In the 17th June 18 edition of Israel’s
good news, the highlights include:
·
Israeli
scientists have enhanced cancer treatment for children.
·
Israeli
medics are saving burns victims from the Guatemala volcano.
·
An Israeli
startup recycles kidney dialysis devices into water purifiers.
·
Israel has
signed a new free-trade agreement with Canada.
·
A musical
based on an Israeli film has won 10 Tony awards.
·
150
musicians and dancers greeted 2000 Birthright participants at Ben Gurion
Airport.
·
Click here
to see the 20th May newsletter on IsraelSeen,
Ruthfully
Yours, Janglo,
IsraPundit
(13th May) and United With
Israel with extra features on Health,
and Technology.
Also (TY Sandra) in German.
·
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ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Developing a blood test for cancer. The Californian healthcare company
GRAIL Inc is sponsoring a research program to detect cancer early, led by
Hebrew University Professor Yuval Dor. The program will analyze fragmented DNA
in the bloodstream that derives from tumors, to identify the type of cancer
responsible.
Targeting cancer cells
in children.
Scientists at Israel’s Technion have developed a system for the
selective nanoscale transport of the chemotherapeutic Dasatinib in young
patients. Polymer micelles enhanced with sugar carry the chemical to cancer
cells alone, thus maximizing its efficiency without harming healthy tissues.
$8.4 million for startups to test health
software. Israel has launched an $8.4 million p.a. program
that enables startups to try out their technologies with the medical data of
the four health services. It is part of the National Digital Health plan (see
here) which aims to make Israel a global leader in digital health
technologies.
A new view on surgery. Israel’s Beyeonics Surgical (a subsidiary of Elbit) develops Augmented
Reality (AR) visualization for surgeons. A head-mounted visor transmits
real-time high-resolution imaging of the surgical area, plus patient data,
directly before surgeons’ eyes. Beyeonics has just raised $11.5 million of
funds.
Cells learn to overcome difficult
pregnancies. Researchers at the Hebrew University
of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center have discovered that the human body’s
“natural killer” cells improve their ability to fight diseases affecting the
fetus following the first pregnancy. It could lead to new fertility treatments
Israel’s first female ambucycle driver. Sophie Donio from Eilat is Israel's first female EMS ambucycle
driver. She is a single working mother, a therapist and a diving instructor who
gives up her free time to volunteer with United Hatzalah as an EMT first
responder and rush out to save the lives of people she has never met.
A biotech hub
at Hadassah. Israel’s LR Group is launching
Biohouse - a $14 million network of biotech hubs, initially in Jerusalem’s
Hadassah Medical Center and then at two other Israeli hospitals, plus Boston
and New York. The Hadassah hub can host 40-50 medical device and digital health
startups and is already 40% full.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Intel integrates Israeli-Arab workers. Intel has announced a special program to help integrate Arab
workers into its Israeli workforce. Led by senior principal engineer Fadi Aboud
and team leader Basma Khalaf, Intel will offer its Arab workers special
workshops and conferences to boost their careers.
Prime Minister’s Office hosts Iftar
meal. Deputy Minister Michael Oren hosted the
first-ever fast-breaking Iftar dinner in honor of Ramadan, held under the
auspices of Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office. Due to demand (100 guests
accepted the invitation) the event was relocated from the PMO premises to the
Knesset itself.
Israel Library displays miniature 10th
Century Koran. A tiny 10th-century Koran has gone
on display for the first time as part of a collection of Islamic texts being
shown at Israel’s National Library to mark the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
The Koran is 68 by 37 millimeters and without vowels or punctuation.
Leaders visit from Indonesia, Bulgaria
and Austria. (TY WIN
& UWI)
Yahya Staquf, secretary general of Indonesia’s 60 million-member Nahdlatul
Ulama organization met with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, as did Bulgaria’s
PM Boyko Borisov and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz.
https://www.algemeiner.com/2018/06/13/netanyahu-thanks-bulgarian-pm-boyko-borisov-for-defending-israel-in-eu/ https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-israel-indonesian-muslim-leader-risks-backlash-at-home/
Israel gives Iranians drought relief
advice. (TY UWI)
Israel’s Foreign Ministry has launched a website in Farsi aimed at sharing
Israeli water technologies directly with the Iranian people, who are suffering
from an unprecedented nationwide drought. The site provides tips on how to save
water and improve its use.
