Latrun and Bethlehem

December 15, 2022
001 - IMG_6137 Haifa city, picture taken from our hotel before departing early in the morning...
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002 - IMG_7292 Bah'ai Shrine and nearby Bah'ai World Centre buildings, Haifa
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028 - IMG_0357 Latrun Abbey, a Trappist Monastery about 20 miles north of Valley of Elah and 25 miles slightly northwest of Jerusalem.
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008 - IMG_0345
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007 - P1190534
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011 - IMG_0347 The church at the Latrun Monastery combines both Byzantine and Gothic styles of architecture, making it a notable stop on a Christian pilgrimage.
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012 - P1190536 Entrance to the church...
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015 - IMG_0348 Inside the small church...
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014 - P1190538 Simple and reflects their monastic lifestyle...
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017 - IMG_0350 The church organ...
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018 - P1190540 Church ceiling...
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019 - IMG_0351 Simple stained glass...
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021 - P1190542 Looks like a retired military satellite dome...
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022 - P1190543 Poinsettia
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026 - IMG_0356 Olive tree
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040 - IMG_0368 Arrived Bethlehem, encountered the Israeli West Bank barrier, comprising the West Bank Wall and the West Bank fence...
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043 - IMG_7311 The West Bank barrier is a separation barrier built by Israel along the Green Line [(pre-)1967 border, or 1949 Armistice border, is the demarcation line set out...
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035 - IMG_7301 The West Wall Barrier is a contentious element of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict: Israel describes the wall as a necessary security barrier against...
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036 - IMG_7302 At a total length of 708 kilometres (440 mi) upon completion, the route traced by the barrier is more than double the length of the Green Line, with 15% of its...
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037 - IMG_0365 The barrier has drawn criticism from Palestinians, human rights groups, and members of the international community, who have all argued that it serves as...
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