Israel's Good News Newsletter to 5th Jan 2025

 

In the 5th Jan 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:

l  Numerous technical advances in Israeli rehabilitation therapy during the war.

l  Two major Israeli breakthroughs in cancer treatment.

l  Israel spends millions on technical and Hebrew skills for its Arab citizens.

l  Israeli eye doctors restored the sight of hundreds of Ethiopians.

l  Israel and the US team-up on cyber training and cleantech projects.

l  Low cost airline Wizz Air, and 5 others, resume services to Israel.

l  Israeli actress Gal Gadot had brain surgery when 8 months’ pregnant.

l  Israeli archaeologists unearthed ancient artifacts linked to Chanukah.

 

 

·       Click here to see the 29th Dec newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen. Also (TY Sandra) for translating it into German here, and Hebrew here, and with (TY) Claude into French here. Also (TY Barbara) into Spanish here. Please forward this newsletter to German-speaking, Spanish-speaking, French-speaking and Hebrew-speaking contacts. Also please visit my Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/verygoodnewsIL.

 

·       Please click here, to donate (a small or large amount) to help me publicize VeryGoodNewsIsrael. 

 

·       Click here to keyword SEARCH almost any topic in the IsraelActive archives (over 25,800 articles).


·       If someone wishes to be added to the free email subscription list, they should either click here or send a request (with their name, and the subject “Subscribe”) to michael.goodnewsisrael@gmail.com

 


POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR

 

Medical advances from the war. The New York Post describes many of Israel’s rehabilitating innovations created as a direct result of the war with Hamas and Hezbollah. It focuses on Israeli reservist and New York native Aaron Bours who was shot in both legs but is now well on the road to recovery.

https://nypost.com/2024/12/21/world-news/israels-war-with-hamas-has-led-to-amazing-medical-innovation/

 

IDF enlistment rates increase. (TY Yanky) IDF figures show high motivation among recruits, with a high Nov-Dec enlistment rate for combat roles. The number of women joining combat roles rose 28%, attributed in part to a gender-specific unit in field intelligence and a new female infantry mobility training track.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/defense/artc-28-increase-in-conscription-to-combat-units-amid-war

 

David’s Brigade. (TY Yanky) The IDF is forming the David Brigades - a reserve division for troops aged 38-58. It will comprise five brigades totalling 15,000 soldiers that will strengthen border defenses. Most of the reservists are volunteers with extensive experience gained during both their military service and civilian lives.

https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b14ezrkr1l

 

Frequent flier points to IDF reservists. (TY Aubrey) El Al is honoring IDF reservists who have served 100 days or more since Oct. 7, 2023 with 100 frequent flyer points for each day of their reserve duty. El Al has already distributed more than 20,000 free flight tickets to reserve IDF soldiers.

https://www.jns.org/wire/el-. al-launches-initiative-to-honor-idf-reservists-with-frequent-flyer-points/

 

Three new ambulances for Samaria. Three new bullet-proof ambulances have been donated to Magen David Adom (MDA) for deployment in Samaria communities. Two were donated by the Akiva Fund in Switzerland while the third was donated by the Samaritans Purse organization in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/401251

 

IDF helps 127 Gazan patients get overseas care. In the last week, Israel facilitated the transfer of 127 Gazan patients, mostly children, to the United Arab Emirates. In recent months, Israel has allowed 1,055 patients and caregivers, to pass through the Kerem Shalom Crossing for treatment in 13 countries.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-127-gazan-patients-transferred-to-receive-care-abroad-facilitated-by-idf

 

What was good about 2024? Israel21c summarized the positive side of last year. Volunteering, humanitarian aid, rebuilding the south, recovery in the north, air defense, Air Haifa, Olympic medals, Eurovision, medical research, science awards, cybertech, AI, emergency response, wave energy, quantum computing, and more.

https://www.israel21c.org/reasons-to-be-hopeful/

 

