A different piece of the ancient moat was discovered in the 1960s but mistaken as a natural valley.

Visitors to Israel have been few since its war with Hamas began. But in December, groups of evangelical Christians began to arrive on solidarity missions, say groups that promote links between Israel and evangelicals abroad.

Evangelical Christians' theological ties to Israel have been accompanied by fundraising and other material support for Israeli municipalities, NGOs and first responders, making it possible for evangelical groups to mobilize within hours of Hamas' attack.

Jewish rebels involved in the 132 to 136 C.E. Bar Kokhba revolt were most likely the ones who left weapons recently discovered in a remote cave in the desert east of Jerusalem.

As anti-Christian incidents perpetrated by religious Jewish extremists have increased in the past several months in Israel, church leaders are pleading with government officials to take the matter more seriously.  

Ben & Jerry’s announcement that it will ban the sale of its ice cream in what it calls the “occupied Palestinian territories” beginning in 2023 could have wide-reaching legal and political ramifications, Middle East observers say.