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Background: Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. On 24 June 2002, US President BUSH laid out a "road map" for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which envisions a two-state solution. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement has been undermined by Palestinian-Israeli violence ongoing since September 2000. The conflict may have reached a turning point with the election in January 2005 of Mahmud ABBAS as the new Palestinian leader following the November 2004 death of Yasir ARAFAT.

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By David Trimner
September 22nd 2008

A Note on Safety

Middle East » Israel

I have felt no more danger in Jordan or Israel than I do in Richmond or Baltimore. The Muslims are friendly, the Jews are welcoming, and whatever hatreds or conflicts they have do not boil over in plain sight. Old women walk the streets of new Jerusalem after dark, and there are NOT soldiers everywhere. The only time I saw soldiers was when we visited the Wailing Wall. Hundreds of armed soldiers were there, but as visitors, not as defenders. They say it is good when the soldiers are visiting, because the little Palestinian boys don't throw rocks at people as [View Full Entry]

By David Trimner
September 21st 2008

The City of David and Mount Moriah

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem

The Pool of Siloam, Hezekiah's Tunnel

It is impossible to express the feelings associated with walking these streets. I stood on Mount Zion. Here Abraham met Melchizedek (probably aka "Shem", the son of Noah). Here the Jebusites held out against King Saul, but King David conquered the city, made it his capital, and built his palace. From this hill he looked down onto Bathsheba's rooftop. I visited Hezekiah's tunnel and the Pool of Siloam, intended to protect the city's water supply during attack. Jesus also visited here, miraculously restoring sight to a blind man. We then passed through Zion's Gate and into the Old C [View Full Entry]

By Political Science Feminist
September 20th 2008

So much of my work is in the trenches of masculinity it should come as no surprise, then, my longing for the feminine

Middle East » Israel » North District » Nazareth

This weekend I think I might have been a little selfish. I had the opportunity to go down south (way south) to Yerucham (30 minutes south of Beer Sheva). This past weekend was the opportunity in which we were to meet with our host families and decide what we are doing for the up coming high holy days. Because I am so far north, it could easily be a six hour bus ride down to Yerucham. That said, in a selfish act, I sought out Aron (formly Hershel) Nessmen). Aron currently lives in Jerusalem and a short walk to the Old [View Full Entry]

By David Trimner
September 20th 2008

The Negeb and Beersheba

Middle East » Israel » South District » Be'er Sheva

The Negeb

The Negeb is an unbelieveably harsh and desolate place. There are huge canyons, immense cliffs, and very little plant life. During the Exodus, both Edom and Moab refused to allow Israel to cross their territory, forcing the Israelites to enter the Negeb. Aaron the High Priest died on Mt. Hor. One of the few cities in the Negeb was Beersheba. The ancient city is now an archeological site. We saw a well that was dug by Abraham, filled in by the Philistines, and then Abimelech and Abraham concluded an oath that the Philistines wouldn't do that anymore. Abraham paid Abimelech seven [View Full Entry]

By David Trimner
September 20th 2008

Conflict with the Philistines

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District

Assyrian Siege of Lachish

Lachish was on the principal road between Jerusalem and Egypt. Sennacherib besieged the city, and from there sent Rabshakeh to taunt King Hezekiah in Jerusalem. As the Assyrian army left Lachish on their way to Jerusalem, Jehovah's angel slaughtered of 185,000 soldiers in a single night. Next we visited the Plain of Elah. Here the armies of Philistia and Israel faced off across a valley, neither side willing to attack the other. The Philistine champion would taunt the Israelites daily, challenging them to single combat. The young boy David, armed with a sling and a few stones from the s [View Full Entry]

By David Trimner
September 19th 2008

Crossing the Jordan

Middle East » Israel » West Bank » Jericho

The River Jordan

After driving across the desert plain of Moab, we crossed the Jordan River approximately where the Israelites crossed when Jehovah miraculously stopped the river. The Allenby Bridge is named for the British field marshal who captured Jerusalem from the Ottoman Turks in 1917. I must agree with Naaman the Syrian. Although the River floods to a mighty crest in the spring, at this time of year it is a muddy trickle. I'm sure he felt insulted at being asked to dip himself in it, and I'm certain there are seven streams back in Fairfax County that appear more impressive. We are [View Full Entry]

By David Trimner
September 19th 2008

Masada

Middle East » Israel » South District » Masada

Masada

We drive along the west shore of the Dead Sea, called the Salt Sea in the Bible. The people still call it the "Sea of Lot", and believe that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah now lie covered underneath. It is nine times as salty as the ocean, and lies 1,300 feet below sea level, making it the lowest spot on the surface of the earth. We are now in the territory of Judah. Looming massively before us is the mountain fortress of Masada, strengthened by Herod the Great and captured by the Romans in 73 CE. It took a Roman [View Full Entry]

By Famous the Whirl Dover
September 19th 2008

Israel - back in time

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem

Arrived in Israel yesterday - its like going back in time in someways but overlaid with a modern city. Hired a car and drove from the airport to Jerusalem (on the other side of the road) and managed to find the hotel somehow. It is like there are no road rules here or at least no one uses them! Chaos! The car horn is like another word in the Hebrew language and used more frequently. The old city areas of Jerusalem are incredible, got lost in the old quarter that was home to Hassic Jews, all walking and totally ignoring the [View Full Entry]

By Political Science Feminist
September 18th 2008

Health Care in Israel

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem

I write this now, for fear of not writing later. Today (Wednesday) I busted my left ankle. Needless to say, it hurts… a lot! And I mean really badly, I can barely walk on it without being in pain. I made a few crucial mistakes. a) I refused ice, a wrap and any medical attention upon first hurting my ankle. b) I took a short nap and walked down hill to an internet café then back up the hill to the absorption center. Again it hurt going both ways. c) I counted on my American-masculinity to “be a man” and [View Full Entry]

By Political Science Feminist
September 14th 2008

Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power

Middle East » Israel » North District » Nazareth

When looking for inspiration many turn to their Bible. When I need inspiration I turn to Audre Lorde. Audre Lorde has been known to self-describe as a “Black, Lesbian, Mother, Feminist, Worrier Poet.” To those who know me, I often quote Audre Lorde. This log of recent events will prove much the same. We went out to seek internet for those who need to be plugged in. When I passed my computer to my roommate, I picked up Audre Lorde’s “Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches” I immediately turned to Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power. Granted, yes, [View Full Entry]

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Travel Blog » Middle East » Israel