Jewish

Ancient stone fortifications that were recently uncovered outside the walls of Jerusalem's Old City date back some 3,000 years to the time of King Solomon and support the biblical narrative about the era, according to archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar, who spoke to a group of reporters at the site on Monday.

If the age of the wall is correct, the finding would be an indication that Jerusalem was home to a strong central government that had the resources and manpower needed to build massive fortifications in the 10th century BCE.

"It's the most significant construction we have from First Temple days in Israel," Mazar said on Monday. "And it means that at that time, the 10th century, in Jerusalem there was a regime capable of carrying out such construction."

The section of the city wall revealed, which is 70 meters long and six meters high, is located in the area known as the Ophel, between the City of David and the southern wall of the Temple Mount.

I must be living inside a box.  I didn't know there was such a thing as an "expatriate directory" for former Americans (or anybody, from anywhere) who left their country and are living in foreign lands.  Maybe I should let my kids know about this, if they don't already.  

Moving to another country is a momentous change.  I can only speak for myself here, but even though as a Jew, one moves to Israel to return to the Jewish Homeland of the Torah (Bible), to a country where your Jewish history unfolded and where Jewish holidays are national holidays, there is still a connection with (and sometimes a nostalgia for) the country in which you were raised and in which you have spent the formative years of your life.

You can't help comparing-and-contrasting the two countries.  It's a natural reaction.  You immediately see the differences, positive and negative.  And then, when you return to the original country for a visit, you experience culture shock.*  And then, when you return to your chosen country, inevitably you experience it again--this time in your new country.  (No matter what decision you make, you just can never win, can you. . . )

"Today, 8 months after our government was formed, we have formulated a broad national consensus on the principles to approach the negotiations with the Palestinians in order to achieve peace and security. The two principles are clear, there are others - the recognition of the state of Israel as a Jewish state, and of course, security measures that guarantee effective demilitarization and other principles that I have already expressed."