The Palestine Exploration Society, headed by Dr. Benjamin Meisels, today began excavations at the site of ancient Beth Yerach, which is situated near where the River Jordan flows into the Kinnereth.
Beth Yerach is mentioned in the Bible on many occasions. It was midpoint on the caravan route between Egypt and Mesopotamia and had a large population in the third century, and, perhaps, earlier. It was abandoned for unknown reasons and resettled in the period of the Second Temple.
The excavations are being financed by the Histadruth in honor of Berl Katznelson, late labor leader and editor. Katznelson’s widow, David Remez, secretary general of the Histadruth, and other leaders of the labor federations were present when excavations were started.
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