Latest news with #Byzantine-era
Gulf Today
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Attack on West Bank church was ‘act of terror,' says US envoy
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called on Saturday for the perpetrators of an attack on a Palestinian church in the occupied West Bank blamed on Israeli settlers to be prosecuted, calling it an 'act of terror.' Huckabee said he had visited the Christian town of Taybeh, where clerics said Israeli settlers had started a fire near a cemetery and a 5th-century church on July 8. 'It is an act of terror, and it is a crime,' Huckabee said in a statement, 'Those who carry out acts of terror and violence in Taybeh — or anywhere — (should) be found and be prosecuted. Not just reprimanded, that's not enough.' Israel's government has not commented on the incident, but has previously denounced such acts. On Tuesday, Huckabee said he had asked Israel to 'aggressively investigate' the killing of a Palestinian American beaten by settlers in the West Bank, similarly describing it as a 'criminal and terrorist act.' Huckabee is a staunch supporter of Israeli settlements and his comments are a rare and pointed public intervention by the administration of US President Donald Trump. Mike Huckabee, right, is received by Priest of the Greek Orthodox Church in Taybeh, upon his arrival in the West Bank town of Taybeh. AP In early July, the village of Taybeh was hit by an arson attack in the area of the ruins of the Byzantine-era Church of Saint George, which dates back to the fifth century. Residents blamed settlers for the assault, which comes as violence soars in the West Bank and last week saw an American-Palestinian man killed near Ramallah. Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and staunch advocate for Israel, said his trip to Taybeh aimed to 'express solidarity with the people who just want to live their lives in peace, to be able to go to their own land, to be able to go to their place of worship.' 'It doesn't matter whether it's a mosque, a church, a synagogue,' he told journalists. 'It's unacceptable to commit an act of sacrilege by desecrating a place that is supposed to be a place of worship.' 'We will certainly insist that those who carry out acts of terror and violence in Taybeh or anywhere be found, be prosecuted, not just reprimanded. That's not enough,' he said. 'People need to pay a price for doing something that destroys that which belongs not just to other people, but that which belongs to God.' Trump in January rescinded sanctions imposed by the former Biden administration on Israeli settler groups and individuals accused of being involved in violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. Agencies
L'Orient-Le Jour
19-07-2025
- Politics
- L'Orient-Le Jour
US envoy urges accountability for church attack in West Bank village
The U.S. ambassador to Israel on Saturday visited a Christian village in the occupied West Bank and urged accountability for an attack on an ancient church, which residents have blamed on Israeli settlers. In early July, the village of Taybeh was hit by an arson attack in the area of the ruins of the Byzantine-era Church of Saint George, which dates back to the fifth century. Residents blamed settlers for the assault, which comes as violence soars in the West Bank, and last week saw an American-Palestinian man killed near Ramallah. Ambassador Mike Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and staunch advocate for Israel, said his trip to Taybeh aimed to "express solidarity with the people who just want to live their lives in peace, to be able to go to their own land, to be able to go to their place of worship." "It doesn't matter whether it's a mosque, a church, a synagogue," he told journalists. "It's unacceptable to commit an act of sacrilege by desecrating a place that is supposed to be a place of worship." "We will certainly insist that those who carry out acts of terror and violence in Taybeh or anywhere be found, be prosecuted, not just reprimanded. That's not enough," he said. "People need to pay a price for doing something that destroys that which belongs not just to other people, but that which belongs to God." In the villages and communities around Taybeh, Palestinian authorities reported that settlers had killed three people and damaged or destroyed multiple water sources in the past two weeks alone. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence has surged in the territory since the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023, triggered the Gaza war. Since then, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 957 Palestinians, including many militants, in the West Bank, according to health ministry figures. Over the same period, at least 36 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to official figures. Huckabee, who has for years been an outspoken supporter of Jewish settlement in the Palestinian territories, on Tuesday demanded an aggressive investigation and consequences after settlers beat to death a Palestinian-American in the West Bank. It was a sign of rare public pressure against U.S. ally Israel by President Donald Trump's administration.
