Author Archives: Tom Powers

Meet the People Promoting the Latest (Last?) Great Heresy of the Church

Or if “heresy” is not really part of your vocabulary, then think: Idolatry. Or, if your world-view falls outside any religious framework, just consider it a troubling delusion held by millions of your fellow citizens. However you categorize it, this … Continue reading

Posted in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Palestinian Christians, Palestinians, Politics, Religion, The Occupation, U.S. Foreign Policy, VIDEOS | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

UPDATED | What’s Going On at the Siloam Pool?

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT, on 27 DEC 2022 various Israeli government entities and settler organizations made a surprise announcement: Jerusalem’s lower Pool of Siloam is to be excavated and exposed in its entirety in the coming months, and ultimately … Continue reading

Posted in Antiquities, Archaeology & Politics, City of David, Issues in Archaeology, Jerusalem Antiquities, Palestinians, Politics | Tagged | Leave a comment

VIDEO | Why are Palestinian Christians Leaving Jesus’ Birthplace?

Will you invest 12 minutes in a deeper understanding of the everyday realities facing the native Christians of Jesus’ homeland, particularly those of the Bethlehem region? Their numbers have been shrinking steadily over the past seven decades, and the reasons … Continue reading

Posted in Bethlehem area, Christmas, Occupied Territories, Palestinian Christians, Palestinians, Religion, Separation Barrier, The Occupation, VIDEOS | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dead Sea Update: It’s Still Dying…

An interesting photo essay published online by NPR the other day provides a reminder that the Dead Sea, a truly unique geographic feature and ecosystem, is still on the path to oblivion. Its shrinkage still stands at an alarming one … Continue reading

Posted in PHOTOS, Science | Leave a comment

Lifting the Veil on the “Four Quarters” of Jerusalem (and a lot more)

A recent book on Jerusalem, focusing on the walled Old City, seeks to not only demythologize the place but shed light on many of its untold stories, both old and new. It is by British journalist, travel writer and broadcaster … Continue reading

Posted in JERUSALEM, Jerusalem People, Jerusalem Places | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

VIDEO | 3 Archaeological Reports from the Franciscans

Posted in Antiquities, Archaeology, Gaza, Nablus area, Occupied Territories, VIDEOS, West Bank | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Kill the Messenger: Why Israel Labels Human Rights NGOs as “Terrorists”

Youseff Munayeer, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Center Washington, recently published an essay in the journal Foreign Policy entitled “The Long Arm of Israeli Repression”. Echoing similar analysis from numerous other media outlets, he deals with Israel’s recent decision … Continue reading

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