Did you know that in the north-east of Israel lies a city that has risen, fallen, and risen again for over 6,000 years, witnessing pharaohs, Biblical kings, and empires?

Let's uncover the epic saga of ancient Beit She'an! 👇🧵 2/12 Our story begins in the Neolithic period (~6000 BCE), with early settlements along the fertile Harod Valley.

By the Chalcolithic era, it was a thriving hub. But the real drama kicks off in the Bronze Age...
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Did Jews still live in the land of Israel after the Temple’s destruction in 70 CE?

Despite exile and persecution, their presence in Israel endured.
Let’s explore where they lived, the trials they faced, and the lasting remnants of their resilience.
🧵👇 1/ After the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE and the Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 CE), despite widespread exile, a significant Jewish presence persisted in Israel.
Under Roman, then Byzantine rule, communities persisted and even thrived despite hardship.
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Ever wondered how a land plagued by swamps and deadly disease became a thriving nation?

1/8 In the 19th-20th centuries, Jewish pioneers (Chalutzim) transformed malarial marshes into fertile land, building modern Israel.
Let’s explore their epic story 👇🧵
2/8 Swamps once covered roughly 5-7% of what’s now Israel—about 1,000-1,500 km² of its 21,937 km².

The 3 main areas included the Hula Valley, Jezreel Valley, and the Sharon coastal plain.

From the 1880s to the 1950s, Jewish pioneers and the JNF drained nearly all of it!
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What happens when ancient history is under attack?

Archaeological sites in Israel, specifically Judea and Samaria, face looting and vandalism, mainly by Arabs. This is a threat to Jewish heritage and world history.

Here are five shocking examples. 🧵👇 1/ Ancient Samaria (Sebastia/Shomron):
This 9th-8th century BCE capital of the Kingdom of Israel was hit hard.
In 2022, Arab vandals torched and defaced the site. By 2024, illegal construction, including a road and soccer field, will have damaged this heritage gem.
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This symbol ✡️, the 'Star of David', has been a point of contention lately.

But what is its origin? How did it become the center of this flag 🇮🇱?

Let’s uncover its journey throughout history 🧵👇 1/ The Star of David, or Magen David ("Shield of David"), is a six-pointed star formed by two interlocking triangles.
Its earliest uses predate Jewish ties, appearing in ancient Mesopotamia on seals and art, hinting at celestial or divine connections.
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This incredible seal (bulla) was discovered through the Temple Mount Sifting Project (TMSP).

What is it and why is it the most important archeological undertaking of the 21st century?

Let's dive in 🧵 👇

https://twitter.com/DanitheSett/status/1950469675650875839

1/ In 1999, the Waqf, overseeing Islamic structures on the Temple Mt, bulldozed 9,000(!) tons of soil to build the Al-Marwani Mosque, dumping it in the Kidron Valley without archaeological supervision, violating Israel’s antiquities laws.
This sparked the TMSP
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Are Israeli towns in Judea and Samaria ("settlements") built on the ruins of Arab villages or stolen land?

Let's dive in 🧵👇 2/ Context: Jewish land purchases in the region began in the late 19th century under the Ottoman Empire and continued under the British Mandate.
After 1967, when Israel gained control of J&S, military order #59 recognized previous Jordanian state land as now Israeli state land.
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1/ Beit Shearim, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Israel’s Lower Galilee, is a 2nd-4th century CE Jewish necropolis.🪦
Its catacombs and inscriptions offer a rare glimpse into Jewish life post-Second Temple.

Let’s explore its zionist significance and its wonderful tale 🧵👇 2/ Post-Bar Kochba Revolt (135 CE), Jews were barred from burials on Mt of Olives in Jerusalem.
Beit Shearim ("House of Gates") became a key burial site, drawing Jews from Yemen to Palmyra.
Its 30+ catacombs with ~300 inscriptions show a vibrant Jewish culture. 🕎
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1/ Benjamin of Tudela, a 12th-century Jewish traveler from Navarre, Spain, embarked on a 14-year journey across Europe, Asia, & Africa.

His book/journal is a window into medieval Jewish life, especially in the Land of Israel.

Let’s explore! 🧵👇 2/ Born in Tudela, little is known of Benjamin’s personal life except his father’s name, Jonah.

Around 1159, he left home, possibly for a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, but his journey grew into a grand quest, cataloging Jewish communities worldwide.
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Reviving ancient Israeli wine! 🇮🇱

Prof. Elyashiv (Shivi) Drori’s quest to discover ancient wine grapes, uncovered ~82 varieties from the Land of Israel, especially Samaria, bringing Biblical wines to life!

