Israel Air Force assists IDF ground forces in striking Hamas targets, including gunman posts and launchers—some of which were located in populated areas. Hamas deliberately uses the Palestinian people, with whom Israel continues to seek peaceful coexistence, as human shields.
A silver half shekel coin and a coin minted by the Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphanus IV were discovered recently in the Temple Mount Sifting Operation at the Emek Tzurim National Park. Now in its fourth year, the sifting operation which is funded by the Ir David Foundation, takes place under the direction of Prof. Gabriel Barkay of Bar Ilan University and Archaeologist Tzachi Zweig.
A silver half-shekel coin that was minted in the first year of the Great Revolt against the Romans in 66/67 CE was discovered recently at the Emek Tzurim National Park in Jerusalem. On one side of the coin, a branch with three pomegranates is visible with the inscription “Holy Jerusalem.” The other side of the coin bears a chalice from the First Temple and says “Half Shekel.” These coins were used to pay an annual Temple tax, and during the days of the Great Revolt, they replaced the Tyrian Shekels. Silver half-shekels like the one discovered at Emek Tzurim appear to have been minted on the Temple Mount itself by the Temple authorities. The Temple tax has its basis in Exodus (30:11-15) in which every Jew was required to pay half a shekel per year to the Temple. Though the coin is in excellent condition, it does have signs of having been damaged by fire, most likely the fires that destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE. This is the first time that such a coin has been discovered in rubble that comes from the Temple Mount itself. Similar coins have been discovered at various locations throughout Jerusalem, in the Old City, and even at Masada, but they are still considered or the rarest of finds in Jerusalem archaeology. This silver half-shekel coin was discovered by a 14 year old volunteer from Neve Daniel named Omer Yaari.
An additional coin was discovered in the Temple Mount Sifting Operation – one minted by the Greek ruler Antiochus Epiphans IV of the Chanukah story. He ruled from 175-163 BCE during which time he looted the Temple of its treasures and erected a statute in the sanctuary. The Hasmonean rebellion was directed against his actions. The coin depicts a portrait of Antiochus IV. The Hasmonean rebellion, their liberation of the Temple, and the events surround the Chanukah story took place on the Temple Mount itself. This is the first coin of its kind that has been discovered, in near perfect condition, in rubble that comes from the Temple Mount.
The Temple Mount Sifting Operation
In November 1999, illegal construction and excavation work took place on the Temple Mount, causing irreparable damage to the area’s archaeological treasures. This is part of a larger trend of illegal work carried out by the Wakf (the religious body in charge of Moslem holy sites) to “revise” history and to eradicate the remains of Jewish history on the Mount. The rubble from this illegal work was removed by bulldozers and trucks and discarded in the Kidron Valley. Though these remains are no longer in their original context, they contain important archaeological material. Today, this rubble is being sifted on a daily basis at the Emek Tzurim National Park as part of the Teple Mount Sifting Operation. Over 40,000 volunteers have participated in this incredible project. Sifting operations at the Emek Tzurim Park have resulted in finds of over 3,500 ancient coins that range from the Persian Period to the Ottoman Period.
For more information: Gabriel Barkay 972-2-672-4935
An excavation in north Jerusalem has led to the unique, interesting discovery of An ancient sarcophagus. Carved on to the fractured lid is a square typed writing that hold characteristics of the second temple period. The fracture is made of a rough stone chalk, finely designed, about 0.60 meters long and 0.48 meters wide. On the lid a carved Hebrew writing: "Ben HaCohen HaGadol (Ben the Great Priest)"…
During to the Second Temple period, the high Priests (heb: Cohanim) had served in the temple. Although it is unknown as to which high priest’s name is written on the lid, It might be connected to a priest that lived between the years 30-70 B.C. Some of the great Cohanim that are more well-known from that period were Cohen Kyafa, teopolice (yadidya) son of Hana, Shimon son of Bitos, Hanan son of Hanan, and others.
The Israeli Ministry of Defense financed the excavations, which were conducted under the supervision and administration of Naftali Aizik and Benyamin Hareven. All excavations took place only within Israel’s borders.
