TBN in Israel

TBN sets up shop with a camera on the Mount of Olives. Read about the building Christian TV broadcasters bought in Jerusalem here.

Walking in Jesus' Steps

The Jesus Trail now has competition. In 2010, two hikers conceived the 40 mile trail that retracing the steps of Jesus in Israel. But the country’s Ministry of Tourism has opened a rival trail. The Gospel Trail is a few miles shorter than the Jesus Trail which also journeys through more Arab villages. For more information click here.

7 year Trial Ends

The Jerusalem District Court has acquitted an Israeli antiquities collector. Oded Golan was accused of being part of an international forgery ring and forging dozens of priceless archaeological artifacts, including an inscription on the burial box, or ossuary, of James, brother of Jesus. The trial lasted seven years and the judge's verdict ran 475 pages. In it, he made a point of recognizing the disputes between scholars over the matter, commenting at one point, "If you, the world's leading experts in this field, cannot agree with each other on the authenticity or otherwise of these items, how do you expect me, a mere judge, to reach a conclusion?" Despite the acquittal, one of the prosecution experts says the verdict only indicates there was no legal way to prove the fraud, but doesn't change the minds of those who believed the items were faked.

Graffiti: "Death to Christianity"

A church in Jerusalem was vandalized early this morning with graffiti. Someone painted on the walls of the Baptist Narkis Street Congregation "Death to Christianity," a profanity about Jesus, and the words "Price Tag." That's a slogan sometimes used by nationalist Jewish settlers referring to attempts by the Israeli government to stop settlements in the occupied West Bank. Some care tires were slashed in the church's parking lot as well.

Conversion to Islam

The son of movie director Oliver Stone is converting to Islam. Sean Stone is filming a documentary in Iran where he underwent a ceremony in the city of Isfahan. The younger Stone has taken the Muslim first name Ali. In recent interviews, he has defended Iran's president, saying the country has a right to pursue nuclear weapons to defend itself against threats from Israel.

Night to Honor Israel

John Hagee Ministries just gave out $6 million to Israeli charities at Hagee's Cornerstone megachurch in San Antonio, Texas during the group's Night to Honor Israel. Here's how it broke down:

Nefesh B'Nefesh - $900,000
(encourages immigration to Israel from English-speaking countries)

Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon - $250,000

Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem - $250,000

Western Galilee Hospital - $250,000

Christian Relic Discovered

Read about a tiny Christian relic found in Jerusalem here.

Mel Gibson Plans Maccabee Movie

Mel Gibson plans to make a film about Judah Maccabee, the Jewish hero whose story is commemorated in the celebration of Hanukkah. Gibson says he sees parallels between Maccabee’s story and the modern day church because of corruption in organized religion. The film will follow Maccabee who joins his father and four brothers to lead the Jewish revolt against the Greek-Syrian armies in the second century B.C. It's possible Gibson could act in the film, but he is more likely to remain behind the camera and direct.

In Jerusalem, scholars trace Bible's evolution

A look at efforts by scholars at Hebrew University to publish an authoritative edition of the Old Testament. Read about it here.

Jerusalem: City of David

In the video below, 60 Minutes reports from under the city of Jerusalem at a controversial archeological dig that has become a flashpoint in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Site of Jesus' Baptism

Israel is removing land mines from the area traditionally viewed as the site of Jesus’ baptism on the Jordan River and where the Israelites crossed into the Promised Land after their flight from Egypt. Israel has spent millions on removing the land minds, which the government placed there during the 1970s. The number of visitors to the area, located on the West Bank near Jericho, has tripled in last seven years.

Landmines at the Jordan

The area at the Jordan River near Jericho, where it is believed John the Baptist baptized Jesus, is surrounded by thousands of land mines. Isreal has issued warnings but the military says the Qasr el-Yahud area is free of mines because it sweeps the area regularly. Some 8000 have been found and removed during 2010. Israel took control of the area in 1967.

Killed in Israel

An American tourist recently murdered in Israel was a staff member at Church's Ministry among Jewish people, a group involved with presenting Jewish people the Christian message. Kristine Luken was stabbed to death while hiking with a professional tour guide and friend who survived by pretending to be dead, and said the pair were attacked by two Arab men with what looked like a bread knife. No one has been arrested so far in the investigation.

Star of David Discovery

Google Earth has revealed there is a Star of David on the roof of the Teheran airport. Iranian government officials are reportedly incensed at the discovered at the headquarters of Iran Air, Al- Arabiya. More than 30 years ago, the building that houses the national airline of the Islamic Republic was constructed by Israeli engineers. Before 1979, there were regular flights between the Shah’s Iran Teheran and Tel Aviv. A few months ago, it was discovered that there was a Star of David on the roof of a building in Teheran’s Revolution Square.

Holy Land Tourism

Israel’s Tourism Ministry says tourism is up 42% from the same period in 2009, making 2010 a potentially record year. Many of these tourists are evangelical Christians.

Sea of Galilee Ban

Israel has stopped all fishing in the Sea of Galilee for two years. This is the first known ban on the practice dating back to when Jesus and his disciples fished those same waters. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says fish stocks in the freshwater northern Israel lake have fallen dramatically in recent years. Israel's agriculture ministry blames the drop on overfishing and the use of illegal nets that trap young fish.

Hamas Spy and Convert

Mosab Hassan Yousef is the son of one of the founders of the Palestinian Hamas party who claims he worked for Israeli intelligence for years. He's also a Christian convert. Yousef tells his story in Son of Hamas which is #11 on the New York Times’ list of hardcover nonfiction bestsellers. He says it is "a message of hope – not because son of Hamas is a great person, but because son of Hamas followed the steps of a hero, my hero, Jesus Christ... When I think about Muslims, I think about my family. I’m not going to give up on them. They disowned me. I will not disown them." The fact he has gone public makes Yousef a potential target for extremists.

Ancient Wall Discovered

Israeli archaeologists say they have uncovered a wall that dates to the 10th century BCE in Jerusalem. That's the period of King Solomon and the major construction on the First Temple as described in the Bible. The massive wall is more than 200 feet long and 32 feet high. A gatehouse and tower was also discovered. One of the archaeologists says it fits with the Biblical descriptions of King Solomon's construction in Jerusalem. The effort is being conducted by a team from Hebrew University, the Israel Antiquities Authority and the Israel Nature and Parks Authority.

Jesus' Era Dwelling Found

Here's a video report on the discovery of a house in Nazareth from Jesus' Time . More on the story here.

House Dates to Jesus' Time

Archaeologists in Israel say they've found what could have been the home of a neighbor of Jesus during his childhood in Nazareth. It's the first uncovered from that period of time. The Israel Antiquities Authority discovered a water system, courtyard, clay vessels, and parts of a wall. It's near the Basilica of the Annunciation. Builders unearthed it while working on a new Christian center.