Israel declared Jerusalem its capital in 1950 but this is not internationally recognised. Most national institutions are in West Jerusalem, part of the state of Israel since the War of Independence following its creation in 1948. East Jerusalem and the Old City were first annexed by Jordan in 1948, then in 1967 by Israel, which integrated them into a reunited Jerusalem.</span></div>
<h2 data-mce-style="margin: 6pt 0cm 1.5pt; mso-line-height-alt: 12.0pt;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 6pt 0cm 1.5pt; padding: 0px;">
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<h2 data-mce-style="margin: 6pt 0cm 1.5pt; mso-line-height-alt: 12.0pt;" style="color: #333333; font-size: 20px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 28px; margin: 6pt 0cm 1.5pt; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">City Statistics</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Location</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Judea, Israel.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Dialling code</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" data-mce-style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 12pt;" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 12pt; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">972.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Population</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" data-mce-style="line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 6pt;" style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 12pt; margin: 2.25pt 0cm 6pt; padding: 0px;">
<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">736,000 (city).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Time zone</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from 31 March to 1 October 2006; changes every year).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Electricity</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">220 volts AC, 50Hz; unique Israeli three-square-pin plugs are standard in newer buildings (many sockets also accept older two-pronged plugs).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Average January temperatures</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">9°C (48°F).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Average July temperatures</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">23°C (73°F).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Annual rainfall</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">486mm (19 inches).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Money</span></h2>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Prices for tourist services are sometimes quoted in US Dollars. This is usually where the expectation is that a credit card will be used, for example when hiring a car. In these instances, the amount paid would be written in US Dollars.</span></em><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><br /><strong>1 Israeli New Shekel (NIS1) = £0.16; US$0.24; C$0.29; A$0.33; €0.19</strong><strong><br /></strong><em>Currency conversion rates as of April 2009</em></span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Hotels</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Hotel rates are subject to 18.25% VAT (Value Added Tax) only if guests pay in Israeli currency. Tourists are exempt from taxes if paying in a foreign currency. This includes meals eaten in hotel restaurants (and included in the hotel bill). It is customary to tip hotel staff.<br /><br />The hotels below have been classed into four different pricing categories:<br />$$$$ (over U$300)<br />$$$ (US$150 to US$250)<br />$$ (US$50 to US$150)<br />$ (up to US$50)</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Business</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Dan Panorama</span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Located in central Jerusalem just half a mile from the Old City, this hotel has tastefully decorated modern rooms with 5-star facilities. Rooms on upper floors, and the rooftop pool have spectacular Old City views.<br /><br />39 Keren Hayessod Street<br />Tel: (02) 569 5695.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.danhotels.com/Hotel-Jerusalem" href="http://www.danhotels.com/Hotel-Jerusalem" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.danhotels.com/Hotel-Jerusalem</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Moriah Classic</span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Spacious, luxurious and grand in the Israeli style, and well located for the Old City and East Jerusalem, this busy hotel has Internet access, meeting rooms, pool and fitness centre and enjoys panoramic views.<br /><br />9 St Georges Street<br />Tel: (02) 532 0000.<br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Luxury</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">American Colony Hotel</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Located in East Jerusalem, this beautiful luxury hotel - the former palace of a 19th-century Turkish pasha - is popular with journalists and others who enjoy its romantic Arab ambience. It opened as a hotel in 1881 and is the oldest in Jerusalem. Its rooms reflect a bygone era, while the grounds include lush gardens and a tiled courtyard with fountains. It is within easy walking distance of the Old City.<br /><br />1 Louis Vincent Street, off Nablus Road<br />Tel: 02) 627 9777.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.americancolony.com/" href="http://www.americancolony.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.americancolony.com</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price $$$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">King David</span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />One of Israel's most luxurious and prestigious hotels, the majestic King David was built in the 1930s. It has all modern facilities, with fine views towards the Old City and is a historic building in its own right - when used during the British mandate as the British Army HQ, it was the scene of a dramatic anti-British bombing by militant Zionists.<br /><br />23 King David Street<br />Tel: (02) 620 8888.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.danhotels.com/Luxury-Hotel-Jerusalem" href="http://www.danhotels.com/Luxury-Hotel-Jerusalem" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.danhotels.com/Luxury-Hotel-Jerusalem</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $$$$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Moderate</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Olive Tree Hotel</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />With kitsch Arabesque décor (which might not be to everyone's taste) in the public areas, this hotel in the American Colony neighbourhood offers good value. Rooms are subdued and functional. The hotel is in easy walking distance of East Jerusalem and the Old City but it's a longer walk or taxi ride to central Jerusalem. However, the health club complete with pool and sauna make it an attractive option.<br /><br />23 St George Street<br />Tel: (02) 541 0410.<br />Price: $$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Tulip Inn Jerusalem Golden Walls</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This is a conveniently located hotel - just outside the Old City walls and a short walk from most of the main sites. Rooms are modest but comfortable with cable TV. The western side of the hotel tends to be noisy as it overlooks the East Jerusalem bus station, while rooms at the front have a view over the Old City. The hotel has a bar and restaurant and offers good value for money.<br /><br />Sultan Suleiman Street<br />Tel: (02) 627 2416.<br />Price: $$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Other Recommendations</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The King Solomon Hotel</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This 5-star hotel located in the centre of Jerusalem caters to religious Jewish travellers by offering a Glatt Kosher menu and Shabbat lights in the bedrooms, and separate male and female swim times in the pool. The stunning views (the hotel pool overlooks the Judean hills and from the roof you can even see the Dead Sea) make up for the slightly outdated décor. The centrepiece of the lobby is a globe-shaped metal sculpture of Jerusalem, created by the English-born artist Frank Meisler. The hotel is just 10 minutes' walk from the Jaffa Gate of the Old City and the Montefiore Windmill and Yemin Moshe are close by.<br /><br />32 King David Street<br />Tel: (02) 569 5555.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.kingsolomon-hotel.com/" href="http://www.kingsolomon-hotel.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.kingsolomon-hotel.com</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">New Imperial</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />With an air of slightly shabby faded grandeur, the New Imperial dates from the 1880s, when it was the city's most luxurious hotel. Today it offers a place to stay for those on a budget who want a great location. The sweeping staircase in the lobby sets the tone - all the rooms have high-ceilings and en-suite facilities. Some of the rooms have balconies overlooking the streets of the Christian quarter. The hotel has an Internet lounge and coffee shop.<br /><br />Jaffa Gate, Old City<br />Tel: (02) 628 2261.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.newimperial.com" href="http://www.newimperial.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.newimperial.com</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Business Etiquette</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Business Etiquette</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Jerusalem, like the rest of Israel, has an informal approach to business etiquette. Suits and ties may be worn but more relaxed ‘smart-casual' clothing, while doing business or attending meetings, is more usual. In business life as in other personal dealings, Israelis tend to be direct and straightforward - plain speaking is much appreciated. Business hours in Jerusalem are Sunday to Thursday 0830-1730/1800. On Fridays, businesses shut at 1230 or 1300 for the Sabbath (Shabbat), which starts at sundown on Friday and continues until Saturday evening. Business meetings may be held over dinner and can take place in a private home or in restaurants. If in a private home, a small gift (of flowers or chocolates, for example) is usually appropriate.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Getting There By Air</span></h2>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV)</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Tel: (03) 975 5555.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion" href="http://www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.iaa.gov.il/Rashat/en-US/Airports/BenGurion</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><br />Ben Gurion International Airport, also known as Tel Aviv Airport, is located near Lod on the main Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway (Highway 1), about 20km (12 miles) southeast of Tel Aviv and approximately 45km (29 miles) west of Jerusalem. It is Israel's principal hub for international and domestic air traffic. Whether flying in or out of Israel, the normal check-in period is three hours prior to departure. All passengers are normally subject to one-to-one interview by security personnel. High-tech body scanning machines may also be used.<br /><br /><strong>Approximate flight times:</strong> Flight time from London is 4 hours 30 minutes, from Los Angeles 17 hours, from New York 11 hours, from Toronto is 10 hours 55 minutes if direct and from Sydney 14 hours 35 minutes.<br /><br /><strong>Airport facilities:</strong> Facilities include 24-hour banks, restaurants, duty-free shops, general shops, post office and 24-hour tourist information. <em>Avis</em>,<em>Budget</em>, <em>Eldan</em>, <em>Hertz</em> and <em>Sixt</em> all provide car hire services. It is worth noting that most airport services (including public transport) are reduced on Shabbat (approximately one hour before Friday sunset to one hour after Saturday sunset).<br /><br /><strong>Transport to the city:</strong> Public transportation services from the airport are located in the three-storey bridge on the second floor, next to Gates 21 and 23. Israel's national bus network is mainly operated by the <em>Egged National Bus Co-operative</em> (tel: (03) 694 8888; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.egged.co.il/Eng</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">). <em>Egged</em> run a shuttle bus around the airport connecting with bus services to Jerusalem (buses 945 and 947). The fare can be paid on the bus. Buses terminate at Jerusalem's Central Bus Station on Jaffa Road in west Jerusalem.<br /><br />Taxis are located on the right outside the airport arrivals hall: the fare to Jerusalem is about NIS225. The <em>Nesher Company</em> (tel: (02) 623 1231) runs a <em>sherut</em> (shared taxi) service between the airport and Jerusalem, charging a fixed rate per passenger of around NIS45. For an extra charge, they will take passengers and their baggage to (or collect from) anywhere in the city. It is also possible to travel to Jerusalem by train direct from the airport: the station is at the entrance to Terminal 3.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Getting There By Rail</span></h2>
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<em><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Israel Railways</span></em> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">(tel: (03) 577 4000 <em>or</em> 5770; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.israrail.org.il/english" href="http://www.israrail.org.il/english" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.israrail.org.il/english</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) is the national rail transport operator. Modern air-conditioned trains run down the coast from Haifa to Tel Aviv and inland to Jerusalem via the airport. However, there are frequent train cancellations, and the journey to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv or from the airport takes longer than the bus, though the fare is cheaper.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Getting There By Road</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Israel has an excellent road network and, because the country is relatively small with varied scenery, travelling by car can be a great pleasure. However, major roads can be very congested, so motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for journeys. Traffic drives on the right and road rules are similar to those in Western Europe and North America. The minimum legal driving age in Israel is 18 years, while the maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%. All passengers must wear seat belts at all times and children under 14 should not travel in the front seat. Road signs are international, distances given are in kilometres and all signposting on major roads is in Hebrew, Arabic and English. The speed limit is 100kph (62mph) on motorways, 80kph (50mph) on intercity roads and 50kph (31mph) within towns. It is compulsory to carry either a national driving licence from any country or an International Driving Permit. Insurance is mandatory in Israel and is organised by the government. Visitors driving their own vehicles can purchase the insurance through a local agent. The certificate must be carried in the car at all times - a photocopy is not acceptable. A departure tax is payable for those who leave Israel by land if they arrived in the country by air.<br /><br /><em>The Automobile and Touring Club of Israel - MEMSI</em> (tel: (03) 564 1122; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.memsi.co.il/" href="http://www.memsi.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.memsi.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">, Hebrew only) provides information and assistance, with free services for members of affiliated motoring organisations, such as the <em>AAA</em> (in the USA) and the <em>AA</em> and <em>RAC</em> (in the UK).<br /><br /><strong>Emergency breakdown service:</strong> <em>MEMSI</em> (tel: (03) 564 1111).<br /><br /><strong>Routes to the city:</strong> From Tel Aviv (and Ben Gurion International Airport), Highway 1 runs to Jerusalem. Routes from north and south connect with the highway close to Tel Aviv. From the east, the city is reached by the Yeriho (or Jericho) Road from Jericho, Qumran and the Dead Sea.<br /><br /><strong>Coach services:</strong> The <em>Egged National Bus Co-operative</em> (tel: (03) 694 8888, website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.egged.co.il/Eng</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), a worker-owned co-operative, is Israel's national bus and coach service operator. The comprehensive network of buses to all parts of the country depart from Jerusalem's Central Bus Station, on Jaffa Road, west Jerusalem (tel: (02) 530 4704). Services come to a complete halt for Shabbat (generally from around 1500 on Friday to about 1900 on Saturday).<br /><br />Depending on the security situation en route, local tour companies also run coach services from Jerusalem to Cairo and Jordan. <em>Metzada</em> <em>Tours</em>, at Jerusalem Pearl Hotel, 15 Jaffa Street (tel: (02) 623 5777, website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.mazada.co.il" href="http://www.mazada.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.mazada.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), offers several cross-border tours, with full information on visas and other requirements.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Getting Around</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Public Transport</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The <em>Egged National Bus Co-operative</em> (tel: (03) 694 8888; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.egged.co.il/Eng</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), provides an inexpensive, frequent and efficient <strong>bus</strong>system within Jerusalem, as well as elsewhere. All routes are based out of the Central Bus Station (tel: (02) 530 4704) on Jaffa Road. Bus services run daily, except on the Sabbath (Friday afternoon to Saturday evening) or on Jewish religious holidays. Ordinary one-way tickets are purchased from the driver. All drivers speak at least enough English to deal with basic enquiries. Although <em>Egged</em> buses do not generally cross the ‘Green Line' into the West Bank, in Jerusalem they do serve the annexed areas which have become fully integrated districts of the city of Jerusalem, such as Gilo.<br /><br />Bus 99, designed for tourists, follows a guided circular route through the city, with a commentary, passing almost every place of interest: a ticket allows you to get off wherever you wish, and continue your journey later with no extra charge. Although very inexpensive already, fares are discounted for many groups of people, including children, students the disabled and seniors. Visitors planning to spend more than a few days in Jerusalem should consider buying a ‘two-trip' ticket (15% discount) or a<strong>kartissiyah</strong>, a multi-fare punch card that offers 11 journeys for the price of 10. Other discount cards include <strong>hofshi yomi</strong> (‘freedom for a day') allowing you to ride buses all day long, and <strong>hofshi-hodshi</strong> (‘freedom for a month') that is good for one month of unlimited travel on urban buses. The price is equal to 40 ordinary one-way tickets.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Taxis</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Taxis, which look like ordinary cars with a coloured light displayed, are legally required to use a meter for every journey. However, travellers sometimes need to insist that the meter be turned on. Taxis can be hailed in the street or booked in advance. About 20 different taxi companies ply the streets of Jerusalem, including the popular <em>Nesher Taxis</em> (tel: (02) 623 1231), based at the intersection of Ben Yehuda Street and King George V Avenue in west Jerusalem, right across from the City Tower. Other recommended taxi companies are listed on the Jerusalem city website (</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem.muni.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">). Fares are 25% higher at night and on Shabbat. Tipping is not usual, and not expected, although a very small gratuity of say 5% is sometimes given.<br /><br /><strong>Sherut</strong><br />An alternative to a taxi or bus is the popular sherut (literally ‘service', ie service taxi). These shared taxis are usually stretched Mercedes or minibuses, seating seven or 12, and they generally follow fixed public bus routes. However, they allow passengers to get on and off anywhere on the journey and may take alternative routes when necessary to dodge heavy traffic. Delays are rare and passengers should board quickly as drivers pull away sharply - both drivers and passengers are very impatient of anyone holding things up. Some sheruts run on Shabbat. Sherut fares are about the same as bus fares; Sheruts running regular set routes within the city are mostly only available in west Jerusalem, but will go to other areas on request (for a fee). They also serve as a popular way of travelling from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv or the airport.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Driving in the City</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Driving in all parts of Jerusalem, except the Old City, is fairly straightforward, although traffic on the main roads is bad and driving tends to be aggressive. For most sightseeing or getting around in the city centre (west Jerusalem), it is more enjoyable to walk or use local buses. Vehicles are only permitted to enter the Old City through Jaffa Gate, following the road through the Armenian Quarter, where there is limited parking. Alternatively, the <em>Karta</em> parking lot, below the walls of the Old City, near Jaffa Gate, has space for 5,000 vehicles and is open six days a week (closed on Shabbat).<br /><br />Much of Israel uses the <em>EasyPark</em> smartcard system, an in-car electronic device (about the size of a pocket calculator), which automatically deducts the cost of street parking from the driver's credit or debit card and which can be read electronically by parking attendants. Most locals have one of these devices in their cars, but it is also possible to buy traditional parking cards. These can be obtained from street kiosks, post offices and petrol stations. The traditional parking card is a strip of paper with punched tabs for the hours of the day; drivers tear a tab to designate the month, day and hour they parked. Five different kerbside colour codes indicate what parking is permitted - blue and white means parking is allowed with pre-paid parking cards only. Visitors should not park where there is any other kerbside colour as they all represent restrictions and parking regulations are rigorously enforced.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Car Hire</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The majority of car hire companies are located in central (ie west) Jerusalem. If a car is hired locally, fees are moderate; pre-booking through an agency abroad may result in a higher price. Rates tend to go up at peak holiday times. To hire a car, drivers must be over 24 years and in possession of a full national driving licence with at least two years' driving experience, insurance and an international credit card. Car hire companies will not allow hire cars to be driven into the Palestinian territory at the moment.<br /><br /><em>Eldan</em>, 24 King David Street (tel: (02) 625 2151/2/3; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.eldan.co.il/en" href="http://www.eldan.co.il/en" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.eldan.co.il/en</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), is the main Israeli car hire company. It has a user-friendly website accepting secure online payment and offers substantial price discounts for Internet bookings. International companies include <em>Avis</em>, 22 King David Street (tel: (02) 624 9001; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.avis.co.il/" href="http://www.avis.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.avis.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), <em>Budget Rent-A-Car</em>, 23 King David Street (tel: (02) 624 8991; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.budget.co.il/" href="http://www.budget.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.budget.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) and <em>Hertz</em>, 19 King David Street (tel: (02) 623 1351; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.hertz.com/" href="http://www.hertz.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.hertz.com</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Bicycle Hire</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Despite the hills and the traffic, cycling is popular in Jerusalem. However, bike hire in the city is almost unknown.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Sightseeing</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Sightseeing Overview</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The compact size of Israel means that almost anywhere (with the exception of Eilat) is accessible for a day trip from Jerusalem. The coastal cities of <strong>Tel Aviv</strong>, <strong>Akko</strong> and <strong>Haifa</strong>, or the coastal ruins of <strong>ancient Caesarea</strong>, can easily be visited in a day, as can the area around the <strong>Sea of Galilee</strong>. There is enough to see in most of these places to merit a longer visit but, in terms of historical and religious sites, there is little to match Jerusalem.<br /><br />The first stop for any visitor has to be the <strong>Old City</strong>, which contains the sacred sites that have caused such turmoil and unrest. It's divided into<strong>quarters</strong> (the Armenian, Christian, Jewish and Muslim) each with its unique identity and character.<br /><br />When sightseeing or just exploring, visitors should be aware of the intense campaign of terrorism being waged against Israel. Popular crowded venues, such as busy street markets, restaurants and cafes, crowded buses, discos, have especially been targeted by suicide bombers.<br /><strong><br /></strong>Security guards</span> have now been posted at the doorways or entrances to most such locations and it is advisable to be wary of venues that have not put any security measures in place. To date, tourist sights have not been struck by the bombers, and Arab areas or Muslim sites are of course unlikely to be hit.</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Tourist Information</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Israeli Government Tourist Office (IGTO)</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Tourist Information Center, Jaffa Gate, Old City.<br />Tel: (02) 628 0382.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem.muni.il</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0830-1545, Fri 0830-1245.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Passes</span></h3>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">A two-day pass for the 99 bus, which gives a guided tour of the city, will allow discounted entry to the Israel Museum, Tower of David Museum and the Biblical Zoo. It can be bought at ticket offices at these sites or from the bus drivers (see <em>Bus Tours</em> in <em>Tours of the City</em>).</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Key Attractions</span></h2>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Temple Mount</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Temple Mount (<em>Har Habayit</em> in Hebrew, <em>Al Haram ash-Sharif</em> in Arabic), also called Mount Moriah, is sacred to both Islam and Judaism. It is a natural hill, which was built up artificially to support the huge Jewish Temple that stood here for a thousand years in Biblical times. Temple Mount has remained the focus of the Jewish religion ever since - when praying, Jews worldwide still face Temple Mount.<br /><br />It was from a black rock within the complex, that, according to the Koran, Muhammad made his ascension to Heaven at the conclusion of his dreamt ‘Night Ride' from Mecca, and, according to the Bible, it was here that Abraham offered Isaac for sacrifice. With the arrival of Islam in the seventh century, the octagonal, blue-tiled <strong>Dome of the Rock</strong>, with its huge gold dome, was built over the large black rock. Dominating the skyline of the Old City, its dome glinting in the sunshine, this beautiful building is Jerusalem's most famous landmark and an absolute must for visitors.<br /><br />Also on Temple Mount is the <strong>Al Aqsa Mosque</strong>, the oldest mosque in Israel and (unlike the Dome of the Rock) an actual place of Muslim worship. Its silver dome dates from the 11th century. The <strong>Islamic Museum</strong>, the third building within the complex, contains Islamic artefacts and relics. Only one of the 10 gates to the complex, Al-Mughradia (Moors) gate, allows entry for non-worshippers. This is located to the right of the Western Wall and is accessed from Western Wall Plaza.<br /><br />Access from Western Wall Plaza (Old City)<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.al-aqsa.com/" href="http://www.al-aqsa.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.al-aqsa.com</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">(Muslim site) <em>or</em></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.templemount.org/" href="http://www.templemount.org/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.templemount.org</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">(Jewish site)<br />Opening hours: Closed during all prayer times (variable); otherwise Sun-Thurs 0730-1030 and 1230-1330; Sun-Thurs 0730-1030 (during Ramadan); closed to non-Muslims Fri and Muslim holidays. During periods of tension, the site may be closed.<br />Free admission for Temple Mount; charge for Dome of the Rock, Al Aqsa Mosque and Islamic Museum combined ticket.<br /><br /><strong>Western Wall</strong><br />Situated along one side of a vast plaza at the bottom of Temple Mount is the historic Western Wall (<em>HaKotel</em> in Hebrew). Also historically known as the <strong>Wailing Wall</strong> (a name offensive to some Jews) from the sounds of Jews chanting lamentations on Tisha b'Av, the annual fast, mourning the destruction of the Temple. The Western Wall, constructed of massive rough blocks of golden stone, is a remnant of the outer retaining walls of the Second Temple as reconstructed by Herod in 30BC (the First Temple, constructed by Solomon, occupied the same site but was destroyed by the Babylonians).<br /><br />Since the final complete destruction of the Temple by the Romans in AD70, the Western Wall has been the holiest place of prayer for the Jewish people. Jews come from all over the world to pray or to contemplate. Some place notes with hopes, dreams and messages of goodwill in the cracks of the Wall. In keeping with Orthodox Jewish practice (because the entire site is technically an Orthodox synagogue) the length of the Wall has been divided into separate sections for men and women. Any man or woman may enter their respective section, provided men have their heads covered (visitors can borrow a kippah or skullcap when entering) and women are modestly dressed. The Wall can be reached either through the Dung Gate or through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City.<br /><br />Western Wall Plaza (Old City)<br />Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.<br />Free admission.<br /><br /><strong>Citadel or Tower of David</strong><br />The tall, slender stone tower rising elegantly from the ancient walls of the Old City is almost as familiar an image of Jerusalem as the Dome of the Rock. But despite its name, the citadel has nothing to do with King David (the city's founder) and was in fact constructed in the first century BC, as a fortress for Herod the Great. It has therefore formed part of Jerusalem's defence structure for over 2,000 years. What remains today is largely medieval. It now houses the outstanding <strong>Museum of the History of Jerusalem</strong>, which vividly chronicles the entire history of the city. The Citadel's tallest tower, the <strong>Phasael</strong>, offers a superb panorama over the Old City. The main entrance is adjacent to Jaffa Gate.<br /><br />Beside Jaffa Gate (Old City)<br />Tel: (02) 626 5333.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.towerofdavid.org.il/" href="http://www.towerofdavid.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.towerofdavid.org.il</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Opening hours: Sat-Thurs 0900-1700, Fri 0900-1400 (Apr-Oct); Sat-Thurs 1000-1600, Fri 1000-1400 (Nov-Mar).<br />Admission charge.<br /><br /><strong>Via Dolorosa</strong><br />The Via Dolorosa (literally ‘Road of Sorrow') is the route believed to have been walked by Jesus as he carried the Cross to his crucifixion at <strong>Calvary</strong>or <strong>Golgotha</strong>. The route begins at the <strong>Lion's Gate</strong>, passes through the<strong>Muslim Quarter</strong> and leads to the Calvary in the <strong>Church of the Holy Sepulchre</strong>. It is marked along the way by the <strong>14 Stations of the Cross</strong>. The stations indicate events along the journey and at some of these points churches have been founded. Every year, tens of thousands of pilgrims walk this route in the belief that they are following in the footsteps of Christ.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Old City<br />Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.<br />Free admission.<br /><br /><strong>Church of the Holy Sepulchre</strong><br />Containing the last five Stations of the Cross of the Via Dolorosa, this is the holiest Christian site in Jerusalem. Upon entering the church, the little stairway to the right lead to the <strong>Chapel of Golgotha</strong> and three Stations of the Cross - where Jesus was stripped, crucified and removed from the cross. The Sepulchre itself is at the centre of the church and marks where Jesus is believed to have been buried and resurrected. Downstairs is the<strong>Angel's Chapel</strong>, where the resurrected Christ made known himself to Mary Magdalene. The site of the church was first chosen in the fourth century by Queen Helena and the existing structure dates mainly from the period of the Crusades. It is divided into sections, which are each under the jurisdiction of a different Christian denomination. Protestants do not accept that this was the site of the Crucifixion or Resurrection.<br /><br />Christian Quarter Road (Old City)<br />Tel: (02) 627 3314.<br />Opening hours: Daily 0530-2100 (summer); daily 0430-2000 (winter).<br />Free admission.<br /><br /><strong>Yad Vashem</strong><br />The name of this, the world's most important Holocaust memorial, means ‘A Hand and a Name', the word hand also meaning ‘memorial' and implying that every victim will be individually remembered. Yad Vashem (or the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority) is located on the western edge of Jerusalem. It is best known as a monument to the devastation wreaked upon the Jewish people by the Nazis during WWII. There are indoor and outdoor exhibits, including museums, memorials, sculpture and a research and documentation centre. The tree-lined<strong>Avenue of the Righteous Among the Nations</strong> commemorates and honours gentiles who risked their lives to save Jews and leads to the<strong>Historical Museum</strong>, Yad Vashem's prism-like central concrete structure lying mainly below ground, where the course of Hitler's ‘Final Solution' is traced.<br /><br />The <strong>Hall of Remembrance</strong> is a solemn tent-like structure that allows visitors to pay their respects to the dead. Also contained within the Yad VaShem complex is the wooded, walled <strong>Valley of the Communities</strong>, recording the names of Jewish communities wiped out in their entirety, and the <strong>Hall of Names</strong>, where the names and details of over three and a half million individual victims have been recorded and are being constantly added to. There is also a poignant <strong>Art Museum</strong>, containing work produced by Jewish inmates of the death camps. Possibly the most moving, however, is the <strong>Children's Memorial</strong>, where, in a dark underground chamber, names from the list of 1.5 million children murdered in the Holocaust are constantly read out.<br /><br />Har Hazikaron (near Mount Herzl, western edge of the city)<br />Tel: (02) 644 3400.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.yadvashem.org" href="http://www.yadvashem.org/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.yadvashem.org</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0900-1700 (2000 on Thurs), Fri 0900-1400.<br />No entry under 10 years old (including babies).<br />Free admission.<br /><br /><strong>The Israel Museum</strong><br />The Israel Museum is the nation's leading showcase for its archaeology, anthropology and art. It houses a vast number of fascinating exhibits relating to the long history and culture of the Jews in the region. Among the highlights are the modern sculptures of the <strong>Art Garden</strong>, the 20th-century artworks of the <strong>Art Pavilion</strong>, and the <strong>Archaeological Galleries</strong>, where major discoveries are displayed. In the Ethnography and Judaica wing, exhibits include a collection of ancient Jewish artefacts. A Youth Wing features hands-on activities for families and art classes for children.<br /><br />The museum's greatest treasure is contained in a striking separate building called the <strong>Shrine of the Book</strong>. Resembling the lid of an earthenware jar, this structure was created to hold and display the Dead Sea Scrolls and other ancient manuscripts. Discovered beside the Dead Sea at Qumran in 1947, the Scrolls consist of the oldest known scripts of the Torah or Pentateuch (the first five books of the Old Testament), as well as the enigmatic scrolls of an austere, scholarly Jewish sect apparently resident at Qumran.<br /><br />Ruppin Boulevard (near the Knesset, western edge of the city)<br />Tel: (02) 670 8811.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.imj.org.il/" href="http://www.imj.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.imj.org.il</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Sat and holidays 1000-1600, Tues 1600-2100, Thurs 1000-2100, Fri 1000-1400.<br />Admission charge.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Further Distractions</span></h2>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Mount of Olives</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Rising beyond the city walls, to the east of Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives is part of the range of hills surrounding Jerusalem. The olives that gave the place its name were cut down in Roman times and the western slope is now covered by the white tombs of the largest Jewish cemetery in the world. Tragically, it was badly vandalised during the Jordanian occupation (1948-1967), when the stones were smashed and defaced and many were removed to be used for construction. Among both Jews and Christians, the traditional belief is that the resurrection of the dead will begin on the Mount of Olives. The mountain has added religious significance for Christians, as the place Jesus came on the night before his arrest and trial. The <strong>Garden of Gethsemane</strong>, which Jesus visited after the Last Supper, lies at the foot of the slope. The supposed tomb of his mother, Mary, is a Byzantine and Crusader structure reached through a fine doorway that leads to an underground shrine containing various tombs. Although medieval, these are claimed to be the actual graves of Joseph and Mary and her parents. At the summit of the mount, an Arab village named Et-Tur affords a stunning panorama of the Old City.<br /><br />Mount of Olives (East Jerusalem)<br />Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.<br />Free admission.<br /><br /><strong>Montefiore Windmill</strong><br />Built by Anglo-Jewish philanthropist, Sir Moses Montefiore, in 1858, the windmill is one of the oldest and most famous landmarks outside the Old City. With the windmill and two rows of houses he set about establishing the first Jewish district outside the walls of the Old City, which he called Mishkenot Sha'ananim (peaceful dwellings), but which is now called Yemin Moshe. The windmill was damaged during the 1948 War of Independence, when the British attempted to blow it up. Today it has been restored by the<strong>Jerusalem Foundation</strong>, which plans to create an open air museum and visitors' centre close by.<br /><br />Yemin Moshe (West Jerusalem)<br />Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 0900-1600, Fri 0090-1300.<br />Free.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Tours of the City</span></h2>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Walking Tours</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Leaflets and information on the many government and private tours of the city and surrounding area can be found at the Tourist Information Center, Jaffa Gate, Old City (tel: (02) 628 0382). City tours start at 1000 every Saturday from the entrance to the Russian Compound, Cheshin Street, in west Jerusalem. No booking is necessary and the tours are free. <em>Zion Walking Tours</em> (tel: (02) 627 7588; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://zionwt.dsites1.co.il" href="http://zionwt.dsites1.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">http://zionwt.dsites1.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), based at the tourist office, run a good choice of city tours (fee). The tourist office also hires out audio guides, for self-guided walking tours. For an overview of the city, there is the ‘Ramparts Walk'. Built by Suleiman the Magnificent, the ramparts of the Old City are the most complete of any medieval walls standing today. Entrance is from Jaffa Gate, Damascus Gate and from the Moat Fort. The walk can be completed Saturday to Thursday 0900-1600 and Friday 0900-1400, tickets are valid for two days. Ramparts Walk is subject to tight security and sections may be closed - check first with the tourist office.<br /><br /><strong>Bus Tours</strong><br />The <em>Egged National Bus Co-operative</em> (tel: (03) 694 8888; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.egged.co.il/Eng</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), and <em>United Tours</em>, 9 Coresh Street (tel: (02) 625 2187; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.inisrael.com/united/index3.html" href="http://www.inisrael.com/united/index3.html" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.inisrael.com/united/index3.html</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), are the main operators of coach tours in and around Jerusalem (and from the city to other parts of Israel). Similar tours can be arranged (sometimes more cheaply) through numerous smaller private companies. A useful introduction to the city is the bus route 99, which is operated by <em>Egged</em> and known as the circle line because it takes passengers on a circular tour of the city. It starts at the Jaffa Gate and stops at 26 of Jerusalem's tourist sites. One-day hop-on-hop-off tickets are available on the bus or in advance from the bus station or tourist office. The excursion is available between 1000-1600, departing every two hours.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">We have selected 15 restaurants, which we have divided into five categories: Gastronomic, Business, Trendy, Budget and Personal Recommendations. Most are in the city centre (west Jerusalem). The restaurants are listed alphabetically within these different categories, which serve as guidelines rather than absolute definitions of the establishments.<br /><br />Restaurant prices are subject to 15.5% VAT (Value Added Tax; but food and drink taken in a hotel where one has stayed overnight is currently VAT-free). Service charges of 12-15% are generally added to the restaurant bill, if not a tip of this amount, depending on the quality of the service, is expected.<br /><br />The prices quoted below are for a three course meal for one, including a bottle of house wine or equivalent:<br />$$$$ (over ILS180)<br />$$$ (ILS130 to ILS180)<br />$$ (ILS90 to ILS130)<br />$ (up to (ILS90)</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Gastronomic</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Cavalier</span></strong> <strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Offering a combination of modern and traditional French food with the ingredients and flavours of the Mediterranean, this charming restaurant in the heart of the city centre offers a high level of service and extensive wine list.<br /></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: NL;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Rehov Ben Sira 1<br />Tel: (02) 624 2945.</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Price: $$$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">La Rotisserie</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This surprising gourmet restaurant is hidden away by the Old City wall, attached to a pilgrims' guest house. Enjoy classic French cuisine, accompanied by fine French wines, under the vaulted ceilings of this 100-year-old building. Dinner only.<br /><br />Paratroopers Road (outside New Gate of the Old City)<br />Tel: (02) 627 9111.<br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Primavera</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Excellent wines and top-quality Italian cooking are on offer at Primavera, the gastronomic fish and dairy restaurant of Sheraton Plaza Hotel in the city centre. Dishes are imaginative, using highest quality Israeli ingredients, and the setting is attractive with pale woods and flowers.<br /><br />47 King George<br />Tel: (02) 629 8691.<br />Price: $$$$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Business</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Ima</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />An Israeli-Oriental restaurant with a touch of Jewish-Kurdish cooking, Ima is located in a charmingly renovated house taking up several rooms and including a terrace. Private parking is available for guests. There is a separate business lunch menu that is good value.<br /><br />189 Agrippas Street<br />Tel: (02) 624 6860.<br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">La Guta</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />In a lively, youthful pedestrianised street at the heart of the city, this French gourmet kosher restaurant, with stone arches and elegantly laid tables, is rather different from its rowdy neighbours - especially in the evenings. It is open from lunchtime onwards for excellent southern French cooking, including good-value set business lunches.<br /><br />18 Rivlin St.<br />Tel: (02) 623-2322<strong><br /></strong>Price: $$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Shonka</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Serving a range of French-Mediterranean-Italian dishes and with a good wine list, Shonka is a popular city-centre restaurant and reservations are advised. The dishes are simple and the décor modern making it an ideal place for business dining - the business lunch menu is particularly good value.<br /><br />1 HaSoreg Street<br />Tel: (02) 625 7033.<br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Trendy</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Arcadia</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />The intimate interior, divided by stone arches and subdued lighting, offers the perfect setting for contemporary dishes combining local ingredients with French style. Arcadia deserves its reputation as one of Israel's best and most exciting restaurants; it is understandably popular with both visitors and locals.<br /><br />Rehov Agrippas 10<br />Tel: (02) 624 9138.<br />Price: $$$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Darna</span></strong> <strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">This popular strictly-kosher city centre restaurant offers an extensive menu of North African and middle-eastern food in a Moroccan-inspired setting. It has recently been extended to encompass a restored wine cellar with low ceilings and arches. The atmosphere is completed with the plush cushions scattered around the tables for leisurely reclining.<br /><br />3 Horkanus Street<br />Tel: (02) 624 5406.<br />Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.darna.co.il/" href="http://www.darna.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.darna.co.il</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $$$$</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Restobar</span></strong><strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Crowded, stylish and pricey, with wooden floors, bare stone walls and an attractive bar at its centre, this is a place to either sit with a drink or enjoy tasty, imaginative cooking (including set business lunch on weekdays) at either indoor or outdoor tables. A wide range of dishes include fresh salads, generous steak in wine and shallot sauce, spicy cajun chicken, fresh pasta, and a selection of fish and seafood dishes including salmon in champagne and saffron sauce. It's located where the city centre meets the upscale Rehavia neighbourhood.<br /></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: NL;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">1 Ben Maimon Street<br />Tel: (02) 566 5126.</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://restobar.rest-e.co.il" href="http://restobar.rest-e.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">http://restobar.rest-e.co.il</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Price: $$$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Budget</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">3 Arches</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This smart and attractive yet unpretentious restaurant attached to the landmark YMCA hotel (across the road from the King David Hotel) specialises in above-average international meat dishes at very reasonable prices.<br /><br />26 King David St.<br />Tel: (02) 569 2692<strong><br /></strong>Price: $</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Maoz Falafel</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This tiny, historic falafel stand has been a city-centre favourite since it opened in 1967. Like the many that have opened since, it has a small interior with seating space around the service counter. Staff fill your pita bread with falafel, chopped salads, hummus and tahina sauce, which you can then supplement at will from a tempting array of salads and sauces spread out on the counter.<br /><br />19 King George Street<br />Price: $</span></div>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Te'enim</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />This all-day restaurant serves a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes in a charming old stone building in the Yemin Moshe district behind the gardens of the King David Hotel. Spread over three floors with a view over the Old City, the best seats are in the arches of the windows but these must be reserved.<br /><br />12 Emile Botta Street<br />Tel: (02) 625 1967.<br />Price: $</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Personal Recommendations</span></h3>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Armenian Tavern</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />An atmospheric restaurant in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City. It is located in the basement of an ancient Crusader church and has a tiled interior, solid wooden tables, a huge chandelier and a fountain in the corner. The food is served in wooden or painted ceramic bowls. On Fridays, local Armenians come to the restaurant with home-cooked food which they share with visitors.<br /><br />Armenian Patriarchate Road<br />Tel: (02) 627 3854.<br />Price: $$</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Nightlife</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Despite the lack of licensing laws, Jerusalem has never been known for its wild nightlife and if you're looking to dance the night away your best bet would be to follow the example of many Jerusalemites and take a sherut the 60km (37 miles) to Tel Aviv. The nightclubs that do exist in Jerusalem tend to be located in the Talpiot area. East Jerusalem is particularly empty after dark. There's a big overlap between bars, clubs and live music venues - several of the most popular places are all three at once.<br /><br />The legal drinking age is 18-years. Up-to-date listings for club nights can be found in the Friday supplement of the Jerusalem Post (website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jpost.com/" href="http://www.jpost.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jpost.com</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">).<br /><br /><strong>Bars:</strong> Most of the city's best or most popular bars are located in the city centre (west Jerusalem). <strong>Tzoof Bar</strong>, 15 Hebron Road, with its arched entrances, brick walls and floor and ambient lighting, summons up the Old City, and serves a mix of drinks including cocktails. It sometimes has stand-up comedy and live jazz. <strong>Dublin</strong>, 4 Shammai St, is a crowded warehouse-style bar with DJs playing loud and upbeat dance music till late. The city's liveliest area is <strong>Nahalat Shiv'ah</strong>, between Jaffa Street and King George V Street; its pedestrianised lanes are a focal point for bars, cafes, pubs and restaurants.