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
US envoy Huckabee calls for accountability after Israeli settlers attack church in West Bank village - War on Gaza
US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee on Saturday visited a Christian village in the occupied West Bank and urged accountability for an arson attack by Israeli settlers on an ancient church. In early July, Israeli settlers carried out an arson attack on the village of Taybeh in the area of the ruins of the Byzantine-era Church of Saint George, which dates back to the fifth century. The attack came as violence against Palestinians soars in the West Bank, and last week saw an American-Palestinian killed by Israeli settlers near Ramallah. Ambassador Huckabee, an evangelical Christian and staunch advocate for Israel, said his trip to Taybeh aimed to "express solidarity with the people who just want to live their lives in peace, to be able to go to their own land, to be able to go to their place of worship". "It doesn't matter whether it's a mosque, a church, a synagogue," he told journalists. "It's unacceptable to commit an act of sacrilege by desecrating a place that is supposed to be a place of worship." "We will certainly insist that those who carry out acts of terror and violence in Taybeh or anywhere be found, be prosecuted, not just reprimanded. That's not enough," he said. "People need to pay a price for doing something that destroys that which belongs not just to other people, but that which belongs to God." The rare condemnation came days after an Israeli air strike targeted the Holy Family Church in northern Gaza, killing two people and wounding several others, including a parish priest, Gaza civil defence, and church officials said on Thursday. In the villages and communities around Taybeh, Palestinian authorities reported that settlers had killed three people and damaged or destroyed multiple water sources in the past two weeks alone. Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and violence has surged in the territory since Israel's war on the Gaza Strip began in October 2023. Since then, Israeli troops or settlers have killed at least 957 Palestinians, including civilians, in the West Bank, according to health ministry figures. Over the same period, at least 36 Israelis, including soldiers, have been killed in Palestinian attacks or during Israeli military operations, according to official figures. Huckabee, a longtime outspoken supporter of Israeli settlement expansion in the occupied Palestinian territories -- considered illegal under international law -- on Tuesday demanded an aggressive investigation and accountability after Israeli settlers beat a Palestinian-American to death in the West Bank. It was a sign of rare public pressure against US ally Israel by President Donald Trump's administration. *This story was edited by Ahram Online. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
NDTV
10-06-2025
- Science
- NDTV
1,500-Year-Old Madaba Mosaic Map Helps Archaeologists Find Lost City Of Tharais In Jordan
Archaeologists have identified the lost city of Tharais near Jordan's Dead Sea. The discovery is based on the 1,500-year-old Madaba Mosaic Map, revealing its location. Excavations uncovered evidence of a vibrant Christian community and economic activity. A remarkable archaeological breakthrough has brought the lost city of Tharais, a Byzantine-era settlement, back into the spotlight. Guided by the 1,500-year-old Madaba Mosaic Map, a team of researchers has uncovered what they believe to be the remnants of this ancient city near the southeastern edge of Jordan's Dead Sea, Popular Mechanics reported. The discovery, detailed in the journal Gephyra, reveals a vibrant Christian community with a self-sustaining economy, offering new insights into the region's historical and cultural tapestry. Recognised as the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Lands, the Madaba Mosaic Map was crafted during the reign of Emperor Justinian (527–565 A.D.). The map illustrates 157 biblical and historical sites, many of which remain undiscovered. Among these is Tharais, a city from the Byzantine Empire that had eluded archaeologists until recently. The map, with its intricate details of settlements, rivers, and landmarks, served as a critical starting point for the research team led by Musallam R. al-Rawahneh, an associate professor at Mutah University specialising in archaeology and ancient Near Eastern studies. From 2021 to 2024, the team combined the ancient map's clues with modern tools to locate Tharais, narrowing their search to an area near the modern city of El-'Iraq. Unearthing Tharais The expedition was no small feat. The team used the Madaba Mosaic Map along with contemporary maps, satellite imagery, and field surveys. They uncovered compelling evidence of an ancient settlement near El-'Iraq after finding mosaic floors, glassware, and tools. Among the most significant finds was a structure resembling a Byzantine basilica, characterised by an open-air central hall. Collaborations with Spanish and French institutions further enriched the discovery, as researchers identified Greek and Latin funerary inscriptions, indicating a Christian presence. A doorway consistent with Byzantine church architecture reinforced the site's religious significance. "The prominence of Tharais on the Madaba Map and the discovery of a basilica church structure suggest that it served not only as an agricultural village but also as a sacred site and commercial rest stop," Mr Al-Rawahneh said in a Turkiye Today report. Not just a religious centre, Tharais was also economically robust. Excavations revealed olive oil presses, windmills, and grape-crushing equipment, suggesting the city was self-sufficient and engaged in agricultural production. The team plans to protect Tharais from the rapid urbanisation affecting El-'Iraq, preserving its historical significance for future generations. "Our aim is not just to uncover Tharai, but also to advocate for the protection of Jordan's rich cultural heritage," Mr Al-Rawahneh explained.
New York Post
09-06-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Ancient Byzantine tomb believed to be 1,500 years old discovered in Syria — under a home
A contractor in Syria discovered an ancient underground Byzantine tomb complex believed to be 1,500 years old below a destroyed home. The grave site was found last month in the town of Maarat al-Numan — a key town between Aleppo and Damascus — in a house that was destroyed during the 14-year Syrian civil war that ended with former President Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia in December. Residents notified Syria's directorate of antiquities, which deployed experts to investigate and secure the site. Advertisement Above the burial site sits a residential neighborhood of cinder-block buildings that were largely damaged in the conflict. A pit next to one of the buildings leads down to the openings of two burial chambers, each containing six stone tombs. The sign of the cross is etched into the top of one stone column. 3 A guard inspects an engraved stone, originally found at a Byzantine underground tomb complex believed to be over 1,500 years old. AP Advertisement 3 A boy walks out of a pit after exploring the tombs from a Byzantine underground complex. AP 3 Hassan Ismail of the Idlib Museum examines bones from a Byzantine AP 'Based on the presence of the cross and the pottery and glass pieces that were found, this tomb dates back to the Byzantine era,' said Hassan al-Ismail, director of antiquities in Idlib. The region is home to 'a third of the monuments of Syria, containing 800 archaeological sites in addition to an ancient city,' al-Ismail said. Advertisement The Byzantine Empire, which dates to the 4th century, was a continuation of the vast Roman Empire with its capital in Constantinople — now Istanbul — with Christianity as its state religion. The empire fell in 1453 and was replaced by the Ottoman Empire. Abandoned Byzantine-era settlements known as 'Dead Cities' are scattered across Syria. In the past, the owners of sites where archeological ruins were found often hid them, fearing their property would be seized to preserve the ruins, according to Ghiath Sheikh Diab, a resident of Maarat al-Numan who witnessed the moment when the tomb complex was uncovered. Advertisement Some locals, however, hope that the ruins could spark tourism in the war-torn area. Abed Jaafar, who lives in the city, came with his son to explore the newly discovered tombs and take pictures. 'In the old days, a lot of foreign tourists used to come to Maarat just to see the ruins,' he said. 'We need to take care of the antiquities and restore them and return them to the way they were before … and this will help to bring back the tourism and the economy.' With Post Wires
