By Ryan Jones
Feb 07, 2006
The archaeological record providing evidence of Israel's historical right to all of the land between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea was bolstered last month with the reported discovery of artifacts from an ancient synagogue believed to be in the Palestinian Authority's de facto capital of Ramallah.
Several well preserved pieces of a mosaic floor were confiscated by police during the arrest of "Palestinian" archeology thieves three weeks ago in the Jerusalem-area village of Shuafat, the Ma'ariv Hebrew daily reported.
Israel's Antiquities Authority at first believed the mosaic had been stolen from a well-known ancient synagogue in Jericho that has a similar floor with an identical inscription. (The recovered mosaic had the words "Peace on Israel" written on it.)
But after finding the Jericho floor intact, officials began to search for the location of what they now realize is a previously undiscovered ancient synagogue.
After some deliberation, researchers surmised that, based on the location from which the thieves were trying to smuggle the mosaic out, the synagogue must be located in the Ramallah area, just north of the Israeli capital.
Israeli archaeologists told Ma'ariv they are unsure where in Ramallah the synagogue is located, and are certain to not be allowed to examine the site by the "Palestinians," who reject the notion that this land has for nearly four thousand years been the national home of the Jews.
Those who accept the Bible's historical accuracy will be unsurprised by the discovery, since today's largely Muslim town of Ramallah occupies the spot of the prominent ancient Israelite town of Ramah, home to the Prophet Samuel and capital of Israel during his time as ruling judge.
I Samuel 7:15-17:
"And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. He went from year to year on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah... But he always returned to Ramah, for his home was there. There he judged Israel, and there he built an alter to the LORD."