<br /><strong><br /></strong>Clubs:</span> Most clubs are located in the Zion Square/Nahalat Shivah area of the city centre, and the Talpiot district. At <strong>Underground</strong>, 1 Yoel Salomon (Nahalat Shivah), there have been drinks and dancing as long as anyone can remember. With two rooms of music (one rock and one dance) it attracts Israelis and travellers alike. <strong>Bar 17</strong>, formerly Haoman 17, at 17 Haoman Street (website: <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.17jerusalem.com" href="http://www.17jerusalem.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.17jerusalem.com</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), long considered among the best clubs in the city, is still going strong, attracting international DJs and boasting two dancefloors where you can groove the night away to a mixture of house and techno.<br /><br /><strong>Live Music:</strong> For world-class classical music performances, opera, and rock concerts, it's worth travelling an hour to Tel Aviv. However, Jerusalem offers a wide selection of small, occasional music venues, including cafes, bookshops, theatres and arts centres. More than 150 orchestral performances and other concerts are put on each year at the city's principal performance venue, <strong>The Jerusalem Centre for the Performing Arts</strong>, 20 Marcus Street (website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il" href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), in the charming Yemin Moshe quarter.<br /><br />The <strong>Alpert Music Centre</strong>, near the Old Train Station in the city centre's pleasant Abu Tor neighbourhood (website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://music-center.jerusalem.muni.il" href="http://music-center.jerusalem.muni.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">http://music-center.jerusalem.muni.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) hosts a big band, an orchestra and an Arab-Jewish choir. The community arts centre <strong>Barbur</strong>, 6 Shirizli Street (website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.barbur.org" href="http://www.barbur.org/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.barbur.org</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), stages unusual musical performances. For live rock or blues nightly, in a packed bar setting, go downstairs at <strong>Mike's Place</strong>, 37 Jaffa Street (website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.mikesplacebars.com" href="http://www.mikesplacebars.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.mikesplacebars.com</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), which is open into the small hours.<br /><br /><strong>Yellow Submarine</strong>, 13 HaRechavim Street (website: </span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.yellowsubmarine.org.il" href="http://www.yellowsubmarine.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.yellowsubmarine.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), is a popular nightlife and performance venue and bar in the Talpiot area, with a wide range of live music, from hardcore to salsa to jazz.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">The Old City has much to offer, with the narrow, colourful souk that follows the Street of the Chain from Jaffa Gate into the Muslim Quarter. Tiny open-fronted shops sell souvenirs of olive wood, silverwork, mother-of-pearl, leather and hand-blown glass. Arabic sweets and pastries are also plentiful. Bargaining here is standard practice and shoppers can generally get about one quarter off the asking price. As the Muslim Quarter leads into the Christian Quarter, souvenirs take the form of religious artefacts.<br /><br />Continuing into the Old City's Jewish Quarter, the <strong>Cardo</strong> has several exclusive shops selling clothing and objets d'art. Several hundred shops are listed by the Ministry of Tourism and display a special emblem as a symbol of fair pricing. These carry a range of goods from exclusive jewellery and diamonds to oriental carpets, ladies' wear and leather goods. Bargaining is not usual in Jewish shops and markets, although asking for a ‘discount' on some credible pretext can sometimes bring an immediate price reduction.<br /><br />In the city centre (west Jerusalem), shops and streets are much the same as in southern Europe. For traditional crafts and Judaica head for the<strong>House of Quality</strong>, the <strong>Hutzot Hayotser Arts and Crafts Lane</strong>, and the ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim area. The city's busiest shopping thoroughfare is chaotic Jaffa Street. There are also large shopping malls, such as <strong>Jerusalem Mall</strong> in Malcha Street.<br /><br />Shopping in east Jerusalem maintains a strongly Arabic, Middle Eastern feel. The hub of this district is Damascus Gate, where traders gather daily, from dawn to dusk, to sell anything from household wares to fresh farm produce. This market is full of life and bustle and (unlike the markets of the Muslim Quarter) sells to locals as well as tourists.<br /><br />Opening hours for shops are generally Sunday to Thursday 0900-1900 (some close daily between 1300 and 1600). Jewish-owned businesses, including almost all shops in west Jerusalem, are closed on Friday afternoon and Saturday for Shabbat. The Muslim Quarter and east Jerusalem are also quieter on Saturday. Trading on Friday, the Muslim holy day, is also quite restrained. Christian-owned shops close on Sundays.<br /><br />Value Added Tax (VAT), at a current rate of 15.5%, is quoted in the price of all goods and services. Tourists buying goods at shops listed by the Ministry of Tourism may be entitled to claim the tax back, provided the purchase cost US$100 or more and payment was made in foreign currency. Shoppers must obtain a special invoice form at the time of purchase. The form must be filled out and submitted at the airport and the refund is generally issued by post.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">Jerusalem</span></h2>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">Israel appears at first sight to be a brash, assertive society. However, to see Israelis express themselves in music and art is to realise the underlying emotional depth of this richly talented nation. It is striking that most buskers here are playing classical music. Several world-class classical music events take place in Israel, including the <strong>International Harp Contest</strong> held every three years (the next one, which will be the 17th, is scheduled for 2009). In addition, there are important classical music festivals, such as those at <strong>Kibbutz Ein Gev</strong> and the <strong>Kibbutz Kfar Blum</strong>. The <strong>Israel Festival</strong>, bringing a high-culture mix of music, drama and dance, turns Jerusalem into the world's cultural stage for three weeks in May and June.<br /><br />The <strong>Jerusalem Centre for the Performing Arts</strong>, 20 Marcus Street (tel: (02) 560 5757/55; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il" href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), in the Yemin Moshe area of west Jerusalem, serves as the city's unofficial cultural centre. This venue and the <strong>Jerusalem Film Center</strong>, Hebron Road (tel: (02) 565 4333; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jer-cin.org.il/" href="http://www.jer-cin.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jer-cin.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) (the city's trendy centre for art house films) are worth visiting in their own right, as places to absorb the buzz of creativity amongst Israel's most talented performers.<br /><br />The best ticket agencies for nearly all concerts and theatre performances in Jerusalem are <strong>Bimot</strong>, 8 Shamai Street (tel: (02) 623 7000; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.bimot.co.ilm" href="http://www.bimot.co.ilm/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.bimot.co.ilm</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) and <strong>Klaim</strong>, 12 Shamai Street (tel: (02) 622 2333). Travellers to the city hoping to catch live shows can also buy tickets in person from the various box offices.<br /><br />Listings for major events (with web links) can be found online at the Jerusalem municipal website (</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" href="http://www.jerusalem.muni.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem.muni.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">).<br /><br /><strong>Music:</strong> The <strong>Henry Crown Symphony Hall</strong>, 5 Chopin Street, is the home of the excellent <strong>Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra</strong> (tel: (02) 566 0211; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jso.co.il/" href="http://www.jso.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jso.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">). The world-renowned <strong>Israel Philharmonic Orchestra</strong> (tel: (02) 645 4647 <em>or</em> 1 700 703 030 (tickets); website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.ipo.co.il/" href="http://www.ipo.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.ipo.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), under its famous director Zubin Mehta, rotates performances between its main base in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem. Visitors to Jerusalem may find obtaining tickets for its concerts in the city very difficult, as they are often sold out months ahead - so it is wise to book before your trip to Israel. Such is the level of devotion to the orchestra, the ensemble boasts almost 30,000 season ticket holders - the largest subscription public per capita in the world. When it performs in Jerusalem, concerts are at the <strong>Binyanei Hauma - Jerusalem International Convention Center</strong>, 1 Shazar Street, near the Central Bus Station (tel: (02) 655 8558; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.iccjer.co.ilm" href="http://www.iccjer.co.ilm/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.iccjer.co.ilm</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">).<br /><br /><strong>Theatre:</strong> The city's principal performance stage is the <strong>Jerusalem Theatre</strong>, 20 Marcus Street, in the Yemin Moshe district (tel: (02) 560 5755; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il" href="http://www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jerusalem-theatre.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), with four fine auditoriums. Arguably the most innovative theatre for new drama is the <strong>Khan Theatre</strong>, 2 David Remez Square (tel: (02) 671 8281), which performs four or five plays every season. The repertory is divided between new plays from Israel and around the world, classics and adaptations. Performances are mainly in Hebrew.<br /><br /><strong>Dance:</strong> Lovers of dance will have no problem finding what they want in Israel. The renowned <strong>Israel Ballet</strong> (Israel's national classical ballet company) performs mainly in its home town of Tel Aviv, with occasional productions in Jerusalem. Several professional modern dance companies, most based in Tel Aviv, perform throughout the country and abroad - best known are <strong>Inbal Dance Theater</strong> and <strong>Batsheva Dance Company</strong>, both based at the <strong>Suzanne Dellal Centre</strong> in Tel Aviv (website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.suzannedellal.org.il/" href="http://www.suzannedellal.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.suzannedellal.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">). Jerusalem's own internationally acclaimed,<strong>Mechola Dance Company</strong>, 43 Emek Refaim (tel: (02) 563 6663; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://us.geocities.com/mehola.geo" href="http://us.geocities.com/mehola.geo" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">http://us.geocities.com/mehola.geo</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), stages vibrant, imaginative modern dance, as well as folk, ethnic and jazz dance performances.<br /><br /><strong>Film:</strong> Most foreign films in Jerusalem are screened in their original version with Hebrew subtitles. Among the most popular mainstream cinemas are<strong>Rav Chen</strong>, 19 HaOman Street in Talpiot (tel: (02) 679 2799; website:</span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.rav-hen.co.il" href="http://www.rav-hen.co.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.rav-hen.co.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), and the <strong>GG Gil</strong>, Jerusalem Mall, Malha Street (tel: (02) 678 8448). The <strong>Lev Smadar</strong>, 4 Lloyd George Street (tel: (02) 561 8168), is a highly regarded, comfortable art house cinema. However, the best place for cinema in Jerusalem is the <strong>Cinematheque</strong>, at the <strong>Jerusalem Film Center</strong>, Hebron Road (tel: (02) 565 4333; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jer-cin.org.il/" href="http://www.jer-cin.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jer-cin.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">). The Cinematheque has two auditoria showing classics, critically acclaimed new releases and foreign art house films.<br /><br />Many well-known films include scenes in Jerusalem, such as the finale of<em>Schindler's List</em> (1993). Israel has a productive film industry of its own, and<em>The Jerusalem Foundation</em> offers funding to film makers whose works are set mainly in the Israeli capital. Several award-winning films have been set partly in Jerusalem - and not usually the parts tourists see, such as<em>Ushpizin</em> (2004) depicting an encounter between the ultra-secular and Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox community, <em>Someone To Run With</em> (2006), a drama of teenage runaways in the city, based on a novel by David Grossman, or <em>Sour Milk</em> (2007), about a girl caught up in anti-Jewish riots in 1929.<br /><br /><strong>Literary Notes:</strong> Some of Israel's greatest writers were born in the 1930s. Many of them lived in Jerusalem at the start of the Arab-Israeli War, which followed the foundation of Israel in 1948. Constant themes are the conflict between the religious life of Judaism and the life of the modern secular Jew; and the contradiction of Jerusalem as the holy, eternal city of God and Jerusalem as the man-made, political city of human conflict.<br /><br />A B Yehoshua deals with these issues in his novel, <em>The Lover</em> (1977), which describes a husband's attempt to trace his wife's lover, who disappeared during the Yom Kippur War of 1973. The husband finds the man living within a community of Orthodox Jews in Jerusalem and attempts to persuade him to rejoin the modern secular reality of life in the city. In Amos Oz's novel, <em>My Michael</em> (1968), the tension between violence and spiritual yearning in Jerusalem leads to strains within a Jewish couple's marriage as they become more aware of both the threat and the hope offered by the city's Arab population. Yehuda Amichai (1924-2000) was one of the country's most admired and most successful writers. The author of more than 75 books, Amichai's works have been published around the world. While also much admired for his love poems, it was his ability to capture the dynamics of Israel's inner tensions and historical evolution that proved to be his most enduring contribution to Hebrew literature.</span></div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">All Jewish religious festivals and holidays (like Shabbat) are 24 hours long, starting the previous evening at nightfall and ending at nightfall. Jewish religious festivals fall on a different date every year.<br /><br /><strong>Pesach (Passover)</strong><strong><br /></strong>April (starts with ‘Seder Night' festive meal)<strong><br /></strong>Nothing with yeast or which is ‘leavened' is allowed all week - that includes bread and beer, first and last days are public holidays.<strong><br /></strong>Throughout the city<br /><strong><br /></strong>Israel Independence Day</span><br />May<strong><br /></strong>Celebrations of the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948.<strong><br /></strong>Throughout the city<br /><strong><br /></strong>Israel Festival<br />May-June<strong><br /></strong>Major cultural events.<strong><br /></strong>Various city venues<br /><br /><strong>Yom Yerushalayim (Jerusalem Day)</strong><strong><br /></strong>June<strong><br /></strong>Celebrations of the 1967 reunification of the city.<strong><br /></strong>Throughout the city<br /><br /><strong>Jerusalem Film Festival</strong><strong><br /></strong>July<strong><br /></strong>Cinematheque<strong><br /></strong>Website: <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jff.org.il/" href="http://www.jff.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jff.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><br /><strong>Hutzot Hayotzer</strong><strong><br /></strong>August<strong><br /></strong>Jerusalem's big annual arts, crafts and folklore festival.<strong><br /></strong>Opposite David's Tower<br /><br /><strong>Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year)</strong><strong><br /></strong>T</span>wo days in September/October<strong><br /></strong>Throughout the city<br /><strong><br /></strong>Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement)<br />10 days after Rosh Hashanah<br />Solemn religious fast day.<br /><br /><strong>Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)</strong><strong><br /></strong>October<strong><br /></strong>Throughout the city</div>
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<span data-mce-style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;" lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 14pt;" xml:lang="EN-GB">Excursions</span></h2>
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<strong><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">For a Half Day</span></strong> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /><br /><strong>Bethlehem:</strong> Situated just 12km (7 miles) south of central Jerusalem, the town of Bethlehem lies just across the ‘Green Line' in the West Bank, and is fully under Palestinian control. It is an interesting excursion if security considerations make it possible. Extreme care is required on a visit to this town, and it is very important to check the current situation before travelling there. Visitors should keep abreast through English-language daily newspapers, such as <em>The Jerusalem Post</em> (website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.jpost.com/" href="http://www.jpost.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.jpost.com</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">), but also check with locals before planning a trip.<br /><br />Bethlehem is known worldwide among Christians as the birthplace of Jesus Christ. However, Bethlehem also appears in the scriptures nearly 2,000 years before Jesus, and has great importance in Judaism as the burial place of Rachel, wife of Jacob. The events of the Book of Ruth took place here, too, and this was also the birthplace of King David. Bethlehem is therefore of great importance to Christians and Jews alike, but the population of this once-Christian town is today 88% Muslim. In the fourth century, a cave was selected as the exact place where Jesus was born and the <strong>Church of the Nativity</strong> erected over the site. The ornate and atmospheric medieval church, standing along one side of Manger Square is the focal point for any visit. The <strong>Cave of the Nativity</strong> is reached by going down some steps inside the church and a star on the floor shows where Jesus was supposedly born. Other sites in and around Bethlehem include the <strong>Shepherds' Field and Grotto</strong> and, on the Jerusalem side of town,<strong>Rachel's Tomb</strong> - however, these are both particularly dangerous spots.<br /><br /><strong>For a Whole Day</strong><br /><br /><strong>Masada:</strong> Situated on an isolated flat mountain top in the Judean Desert and overlooking the Dead Sea, Masada (pronounced ‘matzada' in Hebrew and meaning ‘fortress') was the scene of the final heroic Jewish resistance against the Romans. The group of Jewish zealots who had fled with their families to Masada realised that they faced imminent defeat and, rather than surrender to the Romans, all 967 men, women and children committed suicide. The extensive ruins include <strong>Herod's Palace</strong> (tel: (08) 658 4207), the synagogue, the fortress, an elaborate bathhouse and much more. Guided tours are available.<br /><br />Masada (tel: (07) 658 4117/8; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.parks.org.il/" href="http://www.parks.org.il/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.parks.org.il</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) is run as a national park. It is open Saturday to Thursday 0800-1700 (until 1600 Oct-Mar) and Friday 0500-1500 (cablecar operates from 0800). There is an admission charge with the cablecar costing extra. Masada lies on Route 90 close to the Dead Sea, 22km (14 miles) east of the desert town of Arad, and 20km (12 miles) south of Ein-Gedi. Approaching from the east, the road ends at the parking lot at the foot of the mountain. From there the ascent is either by the cablecar, or by walking up the Snake Path - a tiring climb taking just under an hour. From the west, the road ends at the western parking lot, from which there is a 15- to 20-minute easy climb to the top. Masada can be reached by bus 444, 486 or 487 from Jerusalem.<br /><br /><strong>Ein Gedi, Dead Sea:</strong> Located on the western shore, the Ein Gedi Resort (tel: (08) 659 4221; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.ngedi.com" href="http://www.ngedi.com/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.ngedi.com</span></a></span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">and</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.ein-gedi.co.il/en_index.htm" href="http://www.ein-gedi.co.il/en_index.htm" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.ein-gedi.co.il/en_index.htm</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">) offers a chance to float in the Dead Sea, relax in its sulphur pools and enjoy its excellent restaurant. Bathers can be covered in black mud before going for a dunking in the sea, which, at some 400m (1,320ft) below sea level, is the lowest point on earth. Famous for its curative powers, the Dead Sea is the saltiest and most mineral-laden body of water in the world. The Ein Gedi Spa is open Saturday to Thursday 0700-1800, and Friday 0700-1700 (admission charge). It can be reached by bus 421, 444 or 486 from Jerusalem.<br /><br />It is possible to combine the Masada and Ein Gedi Spa in a day with one of the tours run by the <em>Egged National Bus Co-operative</em> (tel: (03) 694 8888; website:</span> <span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;"><a data-mce-href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" href="http://www.egged.co.il/Eng/" style="color: #0040b6;" target="_blank"><span data-mce-style="mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB">www.egged.co.il/Eng</span></a></span><span data-mce-style="font-family: Arial; color: black; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB;" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.5pt;">).</span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-72642725163326547012017-05-28T11:04:00.001-07:002017-05-28T11:05:49.762-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel built by the Draiman Family<br />
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<span style="color: navy; font-family: "monotype corsiva";">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span></div>
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<b>This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</b></div>
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<b><a href="http://www.bookingisrael.com/Hotels/Jerusalem?UserKey=6C4F346B3366364A344E6F61336B484E46684B3748673D3D"><span style="color: navy; font-size: large;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS</span></a></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>
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</td><td align="left" valign="top" width="50%"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: navy;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: navy;"><b>Elegance and Luxury</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><b>Comfortable Lobby</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><b>Accommodations:</b><br />110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites<br />tastefully designed with a full complement<br />of support services.<br />Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites<br />All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.<br /><br />88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).<br /><b>Suites</b><br />All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette<br />2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).<br />10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).<br />5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).<br />5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City<br />(floors 1,2,3).</span></div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><b>Spacious Rooms</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy;"><b>Heated Indoor Pool</b></span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-41335421227040849082017-05-28T10:40:00.001-07:002017-05-28T10:40:46.801-07:00The Hotel Fast building was abandoned in 1967 and torn down in 1976 to make way for the Jerusalem Pearl Hotel. Built by the Draiman family in 1995<span style="background-color: #002f44; color: white; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.524px;">The Hotel Fast building was abandoned in 1967 and torn down in 1976 to make way for the Jerusalem Pearl Hotel. Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br />
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Why Was a Nazi Flag Flying from a Jerusalem Hotel in the 1930s?</h3>
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We <a href="http://www.israeldailypicture.com/2015/08/a-major-19th-century-photo-collection.html" style="color: #66ddff; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">recently published</a> pictures from the British Library's<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <a href="http://eap.bl.uk/database/overview_item.a4d?catId=196125;r=6334" style="background-color: white; color: #009eb8; display: inline; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.68px; text-decoration-line: none; transition: color 0.3s;" target="_blank">Endangered Archives Program</a><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15.68px;">,</span></span></span>including this incredible picture of Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem's Old City which we have dated to the mid-1890s. Only in 1898 was the wall near Jaffa Gate breached so that carriages could drive into the city.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRRM96xOb8/Vd-Zr_nrjOI/AAAAAAAAUFI/hCrYdIgwH-Q/s1600/BL%2BBonfils%2BJaffa%2BGate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #66ddff; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRRM96xOb8/Vd-Zr_nrjOI/AAAAAAAAUFI/hCrYdIgwH-Q/s640/BL%2BBonfils%2BJaffa%2BGate.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://eap.bl.uk/database/overview_item.a4d?catId=196374;r=24464" style="color: #66ddff; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Jaffa Gate</a> and A(braham) Fast's restaurant.</span> <span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 12.54px;">(</span><em style="line-height: 12.54px;">Debbas Collection, British Library</em><span style="line-height: 12.54px;">)</span></span></td></tr>
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<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />We wanted to know more about the store on the left with the sign "A Fast. Restauranteur." Was this a tourist establishment of Abraham Fast, who in 1907 took over a large hotel several hundred meters to the west of the building pictured above and renamed it "Hotel Fast?"<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; color: #333333; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 8px; position: relative;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wizeWS5xEhM/VeLnjip2jAI/AAAAAAAAUGQ/Vo3a_gcPG74/s1600/German%2Bmarch%2Bgood%2BFriday%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #66ddff; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wizeWS5xEhM/VeLnjip2jAI/AAAAAAAAUGQ/Vo3a_gcPG74/s400/German%2Bmarch%2Bgood%2BFriday%2B1.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205082094" style="color: #66ddff; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">German troops</a> marching in Jerusalem on Good Friday, </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">April 6, 1917. The </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">building on the left is </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">the Fast Hotel. (<i>Imperial War Museum, UK</i>)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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It was a leading hotel with 100 rooms, built around a court yard with Ionic, Corinthian and Doric columns.<br /><br />Hotel Fast and its kosher restaurant was a well-known establishment in Jerusalem for decades, and was probably considered by many to be a Jewish-owned establishment because of its Jewish clientele.<br /><br />Nothing could be further from the truth. The Fasts were German Templers.<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; color: #333333; float: left; margin-right: 1em; padding: 8px; position: relative;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcSQGNY2iI/Vd-cc-ZPwlI/AAAAAAAAUFc/Vq38502hYzw/s1600/Hotel%2BFast%2Bwith%2Bswastika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #66ddff; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcSQGNY2iI/Vd-cc-ZPwlI/AAAAAAAAUFc/Vq38502hYzw/s400/Hotel%2BFast%2Bwith%2Bswastika.jpg" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="388" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Swastika_flag_in_Jerusalem.jpg" style="color: #66ddff; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">German consulate</a> in the Fast Hotel, 1933. </span><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">(<i>Wikimedia, </i></span><i style="font-size: medium;">Tamar Hayardeni</i><span style="font-size: x-small;">)</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br /><br />They lived in Jerusalem's German Colony and were exiled by the British after World War I and during World War II because of their support for Germany.<br /><br /><br />We recently uncovered pictures of German troops marching in Jerusalem streets on Good Friday 1917. Readers were able to identify the building on the left as the Fast Hotel.<br /><br />Our biggest surprise was finding this picture of the German consulate in the Hotel Fast with the German Swastika flag flying from the building.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />During World War II, the hotel was taken over by the British army command and turned into the Australian army club.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.5) 1px 1px 5px; color: #333333; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 8px; position: relative; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIVAdXsgb8/Vd-dGU6o-FI/AAAAAAAAUFo/zkqspqSG58s/s1600/aussies%2Bat%2Bmystery%2Bbuilding.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; color: #66ddff; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIVAdXsgb8/Vd-dGU6o-FI/AAAAAAAAUFo/zkqspqSG58s/s640/aussies%2Bat%2Bmystery%2Bbuilding.png" style="background: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 0px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; position: relative;" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 10.8192px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 24.75px; text-align: justify;">The Hotel Fast housed <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2010006449/PP/" style="color: #66ddff; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">Australian soldiers</a> in World War II. </span><span style="text-align: justify;"> </span><span style="text-align: justify;">H</span><span style="text-align: justify;">ere they are</span><span 14px="" imes="" justify="" new="" roman="" s="" serif="" times=""> greeting the Australian </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span 14px="" imes="" justify="" new="" roman="" s="" serif="" times="">Prime Minister Robert Menzies and the commander of the Australian troops in Australia, </span></span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span 14px="" imes="" justify="" new="" roman="" s="" serif="" times="">Lt. Gen. Thomas Blamey in</span><span style="color: blue; text-align: justify;"> </span>February 1941. The Matson Photo Service, shown on the ground </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">floor, was run by Eric Matson, originally </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">from the American Colony Photographic Department. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"> Matson left Palestine in </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">1946 for the United States. His collection of photos was </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">bequeathed to the Library </span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">of Congress where many of the pictures in this </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">website were found. (<i style="line-height: 12.54px;">Library of Congress</i></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 12.54px;">) </span><br /><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 12.54px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 12.54px;"><br /></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Hotel Fast building was abandoned in 1967 and torn down in 1976 to make way for the Jerusalem Pearl Hotel. Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span></div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-79161664006662100352017-05-28T10:25:00.002-07:002017-05-28T10:46:42.938-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel built by the Draiman FamilyJerusalem Pearl Hotel built by the Draiman Family<br />
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<img alt="Israel Batch 1 (934).JPG" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/Israel_Batch_1_%28934%29.JPG/1280px-Israel_Batch_1_%28934%29.JPG" /><br />
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Jerusalem Pearl Hotel built by the Draiman Family<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Elegance and Luxury</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Comfortable Lobby</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Accommodations:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">tastefully designed with a full complement</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">of support services.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">(floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Spacious Rooms</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Heated Indoor Pool</span><br />
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<span class="_3xgd" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 20px;">The Hotel Fast</span></div>
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<span class="_1a2o _2pih _50f8 _50f5" style="color: #90949c; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; padding-right: 4px; vertical-align: middle;"><a class="_3rgv" href="https://www.facebook.com/654018151335566/photos/?tab=albums" style="cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration-line: none;"><span class="_4qba" data-intl-translation="Albums" data-intl-trid="">Albums</span></a></span><i alt="" class="_1a2o img sp_r7dIIGC54JG sx_5476c9" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yM/r/RQDjLh91m0X.png"); background-position: 0px -225px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; display: inline-block; height: 16px; vertical-align: middle; width: 16px;"></i><div class="_3rgw _1a2o _2pir" style="color: #4b4f56; display: inline-block; font-family: inherit; overflow: hidden; padding-left: 4px; text-align: left; text-overflow: ellipsis; vertical-align: middle; white-space: nowrap; width: 150px;">
<span class=" _50f5" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px;">The Hotel Fast</span></div>
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<a aria-haspopup="true" class="_p _55pi _2agf _4o_4 _4jy0 _4jy4 _517h _51sy _42ft" href="https://www.facebook.com/pg/BMJerusalemitesPhotoLib/photos/?tab=album&album_id=949656045105107#" role="button" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: #f6f7f9; border-radius: 2px; border: 1px solid rgb(206, 208, 212); box-sizing: content-box; color: #4b4f56; cursor: pointer; display: inline-flex; font-family: inherit; font-weight: bold; justify-content: center; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px !important; max-width: 200px; padding: 0px 10px; position: relative; text-decoration-line: none; text-shadow: none; transition: background-color 200ms cubic-bezier(0.08, 0.52, 0.52, 1), box-shadow 200ms cubic-bezier(0.08, 0.52, 0.52, 1), transform 200ms cubic-bezier(0.08, 0.52, 0.52, 1); vertical-align: middle; word-wrap: normal; z-index: 1;"><span class="_-xe _3-8_" style="font-family: inherit; margin-right: 4px;"><i alt="" class="img sp_r7dIIGC54JG sx_a0c5e2" style="background-image: url("/rsrc.php/v3/yM/r/RQDjLh91m0X.png"); background-position: -17px -225px; background-repeat: no-repeat; background-size: auto; bottom: 1px; display: inline-block; height: 12px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 12px;"></i></span></a></div>
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<span class="_50f8" style="font-family: inherit;">12 Photos</span><span aria-hidden="true" role="presentation" style="font-family: inherit;"> · </span><span class="_50f8" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="_4qba" data-intl-translation="{updated}{time since update}" data-intl-trid="">Updated <span class="_4qba" data-intl-translation="over a year ago" data-intl-trid="">over a year ago</span></span></span></div>
<span class=" _50f4" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;">In 1907 Abraham Fast took over a large hotel on Jaffa Road, north of Jaffa Gate, which was originally named Hotel Howard and built in 1891 by Theodor Sandel, and renamed it Hotel Fast. Both Theodor Sandel and Abraham Fast were members of the German Colony Templers. The German Colony was established by members of the Templer sect, which was founded in Germany in 1858. They came to Palestine in the late nineteenth century to escape religious persecution and to put their religious beliefs into practice by establishing colonies in the Holy Land which would realize the visions of the prophets. Other Templers built settlements in Haifa, Jaffa and the Galilee. The Hotel Fast was a leading hotel in Jerusalem with 100 rooms built around a courtyard with Ionic, Corinthian and Doric columns. During World War II, the hotel was taken over by the British army command and turned into the Australian army club. The hotel was demolished in 1976 to make way for the Dan Pearl Hotel. The Matson Photo Service, shown on the ground floor of the Hotel Fast, was run by Eric Matson, originally from the American Colony Photographic Department. Matson left Palestine in 1946 for the United States. His collection of photos was bequeathed to the Library of Congress.</span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-69706667237930452802017-05-28T10:22:00.000-07:002017-05-28T10:48:21.369-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Jerusalem, Israel built by the Draiman Family in 1995<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Elegance and Luxury</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Comfortable Lobby</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Accommodations:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">tastefully designed with a full complement</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">of support services.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">(floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Spacious Rooms</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Heated Indoor Pool</span><br />
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<img alt="Jerusalem Jerusalem (2542887747).jpg" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8a/Jerusalem_Jerusalem_%282542887747%29.jpg/1280px-Jerusalem_Jerusalem_%282542887747%29.jpg" /><br />
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Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Jerusalem, Israel built by the Draiman Family in 1995<br />
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Category:Hotel Fast (Jerusalem)<div class="fastcci-buttonset ui-buttonset" lang="en" style="display: inline-block; float: right; font-size: 15px; margin: -5px 0px 0px; position: relative;">
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<span class="language de" title="Deutsch"><b>Deutsch:</b></span> <b>Hotel Howard</b> in Jerusalem, 1891 von <a class="extiw" href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodor_Sandel_(Architekt)" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #663366; text-decoration-line: none;" title="de:Theodor Sandel (Architekt)">Theodor Sandel</a>, dann <b>Hotel Fast</b> ab 1907, nach 1918 <b>St. Andrew's House</b>, abgerissen in 1975</div>
<div class="description mw-content-ltr en" dir="ltr" lang="en" style="direction: ltr;" xml:lang="en">
<span class="language en" title=""><b>English:</b></span> <b>Hotel Howard</b> in Jerusalem, built in 1891 by Theodor Sandel, then <b>Hotel Fast</b> as of 1907, after 1918 <b>St. Andrew's House</b>, demolished in 1975</div>
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Media in category "Hotel Fast (Jerusalem)"</h2>
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The following 18 files are in this category, out of 18 total.</div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-14585258247184857242017-05-28T10:15:00.001-07:002017-05-28T10:51:56.647-07:00Jerusalem Pearl hotel palm tree <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Elegance and Luxury</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Comfortable Lobby</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Accommodations:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">tastefully designed with a full complement</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">of support services.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Suites</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">(floors 1,2,3).</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Spacious Rooms</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Heated Indoor Pool</span><br />
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Why Was a Nazi Flag Flying from a Jerusalem Hotel in the 1930s?</h1>
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Jaffa Gate was once too small for carriages and boasted a restaurant that later turned into a hotel down the road.</div>
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Lenny Ben David, <span class="Date" style="font-size: 9pt; margin-left: 3px;"><span itemprop="datePublished" style="font-size: 10.8px;">31/08/15 13:49</span></span></div>
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<img alt="Hotel Fast, Jerusalem" itemprop="image" src="http://f.a7.org/pictures/613/613276.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px auto; max-width: 100%;" title="Hotel Fast, Jerusalem" /><div class="ImageDesc" style="background-color: black; bottom: 0px; color: white; font-weight: bold; left: 0px; padding: 5px; position: absolute; text-align: right;">
Hotel Fast, Jerusalem<div class="ImageCredit" style="display: inline-block; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px 10px;">
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We <a href="http://www.israeldailypicture.com/2015/08/a-major-19th-century-photo-collection.html" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">recently published</a> pictures from the British Library's <a href="http://eap.bl.uk/database/overview_item.a4d?catId=196125;r=6334" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Endangered Archives Program</a>, including the incredible picture below of Jaffa Gate at Jerusalem's Old City which we have dated to the mid-1890s. Only in 1898 was the wall near Jaffa Gate breached so that carriages could drive into the city.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRRM96xOb8/Vd-Zr_nrjOI/AAAAAAAAUFI/hCrYdIgwH-Q/s1600/BL%2BBonfils%2BJaffa%2BGate.jpg" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aKRRM96xOb8/Vd-Zr_nrjOI/AAAAAAAAUFI/hCrYdIgwH-Q/s640/BL%2BBonfils%2BJaffa%2BGate.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://eap.bl.uk/database/overview_item.a4d?catId=196374;r=24464" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Jaffa Gate</a> and A(braham) Fast's restaurant. (<em>Debbas Collection, British Library</em>)<br />
We wanted to know more about the store on the left with the sign "A Fast. Restauranteur." Was this a tourist establishment of Abraham Fast, who in 1907 took over a large hotel several hundred meters to the west of the building pictured above and renamed it "Hotel Fast?"<br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wizeWS5xEhM/VeLnjip2jAI/AAAAAAAAUGQ/Vo3a_gcPG74/s1600/German%2Bmarch%2Bgood%2BFriday%2B1.jpg" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wizeWS5xEhM/VeLnjip2jAI/AAAAAAAAUGQ/Vo3a_gcPG74/s400/German%2Bmarch%2Bgood%2BFriday%2B1.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205082094" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">German troops</a> marching in Jerusalem on Good Friday, April 6, 1917. The building on the left is the Fast Hotel. (<em>Imperial War Museum, UK</em>)<br />
It was a leading hotel with 100 rooms, built around a court yard with Ionic, Corinthian and Doric columns.<br /><br />Hotel Fast and its kosher restaurant was a well-known establishment in Jerusalem for decades, and was probably considered by many to be a Jewish-owned establishment because of its Jewish clientele.<br /><br />Nothing could be further from the truth. The Fasts were German Templers.<br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcSQGNY2iI/Vd-cc-ZPwlI/AAAAAAAAUFc/Vq38502hYzw/s1600/Hotel%2BFast%2Bwith%2Bswastika.jpg" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fcSQGNY2iI/Vd-cc-ZPwlI/AAAAAAAAUFc/Vq38502hYzw/s400/Hotel%2BFast%2Bwith%2Bswastika.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%;" /></a><br />
The <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Swastika_flag_in_Jerusalem.jpg" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">German consulate</a> in the Fast Hotel, 1933. (<em>Wikimedia, </em><em>Tamar Hayardeni</em>)<br /><br />They lived in Jerusalem's German Colony and were exiled by the British after World War I and during World War II because of their support for Germany.<br />
We recently uncovered pictures of German troops marching in Jerusalem streets on Good Friday 1917. Readers were able to identify the building on the left as the Fast Hotel.<br /><br />Our biggest surprise was finding this picture of the German consulate in the Hotel Fast with the German Swastika flag flying from the building.<br /><br />During World War II, the hotel was taken over by the British army command and turned into the Australian army club.<br /> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIVAdXsgb8/Vd-dGU6o-FI/AAAAAAAAUFo/zkqspqSG58s/s1600/aussies%2Bat%2Bmystery%2Bbuilding.png" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank"><img src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cYIVAdXsgb8/Vd-dGU6o-FI/AAAAAAAAUFo/zkqspqSG58s/s640/aussies%2Bat%2Bmystery%2Bbuilding.png" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%;" /></a><br />
The Hotel Fast housed <a href="http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/mpc2010006449/PP/" style="color: #046eb9; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Australian soldiers</a> in World War II. Here they are greeting the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies and the commander of the Australian troops in Australia, Lt. Gen. Thomas Blamey in February 1941.<br />
The Matson Photo Service, shown on the ground floor, was run by Eric Matson, originally from the American Colony Photographic Department. Matson left Palestine in 1946 for the United States. His collection of photos were bequeathed to the Library of Congress where many of the pictures in this website were found. (<em>Library of Congress</em>)<br /><br />The Hotel Fast building was abandoned in 1967 and torn down in 1976 to make way for the Dan Pearl Hotel.<br />
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-16791525415863198862017-05-28T10:13:00.001-07:002017-05-28T10:28:09.336-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel and Streets in Jerusalem<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Elegance and Luxury</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Comfortable Lobby</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Accommodations:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">tastefully designed with a full complement</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">of support services.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">(floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Spacious Rooms</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Heated Indoor Pool</span><br />
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<img alt="Streets of Jerusalem (12).JPG" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a3/Streets_of_Jerusalem_%2812%29.JPG/1280px-Streets_of_Jerusalem_%2812%29.JPG" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel and Streets in Jerusalem</span><br />
<br />YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-83951598127370862652017-05-28T10:09:00.000-07:002017-05-28T10:28:20.821-07:00Jerusalem Pearl Hotel More details Vehicle of HaGihon, the Jerusalem water company. Behind is Jerusalem Pearl Hotel<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel - Built by the Draiman family in 1995</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">This hotel is CLOSED. Click below to compare rates in all Jerusalem hotels</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">CLICK HERE FOR RATES IN ALL JERUSALEM HOTELS </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">The Jerusalem Pearl places you right at the heart of Jerusalem, where history and tomorrow meet. Facing you, the golden stones of the Old City and remarkable views of the Citadel of David and Mount Zion. And whether it's the Jaffa Gate, Western Wall or the city's prestigious new commercial hub with its elegant stores, nothing is further than a stroll away.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Elegance and Luxury</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Comfortable Lobby</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Accommodations:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">110 rooms including 22 Luxury Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">tastefully designed with a full complement</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">of support services.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Guestrooms accommodate a maximum of 3 persons. Suites are designed for up to 5 persons and comprise a living room with a separate, fully equipped dining area and working corner for business travelers. Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All rooms and suites are air-conditioned and include international direct dial telephone, safety deposit boxes and TV.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">88 standard rooms facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Suites</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">All suites consist of a living room, bedroom, 2 baths and kitchenette</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">2 suites facing New City (floors 1,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">10 suites with a view of the Old City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 large deluxe suites facing the New City (floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">5 Presidential suites facing both the Old and New City</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">(floors 1,2,3).</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Spacious Rooms</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;">Heated Indoor Pool</span><br />
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<span class="mw-mmv-title" original-title="" style="display: inline-block;">Vehicle of HaGihon, the Jerusalem water company. Behind is Jerusalem Pearl Hotel</span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-49924674400932081842015-11-30T21:36:00.001-08:002015-11-30T21:36:13.502-08:00Jerusalem: The Old City - Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SLJNXMxRxw/Vl0xtJUUKUI/AAAAAAAABH4/1ANNJkFGnYk/s1600/000%2BTemple%2BMount%2Bas%2Bit%2Bshould%2Blook%2Bwith%2BJewish%2BTemple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0SLJNXMxRxw/Vl0xtJUUKUI/AAAAAAAABH4/1ANNJkFGnYk/s320/000%2BTemple%2BMount%2Bas%2Bit%2Bshould%2Blook%2Bwith%2BJewish%2BTemple.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="color: blue;">Jerusalem: The Old City</span></strong></div>
