A Rare Seal Returns to Israel’s Coast

Nov. 13 2024

One of the enduring puzzles of biblical is zoology is the identity of the “tahash hides” that were used as coverings for the Tabernacle. One ancient opinion is that these were simply dyed goatskins, but most others assume the tahash was specific animal, identified variously as a gigantic multicolored unicorn, a badger, a dolphin, or an exotic species of weasel. Another theory is that it is a seal. Now a rare and endangered species, the Mediterranean monk seal can still be found on Israel’s coast. Etgar Lefkowitz describes a recent sighting:

The marine mammal, named Maya, was observed near Rosh Hanikra close to the border with Lebanon. First seen in Israel in 2010, Maya has returned to the country at least five times since. . . . Last year, another monk seal, affectionately named Yulia, became something of a celebrity in Israel after repeatedly visiting the beach in Tel Aviv.

Read more at JNS

More about: Animals, Hebrew Bible, Land of Israel

The Mass Expulsion of Palestinians Is No Solution. Neither Are Any of the Usual Plans for Gaza

Examining the Trump administration’s proposals for the people of Gaza, Danielle Pletka writes:

I do not believe that the forced cleansing of Gaza—a repetition of what every Arab country did to the hundreds of thousands of Arab Jews in 1948— is a “solution.” I don’t think Donald Trump views that as a permanent solution either (read his statement), though I could be wrong. My take is that he believes Gaza must be rebuilt under new management, with only those who wish to live there resettling the land.

The time has long since come for us to recognize that the establishment doesn’t have the faintest clue what to do about Gaza. Egypt doesn’t want it. Jordan doesn’t want it. Iran wants it, but only as cannon fodder. The UN wants it, but only to further its anti-Semitic agenda and continue milking cash from the West. Jordanians, Lebanese, and Syrians blame Palestinians for destroying their countries.

Negotiations with Hamas have not worked. Efforts to subsume Gaza under the Palestinian Authority have not worked. Rebuilding has not worked. Destruction will not work. A “two-state solution” has not arrived, and will not work.

So what’s to be done? If you live in Washington, New York, London, Paris, or Berlin, your view is that the same answers should definitely be tried again, but this time we mean it. This time will be different. . . . What could possibly make you believe this other than ideological laziness?

Read more at What the Hell Is Going On?

More about: Donald Trump, Gaza Strip, Palestinians