World Oceans Day. (TY UWI)
Israel’s work to preserve the ocean environment is summarized in this video to
mark World Oceans Day on 8th June. https://www.youtube.com/embed/9vYg9qCZaV0?rel=0
Israel’s rescue team
in Guatemala. (TY Janglo)
Israeli doctors, nurses and paramedics have been helping at two hospitals in
Guatemala City, near to where the Fuego volcanic eruption has killed many and
displaced thousands. They also brought the innovative NexoBrid gel from
Israel’s MediWound (see here)
to treat burns victims. https://www.israel21c.org/the-ground-is-so-hot-it-burns-through-their-shoes/
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
R&D cooperation with Italy. Israel and Italy have agreed to promote eight academic and six
industrial cooperative projects, covering marine biology and agriculture. Both
governments will fund NIS 15 million per year, over the course of two years. Israel
will fund another NIS 8 million for joint bio-robotics laboratories.
IDF launches $2 billion project to build
tech campus. Israel’s Shikun & Binui and Africa
Israel have won the tender to build the new IDF information and communications
technology center in Beersheba. The center will serve some 5,000 soldiers and
career officers from the IDF’s intelligence units, including its cybersecurity
units.
Israeli wireless charging for Black
& Decker tools. I reported previously (see here) on Israel’s Humavox
and its microscopic device, small enough to re-charge hearing aids
wirelessly. Now toolmaker Stanley Black
& Decker has invested in Humavox, intending to add its technology to Black
& Decker products.
Feeling unsafe? Summon a drone. A team of students from
Israel’s Ben-Gurion University are developing Air-Pal - a personal security app
to enable local authorities to respond quicker to emergencies. App users can call
up a drone that will transmit live video images to public safety organizations.
Water purification by
sterilized medical devices. (TY Israel21c)
Israel’s NUFiltration has helped solve the problem of what to do with some of
the 125 million dialyzers (artificial kidneys used in dialysis) discarded
annually worldwide: They sanitize and repurpose these sophisticated filters as
water-purification devices for developing countries. https://www.nufiltration.com/
https://www.youtube.com/embed/l0LNPJ3vavk?rel=0
Saving crops in India. (TY Israel21c)
Israeli startup Amaizz is developing a variety of products and services to
reduce food losses in grains, cereals, and horticulture by spoilage and
degradation throughout the handling, storage, and processing stages. Amaizz has
planned an on the ground pilot to take place in 2018 in India.
Cheap, clean fuel cells. Israeli startup GenCell makes fuel cell-based solutions to create emission-free
electricity. Its new GenCell A5 is marketed as a replacement for polluting
diesel generators used by telecom companies in remote areas. The cell uses
ammonia to produce hydrogen, which then generates electricity.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-startup-says-it-can-slash-telecom-costs-with-fuel-cell-energy/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Warren Buffet helps raise $80 million in
Israeli Bonds. Global investor and philanthropist Warren
Buffet helped secure $80 million in Israel bond purchases at a gathering in
Omaha. He spoke of Israel as “one of the most remarkable countries in the world”.
Each attendee pledged to buy a minimum of $1 million bonds.
Israeli startups to star at Paris auto
show. Calcalist will lead a delegation of Israeli
auto and mobility tech companies to the first-ever Mondial Tech conference at October’s
Mondial de l'Automobile (Paris Motor Show). Jean-Claude Girot, Mondial’s general
commissary, an ardent Israel supporter, will open the conference.
Huge impact of UK-Israel partnerships. There have been 175 Business deals initiated by the UK-Israel Tech
Hub since its 2011 launch. Their combined value of £85 million ($113 million) is
estimated to boost the UK economy by potentially £800 million ($1.1 billion) and
helps Israeli companies to access global markets.
