Israel & 2 of 3 Palestinian States

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March of 2001, spent a few weeks in Israel and 2 of the 3 Palestinian territories (the Golan Heights and the West Bank).

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Photos

Caesarea
In the 9th century Caesarea was a fortified city surrounded by a moat

Caesarea
Caesarea was built in 9 B.C. and was a commercial center. By 6 B.C. it became the headquarters of the Roman gov't in Palestine.

Aqueduct
Drinking water for the Roman and Byzantine empires in Caesarea were brought in via an aqueduct at the Shuni Springs

Ancient tombs
We drove past these ancient Jewish tombs which lined the roads we were traveling

Valley of Armageddon
As viewed from Mount Carmel

Megiddo
The city was first settled around 4000 BC. It was destroyed and rebuilt 25 times, therefore there are 25 layers to this excavation site. King Ahab used it as a chariot center.

Tiberius
Founded by Herod Antippas, the city is on Lake Galilea, near Nazareth

Banana Tree
Sandra (left) and me (right) exploring the vegetation of lower Galilea (portion of Israel which is on the African continent)

Mount of Beautitudes
Descendng from the Mount of Beautitudes, looking out onto Lake Galilea (the banks carry sound outward such that they act like a natural amphitheater)

Capernaum
Settled in aprx 3000 BC, was at it's peak during the Tukish Byzantine period (335 - 640 AD), Saint Peter was from Capernaum

Lake Galilea
We crossed the lake in this replica of a 2000 year old boat

Cease Fire Line With Syria
This line cannot be crossed by non-officials. The Golan Heights was owned by Syria until taken by Israeli forces in 1967 and remains illegally occupied, despite ongoing United Nation demands that it be returned to Syria, per the 1948 agreement which defined Israeli borders.
The Turkish/Ottoman Empire ruled Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Joran, Suez Canal, etc... for 400 years. In WW1 the Turks sided with the Germans, fell to the Allied Troops, and the French and British divided up the Middle East.

Jordan River
We spent a day hiking along the river, the scenary reminded me of the NW

Bet She'an Scythopolis
Settled in 5th millennium BC, in the late Canaanite period (16th - 12th centuries BC) the city was the seat of Egyptian rule. It's at the foothills of the Gilboa Mountains. "Jesus Christ Superstar" was filmed here.

Bet She'an Scythopolis
Was 1 of Constantine's favorite playgrounds, was where the "Prodigal Son" went to squander his money on chariot races and prostitutes, and in 749 AD a severe earthquake destroyed the city.

Sachne Hot Springs
National Geographic voted Sachne Hot Springs 1 of the top 10 most beautiful places in the world (we stopped for lunch and to swim in the hot springs).

Beduin Woman
From the Metzeina Tribe