In synagogues this week, Jews read about
Noah and the Biblical flood, which tells of the destruction of the ancient
world. Today, there are many evils that
again threaten to flood the planet, but at least now we have a nation - Israel
- busy re-constructing the world to prevent disease, thirst, hunger, pollution
and terrorism from submerging mankind.
Here are some of Israel’s most recent activities.
In the new world no one will have
Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or Type 2 diabetes.
Ben Gurion University researchers have just discovered that these
diseases have a common link in the build-up
of a peptide, for which treatments now can be developed. Another Israeli innovation facilitates
damaged hearts to be repaired by building
replacement tissue impregnated with gold atoms. The electrical conductivity property of gold
carries signals to and from the heart until the new tissue grows sufficient
amounts of protein to do the same job.
Complex fractures are often repaired by
regenerating the bone using grafts taken from somewhere else in the body. But now the damaged bone
can be rebuilt from coral grown in the laboratory by Israel’s OkCoral. And during breast cancer awareness month we
are building our hopes
up for a world without this deadly disease. Among many Israeli discoveries and treatments is the vital Octava
early diagnosis cancer test from Israel’s Eventus.
The excitement has been building for three
international conferences showcasing world-changing Israeli technology. The International
Polymer Processing Society (PPS) is holding its annual conference in
Israel for the first time in its 30-year history. Top experts will discuss 3D printing, nano-technology,
biodegradable polymers, super-hygrophobicity, medical polymers, smart materials
and much more. At the International
Astronautical Congress in Toronto, over 200 leaders in the “space
business” gathered at the Israel exhibit.
Israel is one of only seven countries to launch and maintain its own
satellites and works closely with both NASA and the European Space Agency. And the Israel
Conference in Los Angeles at the end of October will feature 75 stellar
speakers from Israel-facing hi-tech companies building the technologies and
products of tomorrow.
Most computers are now built with Israeli
technology inside. Intel’s
latest Core
M chip was designed in Israel, as is its successor - the
SkyLake due to be released in 2015.
Meanwhile, Israel’s Stratasys has built
a factory described as the most advanced in the world for the
production of 3D printers. And Israel’s
Nano Dimension is building a desktop-sized
3D printer that prints electrical circuit boards so that one day you
may be able to print your own
computer or mobile phone.
Israel is helping to build a world free from
polluting chemicals. The Jewish State
has joined a group of 41 countries that have agreed to drop
all customs duties on goods that contribute to a cleaner environment. The global deal will also make Israel’s vast
range of clean technology products cheaper abroad. Israel is also building
a new clean technology hub at Kibbutz Ketura near Eilat. The hub will
allow companies to build
and test products that provide energy and water to poor populations
that are not connected to their national grids. The waste digesters from Israel’s HomeBioGas already do this for
Bedouin residents of the Arab town of Umm Batin near Beersheva.
Israel’s environment ministry even subsidizes the 8,000-shekels cost per
unit. Additional units are heading
overseas as part of a pilot project in the Dominican Republic.
In the new world, discrimination would be
non-existent. The Jewish State leads
the way, for the head of Ziv Medical Center is Dr. Salmaan Zarka - a Druze
Arab, and women are in charge of Hadassah,
HaEmeq
and Carmel hospitals. Arab states would
have good relations with Israel.
Already, hundreds of individual Syrians
happily trust Israeli doctors with their lives; the Arab
media praises Israel’s treatment of its Palestinian Arab workers; and
Egypt, Jordan,
the Palestinian Authority and even Turkey are negotiating to buy Israeli
natural gas.
Away from the Middle East, there is even
more cause to be optimistic about relations with countries that have large
Muslim populations. According to
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, “the sky’s the
limit” to Israel-India
ties as evidenced by the warm meeting in New York between the leaders
of the two states. Turning next to Azerbaijan
- the biggest supplier of oil to Israel and its closest Muslim ally. Moshe Ya’alon was the first Israeli Defense
Minister to visit the majority Shiite nation since diplomatic relations were established
22 years ago. And finally, Israeli eye
doctors performed 55 operations and examined over 250 patients at the
Eye Microsurgery Department of Osh Interregional Hospital in Kyrgyzstan.
There are no doubts amongst many of
Israel’s supporters that Israel is key to a better world. Every year thousands
of Zionist Christians express their belief in the Biblical prophet
Zechariah’s vision that “all nations of the world will come to Jerusalem
to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles”.
Finally, even Noah might have been
impressed by the efforts of six Israelis to reach Israel in time for
Tabernacles. They swam the 236 miles
(380km) from Cyprus to Tel Aviv to make a new world
record and build
awareness for protecting the environment of the Mediterranean.
Israel – making a world of difference.
Michael Ordman writes a free weekly
newsletter containing positive news stories about Israel.
For a free subscription, email a request to
michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com