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Published: February 11th 2011
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Wall
The wall separates Israel from the Palestinian Territory. Hi Everybody!
Walt and I thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Israel. If you enjoy traveling, you should consider visiting the Holy Land. It truly makes the Bible come alive! Most of you know that we prefer to travel on our own and mix with the locals, but on this trip we were very glad that we had a knowledgeable guide.
We spent time in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Tiberias, Jerusalem, following in the steps of Jesus. We saw a baptism at the River Jordan, dipped in the cool waters of the Dead Sea, ate fish from the Sea of Galilee, and walked on the Mount of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. We saw the Dead Sea Scrolls in Jordan at the Amman Citadel Archaeological Museum and at the Israel Museum (Shrine of the Book) in Jerusalem. We went to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in caves. We toured Roman and Crusader ruins in Caesarea, Beit Shean, and saw King Herod's fortress at Masada. We spent the day in Jaffa, the world's oldest harbor. While we were in Tel Aviv, we had the opportunity to spend time with Michelle Kemp Nordell, a former Annistonian and
The Upper Room
This is where Jesus shared the Last Supper. the daughter of old friends. Michelle was very helpful and informative. She took me Neve Tzedek, the first neighborhood in Tel Aviv and to other points of interest. I really enjoyed the time that we spent together.
There were many more things that we saw and did that I will share with you through my photos. As a special treat, Walt has written a summary of one of our tours.
Golan Heights
Note: This is my second small addition to Everette’s blogs—the first being Chernobyl.
The height of the trip to Israel for me was a visit to the Golan Heights. They rise 1000 meters “straight up.” They are on the way to Syria and just 36 miles from Damascus. Even though these Heights are not directly on the border—think Korean DMZ.
Prior to the 1967 assault on Israel (the Six Day War), Russia had helped Syria fortify the Golan Heights into a (supposedly) impenetrable area. When the Arabs initiated the 1967 War, the IDF crossed the Jordan River south of the Golan Heights, did a right hook, and brought their tanks in from the rear. The Israeli paratroopers and close air were vital. (Israel had destroyed most of
Statue of King David
This statue was in the Mt. Zion section of Jerusalem outside the walls of the Old City. the Arab AF on the ground in the early stages of the war.)
We visited a nearby Kibbutz less than half a mile from the base of the Golan Heights. Prior to the 1967 War, Kibbutz members had to farm at night and/or in armored tractors to fend off Syrian snipers. (Kibbutz is communal living actually patterned after Karl Marx—not for Walter.)
There is no way that Israel will ever negotiate away the Golan Heights—as strategic a piece of terrain as I have ever seen.
I have always respected Israel as a nation and the Israeli military more than any other nation/group. This trip strengthened my respect.
Take care,
Everette & Walt
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