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<strong><span style="color: #20124d;">PLACES TO VISIT:</span></strong></div>
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<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#four" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Four Quarters</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Jewish" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Jewish Quarter</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Wall" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Western Wall</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Temple" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Muslim Quarter & Temple Mount</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Ramparts" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Ramparts</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Cross" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Way of the Cross</span></a></li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px;"><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Armenian" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Armenian Quarter</span></a></li>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Overview</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">In the Hollywood movie <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>, Indiana Jones and his enemies try to capture the lost Ark of the Covenant. At one point in the film, Jones' nemesis pats the Ark and turns to Indiana saying, <em>"You and I are just passing through history. This is history."</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">That is the feeling one gets in the Old City of <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/jerutoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jerusalem</a>. Just walking through the narrow streets and alleys, never mind the shrines holy to three faiths, one is immersed in history.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Old City covers roughly 220 acres (one square kilometer). The surrounding walls date to the rule of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Ottoman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Ottoman</a> Sultan, <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Suleyman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Suleiman the Magnificent</a> (1520-1566). Work began on them in 1537 and was not completed until 1541.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Old City has a total of 11 <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/gates.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">gates</a>, but only seven are open (Jaffa, Zion, Dung, Lions’ [St. Stephen's], Herod’s, Damascus [Shechem] and New).</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">Jews aren't worried about the Golden Gate being closed. As one tour guide put it, "If the Messiah came this far, he'd find a way in."</span></div>
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<table align="right" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; height: 175px;"><caption align="bottom"><span style="color: #20124d;">David's Tower</span></caption><tbody>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">One of the closed gates is the Golden Gate, located above ground level and below the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>. It is only visible from outside the city. According to Jewish tradition, when the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/messiah.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Messiah</a> comes, he will enter Jerusalem through this gate. To prevent him from coming, the Muslims sealed the gate during the rule of <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Suleyman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Suleiman</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">You may notice the original gates are angled so that you can't enter directly into the city without making a sharp 90-degree angle turn. This was to prevent enemies on horseback from charging full-speed, straight ahead through them, and to make it difficult to use a long battering ram to break them down. Also, you can see above some of the gates, such as Zion Gate, outside the Armenian and Jewish quarters, a hole through which boiling liquids could be poured on attackers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The main entrance to the city is the Jaffa Gate, built by <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Suleyman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Suleiman</a> in 1538. The name in Arabic, Bab el-Halil or Hebron Gate, means "The Beloved," and refers to <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/abraham.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Abraham</a>, the beloved of God who is buried in <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/hebrontoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hebron</a>. A road allows cars to enter the city here. It was originally built in 1898 when Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany visited Jerusalem. The ruling <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Ottoman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Ottoman Turks</a> opened it so the German Emperor would not have to dismount his carriage.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">It was announced in August 2014 that the Old City was going to have some work done to make the city more accessible to handicap patrons. This $20 million Shekel ($5.75 million) project will provide handicap accessible ramps, hand rails, and other accommodations so handicap individuals can access areas that they were unable to before. The construction will take place in The Jewish Quarter, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the City Of David, all of which had areas that were previously inaccessible to people in wheelchairs and walkers. Other improvements include sign changes for visually impaired individuals, and a new shuttle bus service. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_four" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Four Quarters</span></h3>
<table align="right" border="0" cellpadding="5" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; height: 175px;"><caption align="bottom"><span style="color: #20124d;">Old City Map</span></caption><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img align="absmiddle" alt="" border="2" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/PbS6dTIymGmwRDZfU8HGTuzsrgQWHJs4GQbA1eK24E52pNOLnbwBoB613JpzfB2wddbpnwmEb7N_7OzVqcl17bdc4arFzgUK_xI95ORunE1l=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/oldcitymap1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="320" /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Old City is divided into four neighborhoods, which are named according to the ethnic affiliation of most of the people who live in them. These quarters form a rectangular grid, but they are not equal in size. The dividing lines are the street that runs from Damascus Gate to the Zion Gate — which divides the city into east and west — and the street leading from the Jaffa Gate to Lion's gate — which bifurcates the city north and south. Entering through the Jaffa Gate and traveling to David Street places the Christian Quarter on the left. On the right, as you continue down David Street, you'll enter the Armenian Quarter. To the left of Jews Street is the Muslim Quarter, and, to the right, is the Jewish Quarter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A great way to visit the Old City is simply to wander through the labyrinthine paths and let yourself get lost. For safety reasons, it's best not to travel alone and to be careful about wandering beyond the main thoroughfares of the Muslim Quarter. It is also prudent to explore during the day, though the views of many of the sites -- when you know how to find them -- are often best at night.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Just inside Jaffa Gate, on the left beyond the Tourist Information Office, is a small enclosure with two graves nearly hidden beneath the trees. These are believed to be the graves of the two architects whom <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Suleyman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Suleiman</a> had rebuild the city walls. They were supposedly murdered either because the Sultan wanted to be sure they could never build anything more impressive for anyone else, or because he was angered by their failure to include Mount Zion within the walls.</span></div>
<table align="right" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; height: 175px;"><caption align="bottom"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Arab Market</span></caption><tbody>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">From the Jaffa Gate side of the city, the most striking landmark is the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a>, which is marked by David's Tower, a misnomer given that the cylindrical structure dates from the 16th century. By contrast, the tall, square tower is 2,000 years old and was built by <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Herod.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Herod</a>. Inside the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a> is a courtyard and <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/davidmuse.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">museum</a> with exhibits on the history of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a> and Old City.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The best way to immerse yourself in the city is simply to head straight down David Street from Jaffa Gate into the Arab market, the <i>souk</i>, where you can expect to be verbally accosted by shopkeepers trying to entice you into their stores and to keep you occupied long enough to buy something. It's a great place to bargain, but keep in mind the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/vieprep.html#Shopping" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">shopping tips</a> offered under trip preparation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As you make your way through the <i>souk</i>, you'll reach different forks. Head to the left to go toward the Christian or Muslim Quarter and the right to reach the Jewish Quarter. The path to the major shrines, the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a>, <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> and <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/church.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulcher</a>, are not very well marked, but anyone you ask should be able to direct you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">If you head toward the Muslim Quarter, or enter the Old City coming from the North from Mea She'arim or somewhere else off Suleiman Street, you'll want to look for Damascus Gate. This is where most Arabs enter the city and you'll find a bustling open-air market filled with people, carts, food and trinkets. Below the gate is a surviving arch built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 135 as the main entrance to the city he called Aelia Capitolina.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Jewish" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Jewish Quarter</span></h3>
<table align="right" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; height: 175px;"><caption align="bottom"><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #20124d;">The Hurva Synagogue (Top: Old Arch; Bottom: Newly Rebuilt)</span></span></caption><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img align="absmiddle" alt="" border="2" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/eUymFIFsnasyETG5NP1XgeVzd0L3uyyzZ-5TwW2e8Gxeq7_LV16aT-5jbm7bGkdb-trcd6Woi34w4Uby-Aglkxx0DbYjgN0d2_8q=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/hurva.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="250" /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The current Jewish Quarter, which today looks almost brand new and usually sparkling clean, dates to roughly 1400. The oldest <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/shul.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">synagogues</a> — the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Elijah.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Elijah the Prophet</a> and <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/ben_zakkai.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Yohanan Ben Zakkai</a> — are roughly 400 years-old. These <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/shul.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">synagogues</a> are below street level because at the time they were built Jews and Christians were prohibited from building anything higher than the Muslim structures.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">In the main plaza, the famous arch that used to stretch skyward where the Hurva Synagogue once stood has now been replaced with a rebuilt and rededicated Synagogue. Originally the Great Synagogue, the Hurva was built in the 16th century, but was destroyed by the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Ottoman.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Ottomans</a>. The synagogue was rebuilt in the 1850's, but was damaged in the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/1948toc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">1948 war</a> and later destroyed after the Jordanians took control of the Old City. After Israel recaptured the Old City in 1967 debate lasted for decades on whether the rebuild the Hurva or leave it in the destroyed state to memorialize the conflict. Finally, in March of 2010 the newly rebuilt Hurva was dedicated and the synagogue is now in regular use.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Nearby is the Ramban Synagogue, named for <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Nachmanides.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rabbi Moshe Ben-Nahman</a> — the Ramban — who helped rejuvenate the Jewish community in Jerusalem in 1267, after it had been wiped out by the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Crusader.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Crusaders</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Just off the plaza is the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Nea.html#Cardo" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Cardo</a>, which was a <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Byzantine.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Byzantine</a> road, roughly the equivalent of an eight-lane highway, that ran through the heart of the city. Today, a small area is preserved with some of the original Roman columns. Just beyond the columns is an underground mall with a number of Jewish stores and art galleries. This is a good place to purchase Judaica, and it is possible to haggle with shopkeepers. Compare the prices with the shops downtown before you buy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Jewish Quarter of today is located on the remains of the upper city from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Herod.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Herodian</a> period (37 B.C.E-70 C.E.). The Wohl Archaeological Museum contains what are now the underground remains of a residential quarter where wealthy families belonging to the Jerusalem aristocracy and priesthood constructed homes overlooking the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>. Some archaeologists believe the palace of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Hasmonean.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hasmoneans</a> (also known as the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Maccabees.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Maccabees</a>) is among the ruins.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">Since the 2nd century, refuse has been hauled out of the city through Dung Gate, hence the name.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Two gates lead into the Jewish Quarter. One, just outside the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a> plaza, is the Dung Gate. The other is Zion Gate. If you want to bypass most of the tourists, take the path from Yemin Moshe down the hill, across Jaffa Road and up the snake path along the wall to Zion Gate. This was the last gate constructed (in 1540), probably because Mount Zion was inadvertently let outside the city walls. In Arabic it is known as "the Prophet David's Gate" because it faces Mount Zion where <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/David.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">David</a> is supposed to be buried. Like other fortress gates, this was built in an L-shape to prevent armies on horseback from charging through the entrance. Today, you only have to worry about cars charging through.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Wall" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Western Wall</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">When Rome destroyed the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Second Temple</a> in 70 C.E., only one outer wall remained standing. The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Romans.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Romans</a> probably would have destroyed that wall also, but it must have seemed too insignificant to them; it was not even part of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple</a> itself, just an outer wall surrounding the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>. For the Jews, however, this remnant of what was the most sacred building in the Jewish world quickly became the holiest spot in Jewish life. Throughout the centuries, Jews from throughout the world traveled to Palestine, and immediately headed for the <i>Kotel ha-Ma'aravi</i> (the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a>) to thank God. The prayers offered at the <i>Kotel</i> were so heartfelt that non-Jews began calling the site the "Wailing Wall."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A large plaza offers access to the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a>. You may take pictures — except on <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/Judaism/shabbat.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Shabbat</a> — from outside the fenced enclosure near the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a>. The area is open 24-hours and is especially nice to visit when it is quiet late at night or during holidays and <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/Judaism/barmitz.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">bar-mitzvahs</a> when the area is filled with worshippers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The area near the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a> is divided by a fence — a <i>mechitza</i> — with a small area for women only on one side and a larger area for men on the other. If you don't have a <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/Kippah.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">yarmulke</a>, a box at the entrance has paper ones to use while you're near the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Go right up to the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a> and feel the texture of the stones and take in the awesome size of the structure. The largest stone in the wall is 45 feet long, 15 feet deep, 15 feet high, and weighs more than one million pounds. The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a> is 65 feet (20 meters) high.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">A Jew goes to the Wall every year and puts a prayer in the crack saying: "God please help me win the lottery." Year after year he loses. Finally, after several years, God speaks to him: "Nudnick, will you go and buy a ticket."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Praying at the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a> is a unique experience, one that makes believers feel as close as it is possible to get to the Almighty. You'll notice scraps of paper in the Wall when you are standing up close. These <i>kvitlach</i>, are messages and prayers that people write and put in the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a>, hoping they will be answered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Entering a tunnel at the prayer plaza, one turns northwards into a medieval complex of subterranean vaulted spaces and a long corridor with rooms on either side. Incorporated into this complex is a Roman and medieval structure of vaults, built of large dressed limestone. The vaulted complex ends at Wilson's Arch, named after the explorer who discovered it in the middle of the 19th century.</span></div>
<table align="left" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="2" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; height: 175px;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d;"><img align="absmiddle" alt="" border="2" class="CToWUd" height="250" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/C0LlcDwcw2NjpMGFHnG1aoRjAHFzOLw6pQwI6iYko0c6GG6tYCB44A3O3vjHnfJtTENisbMknstLHZCv0zl8KmziJr76kwng9pGUraISgGDcqJ7l=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/images/tunnel.jpg" width="172" /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Along the outer face of the Herodian western wall of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>, a long narrow tunnel was dug slowly under the supervision of archaeologists. As work progressed under the buildings of the present Old City, the tunnel was systematically reinforced with concrete supports. A stretch of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a> — nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) long — was revealed in pristine condition, exactly as constructed by <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Herod.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Herod</a>. In this confined space, you are walking on the original pavement from the Second Temple period and following in the footsteps of the pilgrims who walked here 2,000 years ago on their way to participate in the rituals on the Temple Mount.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">At the end of this man-made tunnel, a 65 foot (20 meters) long section of a paved road and an earlier, rock-cut <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource//jsource//jsource/jsource/History/maccabee.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hasmonean</a> aqueduct leading to the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> were uncovered. A short new tunnel leads outside to the Via Dolorosa in the Muslim Quarter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Ultra-Orthodox Jews oppose organized women's prayer services at the Wall; prayer services they maintain, may only be conducted by males. Public pressure has grown over the years to allow women to pray collectively at the <i>Kotel</i>. Similarly, Jews from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/conserve.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Conservative</a> and <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/ref.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Reform</a> <wbr></wbr>movements have been fighting with the Orthodox authorities who control access to the Wall for the right to conduct their own services. Clashes have unfortunately turned violent in recent years; however, the political trend has been moving in the direction of greater pluralism.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Near the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Wall</a>, men are often approached by <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/ortho.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Orthodox</a> Jews who want them to put on <i><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/tefillin.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">tefillin</a></i>. A few rabbis also hang out in the area and will approach young people and ask them for the time or strike up a conversation. Their intent is to persuade you to go with them to a yeshiva. Going with them can be a rewarding experience -- some people stay for years -- but don't let yourself be intimidated or misled about their purpose.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Temple" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Muslim Quarter and Temple Mount</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Around the corner from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a>, below the southeastern corner of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>, is the <b>Ophel Archeological Garden</b>. This excavation reveals 2,500 years of Jerusalem's history in 25 layers of ruins from the structures of successive rulers. The ancient staircase and the Hulda Gate, through which worshippers entered the Second Temple compound, and the remnants of a complex of royal palaces of the 7th century <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/islamtoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Muslim period</a> are among the antiquities excavated.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A path up from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/walltoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Western Wall</a> plaza leads to the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>, or Haram es-Sharif (the Noble Enclosure in Arabic). This 40 acre plateau is dominated by two shrines, the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Dome" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a> (which is not a mosque) and the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Aksa" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">al-Aksa mosque</a>. The shrines, built in the seventh century, made definitive the identification of Jerusalem as the "Remote Place" that is mentioned in the Koran.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Dome" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a> is often incorrectly referred to as the "Mosque of Omar" after the Arab caliph Omar Ibn-Khatib who built a mosque nearby. The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Dome" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a> was built 50 years later, in 691, by the Ummayyad caliph, Abd el-Malik.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Muslims remove their shoes and express their devotion to Allah inside the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Dome" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dome of the Rock</a>, which was built around the rock on which <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/abraham.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Abraham</a> bound his son <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/isaac.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Isaac</a> to be sacrificed before God intervened. According to some old maps and traditions, this is the center of the earth. This is also the place where the Koran says <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Muhammad.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mohammed</a> ascended to heaven. Muslim tradition also holds that the rock tried to follow the Prophet, whose footprints are said to be on the rock. For many years, pilgrims would chip off pieces of the rock to take home with them, but glass partitions now prevent visitors from taking souvenirs. A special wooden cabinet next to the rock holds strands of Mohammed's hair.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Under the rock is a chamber known as the Well of the Souls. This is where it is said that all the souls of the dead congregate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><img align="center" border="2" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/OBuqtXoPexCtGKsyc_EQb4l6KJbmmXU8F3e1HnJL3QsC9hG5Mi1Ohy1tKGsroHwM65rhv6JUmeq6ozOZof5mGyG7fr7R2bsUGb8=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/images/aksa.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="275" /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small; font-weight: bold;"><strong>The Al-Aksa mosque (Ministry of Tourism)</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">At the southern end of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> is the gray-domed <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html#Aksa" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">al-Aksa</a> mosque. The name means "the distant one," and refers to the fact that it was the most distant sanctuary visited by <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Muhammad.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mohammed</a>. It is also the place where <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Muhammad.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mohammed</a> experienced the "night journey," which is why it is considered the third holiest Islamic shrine after Mecca and Medina. In 1951, King Abdullah of Transjordan (Jordanian <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Abdullah.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">King Abdullah's</a> great-grandfather) was assassinated in front of the mosque.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Between the mosques is a great water fountain used by Muslims to wash their feet before entering the holy places. Visitors must also remove their shoes. Both mosques are closed to tourists during the five times each day when Muslims pray. The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> also has a small museum .</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">A radical group of Orthodox Jews have periodically issued threats against the Muslim shrines in hopes of rebuilding the<a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple</a> there. These threats are treated seriously by the Israeli authorities and the group is kept away from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a>. More mainstream <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/ortho.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Orthodox</a> opinion forbids Jews from walking on the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> because of the possibility of unwittingly defiling the place where <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/qorbanot.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">sacrifices</a> were once offered. Non-Orthodox Jews typically accept the opinion of other authorities who argue the sanctity of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> ended when the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/The_Temple.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple</a> and altar were destroyed and that it is permissible for Jews to go there so long as they show respect for what was once a holy place.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Despite the name, the Muslim Quarter is also the site of many important Christian sites, including the Church of St. Anne, the Convent of the Sisters of Zion, and the Ecce Homo Church. The Via Dolorosa begins in this section of the city and most of the Way of the Cross is actually in the Muslim rather than the Christian Quarter.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Most Muslims who live inside the Old City have homes in the Muslim Quarter, but this is an area where Jews resided for decades. In recent years, some Jews have moved back to this part of the city, an act viewed by Muslims and many others as unnecessarily provocative, though the Jewish residents would argue they have every right to live anywhere in their capital.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Ramparts" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Ramparts</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Visitors tour the inside of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Old City</a> of <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/jerutoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jerusalem</a>, but most do not know they can climb on top of the ramparts to get a different perspective. Not only do you get a spectacular view of the city beyond the walls, you get a unique look, especially in the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Temple" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Muslim Quarter</a>, at how people live inside the city.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The path along the walls can be accessed from Jaffa, Damascus, Lion's and Zion <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/gates.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Gates</a>. The entrances are surprisingly difficult to find, but worth the effort.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The walls are approximately two-and-a-half miles long. It is not possible to circumnavigate the city atop the walls. The street separates the Citadel and Jaffa Gate at one end of the city. At the opposite end, the wall walk ends at St. Stephen's (Lion's Gate), because you cannot walk along the wall surrounding the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount.</a> This is where the walk beginning at the Jaffa Gate ends. The walk from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a> ends short of the Dung Gate, opposite the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Jewish" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jewish Quarter</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">From the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a>, it is possible to look at what once was a moat surrounding <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Herod.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Herod's</a> palace. The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a> was built by the<a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Crusader.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Crusaders</a> in the Middle Ages as a lookout to guard the road to Jaffa. The walk actually ends atop the police station. Beyond the walls, one gets a spectacular view of the new city, <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html#Yemin" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Yemin Moshe</a>, the hotels, and shopping mall outside Jaffa Gate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">As one walks around the wall, you can look inside at an <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Armenian" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Armenian</a> seminary and a huge vacant lot in one of the most ancient parts of the Old City. It is no doubt invaluable as real estate and as an archaeological site. The Armenian authorities, however, will not allow any excavations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">From the top of the wall, you can see the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/boundtoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">1948 border</a> where Arabs shot at Jews living in <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html#Yemin" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Yemin Moshe</a>, identifiable by its non-functioning windmill, until the border was settled with <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/arabs/jortoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jordan</a>. Just to the right is the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Kingdavhot.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">King David Hotel</a> and behind it the tip of the YMCA tower is just visible. The Sheraton Hotel and the other few “skyscrapers,” also hotels, mark the skyline of what is otherwise a low-level city.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">Lions' Gate has near its crest four figures of lions, two on the left and two on the right. Legend has it that Sultan Suleiman placed the figures there because he believed that if he did not construct a wall around Jerusalem he would be killed by lions. Christians call it St. Stephen's Gate because he is said to have been martyred nearby. The Israeli assault to recapture the Old City in 1967 was made through this gate.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">It is also possible to see the cemetery of Dormition Abbey just beyond the SE corner of the walls. This particular route is separated from the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Jewish" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jewish Quarter</a>by a road inside the wall so that it is not possible to see much. Beyond the walls, however, it is possible to get a panoramic view of what the rest of the world calls the occupied territory. Closer to the Old City, it is possible to see the Arab village of Silwan and, if someone points it out, the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/jerdavid.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">City of David</a>excavations. Toward the exit it is possible to see large depressions that are the ruins of cisterns from the 4th and 5th century <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/History/Byzantine.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Byzantine period</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The path along the ramparts in the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem2.html#Temple" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Muslim Quarter</a> is even more interesting. Making your way toward the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/Mount.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Temple Mount</a> from Damascus Gate, it is possible to look inside the courtyards of Muslim homes. Outside, across Suleiman Street, you can see the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/rockmuseum.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Rockefeller Museum</a>, which houses antiquities found from archaeological excavations and other exhibits. When you reach the far corner of the City, you can get a wonderful view of <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html#Scopus" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mount Scopus</a>, the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Education/hu.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Hebrew University</a>, <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html#Olives" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Mount of Olives</a> and various churches.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Cross" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Way of the Cross</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The best way to follow the Via Dolorosa, or way of suffering, is to enter Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate) from the eastern side of the City (beside the Temple Mount). This is the route Christians believe <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/jesus.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jesus</a> traveled carrying the cross from his trial to the place of his crucifixion and burial. The 14 stations commemorate incidents along the way. The first seven stations wind through the Muslim Quarter. The last five are inside the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/church.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulcher</a>. The tradition of following the Via Dolorosa dates to the Byzantine period.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station I -- The place where Pontius Pilate's judgment hall once stood and Jesus was condemned to death.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station II -- The Monastery of the Flagellation where Jesus was given the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station III -- The spot where Jesus fell under the weight of the cross for the first time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station IV -- Where Mary came out of the crowd to see her son.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station V -- Simon the Cyrene was taken out of the crowd by the Romans to help Jesus carry the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station VI -- Recalls the tradition of Veronica stepping up to Jesus and wiping his face.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station VII -- Where Jesus fell for the second time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station VIII -- The place where Jesus consoled the women of Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station IX -- Where Jesus fell for the third time.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station X -- Jesus is stripped of his garments.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station XI -- Jesus is nailed to the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station XII -- The place where Jesus died on the cross.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station XIII -- The spot where Jesus' body was taken down.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Station XIV -- The tomb of Jesus.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/church.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulcher</a> is revered by Christians as the site of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the 4th century, Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine and a convert to Christianity, traveled to Palestine and identified the location of the crucifixion; her son then built a magnificent church. The church was destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries. The building standing today dates from the 12th century.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Control of the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/church.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Church of the Holy Sepulcher</a> is zealously guarded by different denominations. The Greek Orthodox, Roman Catholics, Armenians and Copts are among those that oversee different parts of the Church. In the 12th century, fighting among different denominations over who should keep the key to the church led the Arab conqueror Saladin to entrust the key to the Muslim Nuseibeh and Joudeh families.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Today, eight centuries later, the 10-inch metal key is still safeguarded in the house of the Joudeh family. Every morning at dawn, Wajeeh Nuseibeh, who took over the job of doorkeeper from his father 20 years ago, picks up the key and opens the massive wooden church doors. Every night at 8:00 p.m. he returns to shut and lock them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">For years, <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/israel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Israel</a> tried to convince the Christian denominations to open a second exit to the Church for safety reasons. In 1840, a devastating fire caused a panic that led to many deaths, and Israeli officials became especially concerned about the danger with the expected crush of tourists arriving for the year 2000 celebrations. Agreement was finally reached in June 1999 to open another exit, but this has provoked a new dispute over who will have the key to the new door.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1515c0444f16b6e2_Armenian" style="color: #222222;"></a>The Armenian Quarter</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Old City is said to be divided into quarters because of the concentration of Jews, Christians, Muslims and Armenians in corners of the nearly square area enclosed by the Turkish walls. The Armenian section is actually the smallest, comprising about one-sixth of the area of the Old City. If you enter the city from <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/gates.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jaffa Gate</a> and turn left, walk past the<a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Archaeology/Citadel.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Citadel</a> and police station and continue down the narrow street – watch out for cars! – you'll run smack into the Armenian Quarter. From <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Society_&_Culture/geo/gates.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Zion Gate</a>, the first thing you will see are the Armenian shops where you can find beautiful hand-made ceramics.</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #20124d;">Israel Fact</span></i></h4>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-small;">The Armenian-style ceramics in the Arab market are usually mass produced. You get the real thing in the Armenian Quarter and can even watch the artisans create their masterpieces.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Armenians claim a presence in <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/jerutoc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jerusalem</a> since the first century when an Armenian battalion fought under the Roman emperor Titus. The Armenians adopted Christianity as their official religion in 286 C.E., even before the Romans and, for the last 1,700 years, have been ensconced in Jerusalem, frequently finding themselves between warring factions. The Armenian Quarter was established in the 14th century. Today, approximately 2,500 Armenians live in Jerusalem and another 1,500 elsewhere in Israel.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 16px 5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The Armenians are not Palestinians, but they generally sympathize with their political agenda, although the Armenians have not supported the idea of Palestinian control over the Old City. In fact, during the <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/cd2000toc.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Camp David Summit</a>, leaders of the Armenian church <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Peace/armenialet.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">insisted</a> the Christian and Armenian Quarters were inseparable and expressed their preference for international guarantees.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><img align="center" border="2" class="CToWUd a6T" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/iSVym_sn0yXqlKwuieALSvdgaq3MSZAYQc4BFRFokDIOmYC5BCSn6z6jFSgcxZSeVBfnT8LHboJgCPWwur_gaH4YW3iqQ4snUdog_ebkHSRcgB43VF9yP9gSjmHrEQ=s0-d-e1-ft#https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/images/jeru/stjamescath.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="200" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">The Armenian section is almost a city within the city. The walled compound surrounds the Church of St. James, the Convent of the Olive Tree, the Armenian Patriarch residency, a monastery and a number of shops.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 16px 5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">St. James Church, built in the mid-12th century, is named for the brother of <a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/anti-semitism/jesus.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Jesus</a>, who was the first bishop of the Jerusalem church and for James the Apostle. It is renowned for its beauty. The domed ceiling is illuminated by gold and silver lamps. Jesus' brother James is said to be buried in the central nave and beyond the wooden doors inlaid with mother-of-peal and tortoise shell is a shrine where the head of St. James is buried.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 16px 5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">The St. James Monastery, which takes up about two-thirds of the quarter, houses gifts left by pilgrims over the last 1,000 years. It also includes a quiet residential area. The Gulbenkian Library is also inside the monastery. It holds more than 100,000 volumes, many dating back hundreds of years. The Mardigian Museum is nearby and it contains exhibits on Armenian art and culture and the genocide of 1915.</span></div>
<div align="justify" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; margin: 16px 5px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #20124d;">Oddly enough, only one Armenian church is in the Quarter, but four other denominations (Syrian, Maronite Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Anglican) have churches in this part of the city.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem.html" style="background-color: white; background-image: url("https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/fA82ymyIuY-iTKvy45rsMhTgCyldUP9gnr5YYtkI_vr2L2rgVQicmirCkh9Bxg6KGsHkz7He0GHduqx8gJcgr9QS=s0-d-e1-ft#http:///jsource/images/projects/previous.jpg"); background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: none; clear: none; color: #1155cc; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 175px; min-height: 60px; text-decoration: none; width: 150px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Previous</span></a><a href="https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/vie/Jerusalem3.html" style="background-color: white; background-image: url("https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/_dayuSwdBVB_F0Np4Bj-hCvBplOgZRb4h4-4tHr4-aH1Iswg9J4C6GGHjofWM2RttoBnJ2YlfT-GKW-gxIc=s0-d-e1-ft#http:///jsource/images/projects/next.jpg"); background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: none; clear: none; color: #1155cc; display: block; float: left; margin-left: 50px; min-height: 60px; text-decoration: none; width: 150px;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #20124d;">Next</span></a>YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-85231200276132619482015-11-27T14:35:00.002-08:002015-11-27T14:35:56.957-08:00Some truths about Jerusalem and the Temple Mount - YJ Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSYNz5Hyz48/VljZJJGUPHI/AAAAAAAABEM/8BTcarqnORo/s1600/000%2BIsrael%2Bis%2BJewish%2BLand%2BINTL%2BLAW%2B_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><span style="color: blue;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tSYNz5Hyz48/VljZJJGUPHI/AAAAAAAABEM/8BTcarqnORo/s320/000%2BIsrael%2Bis%2BJewish%2BLand%2BINTL%2BLAW%2B_n.jpg" width="320" /></span></b></a></div>
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<h3 style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 24px; margin: 5px 0px 20px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: blue;">Some truths about Jerusalem and the Temple Mount</span></h3>
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<st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> - For over 3,300 years, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> has been the [sic] Jewish capital. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> has never been the capital of any Arab or
Muslim entity. Even when the Jordanians occupied </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> (1948-1967), they never sought to make it
their capital, and Arab leaders did not come to visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> In the
Jewish Bible, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> is mentioned over 669 times and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> (which usually means </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> or, sometimes, the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Land</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">) 154 times, for a total of 823 times. The
Christian Bible mentions </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> 154 times and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> 7 times. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> is not mentioned once in the Koran. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> is also not mentioned in the Palestinian
Covenant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">King David
established the city of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> as the capital of the whole </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Land</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. Mohammed never came to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> remained under Turkish Ottoman Empire rule
from 1517 to 1917, and under British rule as trustee for the Jewish people from
1917 to 1948. The British violated that trust and that is part of the reason
for the conflict and bloodshed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> The </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> is the holiest site for Jews. It was the
site of the Beit HaMikdash ("</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">") built by King Solomon (950 BCE),
which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (587 BCE), rebuilt in 541 BCE, and then
destroyed again by the Roman army in 70 CE. That final Roman destruction led to
the exile of Jews from </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. Al Aqsa Mosque and the Shrine of Omar on
the current </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> were built at the site of the ancient
Jewish Temples. The Arabic name for </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">, "el-KuDS", is derived from the
Arabic name, "BeT el-MaKDeS", which is a translation of the Hebrew,
"BeiT ha-MiKDaSH", the name of the Jewish Temple.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">--<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">While I can’t
formally vouch for all of his (or her) numbers, I can tell you ‘YJ Draiman’ is, essentially, correct about how many times ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ and ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ are mentioned in the Jewish Tanach.
