In Brief

Option Open to Attack Iran
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The option to attack Iran "is still on the table," the U.S. chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said during a visit to Israel this week.

Adm. Michael Mullen said during a news conference Sunday that he is concerned about Iran's use of rhetoric coupled with its uranium-enrichment program.

"Conflict with Iran would be a big problem for everyone," he said. "I worry about the unintended consequences of an attack. While every situation has limits, we're not there yet. The diplomatic efforts must be exhausted until the end."

Mullen's visit focused on cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli militaries and security challenges, especially Iran's nuclear program, according to the Israel Defense Force.

Mullen stressed the real link between Israel and the United States.

"This important relationship with Israel grows stronger every day," he said. "We are close partners, since the establishment of the state. I am aware of the needs of Israel in every step. I'm here to understand the perspective of those who live here. I worry about the stability and the possibility for instability in the region. We will operate all our forces to have a stable and secure Israel."

Mullen's visit this week follows a visit last month by U.S. National Security Adviser James Jones and a leaked secret visit two weeks ago by Central Intelligence Agency director Leon Panetta.

In Dubai, Tennis Player Advances
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israel's Shahar Pe'er reached the third round of a tennis tournament in Dubai a year after being denied a visa to compete there.

Pe'er is restricted to traveling from the tennis courts to her hotel.

She is separated from the rest of the players, and has her own dressing room and gym, according to reports. Spectators of Pe'er's matches must be screened by metal detectors.

"It was a very important victory for me," Pe'er said after she beat 15th-ranked Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium in her opening match on Monday. "I felt very proud to be representing Israel in a country that does not recognize it."

Last year, a day before Pe'er was set to leave for Dubai, the United Arab Emirates denied her a visa.

The World Tennis Association fined the tournament organizers $300,000, and secured assurances that Pe'er would be able to participate in this year's tournament.

Ancient Wine Press Excavated
JERUSALEM (JTA) -- A large and advanced 1,400-year-old wine press was discovered in southern Israel.

The press was unearthed during an excavation by the Israel Antiquities Authority in a region southwest of Kibbutz Hafetz Haim in the Nahal Soreq Regional Council.

The land is being cleared to be the farmland for Ganei Tal, a new community to be built for Gush Katif evacuees.

The press was used to produce wine during the Late Byzantine period, or sixth and seventh centuries C.E., according to Uzi Ad, excavation director on behalf of the Israel Antiquities Authority.

"The size of the wine press attests to the fact that the quantity of wine that was produced in it was exceptionally large, and was not meant for local consumption," he said. "Instead, it was intended for export, probably to Egypt, which was a major export market at the time, or to Europe. This is a complex wine press that reflects a very high level of technology for this period, which was acquired and improved on from generation to generation."

The press included a central treading floor with a mosaic pavement where the grapes would be stepped on.