Israel

Israel is situated as a land bridge between 3 continents (Europe, Africa, and Asia)

Capital City: JerusalemCapital City: Other important cities: Tel Aviv, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho Languages : Hebrew (official), Arabic, EnglishLanguages : Ethnicity/race: Jewish 80%, non- Jewish (mostly Arab) 20%Ethnicity/race: Land Area: 7,849 sq mi (35 times smaller than Texas!) Geography

History The land of Canaan was promised to the nation of Israel through Abraham 4,000 years ago. Since then, many other countries have been against Israel and have tried to destroy the nation. –In ancient times, the Egyptians took the Jews captive as slaves. –In NT times, Jerusalem was conquered by the Romans. –In modern time during WWII, the Nazis tried to eliminate the Jews by killing over 6 million of them in the Holocaust. After the war, it was decided that the Jews should have their own land ending 2,500 years of dispersion. On May 14, 1948, the land belonging to Israel became an independent country.

Recent History Since then, the Arabs in surrounding countries have been trying to drive the Jews out of Israel. Five wars have been declared on Israel since 1948, one only 5 minutes after Israel declared independence. Jews are the most persecuted people on Earth. Many other great civilizations have vanished, but the Jews still remain a present day people group.

1 “Remember only that I was innocent and, just like you, mortal on that day, I, too, had had a face marked by rage, by pity and joy, quite simply, a human face!” Benjamin Fondane, Exodus Murdered at Auschwitz, 1944 Yad Vashem Approximately 1,500,000 Jews fought against the Nazis, as allied soldiers, as partisans, in the resistance movements, and in the ghettos. This monument is dedicated to the hundreds of thousands who lost their lives in this struggle. In front of the monument is a sunken plaza in the form of a menorah. The monument consists of six oblong granite blocks arranged in two groups and set in such a way that their inner edges form a window in the shape of the Star of David. The window, in turn, is dissected by the giant stainless steel blade of a sword. The six blocks stand for the six million Jews murdered by the Nazis. The Star of David represents the Jewish people. The blade of the sword symbolizes the fighting opposition to the Nazis.

Jerusalem - The City of David-

Jerusalem The Holy City for Jews, Christians, & Muslims

The Dome of the Rock, built in sits on the foundation of the ancient Temple of Solomon (the first Jewish temple built in 957 BC). This is a holy place for Muslims. Mt. Moriah, where the Temple Mount sits, is also the place where Abraham built an altar on which he prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac. The Western or “Wailing Wall” is the perimeter wall of the Temple Mount (platform) and is the holiest place for Jews. The Church of Holy Sepulcher is where it is thought that Jesus was crucified on the cross and buried in a tomb. After three days, He rose from the dead and after 40 days ascended to Heaven from the nearby Mount of Olives. This is a holy place for Christians. Do you see why Jerusalem and the land of Israel are in an intense struggle for ownership? Importance of Jerusalem

Dome of the rock

The wailing wall

The Church of the Holy sepulcher

Church of the Nativity - One of the holiest sites in Christianity, this Greek Orthodox church dates from the fourth century and was built over a grotto that is thought to be where Jesus was born. Bethlehem

Popular tourist item – Olive wood manger

Modern day Bedouin Market Nazareth The town where Jesus grew up.

The Jordan River (main river in Israel) flows from the north through the Sea of Galilee finally entering the Dead Sea, which is 1,349 ft below sea level— the world's lowest land elevation. Geography

The Dead Sea It’s so salty, you float!

Jewish –The Holy Book for Jews is the Torah (first 5 books of the Old Testament) Christian –The Holy Book for Christians is the Bible. Islam –The Holy Book for Muslims is the Koran. Religions

Despite what most westerners think, Israel is growing in agricultural and economic development. Israel is not a 3 rd world country. Even though Israel has a desert landscape, she exports food to Europe, is on the forefront of medical and space technology, and maintains a high standard of living. Israel today

Jerusalem market

thirsty?

Government Government: Parliamentary democracy President: Shimon Peres (2007) Prime Minister: Benjamin Netayanhu (2009) Israel is the only true democracy in the Middle East. Monetary unit: Shekel = $0.27 USD

Though Jerusalem means the “city of peace,” there has not been peace here for many years. Israel, God’s chosen people since ancient Bible days, and its Arab neighbors have been at war over the land for decades. The country is very small in size compared to neighboring Arab countries, yet it is a huge source of turmoil because of its religious importance to all. The West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied, but control of this land is still highly disputed. International disputes

Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations have been repeatedly undermined by both sides. Terrorism erupted again when radical Hamas suicide bombers claimed the lives of more than 20 Israeli civilians. Control of Jerusalem is a highly controversial issue because the city is important to three major religions (Christians, Jews, Muslims)

Important sites Capernaum

Jordan River

Sea of Galilee

“Shalom”