Showcasing Jewish History at Israel’s Gateway to the World
An archeological exhibit at Ben-Gurion International Airport presents proof of Israel’s 3,000-year history, reaffirming the Jewish people’s historic stake in the land
Every traveler going through Ben-Gurion International Airport’s passageway catches a glimpse of the latest exhibit on the long corridor wall. The new exhibit, called “Eternity of Israel,” stands out from its predecessors by bringing museum-quality archaeology to the walkway leading to duty-free.
At the exhibit’s opening ceremony, organizers emphasized the urgency of showcasing historical artifacts proving the Jewish people’s connection to the land of Israel, especially amid today’s global surge in antisemitism since Oct. 7, 2023. Among the remarkable items displayed are a hoard of Hasmonean coins discovered in the desert, newly revealed tools from near Mount Arbel, physical evidence bearing the name of Ahab, the famed king of northern Israel, and weapons from long-lost conquerors. A highlight is a 5-ton stone from the Western Wall; visitors can place messages within its crevices, just as they would in Jerusalem.
A section of the “Eternity of Israel” exhibit at Ben-Gurion International Airport. (Nathan Klabin/The Media Line)
The displayed artifacts are described in Hebrew and English, with QR codes that link to video footage from excavation sites, offering visitors a digitally guided experience to delve deeper into the discoveries. The exhibition, which includes 30 striking images that describe artifacts, showcase excavations, and display other archaeological treasures, is made possible through the support of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust—an organization committed to advancing meaningful initiatives in Israel and worldwide.
The artifacts on display highlight Israel’s sovereignty over 3,000 years. Even in periods when the Jewish people did not have political sovereignty over the land, we can see how they maintained their connection to it. Their spirit remained unbroken, and they held on until the eventual foundation of the modern State of Israel.
“The artifacts on display highlight Israel’s sovereignty over 3,000 years. Even in periods when the Jewish people did not have political sovereignty over the land, we can see how they maintained their connection to it. Their spirit remained unbroken, and they held on until the eventual foundation of the modern State of Israel,” Galit Litani, exhibition curator on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), told The Media Line.
Arrow tips used by Assyrian invaders displaced at the “Eternity of Israel” exhibit at Ben-Gurion International Airport. (Nathan Klabin/The Media Line)
When asked about travelers who might think that the exhibition is politicizing archeology to legitimize some form of Zionist agenda, Litani explained that the IAA’s efforts excavate “all of Israel’s history—over a million years of human presence in this land. We conduct numerous exhibitions showcasing a variety of cultures that lived here throughout time.”
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We dig everything—we uncover all of history, including this evidence that is hard proof against antisemitic arguments, but we don’t choose what we get to find when we excavate.
According to Litani, while this particular exhibition focuses on the Jewish people, “I wouldn’t say that we conduct excavations to serve a Zionist agenda. We dig everything—we uncover all of history, including this evidence that is hard proof against antisemitic arguments, but we don’t choose what we get to find when we excavate,” Litani said.
Unlike traditional museum spaces that require a dedicated visit, this new exhibit is strategically placed in the heart of Israel’s busiest gateway. This deliberate choice of location ensures that the exhibition not only reaches Israelis but also the millions of international travelers passing through the airport and presents a message that is especially important to passengers who are less fond of Israel.
In these times of fake news and antisemitism, here the hundreds of thousands of travelers from Israel and the world will meet the Jewish people’s unique story.
“Ben-Gurion Airport is the main entry and exit gate of the State of Israel,” said Eli Escusido, IAA director-general. “In these times of fake news and antisemitism, here the hundreds of thousands of travelers from Israel and the world will meet the Jewish people’s unique story.”
According to Escusido, at a time when misinformation and historical revisionism are rampant, the exhibition provides visitors with an authentic and tangible experience of Jewish history in the land of Israel. Through this exhibition, “we seek to provide an exciting connective experience that reminds everyone of the depth of the roots and the eternal connection between the people of Israel and this land,” he added.
MK Amichai Eliyahu, the former heritage minister, echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “It is not without cause that this exhibition is set up precisely in these days.” In the face of national challenges and security challenges, “the exhibition reminds us all of our deep roots and the Jewish people’s uncompromising commitment to their country and heritage,” he added.
While the new exhibit is undeniably a celebration of Jewish history, its themes transcend national identity. “This is not just the story of Israel; it is the story of human perseverance,” Litani noted. “Civilizations rise and fall, but few have demonstrated the ability to rebuild and maintain their identity over thousands of years as the Jewish people have.”
Even with its clearly Zionist message, Eliyahu hopes that the exhibition’s universal lessons resonate as well. “It is the story of the whole world. This is the DNA that gives us the strength to move forward, that shapes us, that—even when we argue among ourselves—we ultimately manage to stand on our feet,” he said.
It remains uncertain whether this exhibition will shift the perspectives of those travelers passing through Ben-Gurion Airport who hold anti-Israel sentiments, but its organizers hope it will educate, inspire, and foster a deeper appreciation for the enduring connection between the Jewish people and their homeland.
