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  3. ISRAEL 2006-2010

ISRAEL 1: Gesher-Naharayim, Oct. 12, 2009

Old Gesher is located off Route 90, halfway between Tiberias and Beit She’an. Historically, it has been a place of strategic importance on the Syrian-African Rift. In April 1948, Gesher was the first settlement to withstand an attack by the Arab Legion. On site, three old bridges are visible, as well as an old British police station, historic railway tracks, and an old Khan (inn) from the Middle Ages. (Adjust your screen brightness as necessary.)
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  • 1-Site sign, Old Gesher

    1-Site sign, Old Gesher

  • 2-Plaque in Hebrew on wall of the Hadar Ochel (dining hall)

    2-Plaque in Hebrew on wall of the Hadar Ochel (dining hall)

  • 3-Old Gesher: Hadar Ochel (the dining hall)

    3-Old Gesher: Hadar Ochel (the dining hall)

  • 4-Foreground: Old Gesher Hadar Ochel (dining hall). background: watch tower in Jordan beyond.

    4-Foreground: Old Gesher Hadar Ochel (dining hall). background: watch tower in Jordan beyond.

  • 5-Railroad bridge built by the Turks in 1904 and rail cars from that era. The bridge was built to serve the train from Haifa to Damascus.

    5-Railroad bridge built by the Turks in 1904 and rail cars from that era. The bridge was built to serve the train from Haifa to Damascus.

  • 6-Old Gesher: rail cars, 1904 Turkish bridge, watch tower in background.

    6-Old Gesher: rail cars, 1904 Turkish bridge, watch tower in background.

  • 7-Background: border observation tower. Foreground, old rail cars on Haifa-Damascus line.

    7-Background: border observation tower. Foreground, old rail cars on Haifa-Damascus line.

  • 8-Foreground: Rutenberg Restaurant with bullet holes and shrapnel. Background: border observation tower in Jordan.

    8-Foreground: Rutenberg Restaurant with bullet holes and shrapnel. Background: border observation tower in Jordan.

  • 9-Abba and Daniel Niv, Gilberto (a friend of Daniel's from Guatemala), and I enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Rutenberg Restaurant.

    9-Abba and Daniel Niv, Gilberto (a friend of Daniel's from Guatemala), and I enjoyed a sumptuous lunch at Rutenberg Restaurant.

  • 10-Former British police station (foreground). To the right are the arches of a 2000-year-old Roman bridge. Jordan watch tower (background).

    10-Former British police station (foreground). To the right are the arches of a 2000-year-old Roman bridge. Jordan watch tower (background).

  • 11-Old Roman Bridge (dark stonework, center).

    11-Old Roman Bridge (dark stonework, center).

  • 12-Naharayim ("two rivers"): remains of the main dam, blown up in 1948. Three dams were built as part of the project. The power plant supplied electricity on both sides of the border from 1932-1948.

    12-Naharayim ("two rivers"): remains of the main dam, blown up in 1948. Three dams were built as part of the project. The power plant supplied electricity on both sides of the border from 1932-1948.

  • 13-Jordan, dam, power station, Jordan River, border. An agreement with Transjordan in 1927 enabled Pinchas Rutenberg, founder of the Palestine Electric Company, to build the company’s main power station at Naharayim ("two rivers") where the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers meet.

    13-Jordan, dam, power station, Jordan River, border. An agreement with Transjordan in 1927 enabled Pinchas Rutenberg, founder of the Palestine Electric Company, to build the company’s main power station at Naharayim ("two rivers") where the Jordan and Yarmuk Rivers meet.

  • 14-This 100-year-old locomotive was rescued from the demilitarized zone and restored. It is one of 10 that worked on the foundations for the hydroelectric station.

    14-This 100-year-old locomotive was rescued from the demilitarized zone and restored. It is one of 10 that worked on the foundations for the hydroelectric station.

  • 15- The site manager, Nirit Bagron, and Abba Niv.

    15- The site manager, Nirit Bagron, and Abba Niv.

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    5-Railroad bridge built by the Turks in 1904 and rail cars from that era. The bridge was built to serve the train from Haifa to Damascus.
    6-Old Gesher: rail cars, 1904 Turkish bridge, watch tower in background.
    7-Background: border observation tower. Foreground, old rail cars on Haifa-Damascus line.