Canada-Israel trade is
booming. Since the original 1997 Canada-Israel Free
Trade Agreement (CIFTA) came into force, bilateral trade has tripled to more
than $1.7 billion and fueled job growth in key Canadian sectors. The recently
upgraded CIFTA gives almost limitless possibilities for extending
Canadian-Israeli partnerships.
Germany leases Israeli drones worth
$1.18 billion. The German army is to lease seven of
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) newest Heron-TP surveillance drones for nine
years. The €1 billion ($1.18 billion) deal includes training, logistics,
infrastructure, project management, operational support and maintenance.
Billion-dollar companies. There are currently 18 Israeli-founded companies worth over $1
billion. They include WeWork ($20 billion), Magic Leap ($5 billion), Tanium ($5
billion), Houzz ($4 billion), Compass ($2.2 billion), Elastic ($2 billion),
Infinidat ($1.6 billion), ironSource ($1.5 billion), Payoneer ($1.5 billion)
and Gett ($1.4 billion) http://nocamels.com/2018/06/unicorns-companies-israel-valuation-1-billion/
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
More about “Solution Nation”. I reported previously (13th
May) on David Wanetick’s book “Solution Nation” describing 62 Israeli
companies developing solutions to problems “that threaten to end life itself or
materially degrade the quality of life.” This Israel21c article features 10
companies from the book.
10 Tony awards for Israeli-based
musical. “The Band’s Visit,” based on an Israeli
film won 2018 Tony Awards for Best musical, book, score, direction of a
musical, lighting design, orchestration and sound design. Members of the cast
won Best actor in a musical, Best actress in a musical and Best featured actor
in a musical.
Miss Iraq visits Israel. Miss Iraq 2017 Sarah Idan is visiting Israel, where she has been
warmly received as a cultural hero. She again met Miss Israel, Adar Gandelsman,
with whom she had shared a selfie that generated controversy in her country. https://worldisraelnews.com/visiting-jerusalem-miss-iraq-is-embraced-by-israelis/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/visiting-jerusalem-miss-iraq-embraced-by-israelis-praised-for-bravery/
Hollywood celebrates Israel’s 70th
birthday. Israeli Consul General Sam Grundwerg held
“Hollywood Salutes Israel,” - a private VIP reception for 700 guests at
Universal Studios in Hollywood to celebrate Israel’s 70th birthday. Stars
included Barbra Streisand, Robert de Niro, Michael Douglas, Bill Maher, and Gal
Gadot.
Jerusalem Lights Festival. (TY Janglo)
The 10th annual Jerusalem Lights Festival (Jun 27 – July 5) combines the
magical atmosphere of the Old City with innovative and challenging art. Wander
through the picturesque alleyways viewing the fascinating light displays and
huge video projections on the buildings and walls.
THE JEWISH STATE
Peace prizes for Israeli Jews and
Muslims. (TY Janglo)
Three pairs of Jewish Israelis and Muslim Arabs were awarded the 14th annual
Institute of International Education (IIE) Victor J. Goldberg Prize for Peace
in the Middle East in Jerusalem, recognizing their work toward advancing peace
and reducing tensions in the region. https://www.israel21c.org/3-initiatives-awarded-prize-for-israeli-arab-peace-efforts/
Archaeologists
discover king’s head. (TY UCI & Jacques) Archaeologists
have unearthed a 3000-year-old 5cm sculpture of a Biblical king from at Abel
Beth Maacah, near Israel’s Lebanese border. But which king? It could be the
Aramean Ben Hadad or Hazael of Damascus, Ahab or Jehu of Israel, or Ithobaal of
Tyre.
Couple
makes Aliya on 71st wedding anniversary. (TY Janglo)
Chicago natives Devorah ‘Doris’ Levitz (91) and Norman Levitz (93) have just made
Aliyah. Devorah and Norman visited Israel at least once a year since their son
made Aliyah 40 years ago. Now, they have officially decided to call Israel
their permanent home.
Welcome to Israel. (TY Janglo
and JPost)
A flashmob took over Ben Gurion arrivals hall on May 24, when 150 singers,
musicians and dancers, all from the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance,
surprised 2000 Taglit-Birthright participants from 47 groups taking their very
first steps in Israel.