What happened in 2024? Good news can be extracted from this Israel Hayom summary of 2024. Aliya surge, Argentine hostages rescued, swimming medal in Doha, top Pizza restaurants, 1st response to Iran, Eurovision, 4 hostages rescued, Haniyeh, Olympic gold, pagers, Nasrallah, Sinwar, 2nd response to Iran, ceasefire & Syria.

https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/12/31/its-a-wrap-2024-feature/

 

Soldier rescues dog from Gaza. For the past three months, Tal, a convoy driver in the IDF Paratroopers Brigade has been raising Chiquita, a friendly rottweiler dog he rescued from Gaza. Tal paid for Chiquita to be vaccinated, neutered and kept in kennels for eight months until he finished reserve duty.

https://www.jns.org/soldier-rescues-dog-from-gaza/

 

 

ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS

 

Dual cancer therapy nanoparticles. (TY WIN) Tel Aviv University researchers have developed bio-degradable nanoparticles to simultaneously deliver two chemicals to tumors that express the P-Selectin protein. The dual combination needs to arrive at the same time to be most effective.

https://tps.co.il/articles/hope-for-cancer-patients-israeli-european-team-unveils-innovative-dual-drug-nanoparticle-therapy/  https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.adr4762

 

Cancer therapy targets a “bad” enzyme. Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel’s Weizmann Institute and the University of Tokyo have created the peptide D’20 that  targets and inhibits an enzyme called Matrix Metallopeptidase 7 (MMP7). MMP7 helps cancer cells invade surrounding tissues.

https://tps.co.il/articles/israeli-japanese-cancer-research-offers-new-to-hope-for-fighting-pancreatic-cancer/

 

How cells define their identity. (TY TPS) Researchers from Jerusalem's Hebrew University and Edinburgh  University, Scotland, uncovered how critical proteins, called transcription factors (TFs), define cellular identity. It raises the possibility of converting skin cells into heart cells, or insulin-producing cells to cure diabetes.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/breakthrough-for-bioengineering-as-study-deciphers-how-cells-define-their-identity/articleshow/116510751.cms

https://phys.org/news/2024-12-reveals-transcription-factors-dna-architecture.html

 

The benefits of intermittent fasting. A study led by Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s  Dr. Ido Goldstein has discovered that repeated fasting (e.g. on alternate days) triggers a cellular memory mechanism in the liver, improving its response to future fasting events, offering new insights into metabolic regulation.

https://www.israel21c.org/scientists-decode-health-benefits-behind-intermittent-fasting/  

https://academic.oup.com/nar/advance-article/doi/10.1093/nar/gkae1161/7915244?login=false

 

EU approval for CBC device. (TY Atid-EDI) PixCell Medical (see here previously) has achieved EU certification for its HemoScreen Complete Blood Count (CBC) analyzer. It is the first such device to pass the new, strict, European In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR). It already is US-approved.

https://www.pixcell-medical.com/news/hemoscreen-cbc-ivdr-certification/

 

“Digital Pharmacist” for the UK. (TY Atid-EDI) The UK Government’s G-Cloud 14 framework now includes the clinical decision-support software platform from Israel’s Seegnal eHealth (see here previously). UK NHS trusts, hospitals, and clinics can now easily procure Seegnal's "Virtual Digital Pharmacist".

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/02/2989889/0/en/Seegnal-E-Health-s-Virtual-Digital-Pharmacist-Approved-for-UK-Government-s-G-Cloud-14-Framework.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDkjr4c5yeg

 

EU funds Schizophrenia research. A consortium led by Prof. Hossam Haick of Israel’s Technion Institute has secured an eight million Euros grant from the European Union, for early diagnosis and monitoring of schizophrenia. The VOLABIOS project will analyze biomarkers derived from various sources in the body.

https://www.technion.ac.il/en/2024/12/towards-early-diagnosis-of-schizophrenia/

 

