This cache was hidden as part of the Geocaching 10 years
celebrations in Israel.
This cache is also part of the 10
Years series, ending with a puzzle cache. Visit that cache to
learn about the area.
After finding the cache and logging your visit, do not forget to
write down the codes you'll find on the cover inside - you will
need them for the series final.
The British Mandate over Israel (Palestine)
Until WWI, Israel was occupied by the Ottoman empire (today
Turkey). In 1917, Israel was occupied by the British. After the
war, The League of Nations (the precursor to the United Nations)
decided to establish two states in the middle east - one for Arabs
and one for Jews, in Israel, which was known then in its Roman
name, Palestine. Following, the Foreign minister of Britain
published a Declaration, stating: "His Majesty's government view
with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for
the Jewish people". However, a great protest, accompanied with
terror by the Arabs, convinced Britain to give major parts of
historical Israel to Arabs. The east bank of Israel was given to
Arabs, forming the Jordan kingdom. Northern parts was given to
French mandate, which later gave them to Lebanon and Syria. This
all was regulated, in 1922, when Britain got a mandate from the
League of Nations, following those borders.
Arabs didn't accept that and demand to get also the rest of
Israel. New governments in Britain tended to support the Arabs.
Instead of establishing a Jewish state in Israel, Britain didn't
allowed Jews to return their homeland, while allowing a massive
Arab immigration into Israel. This policy is a main contributor to
the demographic problem we have today in Israel. Even in the
holocaust, when Jews were tortured in Europe, they couldn't escape,
because the British didn't allowed them to return to their
ancestors land. Those who came here were sent to prison camps in
various British territories across the world.
In 1947, Britain decided to end the Mandate and let the UN
decide what to do. The UN decided to split again what remained from
Israel and give 44% of Israel to a Arabs. The Jews was happy to get
independence, even if it's just in a small part of the historical
land, but Arabs opposed and replied with massive terror attacks on
the Jewish population. In May 1948 The British left Israel and on
the same day all the Arab neighbors countries invaded into Israel,
starting the 1948 independence war, but that is a story for other
caches.
This cache will lead us to two sites related to the British
Mandate.
The Pillbox
This pillbox was used as a guarding post by the British forces.
Many of them were built in Israel, mainly during the Arab revolt, a
terror wave in 1936-1939 that was directed against both the British
and the Jews.
Beit Kadima
Beit Kadima was built by the British authorities on 1945 for
housing families of British officers, but they never had the honor
to live there. The building contained 21 apartments along with
parking garages and storage space. The building is built in
international style combined with traditional Jerusalem motives as
halve arcs over the entrances and external staircases. The building
stood empty for several years until the British authorities chose
the secluded compound to house the members of the UNSCOP
Commission, who were sent by the UN to determine the future status
of the land of Israel. For several weeks the Commission members
lived in Beit Kadima and drafted the recommendation which led to
the decision on partition of Palestine and the establishment of the
State of Israel.
Where is the Cache?
The listed coords will lead you to a nice garden surrounding the
Pillbox. In the garden you will find some objects with various
numbers on them:
Ignore the following 3 hints, while the place is under
construction
- Look for the following date and find the missing digits:
12.C.??DF
- Look for the following date and find the missing digits:
25.3.??AB
- Find an object with two numbers on it: ??-??????-? and
??-???????. The only digit that you can't find there is E.
- The cache coords are: N 31° 46.ABC 035° 12.DEF
- The cache is a 180ml L&L container.
From the cache you will see the Kadima house with a blue sign in
front of it, telling about the place.
Recommended - Bustan Brodi, a communal garden
It is recommended to continue 100m up in the stairs above Beit
Kadima (see waypoint). Bustan Brodi is a communal garden,
maintained by the local residents, while focusing on organic
methods. It's a nice spot to take a small rest before your next
cache.
Bonus questions, only for Hebrew speakers: find a connection
between the 2nd stage in the multi and the sign in Bustan Brodi.
Send me your answer in a private message.