Latest news with #UniversityofHaifa
The Star
4 days ago
- General
- The Star
3 generations of dolphins spotted off Israeli coast in rare sighting
JERUSALEM, June 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli marine researchers have documented a rare sighting of three generations of bottlenose dolphins swimming together in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Tel Aviv, the University of Haifa said in a statement on Wednesday. The group included a grandmother, her daughter, and a newborn calf -- all belonging to the Tursiops truncatus species, commonly known as the bottlenose dolphin. The sighting was captured during a routine weekly marine survey, part of a long-running study by the university's Mediterranean research station in partnership with Delphis, a non-profit organization focused on marine mammal conservation. According to the researchers, it is the first time in 25 years of ongoing observation that a three-generation dolphin family has been photographed together in Israeli waters. The common bottlenose dolphin is the most frequently sighted species along Israel's coastline, with a local population estimated at around 360. While not classified as endangered, researchers say consistent monitoring remains critical. The grandmother dolphin, already familiar to the team, was previously recorded with calves in 2018 and 2021, underscoring the continuity of reproductive behavior in this small coastal population. Researchers noted that relatively few calves are identified after separating from their mothers, making the latest sighting a rare and valuable contribution to the long-term dataset.
Telegraph
06-04-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Bible story where Jesus' ancestor was slain by pharaoh could be true
A Bible story about Jesus' ancestor Josiah, 'the last good king of Judah', could be true, according to a study. In the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic final clash between good and evil takes place at Armageddon before a new world is born. Today known as Tel Megiddo, located in current-day northern Israel, the site is believed to be where the ancestor of Jesus, King Josiah, was killed by the Egyptian pharaoh Necho II, according to the Bible. Now, excavations reveal that there was an Egyptian presence at the site during Josiah's time, the first archaeological evidence to support the Biblical tale. Assaf Kleiman of Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, Israel, who co-authored a study about the discoveries, said the findings were a 'big surprise' for archaeologists. He said: 'Our recent excavations near the administrative quarter of Megiddo revealed the remains of a large structure dated to the late seventh century BC. 'Within this building, we have found high quantities of crude and straw-tempered pottery vessels imported from Egypt, as well as a few East Greek vessels. 'The exposure of these findings was a big surprise for our team, as these were not unearthed thus far at Megiddo.' The Greek vessels are considered to 'represent Greek mercenaries' who may have worked in the Egyptian army, according to the study's co-author, Prof Israel Finkelstein of the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University He said: 'The Greek pottery is usually considered as representing Greek mercenaries. From sources such as Herodotus and the Assyrian King, Ashurbanipal, we know that Greeks from Anatolia served as mercenaries in the Egyptian army. 'This scenario may be linked to the biblical account about the killing of King Josiah of Judah by Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo in 609 BC.' Josiah is described in the Bible as a religious reformer who ended the worship of any god but Yahweh (the Hebrew name for God). He is also listed as a paternal ancestor of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. But the Old Testament gives varied accounts of his death. Dr Finkelstein said: 'The Bible recounts the death of Josiah at Megiddo in two places. He's killed by Necho during an encounter at Megiddo in the Book of Kings, and killed in a battle with the Egyptians in the Book of Chronicles. 'Kings gives close to 'real time' evidence while Chronicles represents centuries-later thoughts. 'On this background, the new evidence for an Egyptian garrison, possibly with Greek mercenaries, at Megiddo in the late seventh century BC, may provide the background to the event. 'Moreover, in two places in prophetic works, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, the Bible hints that west Anatolians – Lydians – were involved in the killing of Josiah.' The site's Hebrew name, Har Megiddo – meaning Mount Megiddo – was rendered as Harmagedon in Greek, leading to the modern name, Armageddon. There is debate amongst experts as to why Josiah was killed there. Some believe that his army blocked the path of the pharaoh, who was en route to Syria with his troops. Others think he might have been summoned as a vassal and was executed for failing to pay sufficient tribute to Egypt. It's also been suggested Josiah's death there created its apocalyptic reputation. 'It would make sense to place the [final] battle out there due to Israel's history of that location,' Hope Bolinger said at
