Israel “Land of Yesterday and

Today.”

The Kingdom of Israel

• Israel became a kingdom when King David took over the surrounding areas and claimed them for the people of God (Jews).

• It was a major power in that part of the world until the Babylonians took it over.

• Israel would not become a sovereign nation again until after WWII which was 2500 years later.

KING DAVID

• King David turned Israel into an empire

• To this day, the Israeli people look at King David as their national hero

• The Star of David is on the flag of Israel

Israel Today

• Today, Israel is the source of contention for several different nations.

• Many Islamic nations find the existance of Israel appalling.

• Many Christian nations support Israel, others do not.

• Terrorist have waged war on the streets of Israel for over half a century.

Israeli Army

• Everyone in Israel is made to serve at least 2 years in service to the country.

• Many of the brightest minded Israelis go into government service permanently as part of their “CIA” which is called the Mossad.

• In Israel, people are proud to serve because they understand how important it is. Is they don’t serve, they don’t have a country.

Israel’s Economy

• Israel’s economy has been helped in the past by the United States

• Israel is one of the largest producers of cut and polished diamonds in the world.

• Israel is low on natural resources, so they must import much of what they need.

• Israel still receives financial aid from the U.S. to this day.

Jerusalem

• Jerusalem is the home to several different faiths, but primarily Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.

• Jerusalem is the city where the remnants of the Jewish Temple are.

• It is also the city where Mohammed ascended to heaven.

• The area that is most fought over is called the Temple Mount

THE WESTERN WALL

• The Western wall is all that remains of the Jewish Temple

• It is a place where many Jews go to pray and worship.

• It is also the most sacred place in the Jewish Religion

• This is also a very important place for Christians

Dome of the Rock

• This is a mosque on the temple mount

• It is supposedly where Mohammed ascended to heaven.

• It is a very holy place to muslims