Likud chairman says he informed Rice that he would not endorse declaration of principles calling for a return to 1967 borders. 'Israel would be taking a great risk if it currently commits to territorial concessions,' Netanyahu says
Roni Sofer
Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) met with Condoleezza Rice Sunday, and stated that he informed the visiting US secretary of state that he would not endorse a declaration of principles calling for a return to 1967 borders and the division of Jerusalem.
Concessions   
Barak says will allow establishment of Palestinian city  / Roni Sofer   
Israeli source says US Secretary of State Rice was 'amazed' by Israeli gestures to Palestinians presented during three-way meeting with defense minister, Palestinian prime minister      
"Security establishment estimates indicate that if we withdraw from the West Bank, Hamas will set up base there. I told the secretary that I do not plan on supporting the transfer of the responsibility for Israel's security to subcontractors," the Likud chairman told reporters following the meeting.
"Time is not on our side because Hamas, under Iran's leadership, is taking control of more and more territories. The situation is very similar to Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon," he said.
"The ...   more »

By Barak Ravid, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that Israeli-Palestinian peace talks were on the right track and she believed a deal was still possible by year's end.
The comments came as the Palestinian foreign minister said Israel had removed checkpoints in the West Bank town of Jericho as part of commitments made to Rice.
"I have to say I find very impressive the work that is being done and the seriousness of the process and I think it's all moving in the right direction," Rice said at a news conference with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Jordan.
Commenting on U.S. hopes for an agreement before U.S. President George W. Bush leaves office in January, she said: "I fully believe that it is a goal that we can reach."
Abbas likewise expressed confidence despite differences with Israel over what the outcome of the negotiations should be.
"I am confident, God willing, we will reach a comprehensive peace in 2008. We, the Israelis and the Americans and all the concerned parties in the region, are working to achieve this," Abbas said.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said that Israel had notified ...   more »

Many Christians pass over the word She'ol in the Bible without realizing what they're reading. Do we nag our children with, "You are bringing my gray head down to She'ol?" What would we tell someone who asked where She'ol was? Despite the fact that She'ol isn't a part of our vocabulary the way heaven and hell are, it still has — or should have — a place in our theology. She'ol is one of the concepts that links the presence of God to a place, the place of non- and anti- worship, the place of no peace and no joy. In the Bible, the word She'ol, occurs most often in the context of righteous people seeking against opposition to worship in the temple. She'ol is the place antithetical to the place of worship, which is the temple.Speaking Out
Going Down to She'ol
Is death a place?
Rajkumar Boaz Johnson
 Many Christians pass over the word She'ol in the Bible without realizing what they're reading. Do we nag our children with, "You are bringing my gray head down to She'ol?" What would we tell someone who asked where She'ol was?
Despite the fact that She'ol isn't a part of our vocabulary ...   more »

By Chris Mitchell
JERUSALEM, Israel - In 1947, a Bedouin shepherd wandered the hills of Qumran in search of a missing sheep.
He threw a stone into a cave, hoping to drive the lost animal outside. Instead, the sound of shattered pottery drew the shepherd inside the cave.
There he stumbled on the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century: the Dead Sea Scrolls.
The Copper Scroll
Rare Old Testament
Manuscript on Display
In the years that followed, archaeologists found eleven caves and more than 900 documents here at Qumran. But one scroll was different from all the rest.
Instead of leather or parchment, it was made entirely of copper, and it could be the greatest treasure map in history.
The Copper Scroll describes a hidden cache of gold and silver buried in more than 60 locations throughout Israel.
The monetary value is close to $3 billion, but the historical value - is priceless.
The only place in ancient Israel with that much wealth was the Jewish Temple.
Stephen Pfann is one of the editors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.
"This is a tremendous witness to history. To actually have a list of treasures from the temple itself from the ...   more »

Air Force says government won't renege on deal with Lockheed Martin despite discovery of carcinogenic substance in fighter jet of same make last week
Hanan Greenberg
Four new F-16I (Storm) fighter jets arrived in Israel Thursday evening as part of a deal signed in 2000 with Lockheed Martin Corp to purchase 102 planes of the same model.
No Signs of Illness   
IAF chief to consult experts on carcinogenic substance found in F-16l / Hanan Greenberg  
Following discovery of carcinogenic substance on Storm jets, IAF commander seeks international medical opinions, promises to explore issue until resolved. Exposed pilots show no signs of illness thus far     
The two-seater F-16I, known in Israel as the "Storm", was designed specifically for the Israeli air force. The new jets will be equipped with Israeli-made systems.  
The US defense contractor began delivering the planes in 2004, and Israel Air Force officials said Israel would not renege on the deal despite the discovery of a cancer-causing substance in one of previously delivered jets.
IAF officials estimated that the majority of fighter pilots who have flown in F-16I's have been exposed to the carcinogenic substance which was discovered, but stressed however that those exposed ...   more »