Israel - why all the fuss ? (part 1)

It's only a little place, barely the size of Wales.

It's surrounded by thousands of miles of oil-rich desert.

It's populated by a vast seething melting pot of different colours, cultures and cuisines.

It's the holiest place for two great religions whose scriptures argue against having holy places.

It has a geography of extremes; snow capped mountains in the north, lush green orchards in the west, barren desert in the south and the lowest place on the earth in the east! It is possible to start a car journey needing an overcoat in Jerusalem and be sunbathing an hour later by the Dead Sea! Can Wales boast all of that?

It's also the world's foremost political and religious hotspot, giving rise to more United Nation resolutions than all other nations put together!

It's both hated and loved by more people than any other.

It's the most fascinating place in the world, by far.

And it's the land of miracles, its whole history has been swept along on a tide of miracles. Let's ride the surf now and relive those key moments ....