His/her numbers may be off by 10-15 per cent, but the singular inference of the
comment is still valid: ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ and ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ are mentioned so many times in the Jewish Tanach because
they are important to Judaism. They are not mentioned in the Quran because
they are not important to Islam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Now, I’ve been
told that ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ is in fact mentioned in the Quran—once or twice. I’ve
also been told that Mohammed came once (or, perhaps, twice) to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. I’d be happy if someone could confirm
that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Two or four
references, however, don’t change anything. The truth is, throughout Jewish
history, Jews have placed great importance on ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’ and ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Zion</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">’. Muslims haven’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">But in this war,
truth is irrelevant. You should remember that. The only ‘truth’ that counts in
this war is that Arabs are willing to die to take control of the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. Most Jews don’t give a damn. Last night,
we read that almost 60 per cent of Jews in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> do not support Jewish prayer on the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> ("Poll: 40% of Jewish Israelis Want
Jewish Prayer on </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">", Arutz Sheva, </span><st1:date day="11" month="11" year="2014"><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">November
11, 2014</span></st1:date><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">). That
indifference could be deadly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">If the Arabs have
any say in this war, Jewish indifference will become the lever through which
Arabs will move the Jew off the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Here’s another
truth for you: if we keep the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">, we can control </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. If we lose the Mount, you’ll have to
re-think </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">You’ll have to
imagine how rioting Arabs will react if they successfully seal off the
Mount from Jews. With that 'victory', Arabs won't go home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">They'll go for the
rest of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">. How do you think that’ll
unfold?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">The G-d of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> has a Story for you. It’s the Story of the
Final Jewish Redemption. That Story involves a </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;"> under attack. Our Sages teach that “Arab
nations will play a major role in the wars” that precede our Redemption (Yechezkeil,
trans. and commentary by Rabbi Moshe Eisemann, The ArtScroll Tanach Series,
2012, 38:6, note, p. 584).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">Are these some of
the Arabs our Sages refer to? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 17px;">
</div>
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<span style="color: navy; font-size: 18.0pt;">What do you think?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-75575264385438223262015-11-23T09:30:00.000-08:002015-11-23T12:30:28.615-08:00Jerusalem - The future of a city with history - Jerusalem is holy to Jews for over 3,000 years - First Jewish Temple - Draiman<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Jerusalem - The future of a city with history - Jerusalem is holy to Jews for over 3,000 years - First Jewish Temple</span></h3>
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<img alt="Jerusalem: The future of a city with history" border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="151" src="https://ci5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/SGvJ7GftwkdTj6XgsEgDus6jr-5f2XyO3FoQF5NOS0U-SCoL2j40RMvG0pq0jE36SYpz9Xnm6H8bOkm0rk2uaukO0ym3QPqokdCE18bwUjbx9-JbYP4Fo5kZEA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.tampabay.com/specials/2010/graphics/jerusalem/headline.gif" style="background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); color: #666666; cursor: pointer; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 20.5333px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px;" tabindex="0" width="780" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: "verdana" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 20.5333px;"></span><br />
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By DON MORRIS and NATALIE WATSON of the Times Staff</div>
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<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Jerusalem is holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians and has been under each of their control at points in its </span></div>
<div style="font-size: 12px;">
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">long history. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Settling the "Jerusalem question" is at the core of any possible peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Here is a look at the city at the center of it all.</span></div>
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A high and holy place</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">This 35-acre plateau that towered over ancient Jerusalem is important to Jews as Temple Mount, site of the first and second temples, to Muslims as the dream of Noble Sanctuary, and to Christians.</span></div>
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First Jewish Temple</span></h3>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Jewish tradition holds that 3,000 years ago Solomon, son of King David, built the first Temple on the site of a threshing floor, the place where David originally erected the Tabernacle, a huge tent that housed the Ten Commandments. The Babylonians destroyed it 400 years later.</span></div>
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Second Jewish Temple</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">A few generations after the First Temple's destruction, Jews returned from exile and built the Second Temple on Temple Mount, which became the site of holy places for all three religions. The Romans destroyed the Second Temple in 70 A.D.</span></div>
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Dome of the Rock</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Muslims call the site Haram al-Sharif (the Noble Sanctuary). They believe Mohammed was transported from Mecca to Jerusalem, where he was lifted to heaven and received instructions on how to pray. The Dome of the Rock was built over the spot. With Al-Aqsa Mosque, the site is Islam's third holiest after Mecca and Medina</span></div>
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TIMELINE: Jerusalem</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>3000 B.C. </strong>A settlement dates from this era, near Gihon Spring.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>2000 - 1500 B.C. </strong><b>Abraham</b> settles in Canaan digs numerous wells. Christians and Jews believe Jerusalem is where God orders Abraham to sacrifice Abraham's son Isaac to him.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>Around 1200 B.C.:</b> <b>Under Joshua's</b> leadership the Jewish Nation enters the promised land and the walls of Jericho tumble.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>Around 1000 B.C.:</strong> <b>King David</b>, founder of the joint kingdom of Israel and Judah, captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites pays them a sum of money and makes it his capital. King David's son, King Solomon, builds the First Temple.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>586 B.C. </strong>The <b>Babylonians</b> conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple and exile some of the Jews.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>516 B.C.</b> Jews return from Babylonia under Persian rule and rebuild the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>64 B.C.</strong> Pompey conquers Jerusalem for Rome. Herod, made king in 40 B.C., begins a building program, including refurbishing the Second Temple.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>Around 28 A.D.</strong> Jesus of Nazareth arrives in Jerusalem, where he will be crucified. He foretells the destruction of the Temple.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>70 A.D. </strong><b>Romans </b>destroy the Temple following a Jewish revolt. In 135, they put down another revolt and rename the city of Jerusalem as Aelia Capitolina.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>313</strong> The city of Jerusalem comes under the control of Constantine I, who restores its name as Jerusalem and with his mother, Helena, builds the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>638 Muslims capture Jerusalem;</strong> the Dome of the Rock is built by 691 and various Muslim rulers occupied Jerusalem <b>Umayyad dynasty</b>.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>750-974</b> <b>Abbasid dynasty</b> controls Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1099</strong> <b>European Christians Crusaders</b> capture Jerusalem during the First Crusade and evict all Muslims.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1187</strong> <b>Ayyubid Period</b>. Muslim leader Saladin recaptures Jerusalem. Jews return and the layout of the Old City into quarters is fixed. Jewish quarter, Christian quarter, Armenian quarter and the Muslim quarter.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>1229-1244</b> <b>Christian Crusaders</b> recapture Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><b>1250-1516</b> <b>Mamlukes</b> take over Jerusalem </span><br />
<strong style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">1517</strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"> <b>The Muslim Ottoman Turks</b> capture the city of Jerusalem and the rest of Palestine.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1917</strong> <b>The British</b> conquer Jerusalem and the rest of Palestine during World War I and make it the administrative seat of Palestine as trustee for the Jewish people.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1947 </strong>The British abandon the implementation of the Mandate for Palestine to become the reconstituted Jewish National Home and turn over the implementation of the Mandate for Palestine's future to the new United Nations, which partitions it into Arab and Jewish states. Jerusalem would be an international city, which the Arabs rejected.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1948</strong> Rejecting the U.N. plan, Arab forces of 7 nations attack the newly proclaimed sovereign state of Israel. By war's end, Israel controls West Jerusalem, which it makes its capital. Jordan controls East Jerusalem and the Old City and Annex it and the West Bank also known as Judea and Samaria.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1949 - 1967</strong> Jews are barred from from praying at the Western Wall and 49 Jewish houses of worship are destroyed and other Jewish areas vandalized, while Jewish owned homes and land is occupied by Arabs.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>1967</strong> During a second Arab-Israeli war, Israel liberates and recaptures East Jerusalem, reclaiming Jewish Temple Mount and the Western Wall. It annexes East Jerusalem and some 17,500 acres.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><strong>TODAY</strong> The future of East Jerusalem, legally Jewish territory, annexed by Israel but deceptively regarded by Arab-Palestinians as the eventual capital of their own delusional state, and is falsely depicted as the remains of one of the most sensitive hurdles in deceptive Arab peace talks.</span><br />
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<strong>Sources: </strong>World Book, Encyclopedia Britannica, BBC News, USA Today, Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peace Now, B'Tselem, Info Please Almanac, U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs</div>
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<a href="http://www.jewishagency.org/places-israel/content/25502" style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102) !important; display: inline !important; font-stretch: normal !important; line-height: 1 !important; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">Jerusalem During the Second Temple Period</span></a></h1>
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<tr><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="277" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/LHjcYlBmibyuKa-fGzIN20DyTFWn55jYkWFPrC3bTmC2IlMMF1cF1-ZKVa4JadDZze9HX1uchV3rrJGkkmbLmyBBQWndGzyfHquLOS6shw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm21.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 199px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 366px;" tabindex="0" width="473" /></td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Jerusalem in the year 66 CE: Four years later, on Tisha B'Av, the Roman Emperor Titus destroyed the city during the period of the Great Revolt against Rome.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="316" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/CTM6G_pI-ZG071yLWI84S5u4zO4kb-GsZczQ8jyzTfTlnwtQEqcyfcs2JZ5Vpjg9XUNVET1CNhmYIuO5R04Y_4OMZQJO2uO2ViUXC5zvew=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm22.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 192px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 365px;" tabindex="0" width="495" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">Herod's palace: Herod was responsible for building ambitious structures such as Herodion, Massada, and the reconstruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Both sides of the palace were symmetrical. In between are pools and fountains. Many of the rich in Jerusalem lived a comfortable life with their own pools.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="340" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/BhPRWOdjTcKXG4XpKubwE3q7xwG_5lhMOskyf57Jecx9B6hNbYWPcfP25vCqoCjK9C8kYSho8etjkaaa-sH3ZYvHHOhO0xCKL4edQ0Xhaw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm23.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 173px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 367px;" tabindex="0" width="530" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">The Upper City, or Western District: This area was reserved for the rich (the Sadducees, Jewish aristocracy of that period) who lived in multi-storey mansions with wooden roofs. This area was situated on a hill across from the Temple mount, which can be seen in the backround.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">The Holy Temple and its large courtyard, and rear view of the Temple Mount: Herod began rebuilding the Temple in the year 19 BCE. The construction took seven years. Some say that it did not rain during the day throughout those seven years so as not to disturb the construction. Notice the Antonia fortress (named after Herod's Roman ally Mark Antony) overlooking the Temple.</span></div>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="187" src="https://ci6.googleusercontent.com/proxy/zYl594_PpGvcbkpHradSN_VFSzv_B2gJCZumKPgayeEKTTckOWqlotSQxa9wj64jD8WrSgO46-ttgf16-vdxaMNxpQF9YW-E7W7dOEB3mA=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm25.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 112px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 371px;" tabindex="0" width="486" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">The Antonia fortress: The structure was built originally during the period of Ezra and was strengthened by the Hasmoneans. Herod rebuilt it completely on top of a rock 82 feet high.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="237" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/proxy/pdsZ3pqzGS-pyao-STD9joneVbuqz64Nf-_TNWvmKrBsyrstFsT87XaHiaslsKAfDJ-gtM7gh1NviWnPTEevTB21IaBfD3O5WrQsAqvZww=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm26.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 136px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 371px;" tabindex="0" width="498" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">A close up look at the Temple: The Temple was built on Mount Moriah and Herod built the Temple floor 100 feet above street level. The Temple complex was very large with Herod building new walls on the outside, supported by rooms , buildings and tunnels on three levels. Isaiah said the Temple Mount is built like a lion, narrow in front, broad behind. For him, Jerusalem was the Lion of G-d, or "Ariel."</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="243" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/mfcEqwhG5NEy-JwlMskglJtCPczdL3ufCgELmpeF-zWqDkjnqRizTp8mGxpm3aJsqIhEYCkFlJ42M8Q8GWm57ZlwwmzpIWnKHChk2TgjbQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm27.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 200px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 372px;" tabindex="0" width="419" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">The Phasael Tower, Hippicus Tower and Miriamne Tower: These three towers are situated close to where Jaffa gate is today. These towers protected the main entrance to the city. Phasael tower was named after Herod's brother, Hippicus was named after Herod's friend who fell in battle, while Mariamne tower was named after Herod's wife. The only remains of these towers today is the base of Phasael's, found in the Tower of David.</span></td></tr>
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<img border="0" class="CToWUd a6T" height="141" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/ozoOuwTxVJ9yZaXpqo8QRLE9-pJaYcqfohegt_b35KH8u222EOtrFxwmQQiv3Az0OHaDtWfBFwEFjhUJaJiiYavFWmx4k1t4J0pVQVCwJQ=s0-d-e1-ft#http://www.jewishagency.org/sites/default/files/jlm28.jpg" style="background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; border: 0px; cursor: pointer; min-height: 108px; outline: 0px; padding: 5px; vertical-align: middle; width: 372px;" tabindex="0" width="488" /></div>
</td><td style="border-bottom-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 2px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: small;">During Herodion times: There were social tensions during Herod's time with the upper class Sadducees living in luxurious accommodation while the lower class Pharisees lived at the bottom of the city having to climb up to reach the Temple.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: maroon; color: #ffcc99; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 48px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 74.6667px; text-align: center;">The Temple of God</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">In earliest times there were no permanent buildings such as temples where people could worship the One True God. The heavenly Father just needed a sanctuary, which is a dedicated place where He could dwell with His children. </span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">“And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.”</span></i></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">(Ex. 25:8)</span></i></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;"> When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness they could not build a permanent place of worship. God would reveal Himself to them and let them know where they could erect a sacrificial altar (Deut. 112:11-14). </span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;"><a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/tabwild.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Tabernacle In The Wilderness</a></span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> </span></b><b style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24.8889px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">was a Tent of Meeting for the people. The Tabernacle became the pattern for the first Temple of God to be built in Jerusalem. King David had the desire to build the temple, but he was occupied fighting the enemies of Israel. Therefore God chose his son King Solomon who completed it in about 960 B.C. (2 Sam. 7:1-17; 1 Kn, 6:1-38). It was a magnificent temple.</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: maroon; font-size: 20pt;">The Old Testament Temple</span></h1>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">The Temple of God was used primarily for worship on the Sabbath day and Jewish holidays. God had warned Israel that if it violated the Sabbath commandment He would destroy the gates and palaces of Jerusalem (Jer. 17:27). Israel did not heed God’s warning so He allowed the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar to burn </span></b><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">“the house of God, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all its precious possessions.” (2 Chron. 36:18-19). </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">Those that survived became slaves in Babylon </span></b><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">“until the land had enjoyed her Sabbaths. As long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill seventy years.” (2 Chron. 36:20-21). </span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">At God’s appointed time the Persians permitted the Jews’ return from the Babylonian captivity about 538 B.C., they began to rebuild the Temple, which was completed about 15 years later. While almost certainly not as grand as the original Temple of Solomon, it survived over 450 years. It was this Temple that the Syrian king <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/antioiv.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Antiochus IV</a> desecrated in 168 B.C., triggering the revolt by <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/macab.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Maccabees</a>. This Temple was largely destroyed by the conquering Romans under Pompey in 63 B.C. (see <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/emprome.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ancient Empires - Rome</a>)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">The Herodian Temple, a rebuilding of the earlier Temple by <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/herod.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Herod The Great</a>, was the magnificent structure that existed at the time of <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/christ.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Jesus Christ</a>. It was there that The Lord drove out the money changers and had numerous confrontations with the <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/pharisee.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Pharisees</a> and <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/sadducee.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sadducees</a>. This Temple was completely destroyed by the <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/legion.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Roman Legions</a> in 70 A.D., exactly as Jesus Christ prophesied, nearly 40 years earlier, that it would be (Matthew 24:1-2) (see <a href="http://www.execulink.com/~wblank/falljeru.htm" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Fall of Jerusalem In 70 A.D.</a>). Since then, there has been no Temple in Jerusalem.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;">Will the Physical Jewish Temple in Jerusalem be Rebuilt?</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">There are a number of Jewish groups working toward the rebuilding of a physical Jewish Temple in Jerusalem. Their preparations are genuine, professional, and well financed. They would begin building today if the political situation permitted it. But will it happen? Many Christians reject the thought of any such possibility, because their Christian perspective of "Temple" is now somewhat spiritual, and so they disregard the minds and actions of the Jewish people. But Jews aren't Christians. Jews have a religious perspective of their own, and since 1948, the sovereign Jewish state of Israel has been a reality. It was first reconstituted in 1920 when under international law and treaty the 1917 Balfour Declaration was made into international law by the Supreme Allied powers. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">Whether or not the physical temple will be rebuilt depends on the Jewish resolve to overcome obstacles that relate to the Israeli-Arab/Palestinian conflict. Consider the incident on September 28, 2000 when the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon visited the Jewish Temple Mount <i>(Haram al-Sharif in Arabic) falsely </i>regarded as Islam’s third holiest place. He made this statement which is considered highly provocative to the Arabs:</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial";">:</span><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">'The Jewish Temple Mount is in our hands and will remain in our hands. It is the holiest site in Judaism and it is the right of every Jew to visit and pray at the Temple Mount.'. </span></b> <b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">Since that time, Arab/Palestinians have engaged in a violent insurrection that has been dubbed the "al-Aksa intifada” which continues to this day. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14pt;">It is beyond the time limitation and scope of this sermon to deal with this issue how we know the physical Jewish Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. </span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">After the 70 babylonian captivity God allowed the Jews to return to</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> to rebuild the temple that must be built over the original foundation. (Ezra 2:68; </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">4:12</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">; Amos 9:11)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Here is a super-colossal problem. There is only one genuine and valid site for the temple - on </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mount</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Moriah</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> where Abraham had offered Isaac as an offering to God. In the Seventh Century when the Islamic forces occupied the land, Caliph Omar built the Dome of the Rock over the same site of Solomon's temple. This building is still standing there and has become one of the chief tourist attractions in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. In order to rebuild the temple in its proper place the Dome of the Rock must be demolished. The temple site in </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is considered a holy place for the Islamic religion, second only to </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mecca</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. How can the Dome of the Rock be removed without provoking all the Islamic nations of the world to anger and start a "Jihad - holy war?" Several suggestions have been made to choose an alternate site that is close to the </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mount</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">, but so far none have been acceptable to the religious Jews.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">6.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">In the fourth year of Solomon's reign (c. 960 B.C.) the temple began construction. It was completed in the eleventh year of Solomon's reign. It took seven and a half years to complete the construction of the First Temple. The </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Second</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> <wbr></wbr>that was reconstructed by King Herod took much longer. Herod began his work in his eighteenth year (20-19 B.C.) When the Jews said to our Lord Jesus Christ that the temple had been under construction forty six years (Jn. </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">2:20</span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">); it was not until A.D.64 - more than thirty more years before it was finally completed. Why did it take so long? Those were large hewn stones and fine construction. How long do you think it will take modern technology to complete the temple if it were to be rebuilt today? It depends on the materials and the construction system. So, how long do you think it will take to rebuild and reconstruct the original temple that was destroyed in A.D.70? The length of construction time is not important!</span></b></div>
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The Struggle for the Temple Mount</span></h1>
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<b>A briefing by Gershom Gorenberg<br />May 2, 2001</b></div>
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<i>Gershom Gorenberg, author of <i>The End of Days: Fundamentalism and the Struggle for the Temple Mount</i> (Free Press), is senior editor and columnist for <i>The Jerusalem Report</i>. In addition, he is a regular contributor to The New Republic and an associate of the Center for Millennial Studies at Boston University. He was a co-author of <i>Shalom, Friend: The Life and Legacy of Yitzhak Rabin</i>, which won the National Jewish Book Award. American-born, Mr. Gorenberg has degrees from the University of California and the Hebrew University. He spoke to the Middle East Forum on May 2, 2001.</i></div>
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The Jewish Temple Mount in Context</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The Jewish Temple Mount is an area of only thirty-five acres in the southwest corner in the old City of Jerusalem, but it is the most contested real estate on earth by the Muslims.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">By calling it the Temple Mount, I am already standing in one political corner. Muslims call it al-Haram ash-Sharif, which includes the Dome of the Rock and al-Masjid al-Aqsa, or "the furthest mosque." Which the Muslim delusion defined it as Temple Mount. People ask me if there is a neutral term for the Temple Mount. The answer is no. There is no neutral term or neutral story, except the historical fact, that the two Jewish Temple were there for over 1000 years prior to the invention of the Muslim religion.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">As a journalist, I have a standard paragraph to describe the Jewish Temple Mount: It is the site of the first and second Jewish temple in ancient Jewish times as archaeological facts substantiate. It is also believed to be the place that the prophet Muhammad, according to the Qur'an, was said to have stepped before taking his dream of "night journey" to heaven, where he met Allah, and received the Islamic commandment to pray five times a day. Again only a dream with no facts.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">A Nationalist Symbol</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Israelis justly and Arab-Palestinians deceptively have both constructed their national narratives around the Jewish Temple Mount. In each narrative, an ideal past is seen as a time when the Temple Mount was under their sovereignty. In both cases, the present is seen as a disruptive time when the site is disputed. The ideal future is then seen as a time when the Jewish Temple Mount will be theirs again. The Jewish Temple Mount is now an emblem of the hopes and aspirations for both peoples. The Jews are in possession and possession is nine tenths of the law; and the archaeological and historical facts prove that it is the Jewish Temple site. The Muslim dream is a dream which they decide it relates to the site of the Jewish Temple with no facts, just pure fiction and delusion.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In early Arab-Palestinian nationalist history, the Temple Mount was used as a rally cry: to protect the al-Aqsa mosque from the dangerous presence of Zionists in Palestine-Israel. That cry for liberation intensified after 1967 when Israel liberated and reconquered the Jewish Temple Mount.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">During the 1967 Six Day war, an Israeli colonel proudly announced "the Jewish Temple Mount is in our hands." For Israeli nationalists, this was seen as the ultimate achievement; the Jewish people had reclaimed their homeland and the site of the Jewish holy temple .</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Interestingly, Jewish homes have traditionally been adorned with a landscape of the Temple Mount, as a symbol of national yearning. Since the Arab/Palestinian-Israeli conflict has intensified, the same landscape has deceptively become a symbol among Arab-Palestinians.</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Recent Events</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Last July at the Camp David peace talks, Arab-Palestinian and Israeli negotiators came together and attempted to discuss the final status of the Jewish Temple Mount. They couldn’t do it because the issue is too loaded with symbolism for either side to negotiate.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Prime Minister Ehud Barak suggested that the mount come under de jure Arab-Palestinian administration but under the roof of Israeli sovereignty. For him, this was a concession. For Arab-Palestinians, it was a demand and a threat.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">After the summit, the Arab-Palestinians deceptively stated publicly that the historic Jewish temple never stood on the Jewish Temple Mount; that there was no Jewish historical link to that area. Interestingly enough a 1925 guide to Temple Mount issued by the Muslim Waqf admits that the Jewish Temple of King Solomon is on Temple Mount and it depicts the location of King Solomon's stables. This Arab-Palestinian provocation served as an engraved invitation to a nationalist Israeli leader who wanted to assert the rightful Jewish control of the Temple Mount.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">This is exactly what Ariel Sharon did on September 28, 2000, when he toured the compound, accompanied by hundreds of policemen. Arab-Palestinians claimed Sharon's visit was proof that Israel never intended to give up sovereignty over the al-Aqsa mosque. Sharon, however, says that the uprising that followed had nothing to do with his visit to the Temple Mount. Rather, it resulted from a decision by the Arab-Palestinians to gain concessions.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Violence and the Temple Mount</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">There is a precedent of violence around the Temple Mount. In 1929, the first major outbreak of violence in the Arab-Israeli conflict spawned from conflict over the site, as Jews attempted to assert control over the Western Wall. In hindsight, the Temple Mount was somewhat incidental to this struggle, which was mostly an expression of the nationalist struggle between Arabs and Jews.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In the 1980's, Israeli authorities uncovered a Jewish extremist plot to destroy the Dome of the Rock. In the end, it was discovered that the Dome of the Rock was ancillary to the plot. The conspirators were really protesting Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. Still, the symbolism of the Temple Mount was there and significant.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In early 1996, the Arab-Palestinian "Tunnel Riots" took place, when Israeli antiquity authorities began excavating beneath the Temple Mount. While there was little to no chance of damaging the structure of the Temple Mount, the riots were really symbolic of the breakdown of the delusional peace process.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Similarly, the current al-Aqsa intifada is less about the al-Aqsa mosque and more about a crisis in the delusion of peacemaking.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Symbolism and the Temple Mount</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">To exclude religious symbolism surrounding the Temple Mount, however, is a mistake. That would be equivalent to saying that the conflict is only about practical issues like control, power, and territory. Indeed, the Temple Mount is a symbol of the hopes, fears, and aspirations on both sides.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">It matters little whether the Prophet Muhammad actually ascended to heaven from the Temple Mount on his "night journey." The important thing is that millions of Muslims are educated to believe it. This is the imagined past of Islam. Historians ponder at what time Muslims agreed that the "furthest mosque" mentioned in the Qur'an became the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It’s an interesting question, but today it is politically irrelevant. What’s relevant is that millions of people believe it, even if it is not true.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Today, there are Arab-Palestinians who deceptively argue that the Jewish temple never stood on the Temple Mount. From an archaeological and historical perspective, I would say they are completely wrong. But this is also irrelevant, because the Jewish people believe it is the holiest spot in Jerusalem.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">According to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount is also where Abraham was said to have bound Isaac in the story of Genesis. It is the place where the ultimate religious individual underwent the ultimate religious test and founded the faith. Similarly in Islam, al-Haram ash-Sharif is where the ultimate religious individual underwent the ultimate religious experience, ascended to heaven, and founded the ultimate religious faith.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The Site of the End of Days</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">While the Temple Mount is seen as the site where two faiths began, it is also seen as the place, according to all three monotheistic religions, where the world will end.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In Jewish tradition, since the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, saying that the Temple will be rebuilt is tantamount to saying that the messiah will come and that God's kingdom on earth will be established.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In Islam, it is also the place of the end. According to one oral tradition, or hadith, final judgment will take place at al-Haram ash-Sharif when a thread will be stretched from the Mount of Olives to the Temple Mount. Thereafter, the souls of all who have ever lived must walk it. Those who were good will make it across and go to heaven. Those who were evil will fall off and be damned for eternity.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">There is also an interpretation embraced by millions of evangelical Christians in which the Temple Mount is central to the scenario of the end of days. According to this theology, the temple of the Jews must be rebuilt in order for Jesus Christ to return and bring an end to the world as we know it.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Fundamentalism</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">All traditions around the Temple Mount can be interpreted metaphorically and allegorically and have been throughout history. Today, however, we live in an age of fundamentalism.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">"Fundamentalism" is originally a Christian term for those who believe that the bible is completely accurate in its literal interpretation. Fundamentalists, then, are those who assert that they do not make moral judgments because the text makes those judgments for them.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Christian fundamentalist theology sees the creation of Israel and the subsequent history as heralding the end of days. There are also those who call themselves "fundamentalists" in Islam. They, too, take a literal interpretation of the sacred texts.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Today, Christian fundamentalists support radical Jewish fringe groups who seek to destroy the al-Aqsa mosque so that the third temple can be built and herald the messiah. While they are a minority, this is enough to keep Muslims paranoid. That is to say, the assertion that all Jews want to rebuild the temple is wrong, but there are some out there that provide proof to the contrary.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Fundamentalists today are encouraged by the current mini-war. They believe that this so-called battle for Jerusalem is the battle that will lead to the end of days.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">What if the mount were destroyed?</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">This question was widely discussed by Israeli experts after the plot to destroy the Temple Mount was uncovered in the 1980's. Some assert that this could prompt the entire Muslim world to attack Israel. Others say it could bring a second holocaust. Those interpretations are too radical, however.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The implications of damage to the site depends on the political context. If this happened during a period of dialogue, it is possible that leaders could maintain control. The effect could be far worse during times of tension. In any case, Israeli security forces are very careful to ensure the safety of the entire compound.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The struggle for the Temple Mount is a complicated one. If Arab-Palestinians and Israelis are to make progress towards peace, each side must begin to understand the narratives of the other as a point of departure for mutual understanding.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-size: 15px;">
<i>Summary account by Jonathan Schanzer, research associate at the Middle East Forum</i></div>
</div>
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<h1 style="background-color: white; color: #ad3031; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-top: 0px;">
The Struggle for the Temple Mount</h1>
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<b>A briefing by Gershom Gorenberg<br />May 2, 2001</b></div>
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">The Temple Mount in Context</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">The Temple Mount is an area of only thirty-five acres in the southwest corner in the old City of Jerusalem, but it is the most contested real estate on earth. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">By calling it the Temple Mount, I am already standing in one political corner. Muslims call it al-Haram ash-Sharif, which includes the Dome of the Rock and al-Masjid al-Aqsa, or "the furthest mosque." People ask me if there is a neutral term for the Temple Mount. The answer is no. There is no neutral term or neutral story.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">As a journalist, I have a standard paragraph to describe the Temple Mount: It is the site of the first and second temple in ancient Jewish times. It is also the place that the dream of prophet Muhammad, according to the Qur'an, was said to have stepped before taking his "night journey" to heaven, where he met Allah, and received the Islamic commandment to pray five times a day (At that time there was no Mosque in Jerusalem Temple Mount. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">A Nationalist Symbol</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Israelis and Palestinians have both constructed their national narratives around the Temple Mount. In each narrative, an ideal past is seen as a time when the Temple Mount was under their sovereignty. In both cases, the present is seen as a disruptive time when the site is disputed. The ideal future is then seen as a time when the Temple Mount will be theirs again. The Temple Mount is now an emblem of the hopes and aspirations for both peoples.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">In early Palestinian nationalist history, the Temple Mount was used as a rally cry: to protect the al-Aqsa mosque from the dangerous presence of Zionists in Palestine. That cry for liberation intensified after 1967 when Israel conquered the Temple Mount.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">During the 1967 Six Day war, an Israeli colonel proudly announced "the Temple Mount is in our hands." For Israeli nationalists, this was seen as the ultimate achievement; the Jewish people had reclaimed their homeland. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Interestingly, Jewish homes have traditionally been adorned with a landscape of the Temple Mount, as a symbol of national yearning. Since the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has intensified, the same landscape has become a symbol among Palestinians. </span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Recent Events</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Last July at the Camp David peace talks, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators came together and attempted to discuss the final status of the Temple Mount. They couldn’t do it because the issue is too loaded with symbolism for either side to negotiate.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Prime Minister Ehud Barak suggested that the mount come under de jure Palestinian administration but under the roof of Israeli sovereignty. For him, this was a concession. For Palestinians, it was a demand and a threat. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">After the summit, the Palestinians stated publicly that the historic Jewish temple never stood on the Temple Mount; that there was no Jewish historical link to that area. This Palestinian provocation served as an engraved invitation to a nationalist Israeli leader who wanted to assert Jewish control of the Temple Mount.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">This is exactly what Ariel Sharon did on September 28, 2000, when he toured the compound, accompanied by hundreds of policemen. Palestinians claimed Sharon's visit was proof that Israel never intended to give up sovereignty over the al-Aqsa mosque. Sharon, however, says that the uprising that followed had nothing to do with his visit to the Temple Mount. Rather, it resulted from a decision by the Palestinians to gain concessions.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Violence and the Temple Mount</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">There is a precedent of violence around the Temple Mount. In 1929, the first major outbreak of violence in the Arab-Israeli conflict spawned from conflict over the site, as Jews attempted to assert control over the Western Wall. In hindsight, the Temple Mount was somewhat incidental to this struggle, which was mostly an expression of the nationalist struggle between Arabs and Jews. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">In the 1980s, Israeli authorities uncovered a Jewish extremist plot to destroy the Dome of the Rock. In the end, it was discovered that the Dome of the Rock was ancillary to the plot. The conspirators were really protesting Israel’s withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula. Still, the symbolism of the Temple Mount was there and significant.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">In early 1996, the Palestinian "Tunnel Riots" took place, when Israeli antiquity authorities began excavating beneath the Temple Mount. While there was little to no chance of damaging the structure of the Temple Mount, the riots were really symbolic of the breakdown of the peace process. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Similarly, the current al-Aqsa intifada is less about the al-Aqsa mosque and more about a crisis in peacemaking.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Symbolism and the Temple Mount</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">To exclude religious symbolism surrounding the Temple Mount, however, is a mistake. That would be equivalent to saying that the conflict is only about practical issues like control, power, and territory. Indeed, the Temple Mount is a symbol of the hopes, fears, and aspirations on both sides. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">It matters little whether the Prophet Muhammad actually ascended to heaven from the Temple Mount on his "night journey." The important thing is that millions of Muslims believe it. This is the imagined past of Islam. Historians ponder at what time Muslims agreed that the "furthest mosque" mentioned in the Qur'an became the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It’s an interesting question, but today it is politically irrelevant. What’s relevant is that millions of people believe it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Today, there are Palestinians who argue that the Jewish temple never stood on the Temple Mount. From an archaeological and historical perspective, I would say they are completely wrong. But this is also irrelevant, because the Jewish people believe it is the holiest spot in Jerusalem. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">According to Jewish tradition, the Temple Mount is also where Abraham was said to have bound Isaac in the story of Genesis. It is the place where the ultimate religious individual underwent the ultimate religious test and founded the faith. Similarly in Islam, al-Haram ash-Sharif is where the ultimate religious individual underwent the ultimate religious experience, ascended to heaven, and founded the ultimate religious faith. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The Site of the End of Days</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">While the Temple Mount is seen as the site where two faiths began, it is also seen as the place, according to all three monotheistic religions, where the world will end. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">In Jewish tradition, since the destruction of the temple in 70 CE, saying that the Temple will be rebuilt is tantamount to saying that the messiah will come and that God's kingdom on earth will be established.</span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">In Islam, it is also the place of the end. According to one oral tradition, or hadith, final judgement will take place at al-Haram ash-Sharif when a thread will be stretched from the Mount of Olives to the Temple Mount. Thereafter, the souls of all who have ever lived must walk it. Those who were good will make it across and go to heaven. Those who were evil will fall off and be damned for eternity. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">There is also an interpretation embraced by millions of evangelical Christians in which the Temple Mount is central to the scenario of the end of days. According to this theology, the temple of the Jews must be rebuilt in order for Jesus Christ to return and bring an end to the world as we know it. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Fundamentalism</span></b><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">All traditions around the Temple Mount can be interpreted metaphorically and allegorically and have been throughout history. Today, however, we live in an age of fundamentalism. </span><br />
<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><br style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" /></span>
<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">"Fundamentalism" is originally a Christian term for those who believe that the bible is completely accurate in its literal interpretation. Fundamentalists, then, are those who assert that they do not make moral judgements because the text makes those judgements for them.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Christian fundamentalist theology sees the creation of Israel and the subsequent history as heralding the end of days. There are also those who call themselves "fundamentalists" in Islam. They, too, take a literal interpretation of the sacred texts. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Today, Christian fundamentalists support radical Jewish fringe groups who seek to destroy the al-Aqsa mosque so that the third temple can be built and herald the messiah. While they are a minority, this is enough to keep Muslims paranoid. That is to say, the assertion that all Jews want to rebuild the temple is wrong, but there are some out there that provide proof to the contrary.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">Fundamentalists today are encouraged by the current mini-war. They believe that this so-called battle for Jerusalem is the battle that will lead to the end of days.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">What if the mount were destroyed?</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">This question was widely discussed by Israeli experts after the plot to destroy the Temple Mount was uncovered in the 1980s. Some assert that this could prompt the entire Muslim world to attack Israel. Others say it could bring a second holocaust. Those interpretations are too radical, however. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">The implications of damage to the site depends on the political context. If this happened during a period of dialogue, it is possible that leaders could maintain control. The effect could be far worse during times of tension. In any case, Israeli security forces are very careful to ensure the safety of the entire compound.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Conclusion</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; line-height: 22.5px;">The struggle for the Temple Mount is a complicated one. If Palestinians and Israelis are to make progress towards peace, each side must begin to understand the narratives of the other as a point of departure for mutual understanding. </span></div>
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<span class="GramE"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;">WILL THERE</span></b></span><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;"> BE A </span></b><br />
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<st1:city><st1:place><span class="GramE"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;">TEMPLE</span></b></span></st1:place></st1:city><span class="GramE"><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;"> REBUILT</span></b></span><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;"> IN </span></b><br />
