Three antiquity looters caught in the Negev while searching for ‘hidden treasure’

Three antiquity looters were caught by the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Theft Prevention Unit as they were digging in an archaeological site near the Bedouin city of Rahat in the Negev, the IAA announced on Thursday. The looters targeted the archaeological site of Horvat Maaravim, which presents remains from the Roman, Byzantine, Early Islamic, and Ottoman […]

Israel violates Sabbatical commandment to protect Land from hostile takeover

This Hebrew year is the Shemittah (Sabbatical) and it is technically forbidden to plant trees. Rabbi Dov Lior and other prominent rabbinic authorities have given permission for the KKL planting to be carried out as it is of dire importance “for the struggle for the Land of Israel, and called on all Knesset members to come to the Negev to make the desert bloom.”