The three-day Foreign Ministry Conference for Policy and Strategy opened on Sunday (5 Oct) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Israeli policy and strategy issues for the coming year and the impact that the international arena might have on Israeli foreign policy.

Opening speeches were delivered by FM Tzipi Livni, Deputy FM Majalli Whbee, Director General Aaron Abramovich, French FM Bernard Kouchner, Palestinian FM Dr. Riyad al-Malki, and former German FM Joschka Fischer.

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A unique discovery was revealed in excavations that were conducted north of Jerusalem: a fragment of a sarcophagus cover was found that is engraved with square Hebrew script, characteristic of the Second Temple period. The fragment (length 0.60 m, width 0.48 m) is made of hard limestone, is meticulously fashioned and bears a carved inscription that reads: "…Ben HaCohen HaGadol…" - "Son of the High Priest

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The Gilboa Regional Council is planning to establish the first planned, eco-friendly community in Israel, with infrastructure and services designed not just to encourage, but to actually enforce environmentally responsible behavior.

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Yesterday, on this very stage, the Iranian leader renewed the darkest anti-Semitic libel - the Protocols of the Elders of Zion...

Iran continues to develop enriched uranium and long range missiles. They introduce a religion of fear, opposing the call of the lord in respect of life... The Iranian people are not our enemies. Their fanatic leadership is their problem and the world's concern. Their leader is a danger to his people, the region and the world.

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 Peres: "With the power vested in me by the Basic Law: The Government, and after having consulted with all of the factions of the Knesset, I have decided to bestow the task of forming the next government on Knesset Member Tzipi Livni. Knesset Member Tzipi Livni has agreed to take this task upon herself."

Livni: "The first and right choice for Israel is a stable government that will serve until the end of the current Knesset's term. I have every confidence in my ability to lead the State of Israel, with the full, honest and genuine cooperation of all the parties invited to join the coalition."

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Every fall, the skies of Israel fill with the sight of 500 million birds, migrating south from Europe to warmer climates in Asia and Africa - a paradise for bird watchers. Israel's unique strategic location, the only land bridge between Europe, Asia and Africa, provides the migrating birds with a large variety of habitats and the warm air currents they need for perfect soaring conditions.

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Two years have passed since IDF soldier Gilad Shalit on the Israeli side of the border with Gaza on June 25, 2006.

 
Defense Minister Barak (26 June 2008): "As a soldier, former commander and defense minister I say that we have a moral responsibility to bring the soldiers back home, dead or alive."

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• What is Israel's position on a Palestinian state?
• Does Israel have partners for making peace in the Arab world?
• Why is Israel a Jewish state?
• How does Israel's legal system protect human rights and basic freedoms?
• Is Palestinian terrorism part of international terrorism?

Read the answers to these and many more questions.

Now also available in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Russian (pdf).

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