<st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;">JERUSALEM</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "arial black"; font-size: 28pt;"> ?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span class="GramE"><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;">Paul Wong</span></span><span style="color: maroon; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The rebuilding of the </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is one of the most enigmatic controversies of our time. Those who are from </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> <span class="GramE">that favor</span> its rebuilding present from the view of Judaism. They need the temple for worship and animal sacrifice. On the other hand some Christian writers from </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">America </span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">present from the view of Bible prophecy. They think that the rebuilding of the temple would fulfill the prophecy of the Antichrist who will <i><span style="color: blue;">"sit as God in the </span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">, showing himself that he is God." (2 <span class="SpellE">Thes</span>. 2:4)</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> They rationalize: "Surely the temple must be rebuilt so that the Antichrist can sit in it as God." This is circular reasoning and not a direct Bible prophecy.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The destruction of Herod's temple is a direct prophecy from our Lord Jesus Christ. <i><span style="color: blue;">"And Jesus said to them, 'Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down." (Mt. 24:2) </span></i>He was talking about total destruction of the temple. Why is it important for us to read what the Lord said? Here is the reason. <i><span style="color: blue;">"God, who at sundry times and in different ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds." (Heb. 1:1-2) </span></i> God had spoken through the prophets concerning the destruction and rebuilding of the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">First</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. (<span class="SpellE">Jer</span>. 17:27; 2 Kn. 25:Zec. 4:6-8) Our Lord had prophesied the destruction of Herod's temple, but He had said nothing about its rebuilding. Don't you think that such an important matter deserves at least one sentence from the Lord? There is total silence from Jesus regarding the rebuilding of the temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. However, our Lord did mention about His body being the temple. <i><span style="color: blue;">"Jesus answered and said to them, 'Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.' Then the Jews said, 'It has taken forty six years to build this temple, and will <span class="GramE">You</span> raise it up in three days?' But He was speaking of the temple of His body." (<span class="SpellE">Jn</span>. 2:19-21) </span></i> If the Lord knew that the temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> would be destroyed He would definitely know whether or not it would be rebuilt. He had said nothing about its rebuilding. He was certain that <i><span style="color: blue;">"the temple of His body"</span></i> would be raised up in three days, but there is no basis for the theory on the rebuilding of the physical temple. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The apostle Paul also taught the believer's body is the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. He wrote: <i><span style="color: blue;">"Do you not know that you are the </span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the </span></i></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">, God will destroy him. For the </span></i></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is holy, which temple you are." (1 <span class="SpellE">Cor</span>. 3:16-17) "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you whom you have form God, and you are not your own?" (1 <span class="SpellE">Cor</span>. 6:19) </span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">This is the same Paul who preached to the Greeks on Mars Hill, </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Athens</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">:<i><span style="color: blue;">"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things." (Acts 17:24-25) </span></i> From the teachings of Paul we can see his concept of <i><span style="color: blue;">the "</span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">"</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is not a physical building. The literal interpretation of the <i><span style="color: blue;">"</span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">"</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> in 2 Thessalonians 2:4 as a physical edifice is inconsistent with Paul's theology. Can we interpret the <i><span style="color: blue;">"</span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">"</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> in this context of 2 <span class="SpellE">Thess</span>. 2:4 that is consistent with Paul's concept? Certainly we can, if we apply his allegory of the body as the temple. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">According to the apostle Paul the believer's body is the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> since the Holy Spirit dwells in it. Whether it is a single body or multiple bodies it is still the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. The Church that is derived from the Greek <i><span style="color: blue;">"<span class="SpellE">ekklesia</span>"</span></i>- God's called-out assembly, in a <span class="SpellE">collecctive</span> sense it is also the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. Figuratively if the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is the Church then we have to interpret 2 <span class="SpellE">Thess</span>. 2:4 accordingly. We have to interpret the Antichrist sitting in the Church showing himself that he is God. Is it too hard to accept the fact that the Antichrist can take control of the Church? Can it happen? There are two congregations in the Book of Revelation that can help us to understand this danger. The church in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Smyrna</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> has <i><span style="color: blue;">members "who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Rev. 2:9)</span></i> Then Jesus spoke to the church at <span class="SpellE">Pergamos</span>: <i><span style="color: blue;">"I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is." (Rev. 2:13)</span></i> The Antichrist <i><span style="color: blue;">"sitting in the </span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></i></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">"</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> does not mean sitting in the physical temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. It means the anti-christ has total control of the church. The synagogue of Satan means that the devil owns and controls that congregation. The church that has Satan sitting on the throne means that it is under Satan's control, power and authority.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The book of Daniel will help us to further understand how Satan can control the church: <i><span style="color: blue;">"Thus he said: The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different for all other kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth. . . . He shall speak pompous words against the Most High, shall persecute the saints of the Most High, and shall intend to change times and law. Then the saints shall be given into his hand for a time and times and half a time." (Dan. 7:23-25) </span></i> Now let us read Revelation and make some comparisons. <i><span style="color: blue;">"And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty two months. Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue and nation. And all who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. If anyone has an ear, let him hear. <span class="GramE">" (</span>Rev. 13:5-10) </span></i> Daniel wrote: <i><span style="color: blue;">"Then the saints shall be given into his hand." And John wrote: "And it was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them."</span></i> John continued: <i><span style="color: blue;">"And all who dwell on the earth will worship him."</span></i> The inhabitants of the earth will worship the Antichrist as their god. This would definitely fulfill the prophecy of 2 <span class="SpellE">Thess</span>. 2:4 without having to rebuild the physical temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. Praise and thank our Lord Jesus Christ there will be Christians whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life and these saints can overcome Satan <i><span style="color: blue;">"by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." (Rev. 12:11)<o:p></o:p></span></i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">If it is the physical temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> that Paul was writing about in 2 <span class="SpellE">Thess</span>. 2:4 then it will only <span class="GramE">effect</span> the people in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> and </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. The rest of the world can go on living without having to worship the Antichrist in the physical temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. Daniel and John's prophecies concern the whole world, not just the geographical location of </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. It is only through the church that the Antichrist infiltrates that he can make war and overcome the saints. He has done that in the past. He is doing it now and he will do it in the future. The devil is the great deceiver. Christians fall into his trap when they focus on rebuilding the physical temple in Jerusalem, but fail to recognize they are the spiritual </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> that really matters to Him. (Eph. 2:18-22)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Let us look at some of the facts concerning the temple in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The plans of the temple were first given to King David through the Holy Spirit. (1 <span class="SpellE">Chron</span>. 28:12, 19)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">It was given after David had secured peace by conquest of his enemies. (2 Sam. 7:1-12)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">God would not allow King David to build the temple because he had shed too much blood. God had appointed his son Solomon to build the temple. (1 <span class="SpellE">Chron</span>. 22:6-11)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Solomon was a man of peace and his reign a period of prosperity and peace. (2 Sam. 7:9-13) The temple can only be built at a time of peace. (1 Kn. 5:2-5) <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18pt;"> Now consider this about the rebuilding of the temple in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 18pt;">. Is this a time of peace? Is there no bloodshed in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> at this time? Can </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> make peace with the new Palestinian government that is controlled by the terrorist organization <span class="SpellE">Hamas</span>? What about the Islamic nations and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Iran</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> that wants to destroy </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt;">? The present peaceful condition in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> is really an illusion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">The temple can only be built on the site that God showed. God commanded Abraham to <i><span style="color: blue;">"go to the </span></i></span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">land</span></i></b></st1:placetype><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span></i></b><st1:placename><span class="SpellE"><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Moriah</span></i></b></span></st1:placename></st1:place><b><i><span style="color: blue; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">, and offer him (Isaac) there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."</span></i></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> (Gen. 22:2-3) <i><span style="color: blue;">"And Abraham called the name of the place Yahweh <span class="SpellE">Yireh</span> - The LORD Will <span class="GramE">Provide</span>; as it is said to this day, 'In the Mount of the LORD it shall be provided."</span></i> (Gen. 22:14) <i><span style="color: blue;">"Now Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem on Mount <span class="SpellE">Moriah</span>, where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of <span class="SpellE">Ornan</span> the <span class="SpellE">Jebusite</span>."</span></i> (2 <span class="SpellE">Chron</span>. 3:1) After the 70 B<span class="SpellE"><span class="GramE">abylonian</span></span> captivity God allowed the Jews to return to </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> to rebuild the temple that must be built over the original foundation. (Ezra 2:68; </span></b><st1:time hour="16" minute="12"><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">4:12</span></b></st1:time><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">; Amos 9:11)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Here is a super-colossal problem. There is only one genuine and valid site for the temple - on </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mount</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><st1:placename><span class="SpellE"><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Moriah</span></b></span></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> where Abraham had offered Isaac as an offering to God. In the Seventh Century when the Islamic forces occupied the land, Caliph Omar built the Dome of the Rock over the same site of Solomon's temple. This building is still standing there and has become one of the chief tourist attractions in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. In order to rebuild the temple in its proper place the Dome of the Rock must be demolished. The temple site in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> is considered a holy place for the Islamic religion, second only to </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mecca</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">. How can the Dome of the Rock be removed without provoking all the Islamic nations of the world to anger and start a "Jihad - holy war?" Several suggestions have been made to choose an alternate site that is close to the </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Mount</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">, but so far none have been acceptable to the religious Jews.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">6.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">In the fourth year of Solomon's reign (c. 960 B.C.) the temple began construction. It was completed in the eleventh year of Solomon's reign. It took seven and a half years to complete the construction of the First Temple. The </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Second</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> that was reconstructed by King Herod took much longer. Herod began his work in his eighteenth year (20-19 B.C.) When the Jews said to our Lord Jesus Christ that the temple had been under construction forty six years (<span class="SpellE">Jn</span>. </span></b><st1:time hour="14" minute="20"><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">2:20</span></b></st1:time><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">); it was not until A.D.64 - more than thirty more years before it was finally completed. Why did it take so long? Those were large hewn stones and fine construction. How long do you think it will take modern technology to complete the temple if it were to be rebuilt today? It depends on the materials and the construction system. So, how long do you think it will take to rebuild and reconstruct the original temple that was destroyed in A.D.70? The length of construction time is not important!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">We shall come back to this question - "Will the </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> be <span class="GramE">Rebuilt</span>?" All I can say is this - "God has not given us a clear and positive answer". Up till the present time I am not convinced the </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> in </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> will ever be rebuilt.</span></b><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #003300; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;">May God bless you<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;">Links to</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 24pt;"> Related Topics<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;">Please click</span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"> on the Titles<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;"><a href="http://www.oocities.com/templegod_ark/"><span class="GramE">The Temple</span> of God</a></span></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;"><a href="http://www.meforum.org/article/10"><span class="GramE">The Struggle</span> for the Temple Mount</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 20pt;"><a href="http://www.oocities.com/antichrist_ark/revealed.html"><span class="GramE">The Man</span> of sin is revealed in the Dome of the Rock</a></span></b><br />
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<span style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">It is a fact that several Jewish organizations in Jerusalem are now preparing for the rebuilding of a third Jewish temple on the Temple Mount. A popular Christian book called The Edge of Time, by Peter and Patti Lalonde, gives the following report: "A model of the Third Temple has been constructed and sits on exhibit in old Jerusalem. Even a computerized list of candidates who fulfill the requirements of a Temple priest has been drawn up, and rabbinical students have been training for ancient Jewish temple rites and sacrifice." Many religious Jews want another Temple. Millions of Christians now believe the Bible definitely predicts on will be built. But does it really? Is it possible that the "third temple" theory is yet another grand delusion of the last days?</span></b></span><br />
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-8629927051426554552015-11-16T09:42:00.001-08:002015-11-16T09:54:16.777-08:00Muslim Wakf Temple Mount Guide 16 Pages states TEMPLE MOUNT belonged to the Jewish people and Jerusalem the Jewish Capital - Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">1925 </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Wakf</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> Mount Guide or AL-HARAM AL-SHARIF - </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">JERUSALEM</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> - r3</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Supreme Muslim Council: </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia"; font-size: 18pt;"> is Jewish<o:p></o:p></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";">The widely-disseminated Arab claim that the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia";"> isn't Jewish has been debunked - by the Supreme Moslem Council (Waqf), in a 1925 pamphlet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 16.5pt;">Link to 1925 Waqf Temple Mount Guide noting that the First and Second Jewish Temples were located on the Temple Mount<o:p></o:p></span></h3>
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Jerusalem Temple Mount Guide 1925</div>
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Click here for the 1925 Temple Mount Guide<br />
<a href="http://www.raptureforums.com/IsraelMiddleEast/guide.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3333cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.raptureforums.com/IsraelMiddleEast/guide.pdf</a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">1925 </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Wakf</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Mount</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Guide</span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> or </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 13.5pt;">THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA </span></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 13.5pt;">or </span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b><b style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> mount </span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">was taken by force 16 pages.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 1 Cover and page 2 picture view of the Haram area from North to West</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">In 1925 Muslims that controlled </span><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">Mount</span><span style="color: #141823;"> produced this guide which as it turns out is a pretty accurate history showing that they do NOT hold the original claim to the mount, but instead, took it by force. Admitting that even their own scholars admit it belonged to the Jewish people.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Before 637 CE/AD </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> was the Capital of the Jewish people for over a thousand years. Thereafter it was occupied by various conquering Nations as Occupied territory, It was allocated to the Jewish people after WWI under the 1920 San Remo Treaty and confirmed by the 1920 Treaty of Sevres and </span><span style="color: #141823;">Lausanne including the 1919 Faisa Weizmann Agreement</span><span style="color: #141823;">.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Read it for yourself and decide. Don’t take my word for it.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">1925_Wakf_Temple_Mount_Guide.<wbr></wbr>pdf</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>Text only transcription of the guide for ease of reading.</b></span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">A Brief Guide To </span><b><span style="color: #008a17;">AL-HARAM AL-SHARIF </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17;">JERUSALEM</span></b><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">- </span><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">Mount</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><br /><span style="color: #20124d;">Published by the Supreme Muslim Counsel</span></span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">PRICE P.T. 15</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">The Sacred Enclosure will normally be open to visitors between </span><span style="color: #141823;">7.30 a.m.</span><span style="color: #141823;"> and </span><span style="color: #141823;">11.30 a.m.</span><span style="color: #141823;"> daily (Fridays excepted).</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">Admission may be gained by the gate known as Bab al-Silsileh.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Jerusalem</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> 1925</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">-3-</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">IMPORTANT NOTICE.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Visitors should bear in mind that the whole of the Haram Area, and not only it’s edifices, is scared to Muslims; and that they will be expected to pay due regard to its sanctity. In particular, they must abstain from smoking anywhere in the Area, and from bringing dogs with them.<br />The visiting-hours are from </span><span style="color: #141823;">7.30 a.m.</span><span style="color: #141823;"> to </span><span style="color: #141823;">11.30 a.m.</span><span style="color: #141823;"> daily, (Fridays excepted) and visitors are particularly requested to leave punctually at 11.30 so as not to hinder the observance of the midday-prayer.<br />Admission may best be gained by the gate known as Bab al-Silsileh. It would save trouble and delay if visitors were to make it a point of entering the Haram by that gate.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">N.B. The photographs in this Guide are reproduced by courtesy of the American Colony.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">– 4 –</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<b style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">THE HARAM<br />–<br />HISTORICAL SKETCH</span></b><br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="color: #008a17;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">The words al-Haram al-Sharif, which can perhaps best be rendered by “The August Sanctuary”, denote the whole of the sacred enclosure which it is the object of this Guide to describe.</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823;">Its plan is roughly that of a rectangle whose major axis runs from north to south; its area is approximately 145,000 square meters.</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823;">If you wish to have some idea of its extent and to see it whole before proceeding to examine it in detail, you would be well-advised to begin your visit by walking to the north-west corner, and there ascending the flight of steps which lead up to the disused building on the right, you will see the whole area spread before you. The view shown on the frontispiece (Fig. 1) was taken, although at a considerable altitude, from the very spot where you are standing.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">The two principal edifices are the Dome of the Rock, on a raised platform in the middle, and the mosque of al-Aqsa against the south wall. Other buildings which we shall consider later lie dotted about here and there. On the left along the east wall the double portals of the </span><span style="color: #141823;">Golden Gate</span><span style="color: #141823;"> appear. On every side, trees break the prospect, which lend a peculiar charm to the scene.<br />The side is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest (perhaps from prehistoric) times. Its identity with the site of Solomon’s is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which “David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings”. (1)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">But, for the purposes of this Guide, which confines itself to the Muslim period, the starting-point is the year 637 A.D. In that year, the Caliph Omar occupied </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> and one of his first acts was to repair to this site, which had already become sacred in the eyes of Muslims as the place to which the Prophet was one night miraculously translated. The site had long since been neglected. The Caliph and his four thousand followers found little more than desolation and rubbish. There were the ruined walls of the Herodian and Roman periods, the remains of an early basilica (probably on the present site of al-Aqsa), and the bare Rock. Yet from this rock had the Prophet according to the tradition, ascended to heaven on his steed. So the Caliph ordered a mosque to be erected by its side. His orders were executed, and the building was seen and described by Bishop Arculf who visited </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> about 670 A. D. But no vestige of it remains today, save for the name “Mosque of Omar” which is still, but quite wrongly, sometimes used for the Dome of the Rock.<br />With the reign of’ Abdul-Malek ibn Marwan, the Umayyad, 685-705 A.D., the history of the present buildings begins. </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #222222;"><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">Jerusalem</span></b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823;">___</span><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">2 Samuel XXIV, 25.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 5 - Pic. The fountain Sabil of Qait Bay</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">– 6 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">was a holy city, to Muslims as well as to others, and to the energetic and pious caliph its glorification seemed an obvious duty. He collected large sums of money, amounting (say the Arab historians) to “seven times the revenue of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Egypt</span><span style="color: #141823;">”; and with that he built the Dome (691 A.D.), and the mosque of al-Aqsa (693 A.D.), both of which, according to medieval Arab travelers and chroniclers, were of unsurpassed magnificence. But in subsequent years, the buildings suffered much from earthquake shocks and underwent various restorations. In the year 407 A. H. (1016 A.D.), an earthquake shock caused the Dome to collapse, and it was re-erected six years later by the Caliph Hakem.<br />A new chapter begins with the capture of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> by the Crusaders in 1099. They occupied the Haram Area and turned its monuments to different uses. The Dome of the Rock was turned into a church and an alter erected on the Rock itself. The edifice was regarded by them as the veritable </span><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span><span style="color: #141823;"> of the Lord (Templum Domini) from which the Knights Templar whose Order was formed there take their name. It is interesting to note also that, as Temple of the Lord and symbol of the Order, it served as a model for churches which were later erected at various places in Europe, such as Aix-la-Chapelle, Metz, Leon, and the Temple Church in London; and that it figures in Raphael’s famous picture of the “Sposalizio” (Brera, Milan,) and, still more recognizably,<br />in the picture of “The Maries at the Sepulcher”, attributed to Hubert von Eyck. The mosque of al-Aqsa, on the other hand, was transformed in to a royal residence known as the </span><span style="color: #141823;">Palace</span><span style="color: #141823;"> of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Solomon</span><span style="color: #141823;">; while the vast substructures below the south-east corner of the Area were used by the Knights as stables.<br />The end of this chapter came in 1187, when Saladin captured </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> and drove the Crusaders out. One of his first acts was to put back the buildings to their former use as places of Muslim worship, and he caused every vestige of the Templar's occupation to be removed. At the same time he carried out important embellishments.<br />In the Dome of the Rock, he caused the walls to be covered with marble, and set up the beautiful inscription which may still be seen above the open gallery of the cupola.<br />He also restored the stucco incrustation of the inner dome, which remains to this day. In the mosque of al-Aqusa, he carried out restoration and embellishments, of which the chief were the fine mosaics on the drum of the dome and the beautiful pulpit adjoining the prayer-niche.<br />The Haram Area has remained in Muslim hands ever since.<br />For although </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> was again occupied by the Crusaders (1229-1244), yet their occupation did not extend to the sacred enclosure which it had been agreed should remain in Muslim possession. During the three centuries which followed, various repairs and additions were made; but the most important restoration was that which was carried out, after the Turkish conquest.<br />In the reign of Sulaiman the Magnificent (1520-1566). This sultan whose works are still to be found all over the </span><span style="color: #141823;">Holy</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">City</span><span style="color: #141823;">, carried out a wholesale renovation of the Dome of the Rock. A large part of the decoration in glazed tiles upon the exterior of the shrine and most of the windows were added during his reign. Since then,</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;"><br />– 8 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">both buildings have undergone different restorations which have for the most part marred rather than enhanced their beauty.<br />This is more particularly the case with the tiles on the exterior of the Dome of the Rock, which the hand of the restorer has here and there shifted or replaced most unhappily; and it is the present concern of the authorities of the Haram to try and undo the damage and restore to these decorative features something of their former harmony.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">THE DOME OF THE ROCK</span></b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823;">________________</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">The Dome of the Rock stands on an irregular platform whose level is some 12 feet above that of the Area. It is approached from every side by flights of broad steps surmounted at the landing by graceful arcades (Fig. 3) known as Mawazin, that is to say ‘scales’, because of the traditional belief that on the Day of Judgment the scales of good and evil will be suspended there.<br />Having ascended the steps on the raised platform, you should, before entering the edifice, walk around it and examine it from the outside first. Its plan is that of a regular octagon inscribed in a circle of 177 ft. diameter. It has four entrances, each of which faces one of the points of the compass: on the West, The Bab al-Gharb, or west gate; on the north, the Bab al-Janna, or gate of paradise; on the east, the Bab Daud, or gate of David; and on the south, the Bab al-Qibla or south gate. This last gate fixes the direction in which prayers are to be said, namely the direction of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Mecca</span><span style="color: #141823;">. The walls of the building are decorated with marble facings on the lower courses and with colored glazed tiles above.<br />The tiles which form this decoration date for the most part from the end of the reign of Sulaiman the Magnificent (v. page 6) when the art of Oriental ceramic decoration was perhaps at its height.<br />Unfortunately, a great many of the original tiles have fallen off, and others have at various times been set in their stead without apparent regard for the harmony either of color or pattern. Still, the effect is striking and, especially in certain lights, beautiful.<br />The frieze is inscribed with verses from the Koran. Above rests the Dome, as rebuilt by the Caliph Hakem in 1022, slightly flattened on one side, and surmounted by the Crescent. The edifice itself is substantially that which was erected by ‘Abdul-Malek ibn Marwan; but the outer decorations that we have just seen are mostly due to Suliaman the Magnificent, and to later restorers.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">On the east side of the Dome of the Rock, facing the Bab Daub. or gate of David, stands an elegant little edifice, also surmounted by a dome, which look at first sight like a miniature representation of its larger brother. The room which supports the Dome and it’s drum rests on two concentric rows of columns neither of which is encased by walls. On the south side is a Mihrab, that is to say the prayer-recess. The edifice is variously known as Mahkamat Daud, (i.e. Tribunal of David) and Qubbat al-Silsileh (i.e. Dome of the Chain), from the legendary belief that on its site was the place of Judgments where verdicts were given by a miraculous chain. For as the legend has it, a chain was once suspended</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 9 - Pic The Dome of the Rock (from the North-East)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">– 10 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">from heaven over this spot, to which it was the practice in Solomon’s time to appeal in cases of conflicting evidence. Each witness was made to grasp the chain in turn: if he succeed in holding it, his truthfulness was thereby vindicated, but if it eluded his grasp, then he was a manifest liar. The edifice is said by some historians to be contemporaneous with the Dome of the Rock; but it is an established fact that it has been rebuilt more than once, albeit with the original columns which are in the Byzantine style and were undoubtedly taken from other buildings. Their number has varied: at the present time there are eleven in the outer, and six in the inner rows. (Fig. 4) We will now enter the Dome of the Rock (Qubbal al-Sakhra) by the west gate. The metal doors on either side of the entrance are worthy of notice; and inscription which was only recently discovered proves them to have been made and set up during the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Qait Bay, towards the end of the XVth. century. A few steps further, we find ourselves in the interior of the building. At first sight it is almost too dark to see; but as the eye gets used to the subdued light, the beauty of the structure and the splendor for the ornamentation reveal themselves. In the centre, vertically below the dome, is the Sacred Rock, an irregular mass of yellowish stone. This is where the Crusaders had set up an altar and traces can still be seen of the steps which once led up to it. The dome rests on an inner system of piers and columns forming a circle and connected with each other by a wrought-iron grille, dating from the XIIth. century — a unique remnant of the Crusaders’ decorations. This inner row is formed of four rectangular piers, beautifully adorned with marble facings dating from the XVth. century, and twelve monolithic columns with Byzantine capitals carrying semicircular arches. Above is the drum with its rich mosaics, its delicate inscription on bands and medallions, and 16 windows; while, resting on the rim above the clerestory windows, is the inner (wooden) cupola, with its remarkable stucco ornamentation, ordered by Saladin in 1189.<br />Concentric with inner system which we have just described is the outer octagonal row of piers and columns supporting the roof. The piers in this row are eight in number and are of massive size, covered with XVth. century marble facings; while the columns, of which there are sixteen, are marble monoliths<br />taken from some older building, probably Hadrian’s </span><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span><span style="color: #141823;"> of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jupiter</span><span style="color: #141823;">. The capitals, which are of varying design, belong to the late Greco-Roman or the early Byzantine period. Above each capital is an abacus on which rests the decorated beam which runs round the octagon and serves as an “anchor” beam from pier to pier–an interesting architectural feature, probably of Arab origin, which is characteristic of the earliest mosques. Between each pair of piers are three arches richly adorned with old mosaic dating, except for certain later restorations, from the VIIth. century. Above is a narrow band of blue tiles on which runs an inscription in gold Cubic letters, which is of great historical importance, for it records the date of the construction of the edifice and the name of the builder, with a chronological inconsequence which tells its own tale. The date is given as A.H. 72 and the</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 11 - Pic The Rock</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">– 12 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;">name as that of the Caliph al-Mamun who reigned in A.H. 197-218: an obvious anachronism, of which the explanation is that the name of the later Caliph was substituted for that of his predecessor, ‘Abudul-Malek ibn Marwan , the real builder of the Dome of the Rock, while the original date remained unchanged.<br />The walls of the edifice, which as we have seen form a regular octagon, are covered with marble slabs and pierced with windows dating, for the most part, from Sulaiman’s restorations.<br />The slabs are of beautiful marble specially chosen for its smoothness and remarkable veining. The windows are made of plaster, and their pattern consists of an intricate openwork tracery in which are inserted bits of colored glass. The effect is one of great softness and richness of color, and this is partly due to<br />the skill with which the tracery is hollowed out of the plaster and cut away towards the inside in such a way that the openings become provided with a kind of cone for the softer diffusion of the rays of light.<br />A detailed description of the Dome of the Rock would be beyond the scope of this Guide. Its principal features have been mentioned and described in sufficient detail, it is believed, to give the visitor an adequate summary of its history and some help towards the appreciation of its magnificence.</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA</span></b><span style="color: black;"><br /></span><span style="color: #141823;">____________________</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Leaving the Dome of the Rock by the west gate, the visitor will notice, some 50 yards away on the right, a small octagonal domed edifice of semi-oriental and semi-Gothic appearance. This is the Qubbal al-Mi’raj or Dome of the Ascension. It was originally built in commemoration of the Prophet’s miraculous ascension, and rebuilt in its present form about the year 1200 A.D., that is to say some thirteen years after the capture of the </span><span style="color: #141823;">Holy</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">City</span><span style="color: #141823;"> by Saladin and at a time when Gothic influence in building, which had been imported by the Crusaders, was still at its height.<br />The monument is not open to visitors.<br />Turning towards the south, we cross the platform to the arcades on its southern side, passing on the way the marble pulpit of Burhaneddin (Fig. 3) which was built by the judge of that name in the middle of the XVth. century. The pulpit is crowned by a dome supported by trefoil arches resting on columns,<br />and is an interesting as well as a beautiful example of the work of that period. Beyond the pulpit are the steps leading down to the court of the mosque of al-Aqsa. Immediately in front is the fountain of ablutions, and beyond that is the mosque itself.<br />The porch, which is the most recent part of the building, was added by the Sultan al-Mu’azzam, a nephew of Saladin, in the XIIIth. century. An inscription above the middle archway records the date as 634 A.H. (1236 A.D.). The porch consists of a facade of seven pointed arches, corresponding to the seven<br />front doors of the mosque, and affords yet another example of the Crusaders’ influence, although not a very happy one.<br />The interior of the mosque is unfortunately only partly accessible</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 13 - Pic The Al-Aqsa Mosque (front)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">– 14 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">to visitors at the present time, on account of the considerable repairs which have to be carried out to that part of the buildings which supports the dome. But visitors are admitted to the nave and aisles and can gain some idea of the whole. The nave, formed by two rows of massive columns with capitals, is the oldest part of the mosque. On either side of it, is an aisle, both of which date also from the earliest period; the outside aisles are of more recent construction. The columns of the nave were probably taken from Justinian’s basilica; while the capitals, which are mostly of the acanthus-leaf and wicker-work patterns,<br />date from Byzantine times and are probably contemporaneous with the construction of the mosque itself. The columns support a system of pointed arches of which the exact date is not known for certain. Their pointed form, however, shows plainly that they belong to a later period that the VIIth. century, for in that period the pointed form had not yet been evolved and the horse-shoe arch, as we have seen in the interior of the Dome of the Rock, was still prevalent. The columns are connected by wooden tie-beams, which as we have seen (page 10) is a device characteristic of early Arab monuments. Above the arches are two rows of windows; the lower open on the inner aisles, the upper are clerestory windows admitting air and light from the outside. (Fig. 7).<br />Above the crossing stands the dome resting on a circular drum supported by a system of arches and pedantries, which are themselves borne at the tour corners by groups of pillars and capitals. The dome, which is of wood protected on the outside by a covering of lead sheeting, is ornamented with a handsome stucco incrustation of the same style as that of the dome of the Qubbat al-Sakhra. This decoration may, like its counterpart in the Sakhra, date from the time of Saladin; but be this as it may, it was completely renovated, if not actually made in the first instance, but the Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalaun in the year 728 A.H. (1327 A.D.), as the beautiful inscription on the blue band around the cupola testifies. The drum and the four arches with their pedantries are covered with a beautiful mosaic on a gold ground dating from the end of the XIIth. century, that is to say from the restoration carried out by Saladin (v. page 6).<br />To the west of the crossing runs the broad transept with its colonnade of pillars taken from older buildings. A few interesting Byzantine capitals of wicker-work design are worth noticing. The transept is continued into a vaulted gallery which dates from the occupation of the Crusaders, and was used as quarters by the Knights Templar.<br />The Mihrab (or prayer recess) in the south wall, facing the nave, is ornamented with mosaics and flanked with splendor and elegant marble columns. According to an inscription in mosaic above the niche, the work is due to Saladin. To the right of the Mihrab stands a handsome pulpit made of wood and beautifully ornamented with inlaid ivory and mother-of-pearl. It was made in </span><span style="color: #141823;">Aleppo</span><span style="color: #141823;">, as the inscription on it testifies, by the Sultan Nureddin in the year 1168 A.D., and was brought to </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> by order of Saladin towards the end of the century. Above the prayer-niche are windows dating from the XVIth. century.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Page 15 - Pic The Al Aqsa Mosque (interior)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: large;">THE SUBSTRUCTURES</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">Leaving the mosque of al-Aqsa by the front entrance, we turn to the left and proceed to the south-east corner of the Haram Area where a staircase leads down in to the vast subterranean substructures known as Solomon’s Stables. The first flight of steps takes us down to the small chamber, now used as a place of Muslim worship, which was believed in medieval times to have been associated with Jesus Christ’s infancy. This belief was prevalent long before the advent of the Crusaders and was subsequently accepted by them. In the angle between the west and south walls of the chamber is a little dome borne upon four marble columns; and underneath the dome is a small niche lying horizontally, which was believed in early times to have been the Cradle of Christ and referred to under that name by several Arab historians.<br />In the west wall of the chamber, a door opens into a staircase descending to Solomon’s Stables. This is a vast subterranean chamber, of roughly rectangular shape, of which the chief feature is the imposing size of the piers. Of these, there are fifteen rows of varying size and height supporting the vaults on which rests the roof. Little is known for certain of the early history of the chamber itself. It dates probably as far back as the construction of Solomon’s </span><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span><span style="color: #141823;">. According to Josephus, it was in existence and was used as a place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> by Titus in the year 70 A.D.. We also know that this space was used by the Knights Templar as stables, and the holes to which they tethered their horses can still be seen in the masonry of the piers. Such evidence as is afforded by the masonry itself, and more particularly by the contrast between the lower and the upper courses of the larger piers, would tend to show that they belong to two distinct periods, and that the upper parts and the vaults were of Arab construction superimposed upon ancient foundations.<br />The substructures supporting the nave of the mosque of al-Aqsa are not accessible.<br />______________________________<wbr></wbr>________</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">The best way out is across the esplanade, past the porch of the mosque of al-Aqsa, and back to the Bab al-Silsileh. An alternative would be to continue northwards past the Bab al-Silsileh to the gate known as Bab al-Quttanin, a handsome gate dating from the reign of Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalaun (1336 A.D.) and typical of XIVth century Arab work. To the south-east of this gate is the Sabil (or drinking fountain) built about the year<br />1460 A.D. by </span><span style="color: #141823;">Mamluk</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">Sultan</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">Qait</span><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><span style="color: #141823;">Bay</span><span style="color: #141823;"> – an attractive building, perfect of its kind. (Fig. 2).</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;">G. A.<br />______________________________<wbr></wbr>_____</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d;"><span style="color: #141823;"><br />Franciscan Printing Press, </span><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span><span style="color: #141823;"> - back page</span></span><span style="color: #222222; font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: #141823; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">1925 </span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Wakf</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Mount</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Guide</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> or </span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Temple</span></b><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> mount taken by force.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri";"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-repeat: initial; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; line-height: 14.5pt; margin-top: 4.5pt;">
<b><span style="color: #5133ab; font-size: large;">In 1925 Muslims that controlled Temple Mount produced this guide which as it turns out is a pretty accurate history showing that they do NOT hold the original claim to the mount, but instead, took it by force. Admitting that even their own scholars admit it belonged to the Jewish people.</span></b><br />
<div style="font-size: 12.8px;">
<b><span style="color: #5133ab;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">
Jerusalem Temple Mount Guide 1925</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 18.48px;">
Click here for the 1925 Temple Mount Guide<br />
<a href="http://www.raptureforums.com/IsraelMiddleEast/guide.pdf" rel="nofollow" style="color: #3333cc; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://www.raptureforums.com/IsraelMiddleEast/guide.pdf</a></div>
</div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-85488003572764539282015-11-13T04:31:00.002-08:002015-11-13T04:31:18.654-08:00 MODERN SOURCES OF ISRAEL’S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS IN JERUSALEM - Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zldks6v0G1c/VkWnpnFUABI/AAAAAAAAA5g/7HzP516h1Ak/s1600/000%2BTemple%2BIsraels%2Bposition.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zldks6v0G1c/VkWnpnFUABI/AAAAAAAAA5g/7HzP516h1Ak/s320/000%2BTemple%2BIsraels%2Bposition.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">MODERN SOURCES OF </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">ISRAEL</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">’S INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS IN </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">JERUSALEM</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: blue; font-family: inherit; font-size: 20.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">In 1970, three years after
the 1967 Six-Day War, an article appearing in the most prestigious
international legal periodical, The American Journal of International Law, touched
directly on the question of Israel’s rights in Jerusalem.5 It became a critical
reference point for Israeli ambassadors speaking at the UN in the immediate
decades that followed and also found its way into their speeches. The article
was written by an important, but not yet well-known, legal scholar named
Stephen Schwebel. In the years that followed, Schwebel’s stature would grow
immensely with his appointment as the legal advisor of the U.S. Department of
State, and then finally when he became the President of the International Court
of Justice in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">the
Hague</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. In
retrospect, his legal opinions mattered and were worth considering very
carefully.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Schwebel wrote his article,
which was entitled “What Weight to Conquest,” in response to a statement by
then Secretary of State William Rogers that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was only entitled to “insubstantial alterations” in
the pre-1967 lines. The Nixon administration had also hardened </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> policy on </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> as reflected in its statements and voting patterns in
the UN Security Council. Schwebel strongly disagreed with this approach: he
wrote that the pre-war lines were not sacrosanct, for the 1967 lines were not
an international border. Formally, they were only armistice lines from 1949. As
he noted, the armistice agreement itself did not preclude the territorial
claims of the parties beyond those lines. Significantly, he explained that when
territories are captured in a war, the circumstances surrounding the outbreak
of the conflict directly affect the legal rights of the two sides, upon its
termination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Two facts from 1967 stood out
that influenced his thinking:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">First, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> had acted in the Six-Day War in the lawful exercise
of its right of self-defense. Those familiar with the events that led to its
outbreak recall that Egypt was the party responsible for the initiation of
hostilities, through a series of steps that included the closure of the Straits
of Tiran to Israeli shipping and the proclamation of a blockade on Eilat, an
act that Foreign Minister Abba Eban would characterize as the firing of the
first shot of the war. Along </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s eastern front, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jordan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s artillery had opened pre-pounding civilian
neighborhoods in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, despite repeated warnings issued by </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Given this background, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> had not captured territory as a result of aggression,
but rather because it had come under armed attack and liberated its own
territory. In fact, the Soviet Union had tried to have Israel labeled as the
aggressor in the UN Security Council on June 14, 1967, and then in the UN General
Assembly on July 4, 1967. But </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Moscow</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> completely failed. At the Security Council it was
outvoted 11-4. Meanwhile at the General Assembly, 88 states voted against or
abstained on the first vote of a proposed Soviet draft (only 32 states
supported it). It was patently clear to the majority of UN members that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> had waged a defensive war. 6<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A second element in
Schwebel’s thinking was the fact </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jordan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s claim to legal title over the territories it had
lost to </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> in the Six-Day War was very problematic. The
Jordanian invasion of the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">West
Bank</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> – and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> – nineteen years earlier in 1948 had been unlawful.
As a result, Jordan did not gain legal rights in the years that followed, given
the legal principle, that Schwebel stressed, according to which no right can be
born of an unlawful act (ex injuria jus non oritur). It should not have come as
a surprise that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jordan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s claim to sovereignty over the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">West Bank</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> aka </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Judea</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Samaria</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was not recognized by anyone, except for </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Pakistan</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. Even the British would not recognize the Jordanian
claim in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> itself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Thus, by comparing Jordan’s
illegal invasion of the West Bank to Israel’s legal exercise of its right of
self-defense, Schwebel concluded that “Israel has better title” in the
territory of what once was the Palestine Mandate than either of the Arab states
with which it had been at war. He specifically stated that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> had better legal title to “the whole of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Schwebel makes reference to
UN Security Council Resolution 242 from </span><st1:date day="22" month="11" year="1967"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">November 22, 1967</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, which over the years would become the main source
for all of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s peace efforts, from the 1979 Egyptian-Israeli
Treaty of Peace to the 1993 Oslo Accords. In its famous withdrawal clause,
Resolution 242 did not call for a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from all
the territories it captured in the Six-Day War. There was no effort to
re-establish the status quo ante, which, as noted earlier, was the product of a
previous act of aggression by Arab armies in 1948.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">As the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">U.S.</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> ambassador to the UN in 1967, Arthur Goldberg,
pointed out in 1980, Resolution 242 did not even mention </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> “and this omission was deliberate.” Goldberg made the
point, reflecting the policy of the Johnson administration for whom he served,
that he never described Jerusalem as “occupied territory,” though this changed
under President Nixon.7 What Goldberg wrote about Resolution 242 had added
weight, given the fact that he previously had served as a Justice on the U.S.
Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Indeed, among the leading
jurists in international law and diplomacy, Schwebel was clearly not alone. He
was joined by Julius Stone, the great Australian legal scholar, who reached the
same conclusions. He added that UN General Assembly Resolution 181 from 1947
(also known as the Partition Plan) did not undermine </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s subsequent claims in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. True, Resolution 181 envisioned that </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and its environs would become a corpus separatum, or
a separate international entity. But Resolution 181 was only a recommendation
of the General Assembly, It was rejected by the Arab states forcibly, who
invaded the nascent State of Israel in 1948. That made UN Resolution 181 null
and void.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ultimately, the UN’s corpus
separatum never came into being in any case. The UN did not protect the Jewish
population of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> from invading Arab armies. Given this history, it was
not surprising that Israel’s first prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, announced
on December 3, 1949, that Revolution 181’s references to Jerusalem were “null
and void,” thereby anticipating Stone’s legal analysis years later. 8<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">There was also Prof. Elihu
Lauterpacht of </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Cambridge</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, who for a time served as legal advisor of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Australia</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and as a judge ad hoc of the International Court of
Justice in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">the Hague</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. Lauterpacht argued that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s reunification of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> in 1967 was legally valid. He explained 9 that the
last state which had sovereignty over </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ottoman Empire</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">,
which ruled it from 1517 to 1917.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">After the First World War,
the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Ottoman Empire</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> formally renounced its sovereignty over </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> as well as all its former territories south of what
became modern </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Turkey</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> in the Treaty of Sevres from 1920. This renunciation was confirmed by
the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Turkish</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Republic</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> as well in the Treaty of Lausanne of 1923. According
to Lauterpacht, the rights of sovereignty in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> were vested with the Principal Supreme Allied and
Associated Powers, that assigned those territories to the Jewish people which
transferred them to the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">League
of Nations</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> to implement. At
the same time they allocated over five million square miles of territory for the
Arab nations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">But with the dissolution of
the League of Nations, the British abandonment of its obligation in
implementing the Mandate and withdrawal from Mandatory Palestine, and the failure
of the UN to create a corpus separatum or a special international regime for
Jerusalem, as had been intended according to the 1947 Partition Plan,
Lauterpacht concluded that sovereignty had been put in suspense or in abeyance.
In other words, by 1948 there was what he called “a vacancy of sovereignty” in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. Although the International law and treaties of post
WWI incorporate the 1917 Balfour Declaration as international law and treaty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">It might be asked if the
acceptance by the pre-state Jewish Agency of Resolution 181 constituted a
conscious renunciation of Jewish claims to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> back in 1947. However, according to the resolution,
the duration of the special international regime for </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> would be “in the first instance for a period of ten
years.” The resolution envisioned a referendum of the residents of the city at
that point in which they would express “their wishes as to possible
modifications of the regime of the city.”10 The Jewish leadership interpreted
the corpus separatum as an interim arrangement that could be replaced. They
believed that Jewish residents could opt for citizenship in the Jewish state in
the meantime. Moreover, they hoped that the referendum would lead to the corpus
seperatum being joined to the State of Israel after ten years.11 In addition,
since the Arabs did not accept the UN Resolution; it is null and void; thus
having no bearing on </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s sovereignty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Who then could acquire
sovereign rights in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> given the “vacancy of sovereignty” that Lauterpacht described?
