Burma Road

One of the most heroic chapters in modern Israeli history is associated with this road. When convoys of armoured vehicles which carried supply to the Jewish population were repeatedly attacked on the main road (Shaar Haggai) to Jerusalem inflicting heavy casualties and bringing the Jewish residents to the brink of starvation, an American immigrant soldier, Michael Stone (Mickey Marcus) made a well-camouflaged road through the seemingly impassible Judean mountains towards Jerusalem. Unfortunately, while constructing this road Marcus was killed when a guard mistook him for an enemy soldier due to not speaking Hebrew. Those who are familiar with Leon Uris' classic the "Exodus" would also remember that this road has been a great contribution to the Israeli forces in the battle for Jerusalem.The way called "Burma Road" was completed on the 10th of June 1948. The first furtive supplies reached Jerusalem through this road, putting an end to the Arab blockade. The seige was broken, and Israel managed to hold on to the western half of Jerusalem, maintaining a Jewish presence in that city. It was named the Burma Road after the road between Kumming (China) and Lashio (Burma), improvised by the Allies in World War Two. Today it is a hiking trail with makers and plaques. The Burma Road starts at Neve Shalom and ends near Abu Gosh, an Arab village in the outskirts of Jerusalem.