Roman treasure discovered in cargo of sunken ancient ship off Israel’s coast
(JNS.org) The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Monday that two divers discovered the cargo of an ancient Roman merchant ship off the coast of Caesarea, Israel, during the recent Passover holiday. The ship sank during late Roman period 1,600 years ago.
Divers Ran Feinstein and Ofer Ra’anan immediately contacted the IAA after their discovery. A subsequent dive with IAA archaeologists led to the further discovery of numerous items that had been in the ship’s cargo, many of which were very well-preserved. The items include a bronze lamp depicting the image of the sun god Sol, a figurine of the moon goddess Luna, a lamp in the image of the head of an African slave, animal statues, and two metallic lumps made from thousands of coins in the form of the pottery vessel in which they had been transported.
The unique metallic lumps weigh about 44 pounds, while many of the coins themselves bear the image of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, who is known for being the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity and make it the official religion of the empire.
*
Delegation from Canada’s Ontario province visits Israel to bolster business ties
(JNS.org) A delegation of 100 Canadian politicians and business leaders arrived in Israel on Sunday in an effort to strengthen ties with the Jewish state.
The delegation included Ontario province Premier Kathleen Wynne, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care Hon. Dr. Eric Hoskins, and Ontario Minister of Research and Innovation Reza Moridi.
Ten of the world’s largest technology companies have research and development centers in Ontario, Canada’s most-populous province. Israelis are increasingly launching high tech and medical technology companies in the province. The Israeli pharmaceutical giant Teva has a production facility near Toronto, Ontario’s capital.
“Ontario’s strengths in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship help us compete globally—and this mission will help us establish Ontario as a top innovation and knowledge economy partner for Israel,” Wynne said in a reception held before the delegation’s visit, Yedioth Ahronoth reported.
*
Ya’alon to IDF officers: don’t shy away from publicly disagreeing with government
(JNS.org) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon worked out their differences after a disagreement on comments by Ya’alon that military officers should speak their minds publicly even when they go against the government’s positions.
The prime minister summoned the defense minister for a clarification meeting on Monday after Ya’alon asked Israel Defense Forces officers at an event in Tel Aviv on Sunday to express themselves “even if your ideas conflict with the ideas and positions adopted by the high command or the government.” After the meeting, Ya’alon and Netanyahu issued a joint statement saying that “our differences have been ironed out. There is no argument that the military is subordinate to the government and that IDF officers are free to express their opinions in the appropriate forums.”
Referring to how IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Yair Golan—who recently compared Israeli society to Nazi Germany on Holocaust Remembrance Day—was widely criticized for speaking his mind, Ya’alon had told the military officers on Sunday, “I once again demand that you and the soldiers under your command keep saying whatever is on your mind. Do it even if what you have to say is not part of the mainstream, and even if your ideas conflict with the ideas and positions adopted by the high command or the government….Continue acting on your human conscience and moral compass, and don’t blindly follow the direction of the wind.”
*
Israeli military introduces more advanced UAV for brigade commanders
(JNS.org) The Israel Defense Forces is currently in the process of incorporating the Skylark 20 miniature tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and intends to make it available to commanders on the brigade level.
The Skylark 20, manufactured by Elbit Systems, is the next generation of the Skylark 10, which has been available to battalion commanders. The upgraded model, earmarked for use by brigade commanders, is capable of staying in the air longer with a longer range and can operate in difficult weather conditions.
Unlike the previous model of the Skylark, which was capable of staying in the air for just two hours at a range of 12 miles, the Skylark 20 has twice the range and can fly for six hours. The IDF has acquired three Skylark 20 systems, which will likely become operational toward the end 2016 and the beginning of 2017.
*
Top Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine killed in Syria
(JNS.org) Top Hezbollah commander Mustafa Badreddine was killed in what was described by the terror group as a “major explosion” at Damascus International Airport on Friday.
Badreddine, 55, was the commander of Hezbollah’s contingent that had been fighting in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government against opposition forces and Sunni terror groups such as Islamic State and the Nusra Front.
In the announcement on his death, Hezbollah said, “He said months ago that he would not return from Syria except as a martyr or carrying the flag of victory. He is the great jihadi leader Mustafa Badreddine, and he has returned today a martyr.”
The Beirut-based Al Mayadeen satellite TV network, which is sympathetic to Hezbollah, initially reported that Badreddine was killed in an Israeli airstrike. But the network later removed that report from its website.
Badreddine has been linked to nearly every high-profile Hezbollah terror attack over the last 30 years, including many against Israel and the 2012 attack on Israeli tourists in Bulgaria. He was also behind the 1983 bombings of the U.S. and French embassies in Kuwait.
*
Actor Michael Douglas to appear at Jerusalem Post conference
(JNS.org) Actor Michael Douglas—who identifies as a Reform Jew and whose father, fellow actor Kirk Douglas, is Jewish—will appear as a special guest at the Jerusalem Post newspaper’s annual conference in New York City on May 22.
Douglas, a past winner of the Genesis Prize, which has been dubbed the “Jewish Nobel Prize,” will be interviewed on stage by former Jerusalem Post editor in chief Steve Linde.
Douglas, 71, is an outspoken supporter of Israel and recently joined Jewish Agency for Israel Chairman Natan Sharansky on a tour of three American college campuses. Douglas and Sharansky used the tour to speak out against anti-Semitism and the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.
In his acceptance speech for the Genesis Prize last year, Douglas said, “I am a Jew. Those are four words of pride. My Jewishness is as deep as my genes.”
*
Articles from JNS.org appear on San Diego Jewish World through the generosity of Dr. Bob and Mao Shillman. Comments intended for publication in the space below MUST be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the United States.)