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Wednesday, Aug. 10 '16, ו' באב תשע"ו
HEADLINES:
1. AIR FORCE TO JOIN US, UAE, PAKISTAN IN RED FLAG TRAINING
2. ANCIENT FRESCOES DISCOVERED IN ZIPPORI NATIONAL PARK
3. OLYMPIC MEDALIST YARDEN GERBI: ISRAELIS ARE A SPECIAL NATION
4. ZOMET INSTITUTE PRESENTS: THE SHABBAT PHONE
5. 11 BABIES DIE IN BAGHDAD HOSPITAL ELECTRICAL FIRE
6. FOILED SMUGGLING ATTEMPT AT KEREM SHALOM CROSSING
7. ISRAELI JUDO ATHLETE YARDEN GERBI WINS BRONZE MEDAL AT OLYMPICS
8. LIVE: FUNERAL OF RABBI ARYEH FINKEL
1. AIR FORCE TO JOIN US, UAE, PAKISTAN IN RED FLAG TRAINING
by Rachel Kaplan
[youtube:2018013]
On August 15-26, the Israel Air Force (IAF) will reportedly join the US, UAE, and Pakistani air forces for the prestigious Red Flag 16-4 exercise in Nevada.
Israel has no formal relations with the UAE or Pakistan, though the latter has promised diplomacy if Israel were to find a Palestinian solution which satisfies them.
The Red Flag exercise is the US Air Force's (USAF) "premier air-to-air combat training exercise," according to their site. During the exercise, allied countries join US fighters in aerial dogfights between a red team and a blue team, working to complete their missions while SAMs and ground-to-air defense mechanisms work to stop them.
Israel has been preparing for the most recent Red Flag exercise for months, sending eight F-15s and F-16s in multi-hop trips to the Nellis Air Base, in Nevada. Israel also sent a "Ram" type refueling jet.
The US will reportedly showcase its new F-35 Lightning II fighter jets, which have fought competitively against the F-16 in the past, although it outstripped the F-15 in previous exercises. Israel has ordered 33 of the F-35 "Adir" jets, to be delivered in December, making it the only Middle Eastern country to control the advanced war planes.
The Israeli pilots will be challenged to complete a mission in a foreign language, on foreign soil, facing anti-aircraft equipment like those used by Hezbollah and Iran.
The exercise will include dozens of different kinds of aircraft, including fighter jets, refueling planes, helicopters, aircraft, and unmanned intelligence drones.
Israel first participated in the Red Flag exercise last year, which reportedly included Jordan. "There were Arab pilots there too, and pilots from the various branches of the United States military and other countries," former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon said last year of the exercise.
Last year's exercise reportedly involved the US, Israel, Singapore, and Jordan, and saw training for aircraft interception, attacking targets, rescue missions, and flying while dodging surface-to-air missiles.
2. ANCIENT FRESCOES DISCOVERED IN ZIPPORI NATIONAL PARK
by Arutz Sheva Staff
A team from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has discovered hundreds of fragments belonging to frescoes from the Roman period, in the Zippori National Park. The fragments, which contain figurative images, floral patterns and geometric motifs, shed light on Zippori (Sepphoris), which was an important urban center for the Jews of the Galilee during the Roman and Byzantine periods.
The discovery was made this summer in the excavations at Zippori, in memory of Ursula Johanna and Fritz Werner Blumenthal of Perth, Western Australia. The excavations are directed by Prof. Zeev Weiss, the Eleazar L. Sukenik Professor of Archaeology at the Hebrew University's Institute of Archaeology.
The frescoes decorated a monumental building that was erected in the early second century CE north of the decumanus, a colonnaded street that cut across the city from east to west and continued to the foot of the Acropolis. The building, whose function is not clear at this stage of excavation, spread over a wide area, and the nature of the artifacts discovered indicate that it was an important public building. In the center of the building was a stone-paved courtyard and side portico decorated with stucco. West and north of the courtyard, several underground vaults were discovered. Some of these were used as water cisterns and were of high quality construction. The monumental building was built on the slope and the vaults were designed to allow the construction of the superstructure located on the level of the decumanus.
A bull's head in a fresco from Zippori, dating from the early Second Century CE
G. Laron
The monumental building was dismantled in the third century CE for reasons that are unclear, and was replaced by another public building, larger than its predecessor, parts of which were uncovered during this season. The monumental building's walls were dismantled in antiquity and its building materials — stone and plaster, some colorful — were buried under the floors of a newly established Roman building on the same location. Hundreds of plaster fragments discovered during this excavation season were concentrated in one area, and it seems that they belong to one or several rooms from the previous building.
The patterns on the plaster fragments are varied and are decorated in many colors. Among them are geometric patterns (guilloche) and brightly colored wall panels. Other fragments contain floral motifs (light shaded paintings on red backgrounds or various colors on a white background).