Certainly, the UN could not assume a role, given what happened to Resolution
181. Lauterpacht’s answer was that </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> filled “the vacancy in sovereignty” in areas where
the Israel Defense Forces had to operate in order to save </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">’s Jewish population from destruction or ethnic
cleansing. The same principle applied again in 1967, when Jordanian forces
opened fire on Israeli neighborhoods and the Israel Defense Forces entered the
eastern parts of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, including its </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Old</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">City</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, in self-defense.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">A fourth legal authority to
contribute to this debate over the legal rights of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was Prof. Eugene Rostow, the former dean of </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Yale</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Law</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">School</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs in
the Johnson administration. Rostow’s point of departure for analyzing the issue
of Israel’s rights was the Mandate for Palestine, which specifically referred
to “the historic connection of the Jewish people with Palestine” providing “the
grounds for reconstituting their national home and territory in that country.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">These rights applied to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> as well, for the Mandate did not separate </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> from the other territory that was to become part of
the Jewish national home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Rostow contrasts the other </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">League of Nations</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> mandates with the mandate for </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Palestine</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. Whereas the mandates for </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Iraq</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Syria</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lebanon</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> served as trusts for the indigenous populations, the
language of the Palestine Mandate was entirely different. It supported the
national rights of the Jewish people while protecting only the civil and religious
rights of the non-Jewish communities in 12 British Mandatory </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Palestine</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">. It should be added that the Palestine Mandate was a
legal instrument in the form of a binding international treaty between the </span><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">League of Nations</span></st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">, on the one hand, and </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Britain</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> as trustee for the Jews and the mandatory power, on
the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Rostow argued that the
mandate was not terminated in 1947. He explained that Jewish legal rights to a
national home in this territory, which were embedded in British Mandatory
Palestine in 1920, survived the dissolution of the League of Nations and were
preserved by the United Nations in Article 80 of the UN Charter, assuming the
responsibility of implementing the treaties.13 Clearly, after considering
Rostow’s arguments, Israel was well-positioned to assert its rights in
Jerusalem and fill “the vacancy of sovereignty” that Lauterpacht had described.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The Arab countries have
expelled over a million Jewish families and their children, confiscated all
their assets, businesses, homes and Real estate property totaling over 120,440
sq. km. or 75,000 sq. miles (which is 6 times the size of Israel) and valued in
the trillions of dollars. Most of those expelled Jewish families from Arab
countries were resettled in </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> and today comprise over half the population.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-15544480295444562032015-11-13T01:04:00.002-08:002015-11-13T01:04:56.544-08:00Before The Rise of Islam, Medina Was Originally A Jewish City - Draiman<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Before The Rise of Islam, Medina Was Originally A Jewish City</span></h1>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Today, we hear a lot of talk about how Jerusalem should be split, – one half surrendered to Muslims, while the other half remains a mixed Muslim/Jewish city in Israel. If this is the appropriate diplomatic way of turning back the clock, and ensuring peace between Muslims and Jews, then why not try out this solution with Medina first–a city that was originally Jewish?</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Although the fact is little publicized, the Arab world’s second holiest city, Medina, was one of the allegedly “purely Arab” cities that actually was first settled by Jewish tribes. 1 History shows that Judaism was already well established in Medina two centuries before Muhammad’s birth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">On page 40, of his book “Arabs In History”, Bernard Lewis writes:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">“The city of Medina, some 280 miles north of Mecca, had originally been settled by Jewish tribes from the north, … The comparative richness of the town attracted an infiltration of pagan Arabs who came at first as clients of the Jews and ultimately succeeded in dominating them. Medina, or, as it was known before Islam, Yathrib, had no form of stable government at all. The town was tom by the feuds of the rival Arab tribes of Aus and Khazraj, with the Jews maintaining an uneasy balance of power. The latter, engaged mainly in agriculture and handicrafts, were economically and culturally superior to the Arabs, and were consequently disliked…. as soon as the Arabs had attained unity through the agency of Muhammad they attacked and ultimately eliminated the Jews.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The number of Jews in Medina swelled following the Roman invasion of Israel – the subsequent expulsion of its Jewish population, and from Jews fleeing persecution in Persia2. These refugees were assimilated into the three major Jewish tribes in Medina: the Banu Nadir, the Banu Quynuqua, and the Banu Quraiza. When these Jews resettled in Medina, they took with them a superior knowledge of agriculture, irrigation, and industry. Homeless Jewish refugees in the course of a few generations became large landowners in the country. In addition, the refugees who had come from Israel quickly became the controllers of its finance and trade. This new Jewish prosperity also quickly became a direct challenge to the Arabs of the region, particularly the Quraysh at Mecca (of which Mohammad was a member) and other Arab tribes in Medina.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">According to Alfred Guillaume,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">At the dawn of Islam the Jews dominated the economic life of the Hijaz [Arabia]. They held all the best land … ; at Medina they must have formed at least half of the population. There was also a Jewish settlement to the north of the Gulf of Aqaba…. What is important is to note that the Jews of the Hijaz made many proselytes [or converts] among the Arab tribesmen.5</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">To add fuel to this fire, the Jews, strong in their faith in G-d, refused to accept Mohammad’s claims to be the final prophet. In response, a precedent was established by Muhammad among Arab-Muslims to expropriate that which belonged to the Jews of Medina.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Guillaume continues,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">… [Jewish] leaders opposed [Mohammad’s] claim to be an apostle sent by God, and though they doubtless drew some satisfaction from his acceptance of the divine mission of Abraham, Moses, and the prophets, they could hardly be expected to welcome the inclusion of Jesus and Ishmael among his chosen messengers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">… the existence of pockets of disaffected Jews in and around his base was a cause of uneasiness and they had to be eliminated if he [Muhammad] was to wage war without anxiety.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Because the Jews preferred to retain their own beliefs the Jews of Medina fell under suspicion of treachery by Mohammad and were forced to lay down their arms and evacuate their settlements. Valuable land and much booty fell into the hands of the Muslims.12</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Jealous, frustrated, and offended by the refusal of the Jews to accept him as a prophet of G-d, at the first feeling of military superiority over the Jews of Medina, Mohammad gave up his attempts to convert the Jews, and decided instead to make war on them proclaiming the following:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">“Two religions may not dwell together on the Arabian Peninsula.”13</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">This edict was carried out by Abu Bakr and Omar 1, the Prophet Muhammad’s successors; the entire community of Jewish settlements throughout northern Arabia was systematically slaughtered.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">According to Bernard Lewis,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">“the extermination of the Jewish tribe of Quraiza was followed by “an attack on the Jewish oasis of Khaibar.”14</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The battle of Khaybar, (the final destruction of the Jews of Medina) is a battle well known by Muslims today. They often recall it at “anti-Israel” rallies, protests, speeches, and all over youtube, with the chant “Khaybar Khaybar ya Yahud, jaish-Muhammad saya’ud” (Khaybar Khaybar oh Jews, the army of Muhammad will return)15</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">They recall as their greatest hope, and sincerest joy to repeat the massacre at Khaybar done by their “pefect man” Mohammad. At Khaybar, after the Jews were forced to flee their homes and villages in Medina, Messengers of Muhammad were sent to the Jews who had escaped to the safety and comfort of Khaibar, “inviting” Usayr, the Jewish “war chief,” to visit Medina for meditations.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Usayr set off with thirty companions and a Muslim escort. Suspecting no foul play, the Jews went unarmed. On the way, the Muslims turned upon the defenseless delegation, killing all but one who managed to escape. “War is deception,” 15 16</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">The slaughter of Arabian Jews and the expropriation of their property became Allah’s will. This massacre is recalled joyfully in the Koran:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">… some you slew and others you took captive. He (Allah] made you masters of their [the Jews’] land, their houses and their goods, and of yet another land [Khaibar] on which you had never set foot before. Truly, Allah has power over all things.18</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Guillaume reports that the anti-Jewish attack at Khaibar was fiercely fought off, but “though the inhabitants fought more bravely here than elsewhere, outnumbered and caught off their guard, they were defeated.”19 Those who somehow survived constituted the formula for Islam’s future successes. Some of the Jews, “non-Muslims” or infidels, “retained their land,” at least until Muslims could be recruited in sufficient numbers to replace the Jews. Meanwhile, the Arabian Jews paid a fifty-percent “tribute,” or tax, for the “protection” of the new plunderers. As Professor Lewis writes, “The Muslim victory in Khaibar marked the first contact between the Muslim state and a conquered non-Muslim people and formed the basis for later dealings of the same type.</span></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-33326368950638205702015-11-08T14:35:00.001-08:002015-11-08T14:37:10.981-08:00THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEM IN JUDAISM - Draiman<br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JERUSALEM IN JUDAISM</span></h1>
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<a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-weight: normal; padding: 0px;" target="_blank" title="View image detail"><img alt="View image detail" class="CToWUd" src="https://ci4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/IVaj0EhzDe_EmrVke6JzEtpKpqKqb4rxVXUZlnVE2ZjEUEhN_ypkwfX8bLZDKD_btKrvRjpTyR5Jn_ShylurZrB75ckCJD7ciqBG2EqNCken4jGayw=s0-d-e1-ft#http://cache4.gettyimages.com/xt/200213679-001.jpg?v=1&g=DV&s=1" /></a></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">The Old City of Jerusalem has within its walls holy places central to Judaism, Christianity and Islam. These include the Western Wall, built by King Solomon in the tenth century BCE as a retaining wall to support the Temple Mount; the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, commenced in the fourth century CE under the Emperor Constantine; and the Dome of the Rock and the Al Aqsa Mosque, built after the conquest of Jerusalem by the Caliph Omar in the seventh century. The proximity of these sites reflects the close historical and doctrinal relationship between the three monotheistic religions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">Jews have lived in the land of Israel for nearly 4,000 years, going back to the period of the biblical patriarchs (c.1900 BCE). The story of the Jewish people, Israel, its capital, Jerusalem, and the Jewish Temple there, has been one of exile, destruction and rebirth. In its 4,000 years of history Jerusalem has been destroyed many times and many times reborn. There has always remained a Jewish presence in the land of Israel and in Jerusalem, and the Jewish people as a whole always dreamed of returning to and rebuilding it, a longing reflected in the concluding words of Israel's national anthem, 'Ha Tikvah' ('The Hope'):</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">“The hope of 2000 years: To live as a free people in our own land, the land of Zion and Jerusalem.”</span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br />From Biblical Israel to 70 CE</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">The detailed history of ancient Israel is recorded in the Hebrew Bible (called the 'Old Testament' by Christians). The biblical history of the Jewish people begins when Abraham is told to travel to the Promised Land, "the land I will show you".<br /><br />When Abraham's grandson Jacob (later renamed 'Israel') encounters the site on Mount Moriah where centuries later the Temple would stand, he says: "How awe-inspiring is this place! It is the House of God! It is the gate to heaven!" (Gen. 28:17). He is told Jerusalem is "the site that the Lord your God will choose from among all your tribes, as a place established in His name. It is there that you shall go to seek His presence." (Deut. 12:3)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">Jerusalem began to fulfil the function of a spiritual and national capital for the Jews in the 10th century BCE, when King David made it his seat of judgment and brought the Ark of the Covenant to rest there. It was David who conceived the idea of building a Temple as a permanent house of God, a plan eventually fulfilled by his son Solomon. Judaism now celebrated festivals of national pilgrimage, and a liturgy comprising the inspired poetry of the Psalms was sung in a Temple administered by hereditary priests, scribes and musicians. (The name Cohen means priest, and the tribe of Levi are the descendants of the scribes and musicians.) </span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">When the Babylonians destroyed the city in 586 BCE, they also partially destroyed the Temple. The Jews, sent into exile by this event, pledged that they would never forget their beloved Jerusalem or its Temple:<br /><br />"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, and we wept, when we remembered Zion. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a foreign land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I remember thee not; if I set not Jerusalem above my chiefest joy" (Psalms 137:1-6).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.jr.co.il/pictures/stamps/jrst0234.jpg" height="334" width="281" /> Israeli stamp "By the Rivers of Babylon"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">In the fifth century BCE the Second Temple was built. In 169 BCE it was desecrated by the Syrians in the cause of Hellenism, and in 165 BCE it was rededicated by the Maccabees, after they defeated the Macedonian-Greek rulers of Syria in a guerilla war. After 4 BCE, with massive building by Herod “the Great", the Temple again became one of the great wonders of the ancient world.<br /><br />The Romans destroyed this Second Temple in 70 CE, and for them it was a victory of such significance that they commemorated it by erecting the triumphal Arch of Titus, which still dominates the Roman Forum, with a frieze showing a triumphal Roman legion carrying the Temple treasures.<br /><br /><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cache.eb.com/eb/image%3Fid%3D4681%26rendTypeId%3D4&imgrefurl=http://www.britannica.com/ebc/art-14825/Romans-Taking-Spoils-of-Jerusalem-detail-of-marble-relief-from%3FarticleTypeId%3D1&h=300&w=383&sz=67&hl=en&start=10&tbnid=TZ-KjgDu7YErfM:&tbnh=96&tbnw=123&prev=/images%3Fq%3Darch%2Bof%2Btitus%26gbv%3D2%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;"><img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:TZ-KjgDu7YErfM:http://cache.eb.com/eb/image%3Fid%3D4681%26rendTypeId%3D4" height="96" style="border: 1px solid;" width="123" /></a> Detail from the Arch of Titus showing the Temple Menorah being carried in the triumphal procession in Rome.<br /><br />When the Emperor Hadrian began planning to replace the destroyed Second Temple with a shrine to Jupiter, a Jewish revolt known as the Bar Kochba Rebellion broke out. In the subsequent revolt in 135 CE, according to the Roman historian Cassius Dio, some 580,000 Jewish soldiers were killed. Following that revolt, Hadrian decreed that the name 'Judea' should be replaced by 'Syria Palestina' - Philistine Syria, or 'Palestine'. Jerusalem was razed to the ground and symbolically ploughed, the Roman shrine was built, and the name of the city was changed to Aelia Capitolina.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">In the years following the destruction of Jerusalem, the greater part of the Jewish population was sent into exile as captives, slaves and refugees, although Galilee remained a centre of Jewish learning and institutions until the sixth century CE. For the past 2,000 years, on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, Jews everywhere have commemorated the destruction of the city and the Temple with a 25-hour fast. They sit on low stools in their synagogues and recite Jeremiah's Lamentations. They recite elegies for the city which is "scorned without her glory".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;" title="View image detail"><img alt="View image detail" src="http://cache1.gettyimages.com/xt/dv676061.jpg?v=1&g=DV&s=1" id="th35" /></a> The Western Wall in the foreground, the Dome of the Rock in the background<br /><br />Jerusalem’s famous Western Wall, the ancient retaining wall of the Temple Mount, remains today in the centre of the Old City of Jerusalem, as a place of prayer and remembrance. Meanwhile the site of the Temple itself, on the surface of the Mount above the Wall, is currently occupied by the Islamic Dome of the Rock, constructed by the Caliph Omar in the 7<sup>th</sup> century CE. The rock on Mount Moriah - the Temple Mount - is the rock from which Mohammed ascended to heaven on horseback, which is the same rock which was the scene of the "binding of Isaac" in <em>Genesis.</em></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">It is in the direction of Jerusalem that Jews face when they pray three times daily. Jewish prayers themselves contain numerous references to Jerusalem and Zion. For twenty centuries Jewish prayers have centred on the hope that God will restore the Jewish people to His holy city. On Passover and the Day of Atonement, Jews conclude the services with the words: "Next year may we be in Jerusalem!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br />Jerusalem 1947-1967</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">The United Nations Partition Plan of 1947 envisaged an Arab and a Jewish state in economic union, together with an internationalised Jerusalem. Palestine's Jews accepted the Partition Resolution and established the state of Israel. Palestine's Arabs rejected this 'two state solution' and refused to set up a provisional government, and the armies of the Arab League attacked immediately after Israel's Declaration of Independence in 1948. In the armistice agreements which followed that war, Jerusalem was divided. West Jerusalem was held by Israel. East Jerusalem, including the Old City and the holy places, was part of the territory annexed by the Kingdom of Trans-Jordan, which was then renamed 'Jordan'.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">In 1967 Jordan joined Egypt and Syria in a coalition aimed again at the destruction of Israel, and its army joined the forces massed on Israel’s borders. In the 'Six-Day War' which followed, East Jerusalem was retaken by Israel, and Israel claimed sovereignty over a re-united Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Jerusalem under Israeli rule</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br /> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;" title="View image detail"><img alt="View image detail" src="http://cache3.gettyimages.com/xt/71056772.jpg?v=1&g=stk&s=1" id="th39" /></a> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;" title="View image detail"></a> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;" title="View image detail"><img alt="View image detail" src="http://cache2.gettyimages.com/xt/55844728.jpg?v=1&g=pdi&s=1" id="th91" /></a> <a href="http://www.gettyimages.com/Search/Search.aspx?query=z.i.H4sIAAAAAAAEAO29B2AcSZYlJi9tynt_SvVK1-B0oQiAYBMk2JBAEOzBiM3mkuwdaUcjKasqgcplVmVdZhZAzO2dvPfee--999577733ujudTif33_8_XGZkAWz2zkrayZ4hgKrIHz9-fB8_In7dfLn91etf49f4NX6PX_dskV3kvyb9mtD_f-yn83rdZ#" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;" title="View image detail"><img alt="View image detail" src="http://cache1.gettyimages.com/xt/RL000240.jpg?v=1&g=STK&s=1" id="th33" /></a><br /><br />Under Article 8 of the Israeli-Jordanian Armistice agreement of April 1949, free access to the Western Wall and Mount Scopus was guaranteed to the followers of all religions. However, between 1948 and 1967, under the rule of Jordan in East Jerusalem, 54 synagogues were destroyed in the Old City; gravestones from the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives were used as paving stones; and Jews were expelled from the sector.<br /><br />Immediately after the Israeli reunification of Jerusalem, the Protection of Holy Places Law was passed by the Knesset on 22 June 1967, guaranteeing the sanctity of all religious sites, including the holy places of Christianity and Islam. This law imposes prison sentences of up to seven years on those who desecrate such places. The 1980 Basic Law on Jerusalem as the capital of Israel reaffirmed the principle of free access to the holy sites of all religions.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">Israel permits Christians and Muslims to administer their own holy places and institutions. Jordan still administers the Muslim holy sites in the city, and the October 1994 Israel-Jordanian peace treaty agreed to respect "the present special role of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Muslim holy shrines in Jerusalem".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><br />The Historic Jewish Capital of the Historic Jewish Land</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">For 3,000 years Jews have turned towards Jerusalem for spiritual, cultural, and national inspiration. After the destruction of the city, by the Romans almost 2000 years ago, the city has been ruled by a succession of conquerors – Roman, Byzantine, Persian, Arabian, Crusader, Egyptian, Turkish, British and Jordanian. Today Jerusalem is once again the accessible centre of the Jewish people, where as the Talmudic sages said, "Ten measures of beauty were bestowed upon the world; nine were taken by Jerusalem."</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nndb.com/people/074/000054909/rabin-sm.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nndb.com/people/074/000054909/&h=310&w=207&sz=22&hl=en&start=29&tbnid=N2Vx4Fn1hF2aLM:&tbnh=117&tbnw=78&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drabin%2Bjerusalem%26start%3D20%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN" style="color: #0053a0; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; padding: 0px;"><img src="http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:N2Vx4Fn1hF2aLM:http://www.nndb.com/people/074/000054909/rabin-sm.jpg" height="117" style="border: 1px solid;" width="78" /></a><br /><br />On 4 September 1995, on the 3,000th anniversary of King David’s foundation of the city, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin (who was himself born in Jerusalem), eloquently stated the message of Jewish Jerusalem:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-size: medium;">" Three thousand years of dreams and prayers today wrap Jerusalem in love and bring close Jews of every generation - from the fires of the Inquisition to the ovens of Auschwitz, and from all corners of the earth - from Yemen to Poland.<br /><br />Three thousand years of Jerusalem are for us, now and forever, a message for tolerance between religions, of love between peoples, of understanding between the nations, of the penetrating awareness that there is no State of Israel without Jerusalem, and no peace without Jerusalem united - the City of Peace.”</span></blockquote>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-2652898546483450042015-11-07T20:03:00.002-08:002015-11-07T20:03:46.069-08:00“Jerusalem is the heart and soul of the Jewish people and the capital of Israel for eternity.” YJ Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;">“</span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;"> is the heart and soul of the Jewish people and the capital of </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;">Israel</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b><span style="color: blue; font-size: 20pt;"> for eternity.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">FACT IS: Ever since the Jews entered the </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">land</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> in 1300 BCE and King David made </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> the capital of </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Israel</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> more than 3,000 years ago; then King Solomon built the Jewish Temple, the city has played a central role in Jewish existence. The Western Wall in the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Old</span></st1:placename><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">City</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> is the object of Jewish veneration and the focus of Jewish prayer. Three times a day and in daily blessings, for thousands of years, Jews have prayed “To </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">, thy city, shall we return with joy,” and have repeated the Psalmist’s oath: “If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.” </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> “has known only two periods of true greatness, and these have been separated by 2,000 years. Greatness has only happened under Jewish rule,” a famous writer wrote in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">. “This is so because the Jews have loved her the most, and have remained constant in that love and devotion throughout the centuries of their dispersion. . . . It is the longest, deepest spiritual love affair in history.” “It is for three thousand years, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> has been the center of Jewish hope and longing. No other city has played such a dominant role in the history, culture, religion and consciousness of a people as has </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> in the life of Jewry and Judaism. Throughout centuries of exile, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> remained alive in the hearts of Jews everywhere as the focal point of Jewish history, the symbol of ancient glory, spiritual fulfillment and modern renewal. The Jews for the past 2,000 years have celebrated holidays and observed fast days in memory of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">, the hope and aspiration to return to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;"> and rebuilt the Jewish Temple. At Jewish wedding ceremonies a dish is broken in memory of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">. This heart and soul of the Jewish people engenders the thought that if you want one simple word to symbolize all of Jewish history, that word would be ‘</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">.’ ” “The Jewish people without </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">; is like a human body without a soul”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: 18pt;">YJ Draiman</span></div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-63298039262576219002015-11-03T22:34:00.000-08:002015-11-03T22:36:34.230-08:00The Religious and Political Significance of Jerusalem's Temple Mount - Draiman<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">The Religious and Political Significance of Jerusalem's Temple Mount</span></h1>
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Updated on May 16, 2011</div>
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Located within Jerusalem's <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2006-11-10-7-wonders-jerusalem_x.htm" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Old City</a>, the Temple Mount holds religious significance for Jews, Muslims and Christians alike. It is the supposed site of Mt. Moriah, where Abraham nearly sacrificed his son Isaac, where the prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended into heaven, and was the location of the first and second temples, Judaism's most holy structures. Due to the history and sanctity of the Temple Mount the potential for conflict is high, especially when considering the possibility of the construction of a 3rd temple. Islam's third most holy site, Judaism's first, and an area closely watched by Christians for a variety of reasons, the Temple Mount has captured the attention of those interested in religion, politics, and history, and will most likely continue to do so for years to come.</div>
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Dome of the Rock, which sits upon the Temple Mount</div>
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Historical Background</h2>
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To no surprise, even the Temple Mount's history if rife with disagreements. Due to multiple biblical interpretations, there is controversy regarding the location of Mt. Moriah, the initial establishment of Jerusalem, even the existence of Solomon's Temple. But as we should all know, history is hardly an objective discipline, so what follows is as much history as it is personal opinion.</div>
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<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%2022;&version=31;" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Genesis 22</a> relates the story of Isaac's binding by his father Abraham. Atop Mt. Moriah, Isaac is nearly sacrificed, but at the last moment, an angel of the Lord intercedes and stops Abraham. The story indicates the obedience Abraham possessed, an obedience that was willing to follow God's commands no matter the cost. Abraham's submission to the will of God was accompanied by an extremely important and significant reward: the promise of "descendants as numerous as the stars"; the Jewish people. it is no wonder then, that Mt. Moriah has retained its spiritual magnitude through the years.</div>
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According to <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=14&chapter=3&version=31" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">2nd Chronicles</a>, construction of the First Temple was begun on Mt. Moriah under the rule of King Solomon. Completed in the 10th century B.C., the temple stood until 586 B.C., when it was destroyed by the Babylonians under <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebuchadnezzar_II_of_Babylon" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">King Nebuchadnezzar II</a>, thus beginning the <a href="http://www.aish.com/literacy/jewishhistory/Crash_Course_in_Jewish_History_Part_23_-_Babylonian_Exile.asp" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Babylonian captivity</a> of the Jewish people. Under Cyrus the Great, the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem, and in 516 B.C., construction of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_temple" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Second Temple</a> was begun. Today, the Western, or Wailing Wall in Jerusalem is the last remnant of this temple, being destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. after the unsuccessful <a href="http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/revolt.html" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Great Jewish Revolt</a>.</div>
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The Western Wall</div>
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For Muslims, the Temple Mount is the third most holy site in existence, after<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medina" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Medina</a> and <a href="http://geography.about.com/cs/religion/a/mecca.htm" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Mecca</a>. Islam, which considers Abraham, David and Solomon to be prophets, understandably hold reverence for this site. After the conquest of Jerusalem by Muslims in 638, the Temple Mount, or Noble Sanctuary to Muslims, was found to be used as a dumping ground by the Christian inhabitants (This was done largely to fulfill the prophecy spoken of in Matthew 24 that "not one stone will be left here on another"). Under the direction of the Caliph Umar the area was uncovered and cleaned, along with the sacred <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_Stone" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Foundation Stone</a>. For Jews, the Foundation Stone was the exact spot of Issac's near sacrifice, for Muslims, the spot where the Prophet Muhammad ascended into heaven during his miraculous<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_Journey" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">night journey</a> to Jerusalem. Initially a fence was erected around the rock, but in 685 construction was begun on a permanent border around the sacred stone, the Dome of the Rock.</div>
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Another important feature of the Temple Mount is the Al-Asqa Mosque. Construction of the mosque was completed in 705 under the <a href="http://hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Religious-and-Political-Significance-of-the-Temple-Mount#" id="broken_link_1433668" style="color: #333333; outline: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">Umayyad Dynasty</a>, and since then has undergone numerous reconstructions, most notably after its capture during the <a href="http://www.brighton73.freeserve.co.uk/firstcrusade/Overview/Overview.htm" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">First Crusade</a>. From 1099 to 1187, Jerusalem was under Christian control again, until the Muslim reconquest led by Saladin. Since then, the Temple Mount has been under the control of a waqf, or Islamic council, that oversees the area and has a fair degree of control over any and everything that affects the area, especially archeological digs.</div>
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A section from "<a href="http://www.palestinefacts.org/index.php" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Palestine Facts</a>," a website on the history and current conflict of Palestine, has this to say about the construction of the Al-Aqsa Mosque (Bear in mind, this is a biased source, but from what I can ascertain, a fairly accurate one):</div>
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<em>Then, in 715, to build up the prestige of their dominions, the Ommaid caliphs concocted a masterstroke: they built a second mosque in Jerusalem, again on the Temple Mount, and called this one the Furthest Mosque (al-masjid al-aqsa, or Al-Aqsa Mosque), from a passage of the Qur'an (17:1) describing the Prophet Mohammed's Night Journey to heaven (isra'). With this, the Ommaids retroactively gave Jerusalem a role in Mohammed's life, a role that was entirely fictional since Mohammed never visited Jerusalem, died in 632, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque was not built until 715, eighty-three years after his death.</em></div>
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<em>This association of Jerusalem with al-masjid al-aqsa fit into a wider Muslim tendency to identify place names found in the Qur'an with locations they coveted, and then to claim it and build a mosque to replace whatever was there before.</em></div>
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Bird's-eye view of the Temple Mount</div>
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The Al-Aqsa Mosque</div>
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The faithful pray in the shadow of the Western Wall</div>
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The Issues</h2>
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After the Six Day War of 1967, Israel seized East Jerusalem from Jordan, which included the whole of the Old City. In an agreement aimed at preventing future conflicts and international repercussions, Israel took control of the Old City, while allowing the Muslim waqf to retain control of the Temple Mount. For the most part, this has been a peaceful co-existence. There are, after all, limits to the power of the waqf in regards to the Temple Mount, but conversely, the waqf has attempted to lmiit the amount of influence the Jewish people have upon the area. In 2000, after riots erupted due in part to a visit to the site by Israel prime minister Ariel Sharon, the area was closed to all non-Muslims, remaining so for nearly three years until the Israel government interceded in August of 2003. As Muslims aim at becoming more and more entrenched in the area through the building of mosques, Jewish organizations such as the <a href="http://www.templeinstitute.org/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Temple Institute</a> and the <a href="http://www.templemountfaithful.org/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Temple Mount Faithful</a> intend to re-implement a strong Jewish presence on the site, which will culminate in the removal of the Dome of the Rock and the building of the Third Temple.</div>
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For many Muslims, relinquishing their presence on the Temple Mount is unthinkable. Not only is the Temple Mount, and Jerusalem, the third most holy site in Islam, but it is representative of a much larger, much more pressing issue: the Arab/Israel conflict. The majority of Muslims in the Arab world continue to hold deep resentment over the creation of the state of Israel and over the seizure of Jerusalem and the West Bank in 1967. The Temple Mount remains a crucially important symbol of control for Islam, Palestine in particular.</div>
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Western Wall</h2>
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Interior of the Dome of the Rock</h2>
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Jerusalem's Old City, with the Mount of Olives in background</div>
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That being said, Islamic claims to Jerusalem are far more politically, rather than religiously motivated. It is simply fantastic, and erroneous, to try to imply otherwise. Jewish presence within the Temple Mount, indeed in all of Old Jerusalem, predates the Muslim by nearly two thousand years, and the existence of the First and Second Temples is denied by few in the scholarly field.</div>
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Despite the historical claims of Muslims to the Holy City and the Temple Mount, the stark fact is that Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Qu'ran. The prophet Muhammad, despite some claims to the contrary, never once visited Jerusalem, he merely dreamed he did. Jerusalem, under Islamic control prior to the Six Day War, was little more than an unkempt and neglected village before coming under Jewish control. Interestingly, it was at precisely this moment that Muslim interest in the city was re-kindled, largely in part by the fiery propaganda of the P.L.O.'s Yassar Arafat, who not only believed in the complete destruction of the state of Israel but that Abraham was not a Jew, the Jews never lived in ancient Israel, Jews never had any connection to Jerusalem, there never was a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, and that the Western Wall is not a Jewish holy site.</div>
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Bear in mind that this is not intended to be a treatise on the Arab/Israeli conflict, nor is it meant to show preference for either side. Obviously, much violence has been carried out by both Israelites and Palestinians, and neither can claim to have blood-free hands on the ever-enduring battle. But though this article was originally intended to be a non-biased overview of the politics involved regarding the Temple Mount, it has occurred to me now, almost unequivocally, that based on religious and historical claims, Jerusalem is to the Jews what Mecca is to the Muslims, and should be treated as such. There is no such dispute over Mecca, in fact non-Muslims are not even allowed within its limits, or even Medina for that matter, hardly the case with Jerusalem, a city that is visited by thousands of pilgrims from numerous faiths every year.<br />
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Does the Biblical Ark of The Covenant still Exist Today?</h1>
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Updated on December 30, 2012</div>
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The original Ark of the Covenant may have been like this.<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Source: <a href="http://biblewalk.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">http://biblewalk.wordpress.com</a></div>
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I stood in reverence and tear-filled eyes as I slowly moved my fingers and touched the ancient stone wall that millions of fingers have touched and polished in prayers through centuries. The accounts of the Bible flashed through my mind as I stood before the Wailing or Western Wall, the remnant of the ancient western wall that supported the wall of the Temple Mount. The Western Wall is a sacred site because of its proximity to the western wall of The Most Holy Place, the inner sanctuary which had The Ark of The Covenant that housed the original Ten Commandments, from which the Divine Presence never departed.</div>
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It was the time of The Feast of the Tabernacles and Jerusalem was buzzing with Bible-believers from all over the world, the roots of whose faith is buried in this holy ancient city that still stands today, and the affairs of which is like a clock that turns the heads of all the nations of the world. Hot tears streamed down my face as I think of the wars and atrocities that had befallen Israel and the Jewish people. I pray.</div>
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I imaged what it would be like if there were no wars and the Temple still stood today. It would be an awesome sight. But just like any other Bible-believer, one of the intriguing questions my mind had to deal with was “Where is The Ark of The Covenant or The Ark of The Testimony?”, “Does The Ark of The Covenant still exist today, and if so, where is it?”, “Does the tablets of stone upon which the original 10 Commandments written by God Himself still exist?”. Even the tour guide who told me the history did not have an answer. I Google-searched the questions and found many theories. I went through the sacred pages of The Bible to find my own answer. This hub is a documentation of what I could make out of those theories, The Bible and my own analysis.</div>
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What happened to the Ark of the Covenant?</h2>
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What Happened & Theories</div>
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Reference</div>
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Taken to Askum, Ethiopia, by Menelik son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba</div>
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1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12; the Ethiopian royal chronicles</div>
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Taken to Egypt by Pharaoh Shishak when he invaded Jerusalem</div>
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1 Kings 14:25-28 & 2 Chronicles 12</div>
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Taken in battle by King Jehoash of Israel</div>
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2 Kings 14:13-14</div>
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Given by King Hezekiah as tribute payment to Sennacherib king of Assyria</div>
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2 Kings 18:14-18</div>
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Destroyed by King Manasseh when he desecrated the Temple</div>
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2 Kings 21 & 2 Chronicles 33</div>
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When King Manasseh desecrated the Temple, some Israelite priests wanted to save the Ark of the Covenant so took it out to Elephantine Island on the Nile River (Egypt) and eventually to Askum, Ethiopia</div>
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2 Kings 21; 2 Chronicles 33</div>
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Taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon during reign of King Jehoiakim or when he besieged Jerusalem during the reign of Jehoiachin king of Judah</div>
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2 Chronicles 36:6-7; 2 Kings 24:10-16; 2 Chronicles 36:9-10; Isaiah 39; Jeremiah 52</div>
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Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon when he plundered and burnt the House of the LORD and all that was in it during Zedekiah’s reign</div>
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2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36:17-21; Jeremiah 52; Lamentations 1</div>
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Hidden by Jeremiah on Mt Nebo, on the east bank of Jordan River opposite Jericho. Mt Nebo is where Moses went up before his death and God showed him the heritage of Israel</div>
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Hidden by the Temple priests beneath the Temple Mount before the Babylonia invasion and captivity.</div>
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2 Chronicles 35: 1-5</div>
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Taken by God to the Heavenly Temple, probably before the Babylonian invasion and destruction of the Temple.</div>
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Revelation 11:19; 1 Chronicles 18</div>
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Taken by Jeremiah to Ireland</div>
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Hidden by Israelite priests beneath Golgotha before Babylonian destruction</div>
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Returned to Kiryat Jearim from Jerusalem by Israelite priest before the Babylonian invasion and captivity</div>
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Hidden by priests in a cave near the Dead Sea before the Roman destruction of Jerusalem.</div>
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Taken to Rome and hidden in the Vetican and the Pope is now the custodian of it.</div>
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Transported to Yemen and incorporated into the Lemba tribe’s sacred ngoma</div>
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Swallowed by the earth</div>
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Don't know where it is but will reappear with or for the Third Temple described by Ezekiel</div>
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Ezekiel 40-48</div>
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Stored is a US Government warehouse in Washington DC</div>
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Raiders of the Lost Ark movie</div>
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<img alt="Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem" class="half lazy" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7520133_f260.jpg" height="221" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7520133_f260.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem" width="260" /></div>
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Western Wall, Old City, Jerusalem<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Source: Author / Kejanny</div>
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Analysis</h2>
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<strong>First Temple Era</strong></div>
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When King Solomon finished building the Temple, the priests brought the Ark of the Covenant up from the City of David (Zion) to the Temple and into the inner sanctuary, to the Most Holy Place, where it is supposed to be. So we know the Ark of the Covenant was there during the First Temple era. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king, but the nation was divided and he only reigned over Judah in Jerusalem while Jeroboam reigned as king over Israel from Samaria. Through the reign of successive kings, the nation was divided, constant wars between Judah and Israel and the surrounding nations while some kings led the people astray to serve other gods, which kindled God's anger. King Josiah, a God-seeking and righteous king, was the second-last king before Babylon invasions and the captivity. During King Josiah’s great reform, the Temple was repaired and the Ark of the Covenant “put” in the Temple, that “it shall no longer be a burden on the shoulders” of the holy priests (2 Chronicles 35).</div>
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The Bible says that the Ark of the Covenant was "put in the Temple" during King Josiah’s reformation. Before the Babylon invasion and the destruction of the Temple, 2 Chronicles 35:3 is the last record of the Ark of the Covenant.</div>
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So this means the Ark of the Covenant was not taken to Askum, Ethiopia by Menelik, son of King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. There is no Biblical reference to this. The Ark of the Covenant is only to be carried by the Levites priests who were consecrated and holy to the LORD.</div>
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This also means it was not taken to Egypt by Pharaoh Shishak when he invaded Jerusalem after the death of King Solomon nor it was given by King Hezekiah as tribute payment to Sennacherib king of Assyria. Hezekiah would never give away the Ark of the Covenant, nor priests who guarded the Temple would have allowed Hezekiah to give the Ark of the Covenant away like that. There is no record of King Jehoash of Israel taking the Ark of the Covenant in the battle with Judah.</div>
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There may be a possibility that the Levite priests took the Ark of the Covenant out to prevent it from being desecrated by Manasseh king of Judah who desecrated the Temple. For this, the LORD punished Manasseh and his descendants heavily. If so, where it was kept or taken to, we do not know. But the fact we know is that it was put in the Temple during Josiah's reign and spiritual reformation.</div>
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<img alt="Painting of Moses and Joshua bowing before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. (1900)" class="half lazy" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7518975_f260.jpg" height="221" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7518975_f260.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Painting of Moses and Joshua bowing before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. (1900)" width="260" /></div>
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Painting of Moses and Joshua bowing before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. (1900)<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Source: James Tissot painting via Wikimedia Commons</div>
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<strong>Hidden by Israelite Priests beneath the Temple Mount</strong></div>
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The Temple Mount is the most significant place in the history of the Bible. That is where the First Temple stood, the place and the city where God Himself says His eyes shall forever be upon. A place where there is so much God says about and one thing I believe, God is not a man that He should lie. The First Temple was built according to prophecy and it did have underground passageways. The Israelites were not a bunch of stupid people who would build the holy Temple with the Ark of the Covenant and sacred things and not take security precautions during an era when war is common. So it is highly likely that at the command of King Joshia, or just before the destruction, the Temple priests who knew about all the underground chambers and passageways of the Temple may have taken the Ark of the Covenant further down underground directly below the inner sanctuary and hidden it. It was a holy thing and unlikely that they could have taken the Ark of the Covenant out and carried it somewhere. The First Temple stood for 400 plus years so the invading Babylonians or any other persons did not know about the layout, design and the underground passageways of the Temple, except the Levite priests. I’m sure they would have done anything and everything they could to protect the holy sacred things from being desecrated and trampled upon by the uncircumcised.</div>
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<img alt="Caves at Ein Gedi, Dead Sea. Could the Ark of the Covenant be hidden is a place like this?" class="half lazy" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7520157_f260.jpg" height="195" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/7520157_f260.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Caves at Ein Gedi, Dead Sea. Could the Ark of the Covenant be hidden is a place like this?" width="260" /></div>
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Caves at Ein Gedi, Dead Sea. Could the Ark of the Covenant be hidden is a place like this?<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Source: Author / Kejanny</div>
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<strong>Babylon Invasion</strong></div>
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First during the reign of King Jehoiakim, then during the reign of King Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded Jerusalem and took articles from the Temple, treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king and his leaders to Babylon, and took the people captive. There is no mention of the most important treasure – the Golden Ark of the Covenant – being taken to Babylon. They also cut in pieces all the articles of gold which Solomon King of Israel had made in the Temple of the LORD. There is no mention of the very important article – the Ark of the Covenant. During Zedekiah’s reign, the Babylonians again plundered Jerusalem and this time they broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned the Temple and its palaces with fire and destroyed it, but there is no record of important Ark of the Covenant, being destroyed nor taken away as the most prized war booty to Babylon.</div>
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Did you know that there was actually a stock-take done of all the things taken to Babylon? Yes. We find in the Book of Ezra that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had put these articles in his temple and after his death and during the reign of Cyrus of king of Persia, he did a stock-take of the articles of gold and silver, which were five thousand four hundred. These were brought from Babylon back to Jerusalem with the first return of the exiles for rebuilding of the Temple. There was no Ark of the Covenant mentioned.</div>
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<img alt="Excavations like this, rediscovering Abraham's well and an ancient city during the time of Abraham and Isaac, in Beersheva may reveal the Ark of the Covenant" class="half lazy" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/7520168_f260.jpg" height="195" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/7520168_f260.jpg" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Excavations like this, rediscovering Abraham's well and an ancient city during the time of Abraham and Isaac, in Beersheva may reveal the Ark of the Covenant" width="260" /></div>
