War and Peace
For over a year, the Upper Galilee has been a war zone. Now, with an agreement to end hostilities brewing, will this area be able to overcome the trauma of thousands of missiles and the fear of attack from over the border? In this article, the ERETZ Staff explores the Upper Galilee and the progression of events over the last 14 months.
The Return of the Persian Fallow Deer
The Persian fallow deer, known in the Bible as the yahmur, was believed to be extinct by the mid-20th century. However, in the 1950s, a small herd was discovered in Iran. Following this discovery, Israel negotiated to acquire a few pairs of deer to establish a breeding program. Just before the Iranian Revolution, several deer were successfully transported to Israel. Thanks to the breeding efforts, their numbers increased significantly, allowing their eventual reintroduction into the wild. Today, of the roughly 1,000 Persian fallow deer worldwide, 500 roam freely in Israel’s natural forests, particularly in the Galilee and the Judean Mountains.
The Messiah from Gaza
The electrifying news on May 31, 1665, that the Messiah had revealed himself in Gaza spread like wildfire across the globe, dividing Jewish communities into fervent supporters and staunch detractors. The ripples of this momentous event, which ended in a colossal tragedy, continue to resonate, leaving traces of its impact even today.
The Last Fishing Village
The warehouses and huts on Jisr az-Zarqa beach are the last fishing village on the shores of Israel. Reports of the beauty of this secluded beach have appeared many times in the press. However, the story behind the village is less known. Ze’ev Margalit, the just retired Israel National Parks Authority head of development, recounts thirty years of vision and struggle that have made possible the survival of the village and its authentic fishing methods.
Herod and the Mausoleum of Augustus
After decades of conservation, the Mausoleum of Augustus in Rome is set to open to the public in 2026. A visit to the Mausoleum and Herodium offers a fascinating glimpse into the connection between these monumental burial sites, where powerful rulers sought to preserve their legacies for future generations.