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bible story where Jesus' ancestor was slain by pharaoh could be true
A Bible story about Jesus' ancestor Josiah, 'the last good king of Judah', could be true, according to a study. In the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic final clash between good and evil takes place at Armageddon before a new world is born. Today known as Tel Megiddo, located in current-day northern Israel, the site is believed to be where the ancestor of Jesus, King Josiah, was killed by the Egyptian pharaoh Necho II, according to the Bible. Now, excavations reveal that there was an Egyptian presence at the site during Josiah's time, the first archaeological evidence to support the Biblical tale. Assaf Kleiman of Ben Gurion University in Beersheba, Israel, who co-authored a study about the discoveries, said the findings were a 'big surprise' for archaeologists. He said: 'Our recent excavations near the administrative quarter of Megiddo revealed the remains of a large structure dated to the late seventh century BC. 'Within this building, we have found high quantities of crude and straw-tempered pottery vessels imported from Egypt, as well as a few East Greek vessels. 'The exposure of these findings was a big surprise for our team, as these were not unearthed thus far at Megiddo.' The Greek vessels are considered to 'represent Greek mercenaries' who may have worked in the Egyptian army, according to the study's co-author, Prof Israel Finkelstein of the University of Haifa and Tel Aviv University He said: 'The Greek pottery is usually considered as representing Greek mercenaries. From sources such as Herodotus and the Assyrian King, Ashurbanipal, we know that Greeks from Anatolia served as mercenaries in the Egyptian army. 'This scenario may be linked to the biblical account about the killing of King Josiah of Judah by Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo in 609 BC.' Josiah is described in the Bible as a religious reformer who ended the worship of any god but Yahweh (the Hebrew name for God). He is also listed as a paternal ancestor of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew. But the Old Testament gives varied accounts of his death. Dr Finkelstein said: 'The Bible recounts the death of Josiah at Megiddo in two places. He's killed by Necho during an encounter at Megiddo in the Book of Kings, and killed in a battle with the Egyptians in the Book of Chronicles. 'Kings gives close to 'real time' evidence while Chronicles represents centuries-later thoughts. 'On this background, the new evidence for an Egyptian garrison, possibly with Greek mercenaries, at Megiddo in the late seventh century BC, may provide the background to the event. 'Moreover, in two places in prophetic works, Ezekiel and Jeremiah, the Bible hints that west Anatolians – Lydians – were involved in the killing of Josiah.' The site's Hebrew name, Har Megiddo – meaning Mount Megiddo – was rendered as Harmagedon in Greek, leading to the modern name, Armageddon. There is debate amongst experts as to why Josiah was killed there. Some believe that his army blocked the path of the pharaoh, who was en route to Syria with his troops. Others think he might have been summoned as a vassal and was executed for failing to pay sufficient tribute to Egypt. It's also been suggested Josiah's death there created its apocalyptic reputation. 'It would make sense to place the [final] battle out there due to Israel's history of that location,' Hope Bolinger said at Dr Kleiman, Dr Finkelstein, and their colleagues Matthew Adams and Alexander Fantalkin published their study in the Scandinavian Journal of the Old Testament. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Miami Herald
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Postpone Miami Beach 'No Other Land Vote.' Producers offer way to watch film free
I am a proud native of Miami Beach. I went to elementary school at North Beach Elementary, and I went to a synagogue across the street at Temple Beth Sholom, where my mom worked. I now live in Jerusalem with my wife and our 3-year-old daughter. I am pursuing a doctorate in Jewish and Israeli education from the University of Haifa, and since Oct. 7, and for many years before, I have worked to teach North American Jews about current events in Israel and the occupied territories. Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner is trying to pass a resolution to terminate the lease and remove funding from O Cinema on Miami Beach after it screened this year's Oscar-winning documentary feature 'No Other Land.' As I read in a Miami Herald article from March 14, in the mayor's opinion, 'No Other Land' is a 'false one-sided propaganda attack on the Jewish people that is not consistent with the values of our city and residents.' As a former Miami Beach resident, educator and scholar on the subject, and as someone who has spent time in Masafer Yatta and seen first-hand the dangers and challenges residents there face daily, I believe that 'No Other Land' connects to several of my deepest-held values: The value of justice: in seeking justice for all value of knowledge: in learning about social issues that affect people from around the value of diversity: in engaging people who hold different cultures, identities and beliefs from my own. I was taught those values as a child in North Beach and Beth Sholom in the heart of Miami Beach. As such, I am curious about how Meiner arrived at the conclusion that this film doesn't represent the values of Miami Beach. Which values in particular don't align with our city, and what specifically within the film does he take issue with? From the impressions Meiner shared publicly about the film and from his proposed vote on the issue on Wednesday, he is probably not yet at a place for me to ask him to reconsider his proposal to terminate the lease and defund the O Cinema. Instead, I ask that the commission postpone the scheduled vote to a later date so that we might use this moment as a learning opportunity for Miami Beach residents to clarify our collective values and truly understand what issues the film raises. It's important for those voting on this proposed action and other Miami Beach residents of conscience to understand with depth what story 'No Other Land' is telling and how it's situated within the broader Israeli/Palestinian conflict. In fact, to facilitate our learning about this film and this issue, the filmmakers of 'No Other Land,' Basel Adra and Yuval Abraham, have generously agreed to permit the people of Miami Beach to watch the documentary online, for free. 'No Other Land' will be screened online from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday, March 18. RSVP by registering here to receive the free link to watch the documentary. I believe this is a great opportunity for Meiner, city commissioners and all Miami Beach residents interested to learn more about the film and the issues it raises. I hope the commission decides to postpone the scheduled vote and engage the people of Miami Beach in a more thoughtful and deliberative process about the film and O Cinema's right to screen it. If they do so, residents will know that our public servants are willing to listen to the concerns of our community and willing to learn substantively about the issues they seek to legislate. In the end, if the mayor and the other Miami Beach commissioners still choose to terminate the lease and defund O Cinema, then at least we will have collectively and intentionally discussed whether this is the right move forward for our community and grow closer as a result — even in our differences. If you care about this issue? Call your Miami Beach commissioner. Bryan Hanan Oren (formerly Bryan Susman) is an activist and a doctoral candidate in learning and teaching sciences at the University of Haifa in Jerusalem. He is a Dorot Fellow alum with a Master in educational leadership from the University of North Florida.
See - Sada Elbalad
25-02-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Nature Threatens Israeli Occupation: Warnings of Haifa and Tel Aviv Flooding
The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth has reported that the recent series of earthquakes in the Greek islands has led to a 100% likelihood of a tsunami, indicating that areas in Israel such as Haifa and Tel Aviv are at risk of flooding. According to the report, Naum Kolodny, an Israeli geological expert, stated that construction methods along the coasts were not designed to withstand tidal waves, and that the coastal structures are neither stable nor robust enough. He pointed to numerous studies and geological models that significantly predict the occurrence of a tsunami along the Israeli coast, with cities like Haifa and Tel Aviv completely at risk of being submerged. So far, no major changes have been made to the state's plans to accommodate handling such a disaster, whether in terms of urban planning or building renovations. The expert, Naum Kolodny, clarified that the Israeli government must attempt to save what can be saved in the event of a disaster, especially since the chance of a tsunami in Israel is 100%, but it is not possible to predict when or how large it will be. He noted that if the predictions come true, settlers living near the beach should move away from all coasts by more than one kilometer eastward, or ascend to a safe and stable building, at least to the fourth floor. Dr. Goodman Chernov from the University of Haifa warned that the risk of a tsunami is unexpected but possible at a rate of up to 100%, confirming that even small tsunami waves, if they sweep through Israel, will cause significant flooding threatening settlers and destroying infrastructure. She pointed out that Israel, like many other countries, has a tsunami warning system and even signs on the beaches for safe escape points, but these are not sufficient and the state must work on developing them.
