Journalism. Reporting and field notes from Jerusalem

Producer and reporter covering the intersection of faith, culture, and global events from Jerusalem for CBN News, Jerusalem Dateline, Newswatch, The 700 Club, Christianity.com, and Ministry Now.

Joshua Swanson interviewing Ambassador Mike Huckabee at the City of David in Jerusalem
Interviewing Ambassador Mike Huckabee on the Pilgrimage Road

Selected Writing

15 entries
Latest · Israel

U.S. and Israel Plan New Strikes on Iran as Tehran Threatens Massive Retaliation

I reported the top story from Jerusalem for CBN Newswatch, then joined Efrem Graham live to discuss Iran, Israel's election, and the deadly Hebron attack.

Oct 2026 · Read the piece →
IsraelOct 2026

Meeting the 'Settlers': Jewish Farmers, Body Cameras, and the Story the World Isn't Telling

I met the Jewish farmers the headlines call settlers and heard their stories firsthand. Now an American Christian is putting body cameras on shepherds to show the world what really happens in Judea and Samaria.

Judea and SamariaJewish FarmersSettler ViolenceGeneration Zion
ArchaeologyOct 2026

Stealing Israel's History: Chasing Antiquities Looters, and Why Charisma Picked Up the Story

Almost every night, thieves dig for artifacts across Israel. I reported on the fight to stop them for CBN News, and Charisma Magazine shared the story with its readers.

Israel Antiquities AuthorityLootersArchaeologyCharisma Magazine
IsraelOct 2026

Tragedy, Resilience, and Hope: My Conversation With Rabbi Leo Dee

In Efrat, I met a father who lost his wife and two daughters to terrorism. His grief was sobering. His resilience, faith, and hope were deeply encouraging.

Rabbi Leo DeeJudea and SamariaFaith and ResilienceChristian Support for Israel
ArchaeologySep 2026

A Voice From the Desert: The Great Isaiah Scroll and the Caves of Qumran

Standing before the Great Isaiah Scroll and hearing Dan Farkash describe his priestly connection to Qumran made these stories deeply personal for me.

Great Isaiah ScrollDead Sea ScrollsQumranIsrael Museum
IsraelSep 2026

UK Terror Plot Suspects Out on Bail as Trump Denies Iran Offer

Five suspects arrested near a British air base used by American bombers are out on bail, drawing a sharp response from President Trump, as Washington and Tehran trade messages over a possible nuclear agreement. Aired on The 700 Club.

IsraelSep 2026

Dead Jew, No News? A Yom Kippur Attack and the Stories the World Misses

Two attacks in two days left an Israeli father dead and a reservist fighting for his life. The violence was real. So was the silence surrounding it.

Yom KippurSamariaterrorismmedia
MediaSep 2026

The Chocolate Challah That Stopped the Newsroom

A homemade chocolate challah from Rachael Swanson brought our Jerusalem newsroom to a happy standstill, a sweet reminder that the team behind the headlines is family.

JerusalemBehind the ScenesCommunity
IsraelSep 2026

Happy New Year. Iran Is Reloading.

Nothing says Happy New Year quite like ballistic missiles.

IranIsraelMiddle East
IsraelSep 2026

Will the BDS Movement Make Its Way Into the Boardroom?

The campaign to boycott Israel started on campus and moved into politics. Now it is knocking on the doors of corporations and investment funds, where the numbers tell a different story.

CBN NewsBDSmedia
ArchaeologyJun 2026

A Tiny Menorah and a Very Long Memory

A 1,300 year old lead pendant found beneath the Temple Mount carries a menorah on both sides, and a story that outlasted empires.

archaeologyTemple MountJerusalembiblical history
Biblical PerspectiveMar 2026

The God Hannah Prayed To Is Still Listening

At ancient Shiloh, Hannah’s prayer still echoes through the stories of people who come carrying grief, hope, longing and faith.

ShilohprayerHannahbiblical history
IsraelDec 2025

1,000 Pastors Visit Judea and Samaria in What Could Mark a Historic Turning Point for the Church

Reporting from ancient Shiloh, I joined more than 1,000 pastors and Christian influencers exploring the biblical heartland and its significance for the Church and Israel.

ShilohJudea and SamariaChristian Support for Israel
ArchaeologyNov 2025

The Stones Still Speak: Beauty From Ashes at Bethsaida

A wildfire swept across el Araj, the site many believe is biblical Bethsaida, exposing more of the fishing village where Peter, Andrew, and Philip began their lives.

excavationbiblical historyIsrael
InnovationNov 2025

Israel's Economic Renaissance: Why One American Investor Is Betting Big on the Jewish State

From Tel Aviv, Joshua Swanson explores why Michael Fertik is betting on Israel’s innovators and the resilience driving its economic renaissance.

Israel’s EconomyMichael FertikIsraeli InnovationNEXTSilicon