crossroads between the east and west


crossroads between the east and west
Dome of the Rock and Mount of Olives
	Israel is the most fought over piece of land in the world. This mount is a holy site to three world religions, Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Every caravan in ancient days that went from the east to the west (or vis-versa) went through Israel. Jerusalem was an important trading city, and traders could stop their to worship on their way through. Jerusalem to this day hold many festivities in relation to all the religious holidays.
Western Wall and Dome of the Rock
	The holy mount held the temple of the Jews until the Romans burned it to the ground around 70AD. Muslims took control of the mount after Muhammad claimed to have been taken to the rock (Abraham took Isaac) by an angel. The mount is important to Christians as that is where Jesus taught many sermons.
War needed to keep land
	Today there are many Jews around the world. After the Roman Empire conquered Israel Jews fled the country for safety. In the 1930's Ben Gurion and others decided that it was time to take Israel back. Over the next decade many Jews moved back to their homeland. In October 1948 Ben Gurion claimed Israel an independent country and battles between Palestinians and Israelis ensued. Over the decades that followed there have been many wars between the Israelis and their Arab neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon). One of the key battles took place at this military base just outside Jerusalem and ended the war. Israel gained more land as a peace treaty. Today every Israeli is required to spend two years in training in the Israeli forces. Israel is always prepared for battle.