There were many more discoveries exposed during the excavation. Ranging from public structures and houses, agricultural facilities, to pools and water wells, all of which are dated from the Second Temple Period up until the early Islamic Period.
The fractured lid was not found in any sort of building or structure designated for the sarcophagus, but instead it was resting in the drainage water from later remnants. It seems that the lid was stolen from its original location about 1000 years ago and was used for building needs for later Islamic structures that existed in the area.
Elbit Systems Ltd. and Lockheed Martin inaugurated the avionics simulation system delivered to the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) for the Israel Air Force (IAF) F-16I Sufa aircrew flight and system trainer.
The simulator is fully compatible with the aircraft avionics and cockpit. Elbit Systems additionally supplied an advanced simulating system to enable the IAF pilots Out-of-Cockpit world view for full training in different air conditions in both day and nighttime. The systems were delivered to the full satisfaction of the IAF and the Israeli Ministry of Defense, within the planned timeframe.
In 2005, Elbit Systems supplied an advanced simulation system for the F-16A Netz and has already received a follow-on order for the development of a simulation system for the F-16B Barak.
In addition, Elbit Systems supplies the core avionic systems for the IAF’s F-16I aircraft. These systems include the Display and Sight Helmet (DASH), mission computer systems, head-up display systems, display processors, digital maps as well as stores management systems.
Elbit Systems operates within the simulator market and supplies systems for all types of platforms, including those for air, land and naval applications. Elbit Systems utilizes its advanced technological capabilities, particularly in developing software for complex system programs, as well as its global leadership in upgrading defense platforms, as the basis for the successful supply of simulation systems to various customers around the world.
The net export of polished diamonds (minus returns) during July came to $822 million as compared to $643 million during the same month last year, constituting a 27.7% increase.
Since the beginning of the year, the net export of polished diamonds reached $4,614 billion as compared to $4,222 billion during the parallel period last year, representing a 9.3% increase.
In July 2008, the net export of rough diamonds totaled $313 million as compared to $267 million during the same month last year, constituting a 17.3% increase.
The net import of rough diamonds reached $468 million in comparison to $493 million during July 2007, constituting a 5% decrease.
The net import of polished diamonds in July 2008 reached $426 million as compared to $381 in July 2007, constituting an 11.7% rise.
Since the beginning of the year, the rise in rough diamond exports has reached 11.6%.
The Director of Israel’s Diamond Gems and Jewelry Administration Shmuel Mordechai noted that in 2008 the net increase in polished diamond exports reached 9.3%, and net rough diamond exports rose by 24%. Mordechai added that at the end of July diamond shipments were sent to the IIJS jewelry show held in Mumbai in the beginning of August; Thus, after subtracting returns, the gross export in July will be lower. Nevertheless, these shipments do not impact on the impressive increase in net diamond exports in the course of July 2008.
Worthy of notice is the fact that the data indicate an impressive increase in diamond exports. The United States continues to be the main export destination for Israeli diamonds.
The distribution of net polished diamonds according to countries in July 2008:
USA 52%
Hong Kong 19%
India 11%
Switzerland 3%
England 2%
Others 13%
By: Rachel Lieberman, Israel Diamond Industry Portal
Israel’s diamond industry, one of the largest and certainly the most advanced in the world, is stronger today than ever before. In 2007 net polished diamond exports topped $7 billion, and continued to rise by 6% in the first half of 2008. Import of rough diamonds reached $5.1 billion in 2007, with these imports up over 15% for the first six months of 2008. Exports of rough diamonds – in large part to Israeli factories in the Far East, Eastern Europe and other locations – were valued at $3.37 billion and have risen by over 25% from January to June 2007.
For many years, Israel has been one of the world’s leading centers for both the manufacture and trade of polished diamonds. Processing about one-half of the world’s gem-quality rough in dollar terms, Israeli diamond companies today provide the stones that garnish a vast amount of the diamond jewelry sold worldwide.
As it looks to the future, this wholly export-based industry seeks to expand into new markets, to broaden its ties with rough diamond suppliers, and to continue its technological development in order to streamline the diamond manufacturing process in Israel.