Particularly important are the pieces which depict figures — the head of a lion, a horned animal (perhaps a bull?), a bird, a tiger's hindquarters and more — usually on a black background. At least one fragment contains a depiction of a man bearing a club. Research on these pieces is in its early stages but it is already clear that at least one room in the building was decorated with figurative images, possibly depicting exotic animals and birds in various positions.
The back of a tiger with its tail curling, in a fresco from Zippori, dating from the early Second CE
G. Laron
The population of Zippori prior to the Great Revolt against the Romans was not very large, and archaeological finds dating to this period are particularly notable for the absence of figurative images – both humans and animals. The construction of the Roman city of Zippori after the Great Revolt, in the late first century and the second century CE, is indicative of a change in the attitude of Galilean Jews toward Rome and its culture. The city gained the status of a polis thanks to its loyalty to Rome during the Great Revolt, and constructed monumental public buildings, as befit a polis, that stood out in the urban landscape. This building boom also included the monumental building discovered north of thedecumanus whose walls were decorated with frescoes, and whose remains were discovered during this season.
The new finds in Zippori contribute significantly to the research of Roman art in Israel. To date, excavators uncovered the walls of several public and private buildings from Roman Zippori (second and third centuries CE) which were decorated with colorful frescoes in geometric and floral patterns. This season's finds are the first, only and earliest evidence of figurative images in wall paintings at the site. The finds date to the beginning of the second century CE. Parallels to these finds are virtually unknown at other Israeli sites of the same period. Some panels bearing depictions of figures were discovered a few years ago in Herod's palace at Herodium, and according to Josephus (Life of Josephus 65-69) the walls of the palace of Herod Antipas in Tiberias were also decorated with wall paintings depicting animals; but beyond that, no murals with depictions of figures, dating to the first century and the beginning of the second century CE, have been discovered to date in the region.
Guilloche, in a fresco from Zippori, dating from the early Second Century CE
G. Laron
The discovery in Zippori is unique and provides new information regarding murals in Roman Palestine. Zippori is well known for its unique mosaics. The newly discovered frescos are now added to the city's rich material culture. While the earliest mosaics discovered at the site date to around 200 CE, the ancient frescoes precede them by about a hundred years and are thus of great importance.
These finds raise questions relating to their socio-historic background. Who initiated the construction of the monumental building that was discovered north of the decumanus? Who is responsible for choosing the patterns that adorn the walls, and for whom were they intended? The various finds uncovered throughout the site indicate that Zippori, the Jewish capital of the Galilee, was home to many Jewish inhabitants throughout the Roman period, but the city also had a significant pagan community for which the temple was built to the south of the decumanus, opposite the monumental building, parts of which were discovered this season. It is difficult to determine who was responsible for the construction and decoration of this monumental building, at this stage of excavation. However the new finds clearly reflect the multi-cultural climate that characterizes Zippori in the years following the Great Revolt, in the late first century and the second century CE.
3. OLYMPIC MEDALIST YARDEN GERBI: ISRAELIS ARE A SPECIAL NATION
by Shai Landesman
Yarden Gerbi, the Israeli Judo athlete who won a bronze medal, Israel's first, at the Rio Olympics yesterday (Tuesday), reflected on her achievement and the difficulties she encountered on the way.
Speaking with Army Radio, the 27-year-old Gerbi sounded ecstatic yet emotionally and physically drained.
"After what I've been through today, nothing is heavy," she remarked when asked if the medal is weighing on her neck.
"There were two very difficult moments today. The time just before the first fight is really difficult, because you know that if you lose you go home. The second moment was the loss in the quarterfinals. Picking yourself off the mat after a loss is... just really hard."
When asked how she did it, Gerbi replied "I just had to get some closure from my coach. I felt that I deserved to win that fight. When [my coach] told me I really should have won, and just was unlucky with the officiating, I was able to move on. Once I know I did my part, that's all that matters. I don't waste my time worrying about what the officials do."
The interviewer then asked Gerbi if she felt any awareness of the fact that the entire country back home in Israel was holding its breath watching her.
"Ever since I won the world championship [3 years ago] people have come over to talk to me on the street. But it's really always in a good way. I'm not sure how to explain this... say the French. They have someone who just won the silver medal here, but they don't know her at all, they don't appreciate it. We are a special people, one that supports and appreciates, because that's just the way we are. When I win it's like everybody won. I really am proud to represent Israel."
Speaking about what happens now going forward, Yarden confessed, "I'll tell you the truth, I'm desperate for a vacation. This whole time I've only been thinking Judo Judo Judo. I put my heart and soul into this, and I missed a lot of things with my family because I chose to put Judo on top of my list of priorities to earn this medal. But now I really deserve a vacation."
Gerbi's hunger may not have been completely satisfied, however. When the interviewer referred to her as an "Olympic champion", she made sure to correct him: "I'm not an Olympic champion, I'm a medalist."