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Excavations like this, rediscovering Abraham's well and an ancient city during the time of Abraham and Isaac, in Beersheva may reveal the Ark of the Covenant<div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
Source: Author / Kejanny</div>
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<strong>Second Temple Era</strong></div>
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The Ark of the Covenant is conspicuous in the Second Temple era. It is one of the “missing” very important, holy, sacred and precious possessions. Despite no Ark of the Covenant in the Most Holy place (inner sanctuary), the people still worshiped in the Temple for 500 years.</div>
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There is possibility that when they built the Second Temple, the inner sanctuary could have been built directly above where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden. The Ark of the Covenant is referred to as “the beauty of Israel”, “strength and glory of God” and “the ark of God’s strength”. It was so dear to Israel that so long as they were subject to foreign domination by Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome, it was "not the right time" to take the Ark of the Covenant out. They saw their First Temple plundered, trampled upon and burnt and priests in the service of God may not want anything like that to happen to their most sacred and holy things, now that they are dominated by another power.</div>
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<strong>Jeremiah</strong></div>
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Jeremiah lived during the religious reforms started by King Joshia, and 100 years after the Prophet Isaiah who prophesied about the destruction by Babylon (Isaiah 39). Jeremiah also prophesied about the invasion and captivity. He knew what was going to befall Jerusalem and he was zealous about God and God’s things. Do you think we will just sit there and watch God's strength and glory desecrated? No. I believe he may have played a role in ensuring that the sacred Ark of the Covenant, the strength and beauty of Israel, and its other sacred things like the jar of manna, oil and the menora were not desecrated and trampled upon by the gentile armies. I do not think Jeremiah took the Ark of the Covenant to a foreign land (Ireland) because He knows what God says about Israel and how He would bring the people back one day. Jeremiah may have hidden it within Israel, whether Mt Nebo or Jerusalem. But would Jeremiah the prophet be allowed to go into the Holy of Hollies, to carry, touch or deal with the Ark of the Covenant? He may have arranged with the temple priests to do this. Possible.</div>
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<strong>Priests hiding the Ark in Israel</strong></div>
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The theory that the priests who knew the prophecies, that destruction of the First Temple was imminent, took the Ark of the Covenant out of the Temple and kept it somewhere within Israel that won’t be suspected may be true. Possible.</div>
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<strong>The Ark of the Covenant in the Heavenly Temple</strong></div>
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The reference to The Ark of the Covenant’s whereabouts in the last book of the Bible is found in Revelation 11:19. John in his vision saw the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of God in heaven. God took Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, Jesus was taken up into heaven, His power parted the Red Sea, brought forth water from the rock, raised the dead, and so many miracles that can not be explained in human logical terms. So if the Ark of the Covenant’s time and purpose was up and God took it back, before man trampled upon something holy and the Tablets of Stone upon which His own fingers engraved the Words of the Ten Commandments, all I can say is Praise God! God’s ways and thoughts are higher than ours ways and thoughts.</div>
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<strong>Ezekiel’s Prophecy of the Third and Final Temple</strong></div>
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Ezekiel 40-48 describes in great detail the future temple. When this will be built and by whom I don’t know. If The Ark of the Covenant is currently buried under the Temple Mount and is found, what will happen? I like Ezekiel 47 where he prophesied about the water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east. Wherever this water flowed, it healed, created new life and caused vegetation to grow that produced food and medicine. I believe this prophecy is about the Healing Waters of the Spirit of God. Zechariah also prophesized the same thing about the coming day of the LORD (Zechariah 14). The living waters shall flow from Jerusalem. The LORD shall be King over all the earth.</div>
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John, who saw the Ark of the Covenant in the heavenly Temple also saw in Revelation 21 the New Jerusalem. There was new heaven and new earth, the old ones passed away and there was no more sea. John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God and a loud voice from heaven saying “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God”. Revelation 21:22 “But I saw no temple in it, for the LORD Almighty and the Lamb are its temple”.</div>
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Our Hope</h2>
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<strong></strong><strong>God's Temple</strong></div>
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Isaiah 66:1-2</div>
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Thus says the LORD,<strong></strong><em>“Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. What is the house that you would build for Me? And what is the place of My rest? For all these things My hand has made, and so all these things are mine”, Says the LORD. “But this is the man to whom I will look: he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and who trembles at my word”.</em></div>
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1 Corinthians 3:16 & 6:19</div>
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<em>"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and that temple you are".</em></div>
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<em>"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God?"</em></div>
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<strong>God's Laws / Commandments</strong></div>
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The Tablet of Testimony or the Tablet of Stone contained the Original Ten Commandments. God said this about His Laws through another Israel's prophet?</div>
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Jeremiah 31:31</div>
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"<em>Behold, the days are coming, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers......... But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel.., says the LORD: I will put My law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And no longer shall each man teach his neighbor and his brother saying 'know the LORD', for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest', says the LORD. "For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more</em>".</div>
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2 Corinthians 3:2-6</div>
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"<em>You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on your hearts, to be known and read by all men. And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on Tablets of Stone, but on Tablets of Human Hearts"..</em>.."<em>Our sufficiency is from God, who has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life</em>".</div>
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To conclude, may you draw your own conclusion. Have a Spirit-inspired life.</div>
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<em>"What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God"<strong> -</strong></em>The Bible.</div>
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Your Say</h2>
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Where is the Ark of the Covenant?</h2>
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<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="0" /> In Askum, Ethiopia</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="1" /> In Egypt</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="2" /> Hidden by Jeremiah on Mt Nebo</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="3" /> Destroyed by Manasseh king of Judah or other kings of Israel</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="4" /> Destroyed or taken by Babylonian invaders</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="5" /> Hidden on Mt Golgotha</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="6" /> Hidden underground of the First Temple on Temple Mount, Jerusalem</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="7" /> In Rome</li>
<li style="margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px;"><input name="21498420_vote" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding: 0px;" type="radio" value="8" /> In Washington DC</li>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-67240209045689241932015-11-03T22:28:00.005-08:002015-11-03T22:30:58.963-08:00Places to Visit in Israel. Jerusalem - Draiman<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Places to Visit in Israel. Jerusalem.</span></h1>
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Updated on August 1, 2013</div>
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Today we will ascend to Jerusalem</h2>
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Coat of Arms of Israel</div>
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Flag of Israel</div>
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מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל - Medīnat Yisrā'el - State of Israel</h2>
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Many people have very little idea about how beautiful and developed the country of Israel is. After this land was under Turkish and later British mandate, it was drained and emptied, woods were rooted out for coal, and it was nothing but swamps and bogs, sands and rocks and was rather scarcely populated.</div>
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Many people mistakenly consider that Jews occupied this land by grabbing it from other nations. It's a common misconception, delusion no much different from an insinuation that Jews killed Jesus. Jews lived in that land through all the centuries, but they really started concentrating there in the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup>century, especially close to the time when Hitler strengthened his influence in Europe. Jews were buying lands from Arabs (mostly from absentee landlords, living elsewhere) and paying high prices for those uncultivated lands..</div>
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Jews started to cultivate the lands, draining swamps and fighting with malaria. In 1948 League of Nations (predecessor of UN) made lawful distribution of the land, giving part of it to the first country of Jews (Israel), and lining borders of Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Egypt. Before this there was no country at that region, it was just under-mandated land. Now after 60 years Israel is a blooming land with Hi-Tech society which preserved all ancient holy places for all people. I remember visiting the Dome on the Rock, my friend used to visit Bethlehem and Cave of the Patriarchs when Israel had control over those sites. As of now regular tourists don't have access to those sites, Arabs being in control over there.</div>
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Israel's Borders</h2>
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In the West - the Mediterranean Sea and the Gaza Strip; in the North - Lebanon and Syria; in the East - Jordan and the Palestinian Authority's autonomous territories; and in the South - Egypt and the Red Sea.</div>
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Israel is a very small country and on many maps there's even no place for printing its name. You have to check the number in references to read the word "Israel". Despite its small size, Israel is home to a variety of geographic features. You can ski on Mount Hermon and at the next day swim with dolphins in Red Sea.</div>
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When my friends Olga and Fyodor got married, they bought a book about places to visit in Israel by a car. They were traveling according to the book almost every (or every other) weekend. They are married for 10 years already, and they didn't cover the entire book yet.</div>
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What to visit in Israel</h2>
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No doubt that Jerusalem is number one, a must to visit place. While in Jerusalem you have many many sites worth visiting.</div>
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We will ascend to Jerusalem. Remember, I told you that in Hebrew they say "ascend to Jerusalem" when you go to Jerusalem, and "descend" when you go out of the city.</div>
<pre style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace; font-size: 0.9em; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1em; overflow-x: auto; overflow-y: hidden; padding: 0px;"> </pre>
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Jerusalem of Gold</h2>
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Arab kids in the Old City</h2>
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<img alt="the picture was taken by Reuven in August 2005" class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/804096_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/804096_f520.jpg" height="390" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="the picture was taken by Reuven in August 2005" width="520" /></div>
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the picture was taken by Reuven in August 2005</div>
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Old City, Jerusalem</h2>
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Today modern Jerusalem is a large sprawling city but ancient Jerusalem, or the Old City, is a relatively small area on the eastern side.</div>
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As in old days the city is surrounded by a stone wall and has several well known gates including: Jaffa Gate, Herod's (Flower) Gate, Damascus Gate, New Gate, Zion Gate, Dung Gate, Lions' Gate, Triple Gate, Double Gate, Single Gate and the Golden Gate. However this last one is sealed.</div>
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The city is divided into four sections: Jewish Quarter, Christian Quarter, Armenian Quarter and Muslim Quarter.</div>
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<img alt="The Golden Gate. Jewish tradition has it that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem via this gate when he comes, so Muslims during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) sealed the Golden Gate to keep him out." class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/804117_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/804117_f520.jpg" height="390" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="The Golden Gate. Jewish tradition has it that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem via this gate when he comes, so Muslims during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) sealed the Golden Gate to keep him out." width="520" /></div>
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The Golden Gate. Jewish tradition has it that the Messiah would enter Jerusalem via this gate when he comes, so Muslims during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent (1520-1566) sealed the Golden Gate to keep him out.</div>
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<img alt="Old City, Jerusalem. Igor the Guide." class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/804118_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/804118_f520.jpg" height="382" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="Old City, Jerusalem. Igor the Guide." width="520" /></div>
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Old City, Jerusalem. Igor the Guide.</div>
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Pictures from a visit to the Old City in 1998</h2>
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<img alt="In Jewish Quarter" class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806464_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806464_f520.jpg" height="334" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="In Jewish Quarter" width="520" /></div>
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In Jewish Quarter</div>
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<img alt="The Tower of David near the Jaffa Gate" class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806465_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806465_f520.jpg" height="342" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="The Tower of David near the Jaffa Gate" width="520" /></div>
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The Tower of David near the Jaffa Gate</div>
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<img alt="In Armenian Quarter" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806466_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806466_f260.jpg" height="356" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="In Armenian Quarter" width="260" /></div>
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In Armenian Quarter</div>
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<img alt="Ship of the desert resting in the Old City" class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806467_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806467_f520.jpg" height="333" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="Ship of the desert resting in the Old City" width="520" /></div>
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Ship of the desert resting in the Old City</div>
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<img alt="Israeli alley cats are amaizing,this one was a resident of a Jewish Quarter" class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806468_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806468_f520.jpg" height="381" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="Israeli alley cats are amaizing,this one was a resident of a Jewish Quarter" width="520" /></div>
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Israeli alley cats are amaizing,this one was a resident of a Jewish Quarter</div>
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<img alt="" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/811953_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/811953_f260.jpg" height="174" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" width="260" /></div>
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<img alt="" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/804129_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/804129_f260.jpg" height="195" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" width="260" /></div>
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Western Wall</h2>
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The Western Wall is in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City Jerusalem.</div>
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It is actually part of the exposed retaining wall for the Temple Mount. You can find men and women praying at the Wall all hours of the day and night.</div>
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Men and women pray at different sections of the Wall. Men's section of the Wall is from the left and women's is from the right, if you are facing the Wall.</div>
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Also when you walk away you don't turn your back to the wall. You face the wall and walk away backwards for a while.</div>
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Today the Western Wall is considered by Jewish people to be the most sacred place that they have without the Temple. The Western Wall is the closest you can get to the Holy of Holies.</div>
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<img alt="Tourists can rent a cross and carry it through Via Dolorosa street" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806749_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/806749_f260.jpg" height="272" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Tourists can rent a cross and carry it through Via Dolorosa street" width="260" /></div>
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Tourists can rent a cross and carry it through Via Dolorosa street</div>
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<img alt="Olive tree in Garden of Gethsemane. Trees there are centuries old. " class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806750_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/806750_f260.jpg" height="195" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Olive tree in Garden of Gethsemane. Trees there are centuries old. " width="260" /></div>
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Olive tree in Garden of Gethsemane. Trees there are centuries old.</div>
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<img alt="Holy Sepulcher, the Stone of Unction" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811958_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811958_f260.jpg" height="154" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Holy Sepulcher, the Stone of Unction" width="260" /></div>
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Holy Sepulcher, the Stone of Unction</div>
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Via Dolorosa and Garden of Gethsemane</h2>
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The Via Dolorosa (Latin for Way of Greif) winds through the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem commemorating the last hours of Jesus from when He was condemned to His execution. Due to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE the exact path is uncertain. The Via Dolorosa was begun by the Franciscan Monks in the 14<sup>th</sup>century.</div>
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Garden of Gethsemane- As recorded in scripture (Matt. 26:36; Mark 14:23) here is where Jesus withdrew to pray, and was then arrested. A short distance away is the wall of the Old City of Jerusalem with the Golden Gate.</div>
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The Holy Sepulcher or the Sacred Tomb is no doubt the most important shrine in the Christian world. On the grounds of the Holy Sepulcher it is believed that Jesus Christ (pbuh) was crucified, buried and rose from the dead.</div>
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<img alt="The death vagon - Holocaust monument at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem " class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/811815_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/811815_f260.jpg" height="173" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="The death vagon - Holocaust monument at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem " width="260" /></div>
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The death vagon - Holocaust monument at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem</div>
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<img alt="Children's Memorial, entrance" class="half lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811816_f260.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811816_f260.jpg" height="183" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: auto; width: 260px;" title="Children's Memorial, entrance" width="260" /></div>
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Children's Memorial, entrance</div>
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Yad VaShem</h2>
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Yad Vashem is Israel's Holocaust memorial. In the spring of 2005 Yad Vashem opened its doors to the newly renovated museum. On the grounds you see the trees planted for the many Righteous Gentiles. In other buildings you find the Eternal Flame in remembrance of the 6 million that died, and the Children's Memorial to 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the Holocaust. The Children's Memorial was designed by architect Moshe Safdie and built with the generous donation of Abe and Edita Spiegel, whose son Uziel was murdered in Auschwitz at the age of two and a half.</div>
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The memorial room is not big, it is hollowed out from an underground cavern and it takes just several minutes for guests to go through it. Those several minutes seem like an eternity where time is lost. The room is dark and people go around it by the wall, holding a rail. There are several memorial candles multiplied infinitely by a special system of mirrors which gives an impression of thousands of stars in a Universe and you feel a small piece in the middle of Cosmos. Recorded voices recite children's names, ages and country of origin. It's a special type of Memorial that you will not see anywhere else. People come out of the Memorial to a sunny day and their eyes are wet with tears. Yad Vashem has the world's largest repository of information for history and education on the Holocaust.</div>
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<img alt="Janusz Korczak (real name: Henryk Goldszmit) was a Polish Jewish doctor and author, who chose to die in the Holocaust rather than let the Jewish orphans he cared for go to their deaths on their own. " class="full lazy" src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811692_f520.jpg" data-original="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/811692_f520.jpg" height="346" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 520px;" title="Janusz Korczak (real name: Henryk Goldszmit) was a Polish Jewish doctor and author, who chose to die in the Holocaust rather than let the Jewish orphans he cared for go to their deaths on their own. " width="520" /></div>
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Janusz Korczak (real name: Henryk Goldszmit) was a Polish Jewish doctor and author, who chose to die in the Holocaust rather than let the Jewish orphans he cared for go to their deaths on their own.</div>
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Shrine of the Book and view on Knesset</div>
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Israel Museum</h2>
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The Israel Museum is a fabulous sprawling museum located near the Knesset in Jerusalem. Here you actually find several museums in one, including the Shrine of the book that is dedicated to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Second Temple Model. Though only begun in 1965 you will find it a superb museum with many exhibits and programs to captivate you for hours!</div>
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Knesset</h2>
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The Knesset is Israel's Parliament House which first convened February 14, 1949.</div>
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Here the Knesset enacts laws and supervises the work of the government.</div>
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Today the Knesset is located in Jerusalem and just across the street is the giant Menorah that was donated to the State of Israel in 1956 by the members of the British Parliament</div>
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Market Mehane Yehuda</h2>
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If you are in Jerusalem you have to go to Shook Mehane Yehuda- the authentic Middle East Market (Shook means Market in Hebrew).</div>
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Yerushalmies (Jerusalemites) shop there for Shabbat meals, tourists are coming there for exotic experience. The market is noisy, colorful, full of special smells and aromas.</div>
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Spices and nuts in canvas bags, mountains of fruits and vegetables laying on counters, alive fish in pools, racks with colorful clothes. You can also find here baked goods, meat, prepared food, shoes, housewares, textiles and even Judaica.</div>
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The market is always crowded, especially on Friday noon. It is crowded also any day of a week even in spite that it has been targeted by suicide bombings.</div>
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<strong>I hope I gave some insights about how great and beautiful the land of Israel is. I am going to tell about other places to visit there as well.</strong></div>
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2137 pictures of places in Israel</h2>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.5em; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://hubpages.com/travel/-Places-to-Visit-in-Israel--Most-Known-and-Out-of-Route#" id="broken_link_3708040" style="color: #333333; outline: 0px; text-decoration: line-through;">http://gallery.tourism.gov.il/Pages/Main.aspx?Page=1&search=All</a><br />Israel Wonders On-Line Catalog</li>
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More in this Series</h2>
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<li style="border-bottom-color: rgb(173, 177, 169); border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: block; float: left; margin: 0px; min-height: 150px; padding: 12px 0px; position: relative; text-align: left; width: 520px;"><a href="http://hubpages.com/holidays/Jewish-Holiday-Calendar-2010-2013" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><div class="thumbphoto" style="background-color: #cccccc; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 20.7969px 0.4em 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; width: 150px;">
<img alt="Jewish Holiday Calendar" src="http://usercontent2.hubimg.com/6435217_f248.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 150px; margin-left: -27px;" /></div>
</a><span class="comment_count" style="color: rgb(102 , 102 , 102); float: right; font-size: 0.8em; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: -4px;"><span class="icon forum" style="background: url("http://z.hubimg.com/x/x/sprite_home0bfe549.png") -1px -256px no-repeat; display: inline-block; height: 11px; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; position: relative; right: 3px; top: 1px; width: 11px;"></span>22</span><div class="catlink" style="line-height: 1em; margin: 0px 0px 0.4em; padding: 0px;">
<a href="http://hubpages.com/holidays/jewish-holidays/2795" style="color: #9e2d2d; font-size: 0.8em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;">JEWISH HOLIDAYS</a></div>
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<a class="title" href="http://hubpages.com/holidays/Jewish-Holiday-Calendar-2010-2013" style="color: #333333; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jewish Holiday Calendar</a></div>
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Jewish Holidays Calendar is handy to find all the dates of Jewish Holidays you need. Explanation how Jewish Calendar works with dates for Jewish holidays that correspond to Gregorian Calendar.</div>
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<img alt="Jewish Holiday Purim. Recipe of Purim cookies (hamantashen or Haman's ears)." src="http://usercontent1.hubimg.com/878568_f248.jpg" style="border: 0px; height: 150px; margin-left: -41px;" /></div>
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/holidays/jewish-holidays/2795" style="color: #9e2d2d; font-size: 0.8em; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-transform: uppercase;">JEWISH HOLIDAYS</a></div>
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<a class="title" href="http://hubpages.com/holidays/Jewish-Holiday-Purim-and-why-it-is-special--also-the-recipe-of-Purim-cookies--hamentashes--Hamans-ears" style="color: #333333; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Jewish Holiday Purim. Recipe of Purim cookies (hamantashen or Haman's ears).</a></div>
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Jewish Calendar has many holidays connected with Bible. Purim is my favorite out of them. It is based on the story of Esther. It depicts a miracle when a Jewish population was saved from physical elimination, but not by...</div>
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My Visit to Jerusalem</h1>
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Updated on April 4, 2015</div>
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DOME OF THE ROCK</div>
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PASTOR SKIP MOEN & RABBI BOB GORELIK</div>
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JERUSALEM MAP OF OLD CITY</div>
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Dreams Come True</h2>
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I am truly blessed to have visited the Holy Land in October, 2009. I wrote about the first half of my journey in my Hub <a href="http://hubpages.com/travel/My-Trip-to-The-Holy-Land" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><strong><em>My Trip to the Holy Land</em></strong></a>. The second half of our sojourn was six days in Jerusalem, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Many of these photos were taken by <strong>David Lawrence</strong>.</div>
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I traveled with a group of 18 souls, led by the outstanding teachers, <a href="http://skipmoen.com/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><strong><em>Dr. Skip Moen</em></strong></a>, and <a href="http://www.eshavbooks.org/" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><strong><em>Messianic Rabbi Bob Gorelik</em></strong></a>. Among those in our group were my good friend <strong>John Thorman</strong>, an excellent writer and business consultant from Ocala, Florida; <strong>Bill Asma</strong>, a learned lawyer and fine family man from Winter Garden, Florida; <strong>Amy Gomes</strong>, a lady from Clermont, Florida, who devotes her life to the welfare of Ukrainian children with special needs; <strong>Patrick Sullivan</strong>, a young web site wizard and entrepreneur from Phoenix, Arizona; his mother <strong>Cyndee Sullivan</strong>, a very spiritual and handsome woman; <strong>Matt Miller</strong>, pastor of Grundy Center United Methodist Church in Iowa; <strong>Kish Swift</strong>, recently widowed after 38 years of marriage and from Indianapolis; and the youngest member of our troup, <strong>Keith Cooksey</strong> from St. Louis, who met an Israeli girl and set off on his own tour the last few days of our trip.</div>
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JEWISH CEMETERY ON MOUNT OF OLIVES</div>
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MOUNT OF OLIVES WITH CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS IN THE FOREGROUND</div>
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ALTAR ON THE ROCK WHERE JESUS PRAYED IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (NOW IN THE CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS)</div>
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2000 YEAR OLD OLIVE TREE IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE</div>
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CITY OF DAVID MODEL</div>
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HEZEKIAH'S TUNNEL</div>
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YOUR AUTHOR DIGGING FOR GOLD</div>
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Mount of Olives</h2>
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Our first morning in Jerusalem began at the <strong>Mount of Olives</strong>, where<strong>Yeshua (Jesus)</strong> wept over the Holy City. Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives and here is where He shall return at His Second Coming. From there one has a panoramic view of Jerusalem. 150,000 Jews are buried on the Mount of Olives, including thousands of rabbis. While under Jordanian control from 1948 to 1967, 1/3 of the graves there were desecrated by Muslims.</div>
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We descended to the <strong>Garden of Gethsemane</strong>, long a focal site for Christian pilgrims. It was here that Yeshua prayed the night of His arrest; here that Judas betrayed Him with a kiss; here that Jesus was arrested. At the Garden of Gethsemane (means oil press) a church was built at least as long ago as the 4th Century that was destroyed by Muslims in 614. The Crusaders rebuilt the church, only to see it destroyed by Muslims again in 1219. In 1924 the Roman Catholic<strong>Church of All Nations</strong> opened on this sacred site. I think the Muslims have their eye on it, too.</div>
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Our next stop was the ancient <strong>City of David</strong>, the original Jerusalem, which lies just outside the much newer "Old City" walls. Kind David ruled here 3,000 years ago, after conquering the city from the Jebusites, who had a city there for probably 800 years. We walked the 533 meters of the 2700-year-old<strong>Hezekiah's Tunnel</strong>, discovered by American Edward Robinson in 1838. We stopped for a lesson from Rabbi Bob at the <strong>Pool of Siloam</strong>, where Yeshua healed the man who had been blind from birth.</div>
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Next on the itinerary was a visit to the <strong>Temple Mount Antiquities Salvage Operation</strong>. It seems that several years ago Muslims decided to expand the mosque now on the Temple Mount of <a href="http://hubpages.com/literature/King-Solomon" style="color: #551a8b; outline: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><strong><em>King Solomon</em></strong></a>, and illegally excavated and dumped huge quantities of archaeological fill in a secret place. The reason for the secrecy is that Muslims deny there ever was a Jewish Temple—laughable if not that many Muslims believe this propaganda—and do not want archaeology to prove otherwise. The Jews found the landfill and moved it to <strong>Tzurim Valley National Park</strong>, which is where we went to participate in the dig. Our discoveries included coins, mosaic tiles, potsherds, marble fragments and oil lamps. An interesting fact about archaeology is that nothing written in the Bible has been ever proved wrong. On the contrary, many Bible stories have been scoffed at by intellectuals and scientists only to have later archaeology prove the Bible correct.</div>
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Late in the day we went to the <strong>Israel Museum</strong>, founded in 1965, where we viewed the enormous <strong>Model of Jerusalem in the Late 2nd Temple Period</strong>. Built in the 1960s, the model shows a recreation of how Jerusalem is believed to have looked at the time of Jesus. From here, went next door to the <strong>Shrine of the Book</strong>, where we were allowed to view sections of the <strong>Dead Sea Scrolls</strong>.</div>
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That evening, many of us traveled to check out the night life on <strong>Ben Yehuda Street</strong>.</div>
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MODEL OF JERUSALEM IN YESHUA'S TIMES</div>
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SECTION OF PSALMS FROM THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS</div>
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BEN YEHUDA STREET</div>
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YOUR AUTHOR PRAYS AT THE WAILING WALL</div>
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RABBI'S TUNNEL UNDER WESTERN WALL</div>
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GOLDEN GATE OR BEAUTIFUL GATE</div>
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JEWISH QUARTER IN JERUSALEM</div>
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MUSLIM QUARTER IN JERUSALEM</div>
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VIA DOLOROSA</div>
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Wailing Wall</h2>
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Early in the morning, we went to the<strong>Western Wall</strong> or <strong>Wailing Wall</strong>. This is what is left from the Second Temple, which was built on the foundation stones of the Temple of Solomon, the King of Israel of 3,000 years ago. Jews pray and cry near it, and notes to Heaven are placed in its cracks. I put a prayer note there myself. More than a million notes are placed in the wall each year, which are collected and buried on the Mount of Olives. We were blessed to go early on a weekday when there were not many people there. During Jordanian rule (1948-1967) Jews were barred from the wall.</div>
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We then ascended to the <strong>Temple Mount</strong>, known in ancient times as Mount Moriah. This is the most contested piece of land in the world. Many Jews will not set foot on the Temple Mount as they consider it too sacred. It is believed that this is where God created Adam and Eve; and where the <strong>Holy of Holies</strong> was located, the most sacred site in Judaism, once home of the <strong>Ark of the Covenant</strong>. In the 4th Century, St. Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, built a church on the Mount. In 691, after conquering Jerusalem, Muslims tore down the church and built a domed octagonal building on this spot for political reasons—to obscure that this was a holy place for Jews and Christians. This building is called the <strong>Dome on the Rock</strong>.</div>
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The <strong>Rabbi's Tunnel</strong> runs underground next to the Western Wall. Here one can see one of the heaviest objects ever lifted by human beings without powered machinery, the <strong>Western Stone</strong>. It weighs in at 570 tons.</div>
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On the eastern side of the Temple Mount is the <strong>Golden Gate</strong>, or<strong>Beautiful Gate</strong>. For Jews this is the gate through which the <strong>Messiah</strong> will enter Jerusalem. To Christians, this gate will feature in the <strong>Second Coming</strong> of Yeshua, and be the place of the <strong>Last Judgment</strong>. The Golden Gate is the oldest gate in Jerusalem and the only one visible from the east. It was sealed shut in 810 by Muslims, who also built a cemetery in front of it in 1541, in the erroneous belief that the presence of the dead would stop the Messiah from coming.</div>
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In the afternoon I wandered around the <strong>Old City of Jerusalem</strong>. <strong>The Armenian Quarter</strong> has been occupied by Armenians since 95 BC and is centered around the <strong>St. James Monastery</strong>, built on the site of the prison where Jesus was held prisoner before His crucifixion.</div>
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<strong>The Jewish Quarter</strong> is an area of Jerusalem where Jews have lived for 2,750 years, and 19,000 Jews live today. The Jews were expelled in 1948 by the Jordanians until they returned after Israel won back Jerusalem in 1967.</div>
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<strong>The Muslim Quarter</strong> has a population of 22,000, and includes a lively Arab market and bazaar.</div>
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<strong>The Christian Quarter</strong> has at its heart one of the holiest places in Christianity, the <strong>Church of the Holy Sepulcher</strong>. This Eastern Orthodox Church is built over the site where many say Jesus was crucified and buried. Protestants do not believe it is in the correct place—which I will address later in this article. This site was venerated by Christians in the 1st Century but then covered with dirt by the Roman Emperor Hadrian out of hatred toward Christianity. Constantine rectified this insult by building a church here in 326. His mother, Helena, oversaw the excavation and construction; and allegedly discovered the <strong>Tomb of Jesus;</strong> and the <strong>True Cross</strong> on which He was crucified. In 1009 the church was destroyed by Muslims. Europeans were shocked at this destruction of the most holy place in all Christendom and this led to the <strong>Crusades</strong>. The church was rebuilt in 1048. Custody of the Church today is shared among Orthodox, Catholics, and lesser so the Christian Churches of the Armenians, Egyptians, Ethiopians, and Syrians.</div>
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And so I walked on the <strong>Via Dolorosa</strong> (Way of Suffering) that is according to tradition the path Jesus walked on the way to His crucifixion.</div>
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GOLGOTHA INSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE</div>
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RELIQUARY OF THE TRUE CROSS IN THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHRE</div>
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TOMB OF JESUS INSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER (EMPTY OF COURSE)</div>
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DEAD SEA</div>
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CAVES OF QUMRAN WHERE THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS WERE FOUND</div>
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MASADA</div>
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MASADA</h2>
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The next day we got on board our little bus and headed out of town for a day trip to the <strong>Dead Sea</strong>. As our magnificent tour guide <strong>Ariel</strong> informed us, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on Earth. The water is 34% salt—more than ten times the salinity of the ocean. Because of this, absolutely nothing can live in it. It is an eerie feeling to go into the Dead Sea. I walked in and by the time the water got waist-deep my feet drifted right up toward the surface. These waters are well known for their therapeutic qualities. The Dead Sea is actually a lake, 51 miles long; 11 miles wide; and 1083 feet deep.</div>
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On the way there, we drove by the caves at <strong>Qumran</strong>, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. These priceless scrolls were found by a Bedouin nomad, who sold them for $29.</div>
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We stopped at <strong>Ein Gedi</strong>, where David took refuge when he was pursued by King Saul. David wrote many beautiful Psalms in the caves here.</div>
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Our other destination for this day was the ancient mountaintop<strong>Fortress of</strong> <strong>Masada (</strong>Masada means fortress—so that may be redundant). Finally, our feet caught a break as they had a cable car to ascend the mountain. It was here that 968 Jewish rebels committed mass suicide in the year 73 AD rather surrender to the Romans. This is an incredible archaeological site. Herod the Great built awesome palaces and waterworks here about 34 BC, that because of the dry desert air are wonderfully well preserved today.</div>
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YAD VASHEM HALL OF REMEMBRANCE</div>
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PAVING STONES WHERE JESUS STOOD BEFORE PILATE</div>
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UPPER ROOM</div>
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MAHANE YEHUDA MARKET</div>
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WAILING WALL</div>
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Yad Vashem</h2>
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For our penultimate day in Jerusalem, our scheduled first stop was <strong>Yad Vashem</strong>, the museum of the Holocaust. Here one gets the true perspective of the Jewish people as to why the modern State of Israel was an absolute necessity no matter the cost. The Yad Vashem Archives has collected information regarding three million of the estimated six million victims of the Holocaust. It houses 74 million pages of documentation; over 2 million pages of testimony given by 46,000 of the survivors; and 350,000 photographs. When exiting the museum you suddenly step from a dark corridor into bright sunlight and a stunning view of Jerusalem.</div>
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We proceeded to the <strong>Jewish National Fund (JNF)</strong>, an organization founded in 1901 to purchase land from absentee Muslim landlords for development by Jews who were beginning to move back to their ancestral homeland. The JNF has since planted 250,000,000 trees in Israel, reforesting what once was a barren desert wasteland. The JNF has also developed 250,000 acres of land for agriculture, residences and businesses; built thousands of miles of roads; constructed 200 dams and reservoirs for this parched nation; and established more than 1,000 parks. Each of us planted a tree in an inchoate forest area.</div>
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<strong>The Antonia Fortress</strong>, named after Mark Antony, was built next to the Temple Mount by Herod the Great. It is believed by some to be where Yeshua was brought before Pilate.</div>
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Upper Room </strong>is where Yeshua taught His disciples and instituted Eucharist (Holy Communion) at the<em>Last Supper</em>. This is also where the Apostles regularly met; where Jesus appeared after the Resurrection; and where the <strong>Holy Spirit</strong> descended on the <em>Day of Pentecost</em>. The current building was constructed in the 13th Century by the Crusaders. On this site originally stood a Jewish synagogue later used by the first Jewish Christians. The Roman Emperor Theodosius built a church above it in 394. The Muslims razed it in 1009 but the Crusaders rebuilt it. The Muslims destroyed it again in 1219 (I'm starting to sense a pattern here) before it was restored by Roman Catholic Franciscans to roughly what we see today. The Muslims took it in 1552 and converted it into a mosque and Christians were not permitted to visit it again for 400 years—until <strong><em>the State of Israel</em></strong> was formed in 1948.</div>
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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Pool of Bethesda </strong>is where Jesus healed the man who could not walk. It is also interesting to visit all seven of Jerusalem's gates, which are actually mini-fortresses.</div>
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We spent the remainder of the afternoon at the <strong>Mahane Yehuda Market</strong>, where you can buy most anything it seems. It was very busy as Jews were stocking up for the Shabbat (Sabbath). I saw (and tasted) there the most beautiful fresh vegetables, fruit and nuts I have ever seen.</div>
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Our last stop of the day was back at the Western Wall to witness the joyous Shabbat celebrations of the Jews. The place was packed. They were singing and dancing and praying—people of all ages. It was an unbelievable scene to see this much public praise and worship of God.</div>
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GOLGOTHA</div>
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GARDEN TOMB</div>
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CALVARY</h2>
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All good things must come to an end. Our last day in Israel began with a drive out to the <strong>Ramat Rachel Kibbutz</strong>, where we could view<strong>Bethlehem</strong>, the birthplace of Yeshua. But we could not go there, since our driver, tour guide and Rabbi Bob are of course, Jews. We did have a nice view of the<strong>Shepherd's Fields</strong>, where David tended his sheep and where the angels proclaimed the birth of Jesus to the shepherds.</div>
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The last stop of our tour was to be the <strong>Garden Tomb and Calvary</strong>. I mentioned earlier that Protestants (and Jews) have largely rejected the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher as regards to the Crucifixion and Burial place of Yeshua, primarily but not solely because the Church is within the walls of the Old City. Catholics believe Protestants rejected the Church because of anti-Catholicism. In 1883, British General Charles Gordon found a rock face that looks like a skull (even after years of erosion) and nearby a tomb, carved out of rock, next to a garden. A large ancient winepress and a huge cistern were discovered near the tomb, consistent with a wealthy landowner such as Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb has a stone groove just outside its entrance that would be used for a stone wheel, weighing perhaps 3 tons, to seal the tomb. Our guide explained that the skull-like rock face is right next to the Jerusalem-Damascus Road—the busiest road of its day in the area—and that Jesus would have been crucified in front of the rock, not on top of it as is depicted in movies. The Romans were famous for crucifying people right next to busy roads to scare the travelers—this was no city for mischief.</div>
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GARDEN TOMB OF JESUS</div>
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JERUSALEM</div>
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THE LOVELY FOLKS IN MY GROUP</div>
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Jerusalem History</h2>