Here’s his amazing story 🧵👇

https://twitter.com/DanitheSett/status/1937811703648977396

1/ As a biochemist at Ariel University, Drori’s love for wine sparked a mission to rediscover Israel’s ancient grapes. He trekked from the Negev deserts to the Galilee hills, collecting wild vines to trace their roots back to Biblical times. 🍇🔬
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A thread I've been meaning to do for a while: Masada!
One of the world’s most iconic archaeological sites.
Built by Herod (37-4 BCE), it’s a testament to ancient engineering and a symbol of Jewish resistance.

Let’s explore its key sites and its importance to Zionism🧵👇 2/ The Northern Palace: Herod’s private retreat, a 3-tiered marvel carved into the cliff. With frescoed walls, mosaic floors, and stunning views, it showcases Roman-era luxury.
It highlights Herod’s wealth and Masada’s strategic importance as a royal stronghold.
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Is there any archeological proof of the Jewish temples in Jerusalem?

Let's do a quick dive 🧵👇 ¹ The Tel Arad ostracon dates to the 6th century BCE and mentions "The house of Y-a-h-w-e-h".
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Do Jews live in Israel just because of some fairytale book and the made-up kingdom of Israel?

Well, took me a lot of time, but here are all of the kings of Israel and Judah found in extra-biblical and archeological sources: 🧵👇 The Tel Dan Stele (9th BCE) details the victory over Israel and Judea:

"...[I killed Jo]ram son of [Ahab]
king of Israel, and I killed [Achaz]yahu son of [Joram] of the House of David...".

This corroborates a few different kings mentioned in the Bible (2 Kings 5-8).
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Were Jews persecuted in Muslim countries? Did Zionism ruin the good life Jews had under Muslim rule?

Let’s examine this through the story of the Mashhad Crypto-Jews. 🧵👇 The Jewish community in Mashhad, Iran, traces its origins back to the 1740s.
Nader Shah, a ruler with a favorable disposition towards Jews, relocated 40 Jewish families from Qazvin (Iran) and Dilman (Azerbaijan) to Mashhad to guard the treasures from his Indian invasion >>

When did the modern "settlements" in Judea and Samaria start?
Are they built on stolen land?

20th century History of J&S part #1
Let's dive in 🧵 >> 4 main settlement points pre-48:
In 1914 Jewish pioneers began settling land purchased in the hills north of Jerusalem next to Kalandia.
Their main goal was agricultural preparation (among the young pioneers was Levi Eshkol, future PM of Israel).
But after the outbreak of WWI >>

Who was Doña Gracia Mendes Nasi and was she the first "Zionist"?

Let's dive in 🧵👇 Beatrice de Luna better known by her Jewish name Doña Gracia, was born in 1510 Portugal to a family of "conversos" (Anusim).
Conversos were Jews who were forced to convert to Christianity but kept their Jewish identity in secret.
Doña only found out she was Jewish at age 12 >>

Has there always been a continuous Jewish presence in Israel?

Let's break it down century by century: 🧵👇 Joshua to the 10th Century BCE:

Joshua's Conquest of Cnaan (c. 1250 BCE) marks the transition from the Exodus to settlement, with the land being divided among the 12 tribes.
The earliest archeological mention of "Israel" is from this period on the Merneptah Stele >>

Is the story of Hanukkah historically and archeologically based?

Let's dive into the history surrounding Hanukkah 🕎 🧵👇 Background:
The Hasmonean (Maccabean) Revolt began in 167 BCE when Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king, tried to Hellenize Judea, including banning Jewish religious practices.
This led to widespread resistance among Jews who wished to maintain their traditions >>

What are the current laws and status of the land in Judea and Samaria?

To understand the complex legal landscape, we must delve into the historical layers. 🇮🇱👇

(Disclaimer: I've worked on this thread for the past few weeks, but I'm no legal expert) >> 🧵 The Ottoman Empire's land code was nonexistent until 1858 when they tried to make some order and created 5 categories:

1. Mülk - private land.
2. Miri - state property open to leasing.
3. Waqf - holy.
4. Metruka - land designated for public activities of villages. >>

What's it like being a "settler" in Judea & Samaria? 🧵🇮🇱

(This is my most personal threat yet, so I may delete) >> Living in Judea and Samaria is knowing that I walk in the very places Abraham, Issac, Jacob, and many after them once walked.
The place where the stories of the Bible come to life.
Shechem, Beit El, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ancient Shomron (Sabastia) are just some examples >>

Do you know how we have gotten to the current Israel-Hezbollah war? or how many wars have there been? When and why was Hezbollah created? 🇮🇱🇱🇧

The answers aren't so simple, let's dive in:🧵
#IsraelLebanonHistory #MiddleEastConflicts Background:
The territories of what would become Israel & Lebanon were once part of the Ottoman Empire which lasted from 1299-WWI.
The League of Nations officially gave the French & the British control over the areas they conquered in 1920 & Lebanon became independent in 1943🇱🇧