4. ZOMET INSTITUTE PRESENTS: THE SHABBAT PHONE
by Eliran Aharon & Shai Landesman
[youtube:2018010]
The Zomet institute has developed a cell-phone device for Shabbat. Zomet Executive Director Dan Marentz says the device, called the "Telegramma", is meant to reduce Shabbat desecration for those who have to make phone calls on Shabbat anyway because their work involves saving lives, such as doctors, nurses, medics, and security personnel.
Zomet is a public research and development institute dedicated to seamlessly merging Halachic Judaism with Modern Life. The institute's goal is not to make technology that is permissible for use on Shabbat so that everyone can use it, but rather to find pragmatic Halakhic solutions for situations in which Shabbat will be violated anyway, such as life-threatening situations where one is obligated to violate the Shabbat in order to save lives. Zomet works to develop technologies that minimize the violation of Shabbat in these situations and areas.
The "Telegramma" is a new example of this type of innovation. The name is a play on words, combining the obvious "Tele" with the Halakhic term "Gramma".
"Gramma" means "indirectly caused" and refers to actions that are done indirectly. While doing an action that is forbidden on Shabbat indirectly is still prohibited, the prohibition is less stringent.
Thus the Telegramma device aims to render the actions of turning the phone on, placing the call, and speaking on the phone, indirect. The user turns the phone on with the separate Telegramma device, then dials with the touch screen (using a touch screen is less of a violation, because one is only altering an already existing current) and then places the call and speaks through the Telegramma device.
The device is not meant for general use by the public, but only by those whose work entails using a phone for emergency situations.
In order to use the Tellegramma, one must download the free Telegramma app. Turning the phone on and dialing with the device takes around four seconds. There is a special red button on the app that enables instant dialing for especially urgent situations.
5. 11 BABIES DIE IN BAGHDAD HOSPITAL ELECTRICAL FIRE
by Yoel Domb
11 newborn infants died last night in a fire at a Baghdad hospital, according to reports by the Health Ministry of Iraq.
According to the ministry spokesman, Ahmed A-Rudeini, the fire was caused by a malfunction in the electrical system of the maternity department of the Yarmouk hospital in the west of the capital.
After the fire broke out the authorities swiftly surrounded the hospital and prevented journalists from approaching. An independent news agency in Baghdad, Mada Press, reported that 29 women and seven babies were transferred from the maternity ward where the fire broke out to another hospital.
Fires caused by electrical defects occur frequently in Baghdad as a result of the constant neglect of infrastructure development in the city.
Additionally, in many places there are no emergency fire escapes and this increases the danger in the case of a fire. Many of the building companies also do not use raw materials which comply with fire safety standards.
6. FOILED SMUGGLING ATTEMPT AT KEREM SHALOM CROSSING
by Kobi Finkler
Yesterday (Tuesday), Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority officials, in collaboration with the Shin Bet, foiled an attempt to smuggle commando knives into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom Crossing.
Two boxes containing professional grade 12-inch commando knives were hidden in a shipment of technicians' tools. Officials also foiled an attempt to smuggle graphite hidden in a shipment en route to the Palestinian electric company. Graphite is a raw material used in the production of rocket fuel.
In both cases, the materials were confiscated and investigations have been opened to locate those involved and responsible.
Knives confiscated at Kerem Shalom
Ministry of Defense Crossing Authority
7. ISRAELI JUDO ATHLETE YARDEN GERBI WINS BRONZE MEDAL AT OLYMPICS
by Shai Landesman
The Israeli delegation to the Rio Olympics, and Israelis everywhere, can breathe a sigh of relief. Israel will not go home empty handed.
Yarden Gerbi became the first Israeli athlete to win an Olympic medal since windsurfer Shachar Tzuberi in Beijing 2008, defeating Japan's Miku Tashiro for a bronze medal in the women's Judo under 63 kg category.
The Israeli delegation had been faring terribly in the Olympics until male Judoka Sagi Muki came within one win of a medal twice yesterday (Monday), before ultimately missing out.
Gerbi had to overcome heartbreak earlier in the day, as she was defeated in devastating fashion in extra time by Brazilian home-crowd favorite Mariana Silva in the quarterfinal stage.
The loss dropped her to the consolation bracket, where she quickly regathered her wits and resolve, in time to defeat Yang Junxia of China, setting her up for the bronze medal match.
With the eyes of an entire country upon her, Gerbi delivered, dominating her bout with Tashiro from start to finish to claim her well-earned bronze medal, and send the dozens of Israeli fans in attendance into delirium.
President Reuven Rivlin called Gerbi after her huge win. "The whole nation in Israel is feeling this triumph together with you," the President told Gerbi, "We all held our breath. You are simply a champion. You are our hero."
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu chimed in on Twitter: "Yarden, you did it! We're all proud of you."
8. LIVE: FUNERAL OF RABBI ARYEH FINKEL
by Arutz Sheva Staff
[youtube:2017997]
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