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Jerusalem is one of the oldest cities in the world—with settlements dating back 5,000 years—and home to nearly 800,000 people. It is known to have been attacked and captured 44 times. There are 1204 synagogues, 158 churches, and 73 mosques in the city. <strong>Jerusalem or Mount Zion</strong>, on which it was first built, appears in the <em>Old Testament</em> (<em>Hebrew Bible</em>) 823 times; appears in the <em>New Testament</em> 161 times; does not appear in the <em>Quran</em> at all. 100 years after the Muslims first conquered Israel in 638, they gradually began calling Jerusalem a holy city for Muslims, recognizing that it was the most holy city on Earth to their religious rivals, Jews and Christians. Before the 8th Century there is no mention of Jerusalem in Muslim literature. But once they took the city, as per their custom, they began destroying everything in sight. That is why it is difficult to ascertain the exact location of some of these holy places.</div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-50234037474575821022015-11-03T11:23:00.002-08:002015-11-03T11:23:26.950-08:00 Jerusalem, ancient city - Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrl1atQkiSM/VjkJjP4mq4I/AAAAAAAAAxU/KdKOP3wtVsI/s1600/00%2BIsrael%2Btimeline%2Bphotos%2B_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yrl1atQkiSM/VjkJjP4mq4I/AAAAAAAAAxU/KdKOP3wtVsI/s320/00%2BIsrael%2Btimeline%2Bphotos%2B_n.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="JERUSALEM, ANCIENT CITY"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"><b>Jerusalem, ancient city</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="JERUSALEM, ANCIENT CITY"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Jerusalem lies on the southern spur of a plateau in the Judean Mountains, surrounded by valleys and dry riverbeds - one of the oldest continuing cities in the world, occupied for at least six thousand years. It was, of course, the <b>sacred city of the Bible</b> and focus of the Jewish people for thousands of years,</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">a religious center for the passionately devoted Jewish people</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">the goal of pilgrims ready to walk hundreds of miled to pray there</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">the capital city of the ruler of the Jewish people, and </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">a busy seat of administration and law.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Though there were people living on the site as early as the 4th millennium BC, the fortress/city only became prominent in biblical history after <a href="http://www.bible-people.info/David.htm"><b>David</b></a> captured it and made it his capital. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="David and Jerusalem"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">David and Jerusalem</span></a><img align="right" alt="Ground plan of Jebus, the original fortress captured by David, and the rock area on which the Temple would later be built" border="2" height="452" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Jebus.jpg" width="391" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">David's first capital had been in the city of Hebron, but <b>Jerusalem had certain advantages</b>. It was in a better geographical position, lying on the border between Judah and the northern tribes, and despite the fact that he himself had taken the citadel, its position atop steep cliffs made it difficult to overrun. The diagram at right shows the walled area, Jebus, which was the original fortress captured by David. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">At David's death, the city was still quite small. David had been too busy with court intrigue and hard-fought battles to think about renovations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Solomon and Jerusalem"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Solomon and Jerusalem</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">His son was more ambitious. <b><a href="http://www.bible-people.info/Solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b> used Phoenician craftsmen and enforced labor to carry out the great construction program that resulted in the building of the First Temple and the palace in Jerusalem (1 Kings 7.52, 5.27). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">For both Temple and palace, Solomon would have nothing but the best. He imported wood (cedar) from Lebanon, and the Temple was embellished and decorated with the over-the-top style then fashionable. Less was definitely not more. In fact, <b>both palace and Temple were political statements</b>: look at how wealthy we are, what resouces we can muster, how clever and creative we are.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Photograph of the Temple of Dendur, Egypt, taken in the 19th century before transportation to the Metropolitan Museum in New York" border="2" height="498" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Dendur-early-photograph.jpg" width="543" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">There have been many fanciful reconstructions of the Temple of Solomon, but it was probably modelled on Phoenician or Egyptian temple designs similar to the Temple of Dendur, above</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Winged figure, stone, in the 7th century BC Temple at Eshmun in ancient Phoenicia" border="2" height="448" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/ThroneofAstarteprofile.jpg" width="354" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The 7th century BC Temple at Eshmun in ancient Phoenicia has a winged guardian figure<br />at each side of a stone throne; this may be similar to the cherubim in the Bible - see above and below</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Ancient ivory plaque showing a winged guardian figure, from the excavations at Megiddo" border="2" height="395" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_ps098822luz7.jpg" width="443" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Winged guardian figure, ivory plaque excavated at the ancient city of Megiddo</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Solomon's Palace"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Solomon's Palace</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The royal palace probably stood north of the city. There are no traces of it now, since Herod demolished everything that was there to extend the astonishing Temple he built. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">But according to 1 Kings 7:1-12, the palace was built of Lebanese cedar, with a vestibule hall of columns, a throne room, residential quarters and a luxurious palace for the women of the harem - Solomon's 'thousand wives'. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The rooms would have opened onto extensive courtyards. The palace itself was quite independent of the city, with a high wall surrounding it. You had to pass through a guard-house to enter it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="A reconstructed ground plan of the palace at Persepolis" border="2" height="481" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Persepolis_Recon_Drawing.jpg" width="581" /></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">A reconstructed ground plan of the palace at Persepolis. Solomon's palace would have been much smaller and more modest, but it may have followed the same design of audience hall with living and service quarters behind.</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Middle Eastern building with lattice windows" border="2" height="600" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Samaria_Cairo_house_16th_century_Ottoman.jpg" width="450" /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><i>The living quarters of Solomon's palace probably had latticed windows like these,<br />to cool the building and provide privacy</i></span></b></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Solomon's Temple"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Solomon's Temple</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">According to 1 Kings 6:2-3, the <a href="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/temple_of_solomon.htm"><b>First Temple</b></a> was a long-room temple with a vestibule hall and a separate room for the Holy of Holies (see the ground plan of Solomon's Temple below). There were two columns in the vestibule hall, and s</span><img align="right" alt="Ground plan of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem" border="2" height="313" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/2proposed_mapSolomons_Temple.jpg" width="388" /><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">plendid furnishings and fittings. The walls were covered with wooden panels embellished with gold-leaf overlay. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The houses of the citizens of Jerusalem were far simpler, situated on terraces, with the ancient Israelite type of building retained. Of course, this meant that people were crammed together closely, and as time passed the more affluent citizens began to build houses just outside the city walls.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">All these buildings are long gone - destroyed in war or demolished to make way for later buildings. The only part left from David and Solomon's reigns may be the stones illustrated at left, which are possibly ramparts from the city wall. Excavations have revealed a stepped stone structure, possibly foundations, dating from the 10th century BC.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Excavation of the Stepped Stone Structure" border="2" height="488" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Excavations_stepped_stone_structure_10thC_BC_foundation_for_walls.jpg" width="574" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Long distance photograph of the Stepped Stone Structure, showing its position in Jerusalem" border="2" height="409" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_CityofDavidAreaGfromsoutheasttb091306302labeled.jpg" width="572" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="19th century photograph of Jerusalem taken from the air, showing the Kidron Valley, the Temple Mount and the position of excavations of the Stepped Stone Structure" border="2" height="425" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Jerusalem-Kidron-Valley-19th-c-photo.jpg" width="571" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">1. Excavation of the Stepped Stone Structure. 2. The Structure in its surroundings. <br />3. A 19th century photograph of Jerusalem, showing the area (middle right) before excavations began</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><img align="right" alt="Bible Archaeology: Jerusalem: ground plan of city in period from Solomon to Hezekiah" border="2" height="415" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/FromSolomontoHezekiah.jpg" width="354" />When Solomon died, the ten northern tribes broke away from the federation, setting up their own kingdom in the north. Solomon's son Rehoboam was left with sovereignty over only two tribes. But he still had Jerusalem. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">In 922BC the Egyptian pharaoh Sheshonk I led a raid into Judah, and sacked the city, stealing the treasure of the Temple (and probably the royal women's <b><a href="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/jewelry.htm">jewelry</a></b>as well). </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">He was followed in the next century by the Philistines and Arabs, and then in 786BC Joash of Israel invaded Judah and tore down part of the wall surrounding Jerusalem.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Hezekiah's Jerusalem"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Hezekiah's Jerusalem</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: black;">After Hezekiah became king of Judah, he built new fortifications and an underground tunnel (see illustration below), which brought water from the Gihon Spring to the Pool of Siloam inside the city. This was an extraordinary engineering achievement, done with what are primitive tools by modern standards. </span><img align="right" alt="Photograph of the entrance to Hezekiah's Tunnel" border="2" height="474" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/rock_tunnel.jpg" width="360" /></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">In 1880 an inscription was discovered. It had been cut into the tunnel wall, and describes the meeting of the two groups of stone-cutters who were digging from opposite ends of the tunnel:</span></div>
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<i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">'And this was the way in which it was cut through: While [...] (were) still [...] axe(s), each man toward his fellow, and while there were still three cubits to be cut through, [there was heard] the voice of a man calling to his fellows, for there was an overlap in the rock on the right [and on the left]. And when the tunnel was driven through, the quarrymen hewed (the rock), each man toward his fellow, axe against axe; and the water flowed from the spring toward the reservoir for 1200 cubits.'</span></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;"><img alt="Drawing of the ancient water system in Jerusalem, including the entrance to Hezekiah's Tunnel" border="2" height="410" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_WatersystemincludingHezekiahs_tunnel.jpg" width="579" /></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Water system including Hezekiah's tunnel</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="The Assyrians destroy Jerusalem"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">The Assyrians destroy Jerusalem</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Despite his best efforts, Hezekiah was no match for the Assyrians, and in 701BC Sennacherib of Assyria 'came down like a wolf on the fold', extracting a heavy tribute from Jerusalem. Eight years later Jerusalem was laid waste and its king deported to Babylon. In 586BC the city and Temple were completely destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the long exile in Babylon began.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Panel from the Lachish relief in the British Museum showing captives being led away from " border="2" height="369" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_k.gif" width="594" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This panel from the Lachish relief in the British Museum shows captives being led away from<br />the city of Lachish - but the scene at Jerusalem must have been similar</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Eventually, in 538BC, the people were allowed to return to Jerusalem. The once magnificent city was a sorry sight. Nothing seemed to remain, just a few small buildings and a demoralized peasantry living in huts, where once there had been the Temple, palaces, houses and commercial buildings. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><img align="center" alt="Plan of the much diminished Jerusalem as it was in Nehemiah's time - 5th century BC, after the return from Exile" border="2" height="566" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Reconstruction_of_Nehemiah_5thcenturyBC.jpg" width="485" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Plan of the city as it was in Nehemiah's time - 5th century BC</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Bit by bit the people, led by Zerubbabel of the house of David, began to rebuild Jerusalem. They were determined to re-establish their sacred city. The Temple was restored by 515BC, and Jerusalem once more became the center of the new state. Its position was strengthened when Nehemiah restored the fortifications surrounding the city.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">With the coming of Alexander the Great, Jerusalem entered the world of Western power politics. After Alexander's death, Palestine was taken over by his marshal, Ptolemy I, who had occupied Egypt and made Alexandria his capital. In 198BC Jerusalem was taken over by the dynasty descended from Seleucus I, another of Alexander's marshal. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">This was significant in cultural terms, since the new rulers promoted Greek culture and religious ideas, and tried to suppress Jewish practices. In 167BC Antiochus IV desecrated the Temple, and a revolt against the Seleucid rulers broke out. This revolt was led by the Maccabees, who were able to expel the Seleucids. Jerusalem regained its position as the capital of an independent state ruled by the priestly Hasmonean family.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="Herod the Great and Jerusalem"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Herod the Great and Jerusalem</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Then came the Romans. They had for some time been expanding into the eastern Mediterranean world, and in 63BC Pompey captured Jerusalem. The way for peaceful co-existence was smoothed by the machinations of the Herod family, and in 40BC <b><a href="http://www.bible-people.info/Herod-King.htm">Herod</a></b>, who had distinguished himself as governor of Galilee, was appointed a 'client king' of Judaea by the Roman Senate. He was the friend of Mark Antony, and when Mark Antony was defeated at the Battle of Actium and committed suicide, the wily Herod was able to persuade Octavian, later Augustus, that he should remain as king of Judaea.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Ground plan of Jerusalem in the time of King Herod the Great" border="2" height="734" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Herodian_city_of_Jerusalem.jpg" width="517" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The city of Jerusalem in the Herodian period</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Bible Archaeology: Jerusalem: Western or Wailing Wall, Jerusalem" border="2" height="325" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/wailing_wall_2.jpg" width="484" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">The West Wall - all that is left of Herod's magnificent Temple</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.bible-people.info/Herod-King.htm"><b><span style="color: black;">Herod </span></b></a><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">was king for the next thirty-six years, and in this period Jerusalem enjoyed its greatest period of glory. The Temple Mount esplanade was artificially enlarged with supporting walls (including the Western Wall, now called the Wailing Wall), to provide a platform for Herod's greatest achievement, the new Temple, which took more than a generation to build. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">The new royal palace was strengthened by immense towers that were built into the older walls, and the Temple was defended by a new citadel. Jerusalem also acquired a Hellenistic amphitheatre.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Ancient coin struck during the Bar Kochba Revolt, showing the facade of the Temple in Jerusalem as it had been before destruction" border="2" height="465" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Coin.jpg" width="424" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Reconstructions of the Temple built by Herod the Great rely heavily on this ancient coin,<br /> showing the facade of the Temple; it was struck during the Bar Kochba Revolt 132-135AD</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Reconstruction of the central Temple area in Jerusalem, 1st century" border="2" height="321" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_2_of_5-Jerusalem-HG-Temple-recons-5.jpg" width="595" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><img alt="Reconstruction from an aerial perspective of the central area of the Temple of Jerusalem" border="0" height="388" src="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/Copy_of_Temple2_Jerusalem_Herod.jpg" width="581" /></span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">(Above) Two reconstructions of the Temple of Herod the Great</span></b></i></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Jerusalem was now the religious center, the goal of obligatory pilgrimages, the capital of the ruler, and the seat of the autonomous court of the Sanhedrin or Jewish Council of Elders.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">Nothing lasts forever. In 66AD the Jewish people rebelled against Rome and in 70AD the city was besieged and almost completely destroyed by the Roman forces under Titus. The Temple, Herod's most splendid building, was reduced to rubble.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="AND ANOTHER THING..."><span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">And another thing...</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">'Beginning with the assumption that the biblical narratives were reliable historical sources, the researchers identified these ruins as features mentioned in the Bible. And they used the hypothetical identifications as archaeological "proof" that the biblical descriptions were true.<br />A prime example is the so-called "Stepped Stone Structure," first uncovered in the 1920's. It is an imposing rampart of fifty-eight courses of limestone boulders, extending for more than fifty feet, like a protective sheath or reinforcement over the upper end of the eastern slope of the City of David. Later excavations by Kenyon and by Shiloh discovered a network of stone terraces beneath it, probably constructed in order to stabilize and expand the narrow flat surface on the spine of the ridge, and perhaps to support a large structure built there. The early excavators suggested that the Stepped Stone Structure was part of the fortification of the Jebusite city that David conquered.....<br />Yet the pottery retrieved from within the courses of the Stepped Stone Structure included types of the Early Iron Age to the ninth or even early eighth centuries BC. It seems therefore that this monument was constructed at least a century later than the days of David and Solomon. Who used it, when exactly, and for what purpose still remains - archaeologically, at least - a mystery.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Quoted from '<i>David and Solomon: In Search of the Bible's Sacred Kings</i>', Israel Finkelstein and Neil Silberman, p269-70</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">'Herod did not begin the real transformation of Jerusalem until about 23BC, when he had just won a good deal of respect in Palestine by his efficiency in providing food and grain for the people during the famine of 25-24BC. Many Jerusalemites had been ruined and were able to find employment as builders once work had begun in the city. Herod began by building a palace for himself in the Upper City on the Western Hill; it was fortified by three towers, which he named after his brother Phasael, his beloved wife Mariamme the Hasmonean, and his friend Hippicus. .....<br />The palace itself consisted of two large buildings, one of which was called Caesareum in honor of Octavian, which were joined by enchanting water gardens, where the deep canals and cisterns were lined with bronze statues and fountains. Herod seems to have also redesigned the streets of the Upper City into a gridded system, which made traffic and town planning easier. In addition, the Upper City had a theater and a hippodrome, though we do not know the exact location of these buildings. Every five years, games were held in honor of Augustus, which drew crowds of distinguished athletes to Jerusalem.'</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Quoted from '<i>Jerusalem, One City, Three Faiths</i>', Karen Armstrong, p128</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Ground plans, excavations, information: <a href="http://www.bible-architecture.info/Jerusalem.htm"><b>BIBLE ARCHITECTURE: JERUSALEM</b></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">King Solomon's Temple, King Herod's Temple: <b><a href="http://www.jesus-story.net/buildings_NT.htm">BIBLE BUILDINGS</a></b></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Solomon's Palace in Jerusalem: <a href="http://www.womeninthebible.net/Jerusalem_Solomon_palace.htm"><b>BIBLE ARCHAEOLOGY: PALACES</b></a></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">For information on Jerusalem in later centuries, see <a href="http://www.islamic-architecture.info/WA-IS/WA-IS.htm"><b>ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE</b></a>Jerusalem</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.bible-archaeology.info/index.htm"><span style="color: #cc3300; font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">See other fascinating links between<br />Archaeology and the Bible</span></a></div>
YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-27098664216424384672015-11-01T02:17:00.000-08:002015-11-01T02:17:08.366-08:001925 Wakf Temple Mount Guide 16 pages or THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA or Temple mount - Jewish Temple - YJ Draiman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: blue;">1925 Wakf Temple Mount Guide 16 pages or THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA or Temple mount - Jewish Temple - YJ Draiman</span></h3>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">1925 </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Wakf</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> Mount Guide 16 pages or AL-HARAM AL-SHARIF - </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">JERUSALEM</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> - r2</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">1925 </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Wakf</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Mount</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Guide</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> or </span></b><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 13.5pt;">THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA or </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;">Temple</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #008a17; font-size: 16pt;"> mount </span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">taken by force 16 pages.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Page 1 Cover and page 2 picture view of the Haram area from North to West<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">In 1925 Muslims that controlled </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;"> produced this guide which as it turns out is a pretty accurate history showing that they do NOT hold the original claim to the mount, but instead, took it by force. Admitting that even their own scholars admit it belonged to the Jewish people.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Before 637 CE/AD </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> was the Capital of the Jewish people for over a thousand years. Thereafter it was occupied by various conquering Nations as Occupied territory, It was allocated to the Jewish people after WWI under the 1920 San Remo Treaty and confirmed by the 1920 Treaty of Sevres and </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Lausanne</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;">.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Read it for yourself and decide. Don’t take my word for it.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">1925_Wakf_Temple_Mount_Guide.pdf<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Text only transcription of the guide for ease of reading.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">A Brief Guide To<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: #008a17;">AL-HARAM AL-SHARIF </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17;">JERUSALEM</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #141823;"> </span></span><span style="color: #141823;">- </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Mount</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /><b><span style="color: blue;">Published by the Supreme Muslim Counsel</span></b><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">PRICE P.T. 15</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">The Sacred Enclosure will normally be open to visitors between </span><st1:time hour="7" minute="30"><span style="color: #141823;">7.30 a.m.</span></st1:time><span style="color: #141823;"> and </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="30"><span style="color: #141823;">11.30 a.m.</span></st1:time><span style="color: #141823;"> daily (Fridays excepted).</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Admission may be gained by the gate known as Bab al-Silsileh.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Jerusalem</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> 1925</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">IMPORTANT NOTICE.</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Visitors should bear in mind that the whole of the Haram Area, and not only it’s edifices, is scared to Muslims; and that they will be expected to pay due regard to its sanctity. In particular, they must abstain from smoking anywhere in the Area, and from bringing dogs with them.<br />The visiting-hours are from </span><st1:time hour="7" minute="30"><span style="color: #141823;">7.30 a.m.</span></st1:time><span style="color: #141823;"> to </span><st1:time hour="11" minute="30"><span style="color: #141823;">11.30 a.m.</span></st1:time><span style="color: #141823;"> daily, (Fridays excepted) and visitors are particularly requested to leave punctually at 11.30 so as not to hinder the observance of the midday-prayer.<br />Admission may best be gained by the gate known as Bab al-Silsileh. It would save trouble and delay if visitors were to make it a point of entering the Haram by that gate.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">N.B. The photographs in this Guide are reproduced by courtesy of the American Colony.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 4 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE HARAM<br />–<br />HISTORICAL SKETCH</span></span></b><br /><span style="color: #141823;">The words al-Haram al-Sharif, which can perhaps best be rendered by “The August Sanctuary”, denote the whole of the sacred enclosure which it is the object of this Guide to describe.</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">Its plan is roughly that of a rectangle whose major axis runs from north to south; its area is approximately 145,000 square meters.</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">If you wish to have some idea of its extent and to see it whole before proceeding to examine it in detail, you would be well-advised to begin your visit by walking to the north-west corner, and there ascending the flight of steps which lead up to the disused building on the right, you will see the whole area spread before you. The view shown on the frontispiece (Fig. 1) was taken, although at a considerable altitude, from the very spot where you are standing.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">The two principal edifices are the Dome of the Rock, on a raised platform in the middle, and the mosque of al-Aqsa against the south wall. Other buildings which we shall consider later lie dotted about here and there. On the left along the east wall the double portals of the </span><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Golden Gate</span></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;"> appear. On every side, trees break the prospect, which lend a peculiar charm to the scene.<br />The side is one of the oldest in the world. Its sanctity dates from the earliest (perhaps from prehistoric) times. Its identity with the site of Solomon’s is beyond dispute. This, too, is the spot, according to universal belief, on which “David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings”. (1)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">But, for the purposes of this Guide, which confines itself to the Muslim period, the starting-point is the year 637 A.D. In that year, the Caliph Omar occupied </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> and one of his first acts was to repair to this site, which had already become sacred in the eyes of Muslims as the place to which the Prophet was one night miraculously translated. The site had long since been neglected. The Caliph and his four thousand followers found little more than desolation and rubbish. There were the ruined walls of the Herodian and Roman periods, the remains of an early basilica (probably on the present site of al-Aqsa), and the bare Rock. Yet from this rock had the Prophet according to the tradition, ascended to heaven on his steed. So the Caliph ordered a mosque to be erected by its side. His orders were executed, and the building was seen and described by Bishop Arculf who visited </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> about 670 A. D. But no vestige of it remains today, save for the name “Mosque of Omar” which is still, but quite wrongly, sometimes used for the Dome of the Rock.<br />With the reign of’ Abdul-Malek ibn Marwan, the Umayyad, 685-705 A.D., the history of the present buildings begins. </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">Jerusalem</span></span></b></st1:place></st1:city><br /><span style="color: #141823;">___</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">2 Samuel XXIV, 25.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Page 5 - Pic. The fountain Sabil of Qait Bay</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 6 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">was a holy city, to Muslims as well as to others, and to the energetic and pious caliph its glorification seemed an obvious duty. He collected large sums of money, amounting (say the Arab historians) to “seven times the revenue of </span><st1:country-region style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Egypt</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="color: #141823;">”; and with that he built the Dome (691 A.D.), and the mosque of al-Aqsa (693 A.D.), both of which, according to medieval Arab travelers and chroniclers, were of unsurpassed magnificence. But in subsequent years, the buildings suffered much from earthquake shocks and underwent various restorations. In the year 407 A. H. (1016 A.D.), an earthquake shock caused the Dome to collapse, and it was re-erected six years later by the Caliph Hakem.<br />A new chapter begins with the capture of </span><st1:city style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> by the Crusaders in 1099. They occupied the Haram Area and turned its monuments to different uses. The Dome of the Rock was turned into a church and an alter erected on the Rock itself. The edifice was regarded by them as the veritable</span><st1:city style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> of the Lord (Templum Domini) from which the Knights Templar whose Order was formed there take their name. It is interesting to note also that, as Temple of the Lord and symbol of the Order, it served as a model for churches which were later erected at various places in Europe, such as Aix-la-Chapelle, Metz, Leon, and the Temple Church in London; and that it figures in Raphael’s famous picture of the “Sposalizio” (Brera, Milan,) and, still more recognizably,<br />in the picture of “The Maries at the Sepulcher”, attributed to Hubert von Eyck. </span><span style="color: blue;">The mosque of al-Aqsa, on the other hand, was transformed in to a royal residence known as the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Palace</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Solomon</st1:placename></st1:place>; while the vast substructures below the south-east corner of the Area were used by the Knights as stables.</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">The end of this chapter came in 1187, when Saladin captured </span><st1:city style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> and drove the Crusaders out. One of his first acts was to put back the buildings to their former use as places of Muslim worship, and he caused every vestige of the Templar's occupation to be removed. At the same time he carried out important embellishments.<br />In the Dome of the Rock, he caused the walls to be covered with marble, and set up the beautiful inscription which may still be seen above the open gallery of the cupola.<br />He also restored the stucco incrustation of the inner dome, which remains to this day. In the mosque of al-Aqusa, he carried out restoration and embellishments, of which the chief were the fine mosaics on the drum of the dome and the beautiful pulpit adjoining the prayer-niche.<br />The Haram Area has remained in Muslim hands ever since.<br />For although </span><st1:city style="color: #222222;"><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> was again occupied by the Crusaders (1229-1244), yet their occupation did not extend to the sacred enclosure which it had been agreed should remain in Muslim possession. During the three centuries which followed, various repairs and additions were made; but the most important restoration was that which was carried out, after the Turkish conquest.<br />In the reign of Sulaiman the Magnificent (1520-1566). This sultan whose works are still to be found all over the </span><st1:place style="color: #222222;"><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Holy</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">City</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">, carried out a wholesale renovation of the Dome of the Rock. A large part of the decoration in glazed tiles upon the exterior of the shrine and most of the windows were added during his reign. Since then,</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><br />Page 7 - Pic The Southern Arcades (Mawazine) and pulpits Burliancddin </span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><br />– 8 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">both buildings have undergone different restorations which have for the most part marred rather than enhanced their beauty.<br />This is more particularly the case with the tiles on the exterior of the Dome of the Rock, which the hand of the restorer has here and there shifted or replaced most unhappily; and it is the present concern of the authorities of the Haram to try and undo the damage and restore to these decorative features something of their former harmony.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE DOME OF THE ROCK</span></span></b><br /><span style="color: #141823;">________________</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">The Dome of the Rock stands on an irregular platform whose level is some 12 feet above that of the Area. It is approached from every side by flights of broad steps surmounted at the landing by graceful arcades (Fig. 3) known as Mawazin, that is to say ‘scales’, because of the traditional belief that on the Day of Judgment the scales of good and evil will be suspended there.<br />Having ascended the steps on the raised platform, you should, before entering the edifice, walk around it and examine it from the outside first. Its plan is that of a regular octagon inscribed in a circle of 177 ft. diameter. It has four entrances, each of which faces one of the points of the compass: on the West, The Bab al-Gharb, or west gate; on the north, the Bab al-Janna, or gate of paradise; on the east, the Bab Daud, or gate of David; and on the south, the Bab al-Qibla or south gate. This last gate fixes the direction in which prayers are to be said, namely the direction of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Mecca</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;">. The walls of the building are decorated with marble facings on the lower courses and with colored glazed tiles above.<br />The tiles which form this decoration date for the most part from the end of the reign of Sulaiman the Magnificent (v. page 6) when the art of Oriental ceramic decoration was perhaps at its height.<br />Unfortunately, a great many of the original tiles have fallen off, and others have at various times been set in their stead without apparent regard for the harmony either of color or pattern. Still, the effect is striking and, especially in certain lights, beautiful.<br />The frieze is inscribed with verses from the Koran. Above rests the Dome, as rebuilt by the Caliph Hakem in 1022, slightly flattened on one side, and surmounted by the Crescent. The edifice itself is substantially that which was erected by ‘Abdul-Malek ibn Marwan; but the outer decorations that we have just seen are mostly due to Suliaman the Magnificent, and to later restorers.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">On the east side of the Dome of the Rock, facing the Bab Daub. or gate of David, stands an elegant little edifice, also surmounted by a dome, which look at first sight like a miniature representation of its larger brother. The room which supports the Dome and it’s drum rests on two concentric rows of columns neither of which is encased by walls. On the south side is a Mihrab, that is to say the prayer-recess. The edifice is variously known as Mahkamat Daud, (i.e. Tribunal of David) and Qubbat al-Silsileh (i.e. Dome of the Chain), from the legendary belief that on its site was the place of Judgments where verdicts were given by a miraculous chain. For as the legend has it, a chain was once suspended</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Page 9 - Pic The Dome of the Rock (from the North-East)<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 10 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">from heaven over this spot, to which it was the practice in Solomon’s time to appeal in cases of conflicting evidence. Each witness was made to grasp the chain in turn: if he succeed in holding it, his truthfulness was thereby vindicated, but if it eluded his grasp, then he was a manifest liar. The edifice is said by some historians to be contemporaneous with the Dome of the Rock; but it is an established fact that it has been rebuilt more than once, albeit with the original columns which are in the Byzantine style and were undoubtedly taken from other buildings. Their number has varied: at the present time there are eleven in the outer, and six in the inner rows. (Fig. 4) We will now enter the Dome of the Rock (Qubbal al-Sakhra) by the west gate. The metal doors on either side of the entrance are worthy of notice; and inscription which was only recently discovered proves them to have been made and set up during the reign of the Mamluk Sultan Qait Bay, towards the end of the XVth. century. A few steps further, we find ourselves in the interior of the building. At first sight it is almost too dark to see; but as the eye gets used to the subdued light, the beauty of the structure and the splendor for the ornamentation reveal themselves. In the centre, vertically below the dome, is the Sacred Rock, an irregular mass of yellowish stone. This is where the Crusaders had set up an altar and traces can still be seen of the steps which once led up to it. The dome rests on an inner system of piers and columns forming a circle and connected with each other by a wrought-iron grille, dating from the XIIth. century — a unique remnant of the Crusaders’ decorations. This inner row is formed of four rectangular piers, beautifully adorned with marble facings dating from the XVth. century, and twelve monolithic columns with Byzantine capitals carrying semicircular arches. Above is the drum with its rich mosaics, its delicate inscription on bands and medallions, and 16 windows; while, resting on the rim above the clerestory windows, is the inner (wooden) cupola, with its remarkable stucco ornamentation, ordered by Saladin in 1189.<br />Concentric with inner system which we have just described is the outer octagonal row of piers and columns supporting the roof. The piers in this row are eight in number and are of massive size, covered with XVth. century marble facings; while the columns, of which there are sixteen, are marble monoliths<br />taken from some older building, probably Hadrian’s </span><st1:place><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">Temple</span></st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;"> of </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Jupiter</span></st1:placename></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">. The capitals, which are of varying design, belong to the late Greco-Roman or the early Byzantine period. Above each capital is an abacus on which rests the decorated beam which runs round the octagon and serves as an “anchor” beam from pier to pier–an interesting architectural feature, probably of Arab origin, which is characteristic of the earliest mosques. Between each pair of piers are three arches richly adorned with old mosaic dating, except for certain later restorations, from the VIIth. century. Above is a narrow band of blue tiles on which runs an inscription in gold Cubic letters, which is of great historical importance, for it records the date of the construction of the edifice and the name of the builder, with a chronological inconsequence which tells its own tale. The date is given as A.H. 72 and the</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Page 11 - Pic The Rock</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 12 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">name as that of the Caliph al-Mamun who reigned in A.H. 197-218: an obvious anachronism, of which the explanation is that the name of the later Caliph was substituted for that of his predecessor, ‘Abudul-Malek ibn Marwan , the real builder of the Dome of the Rock, while the original date remained unchanged.<br />The walls of the edifice, which as we have seen form a regular octagon, are covered with marble slabs and pierced with windows dating, for the most part, from Sulaiman’s restorations.<br />The slabs are of beautiful marble specially chosen for its smoothness and remarkable veining. The windows are made of plaster, and their pattern consists of an intricate openwork tracery in which are inserted bits of colored glass. The effect is one of great softness and richness of color, and this is partly due to<br />the skill with which the tracery is hollowed out of the plaster and cut away towards the inside in such a way that the openings become provided with a kind of cone for the softer diffusion of the rays of light.<br />A detailed description of the Dome of the Rock would be beyond the scope of this Guide. Its principal features have been mentioned and described in sufficient detail, it is believed, to give the visitor an adequate summary of its history and some help towards the appreciation of its magnificence.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE MOSQUE OF AL-AQSA</span></span></b><br /><span style="color: #141823;">____________________</span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">Leaving the Dome of the Rock by the west gate, the visitor will notice, some 50 yards away on the right, a small octagonal domed edifice of semi-oriental and semi-Gothic appearance. This is the Qubbal al-Mi’raj or Dome of the Ascension. It was originally built in commemoration of the Prophet’s miraculous ascension, and rebuilt in its present form about the year 1200 A.D., that is to say some thirteen years after the capture of the </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Holy</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">City</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;"> by Saladin and at a time when Gothic influence in building, which had been imported by the Crusaders, was still at its height.<br />The monument is not open to visitors.<br />Turning towards the south, we cross the platform to the arcades on its southern side, passing on the way the marble pulpit of Burhaneddin (Fig. 3) which was built by the judge of that name in the middle of the XVth. century. The pulpit is crowned by a dome supported by trefoil arches resting on columns,<br />and is an interesting as well as a beautiful example of the work of that period. Beyond the pulpit are the steps leading down to the court of the mosque of al-Aqsa. Immediately in front is the fountain of ablutions, and beyond that is the mosque itself.<br />The porch, which is the most recent part of the building, was added by the Sultan al-Mu’azzam, a nephew of Saladin, in the XIIIth. century. An inscription above the middle archway records the date as 634 A.H. (1236 A.D.). The porch consists of a facade of seven pointed arches, corresponding to the seven<br />front doors of the mosque, and affords yet another example of the Crusaders’ influence, although not a very happy one.<br />The interior of the mosque is unfortunately only partly accessible</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Page 13 - Pic The Al-Aqsa Mosque (front)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 14 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">to visitors at the present time, on account of the considerable repairs which have to be carried out to that part of the buildings which supports the dome. But visitors are admitted to the nave and aisles and can gain some idea of the whole. The nave, formed by two rows of massive columns with capitals, is the oldest part of the mosque. On either side of it, is an aisle, both of which date also from the earliest period; the outside aisles are of more recent construction. The columns of the nave were probably taken from Justinian’s basilica; while the capitals, which are mostly of the acanthus-leaf and wicker-work patterns,<br />date from Byzantine times and are probably contemporaneous with the construction of the mosque itself. The columns support a system of pointed arches of which the exact date is not known for certain. Their pointed form, however, shows plainly that they belong to a later period that the VIIth. century, for in that period the pointed form had not yet been evolved and the horse-shoe arch, as we have seen in the interior of the Dome of the Rock, was still prevalent. The columns are connected by wooden tie-beams, which as we have seen (page 10) is a device characteristic of early Arab monuments. Above the arches are two rows of windows; the lower open on the inner aisles, the upper are clerestory windows admitting air and light from the outside. (Fig. 7).<br />Above the crossing stands the dome resting on a circular drum supported by a system of arches and pedantries, which are themselves borne at the tour corners by groups of pillars and capitals. The dome, which is of wood protected on the outside by a covering of lead sheeting, is ornamented with a handsome stucco incrustation of the same style as that of the dome of the Qubbat al-Sakhra. This decoration may, like its counterpart in the Sakhra, date from the time of Saladin; but be this as it may, it was completely renovated, if not actually made in the first instance, but the Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalaun in the year 728 A.H. (1327 A.D.), as the beautiful inscription on the blue band around the cupola testifies. The drum and the four arches with their pedantries are covered with a beautiful mosaic on a gold ground dating from the end of the XIIth. century, that is to say from the restoration carried out by Saladin (v. page 6).<br />To the west of the crossing runs the broad transept with its colonnade of pillars taken from older buildings. A few interesting Byzantine capitals of wicker-work design are worth noticing. The transept is continued into a vaulted gallery which dates from the occupation of the Crusaders, and was used as quarters by the Knights Templar.<br />The Mihrab (or prayer recess) in the south wall, facing the nave, is ornamented with mosaics and flanked with splendor and elegant marble columns. According to an inscription in mosaic above the niche, the work is due to Saladin. To the right of the Mihrab stands a handsome pulpit made of wood and beautifully ornamented with inlaid ivory and mother-of-pearl. It was made in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Aleppo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;">, as the inscription on it testifies, by the Sultan Nureddin in the year 1168 A.D., and was brought to </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> by order of Saladin towards the end of the century. Above the prayer-niche are windows dating from the XVIth. century.</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Page 15 - Pic The Al Aqsa Mosque (interior)</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">– 16 –</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #008a17;"><span style="font-size: large;">THE SUBSTRUCTURES</span></span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">_______________</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: blue;">Leaving the mosque of al-Aqsa by the front entrance, we turn to the left and proceed to the south-east corner of the Haram Area where a staircase leads down in to the vast subterranean substructures known as Solomon’s Stables. The first flight of steps takes us down to the small chamber, now used as a place of Muslim worship, which was believed in medieval times to have been associated with Jesus Christ’s infancy. This belief was prevalent long before the advent of the Crusaders and was subsequently accepted by them. In the angle between the west and south walls of the chamber is a little dome borne upon four marble columns; and underneath the dome is a small niche lying horizontally, which was believed in early times to have been the Cradle of Christ and referred to under that name by several Arab historians.<br />In the west wall of the chamber, a door opens into a staircase descending to Solomon’s Stables. This is a vast subterranean chamber, of roughly rectangular shape, of which the chief feature is the imposing size of the piers. Of these, there are fifteen rows of varying size and height supporting the vaults on which rests the roof. Little is known for certain of the early history of the chamber itself. It dates probably as far back as the construction of Solomon’s <st1:city><st1:place>Temple</st1:place></st1:city>. According to Josephus, it was in existence and was used as a place of refuge by the Jews at the time of the conquest of <st1:city><st1:place>Jerusalem</st1:place></st1:city> by Titus in the year 70 A.D.. We also know that this space was used by the Knights Templar as stables, and the holes to which they tethered their horses can still be seen in the masonry of the piers. Such evidence as is afforded by the masonry itself, and more particularly by the contrast between the lower and the upper courses of the larger piers, would tend to show that they belong to two distinct periods, and that the upper parts and the vaults were of Arab construction<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>superimposed upon ancient foundations.</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">The substructures supporting the nave of the mosque of al-Aqsa are not accessible.</span><br /><span style="color: #141823;">______________________________________</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">The best way out is across the esplanade, past the porch of the mosque of al-Aqsa, and back to the Bab al-Silsileh. An alternative would be to continue northwards past the Bab al-Silsileh to the gate known as Bab al-Quttanin, a handsome gate dating from the reign of Sultan Muhammad ibn Qalaun (1336 A.D.) and typical of XIVth century Arab work. To the south-east of this gate is the Sabil (or drinking fountain) built about the year<br />1460 A.D. by </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Mamluk</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Sultan</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;">Qait</span></st1:placename><span style="color: #141823;"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="color: #141823;">Bay</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="color: #141823;"> – an attractive building, perfect of its kind. (Fig. 2).</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;">G. A.<br />___________________________________</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #141823;"><br />Franciscan Printing Press, </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="color: #141823;">Jerusalem</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="color: #141823;"> - back page</span><span style="color: #141823; font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5133ab;">1925 </span></b><st1:place><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Wakf</span></b></st1:placename><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Temple</span></b></st1:placetype></st1:place><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><st1:place><st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Mount</span></b></st1:placetype><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> </span></b><st1:placename><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Guide</span></b></st1:placename></st1:place><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> or </span></b><st1:city><st1:place><b><span style="color: #5133ab;">Temple</span></b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="color: #5133ab;"> mount taken by force.</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #5133ab;">In 1925 Muslims that controlled Temple Mount produced this guide which as it turns out is a pretty accurate history showing that they do NOT hold the original claim to the mount, but instead, took it by force. Admitting that even their own scholars admit it belonged to the Jewish people.</span></b></div>
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YJ Draiman Articleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10277647913663158182noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4730003744631931622.post-74588056111729201542015-11-01T01:27:00.000-08:002015-11-01T01:27:10.978-08:00The Temple Mount institute - Wakf Guidebook to Temple Mount 1923-1965 - Draiman<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Temple Institute has acquired a copy of the <b>Official 1925 Supreme Muslim Council (Wakf) Guide Book to the Temple Mount</b>. Of particular interest is page four, paragraph two, in which the booklet admits proudly to the Temple Mount's inexorable connection to the Holy Temple built by King Solomon on land purchased by King David, complete with a reference to II Samuel 24:25.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In recent years the Muslim Wakf has come to deny the historic existence of the Holy Temple, claiming that the Temple Mount belongs solely to the Muslim nation, and that there exists no connection between the Jewish nation and the Temple Mount. It is clear from this pamphlet that the revised Wakf position strays from traditional Muslim acknowledgment of the Mount's Jewish antecedents. The current denial of historical reality is merely one tool in the war being waged by Muslims against the G-d of Israel and the entire "infidel" world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">A second reference to the Second Temple is made on page sixteen, again in the second paragraph describing the underground chamber known as Solomon's Stables. Quoting the Jewish historian Josephus, the document cites the "conquest of Jerusalem by Titus in the year 70 AD."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">To download a facsimile of the entire sixteen page guidebook, please click <a class="" href="https://www.templeinstitute.org/1925-wakf-temple-mount-guide.pdf" style="color: #330033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. (pdf file)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The same descriptions have been spotted in the <b>1950 edition of the Official Supreme Muslim Council (Wakf) Guide Book to the Temple Mount</b>. To see a facsimile of the relevant pages, please click <a class="" href="https://www.templeinstitute.org/1950-wakf-temple-mount-guide.pdf" style="color: #330033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. (pdf file)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This is significant because it was published two years after Israel gained independence. In other words, even after the Jewish settlement in the land of Israel had evolved into a recognized nation-state with an army and a rapidly growing population due to the influx of Jewish refugees from Arab states, the Official Supreme Muslim Council (Wakf) Guide Book to the Temple Mount remained true to the facts of history.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="1965" style="color: #1155cc;"></a><big style="color: #000033; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 20pt; margin-top: 5px;">1954, 1965</big></center>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Temple Institute has also gained access to copies of the <b>1954 & 1965 Supreme Muslim Council Guide Book to the Temple Mount</b>. In the 1954 edition the two unequivocal acknowledgments of the first and second Holy Temple had been completely expunged from the text. Inserted into the text (page 72) was a completely false account of Israel mortar shelling of the Al Aksa Mosque causing damage to the Mosque and killing an innocent worshipper. Although the mortar attack may have in fact taken place, its source would have been the Jordanian legion, which was heavily shelling the Jewish quarter adjacent to the Temple Mount. The nascent Israeli army was bereft of the ability to launch an attack of this nature. A 1965 edition of the guide book maintained the same false information. To see a facsimile of the relevant pages of the 1954 guide, please click <a class="" href="https://www.templeinstitute.org/wakf-1954-temple-mount-guide.pdf" style="color: #330033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. (pdf file)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">To see the 1965 guide, please click <a class="" href="https://www.templeinstitute.org/Wakf-guide-1965.pdf" style="color: #330033; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">here</a>. (pdf file)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Sometime between 1950 and 1954, the Muslim Wakf began its relentless efforts to falsify and rewrite the history of Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. The Temple Institute will continue to research the question of what year did the Wakf first falsify the text of its Temple Mount guidebook. We welcome the help of anyone who can obtain this information, and hereby acknowledge our gratitude to those who have brought the above information to our attention.</span></div>
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