Leading the industry in these efforts is the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies (IDI), a non-profit, public interest company funded by the Israeli Diamond Industry and the government professional training department. IDI’s main functions encompass marketing, business promotion and public relations, industry-wide R&D, expansion of rough sources, security consulting and professional training.
"The impressive figures for 2007 and 2008 point to the inherent health of Israel’s diamond industry and its ability to adapt to changing conditions,” said Moti Ganz, Chairman of the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies and President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association. “They also reflect the major efforts of the Israeli Diamond Industry, under the leadership of IDI, to expand its business activities to reach new horizons in both the rough and polished fields,” he added.
As in all export industries, marketing is one of the main ingredients in success. IDI acts to enhance Israel’s position as a world diamond hub – in developed markets such as the U.S., Europe and Hong Kong and in new markets such as China and India.
Israel’s Diamond Center in Ramat Gan, the largest in the world, was built to accommodate thousands of diamond buyers every year. As the number of buyers visiting the center has decreased, the Israeli industry has redoubled its efforts to reach out to the buyer. IDI has led the way, by opening offices in New York and Hong Kong, and by introducing Israel Diamond Pavilions at leading trade fairs around the world.
This year, for the first time, IDI has added the India International Jewellery Show in Mumbai to its annual calendar. This is in addition to major shows in the U.S., Europe, Hong Kong and China.
The necessity of ensuring an ongoing supply of rough diamonds to the Israeli industry has caused IDI to invest great efforts in seeking new sources. According to Eli Avidar, IDI Managing Director, this is one of the most significant challenges facing the industry today. “We are working together as an industry to ensure a steady supply of rough diamonds. We are active in all of the existing and emerging rough diamond centers, and this year made special efforts to develop strong relationships with African producing countries." Avidar noted that IDI organized the Third International Rough Diamond Conference in February 2008, which brought to Israel, in addition to all of the major rough diamond companies, high-level representatives of most of the African diamond producing countries. In late 2007, The Israeli Diamond Industry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Liberia to promote cooperation in the diamond sector.
Promoting the Industry through the Internet
The Internet is opening up new horizons for the Israeli Diamond Industry. IDI’s portal site, www.israelidiamond.co.il is the definitive website for businesses seeking contact with the Israeli industry. It functions as a daily work tool and venue for the diamond industry in Israel and worldwide, providing industry news, in-depth articles, interviews, photos and video clips, postings of diamond demands, special features such as Wikidiamond, as well as a full index of Israeli diamond companies.
The portal creates a B2B marketplace for the exchange of business contacts that lead to actual transactions. With thousands of registered users in 128 countries, the portal is a dynamic site, with content being updated throughout the day. Every month the site has tens of thousands of entries, and hundreds of thousands of pages viewed. A Hebrew site also exists, as does a Chinese portal, launched last year to support IDI’s marketing efforts into the enormous Chinese market.
Israeli technological advances are well known around the world. In the diamond industry as well Israel has made a substantial contribution. Through IDI’s Israel Diamond Technology Center (IDT), research and development is carried out to streamline the manufacturing process – from rough to polished.
The Israel diamond industry has indeed come a long way since it was first launched in the 1930’s by enterprising immigrants from Belgium. A handful of factories operated in Netanya and Tel Aviv in the 1940’s, and came together to establish the Israel Diamond Exchange in 1947. With the establishment of the state in 1948 came a large influx of immigrants, who were enlisted to work in this growing industry. Locally-developed manufacturing techniques made it possible to train workers within months.
As the industry began to export globally, Israeli diamantaires became increasingly cosmopolitan, first selling their goods in the far corners of the world and later setting up offices in New York, Antwerp, Hong Kong and Tokyo. With the entry of the second and third generation of Israeli diamantaires into their family businesses, manufacturing and marketing methods have become more sophisticated. Still the essence of the industry has remained the same for the past 70 years: a high level of professional expertise, combined with originality, creativity and ability to adapt to changing conditions. Building on these assets the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies is confident that Israel will retain its position as a major world diamond center, and its leaders are committed to investing all necessary efforts to ensure that this is so.
