Ariel David is an editor at Haaretz English, and a Tel Aviv-based foreign correspondent for Italian and English-language publications. He worked for five years as AP's correspondent in Rome, covering Italy and the Vatican.
The ancient 'Herodian street,' whose recent reopening by right-wing politicians and U.S. envoys stirred controversy, was commissioned by the Roman governor hated by Jews and Christians alike
En Esur, with its monumental temple and huge population, was vastly bigger than anything thought possible in the Southern Levant 5,000 years ago
Like most artists in the Golden Age of comic books, the three creators of Batman’s archnemesis were all Jewish — but good luck working out which of them came up with the original idea for the character
Study of ancient copper production sites in the deserts of Israel and Jordan indicates that the nomadic Edomites could and did form a powerful political entity more than 3,000 years ago, as the Bible suggests
Exploration of massive 2,200-year-old Hellenistic fort at Kiriath Yearim unexpectedly sheds light on biblical mystery: The true location of Emmaus
The images in the 6,000-year-old copper hoard from Nahal Mishmar are a code used by Chalcolithic metal workers, one scholar claims. Many colleagues are skeptical
Massive fortifications hidden beneath previously excavated settlement in southern Israel may have inspired biblical traditions about Goliath and other hulks
Skull of modern human was found near a much younger Neanderthal skull in the same cave – proving that our ancestors were roaming outside Africa much earlier than had been thought
Analysis of skeletons in the Philistine city of Ashkelon answers the elusive question of just where the Israelites’ biblical archenemies came from
'Italy's Marie Le Pen' is in Matteo Salvini's shadow for now – but 42-year old Giorgia Meloni, who rails against 'international finance' and winks at the Mussolini fans in her base, is slowly but surely building support at home and abroad
Scientists found microbes that survived for thousands of years inside pores in the clay of ancient pottery used to make and store beer and wine
Neo-fascism and a populist glorification of Mussolini's WWII regime is contaminating Italy's culture and politics, from street gangs to intellectual salons to the highest levels of government. And weak, divided liberal democrats are struggling to respond
New research on the Mesha Stele suggests that King Balak, the Moabite leader who according to the Bible tried to curse the Israelites, may have been a historical figure
From the expulsion of the Hyksos to Armageddon, the epic Passover saga does not reflect a specific event, but seems to contain distant memories that may give us clues to the real history of the ancient Israelites
New archaeological evidence and biblical scholarship suggest Shishak wanted to make Egypt great again – but may have inadvertently steered the Israelites into creating a great nation of their own
The seal bears the name of Nathan-Melech, apparently an officer of the Judahite King Josiah, and was found in First Temple-period ruins
Apparently there was a United Monarchy after all, posits biblical archaeologist Israel Finkelstein – just not under the kings Saul, David or Solomon, but centuries later under Jeroboam II
Prehistoric hominins had a sense of beauty, going by mysterious collection of colorful pebbles found in Qesem cave that had no obvious function
Nebi Zechariah once housed Christians and Muslims living together, and now it's going to house a logistics center. Here’s why Israeli salvage digs almost always end in development
Analysis of funerary artifacts in Iron Age burials at Hasanlu, Iran indicates there were three different sets of offerings: for males, females and a 'third gender'
The Sweden Democrats did well in the recent elections and have deadlocked the country’s politics. Now, a trio of researchers has traced just how deep the party’s Nazi roots run
Here are some must-know facts about Rome's anti-immigrant deputy PM, the latest populist leader to be hosted by Israel
Treasure was likely hidden before Crusaders seized the city from Muslim Caliphate in 1101. Owner may have been a local trader killed in the massacre of Caesarea’s population by conquering Christians
Skeletons of severely malformed brothers who survived their maladies (if not the trephination) found in Megiddo show the ancient Canaanites cared for the disabled
The Neolithic-era stone mask could have been a local way to stake a claim to land in the transition from hunting and gathering to farming, archaeologists suggest
Discoverers say this 1st century image of mythological bestiality is ‘exceptional and unique’ for its sensual and explicit portrayal of the episode that ultimately set in motion the Trojan war
For nearly 80 years, the legendary comic-book writer created characters who reflected the hopes, ideas and foibles of modern American Jewry
Pushed by strong results in national votes and backed by the likes of Steve Bannon, far-right forces are set for big gains in EU parliamentary elections – an outcome likely welcomed by Washington and Israel
Prehistoric people in Southeast Asia were decorating their caves with cattle drawings and hand stencils in Borneo as early as 52,000 years ago, thousands of years before the rock artists of Europe
By authenticating artifacts of unknown origin, researchers have unintentionally abetted their dissemination around the world, including to the Bible Museum in Washington