Predicting emergencies. Israel’s United Hatzalah first responder organization has implemented an Artificial Intelligence system developed by the IDF 8200 intelligence unit. It analyzes 18 years of historical emergency data and in trials has achieved a 85% accuracy rate in predicting locations and times of emergency events.

https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-first-responders-develop-ai-system-to-predict-medical-emergencies/

https://www.israel21c.org/using-ai-to-predict-where-and-when-medical-crises-may-occur/

 

 

ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL

 

10 million.  Now it’s official (see here previously). Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics has confirmed that Israel's population numbers approximately 10.027 million. 21% (2.1 million) are Arabs.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/401584

 

Accelerating Arab tech in Jerusalem. Israel’s Innovation Authority is providing $2.7 million over 5 years for  Jinnovate, Jerusalem’s first Arab sector health-tech accelerator, currently supporting a portfolio of 14 early-stage startups. Jinnovate was launched by Mahmoud Khweis, founder of Arab IT training company Techlinic.

https://www.israel21c.org/new-accelerator-fosters-innovation-in-arab-society/

https://jinnovate.tech/    https://techlinic.com/

 

$200 million for Arabs to improve Hebrew skills. The Israeli government is to advance Hebrew language proficiency among Arabic speakers, with a budget allocation of NIS 744 million ($202 million). Its aims include to foster social integration, boost employment prospects, and reduce crime in Arab communities.

https://www.jns.org/israel-spending-202-million-on-improving-arabs-hebrew-skills/

 

35 new Haredi police officers. A group of former yeshivah students have completed a three-month training course (the sixth in 2024) to become certified members of the Israel Police. About 150 to 200 haredi men currently serve with another 50 slated to join a new police training course that begins in January.

https://www.jns.org/35-haredi-men-become-israeli-police-officers/

 

4 years of Abraham Accords. Some 100 U.S. leaders met in the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the Abraham Accords, signed in the fall of 2020, which initiated the normalization of Israeli relations with several Arab countries. There are 28 daily flights to the UAE from Tel Aviv. (See write-up of our recent trip.)

https://www.jns.org/one-democrat-many-gop-complaints-at-capitol-event-marking-abraham-accords-anniversary/   https://israelseen.com/lynette-ordman-our-trip-to-dubai-was-quite-overwhelming-wow/

 

Floyd does it again. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather donated $1 million to Israeli emergency NGO United Hatzalah (UH) at their Miami Gala. Floyd also gifted a UH logo-shaped diamond necklace to philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson, in recognition of her unwavering support for Israel. The event raised a total of $14 million.

https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-floyd-mayweather-donates-1-million-to-united-hatzalah/

https://israelrescue.org/en_AU/stories/miami-gala-raises-14-million-with-1-million-gift-from-boxing-champion-floyd-mayweather/  

 

Global village. The World Zionist Village in Beersheva was the focus of talks at the JNF-USA Global Conference for Israel (see here previously).  Watch Col Richard Kemp as he revealed he met a British soldier who had been blown up in Afghanistan and was saved thanks to an Israeli-developed blood-clotting agent.

https://worldzionistvillage.org/newsletter  

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL1Tw9k_VE2SEq1T2R7JfIorVEUUbVKFO

 

Restoring sight in Ethiopia. (TY Ron M) A team of 15 Israeli medics have just completed their latest mission to Ethiopia where they treated nearly 1,000 patients, restoring sight to hundreds. They also restored the eyesight of over 500 blind people with cataracts, distributed canes to a school for the Blind, and spectacles to others.

https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-835776

 

 

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

 

Israeli ag-tech on show in Michigan. Five Israeli agriculture technology companies exhibited to 5,000+ attendees at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They were Agam Greenhouse Energy Systems, CropX, NESS Fertigation, Robotic Perception and TierraSpec.

https://www.jns.org/israeli-agricultural-companies-present-tech-at-michigan-farm-expo/  


5 new joint US-Israeli cleantech projects. The US and Israeli governments (via BIRD Energy) has awarded a total of $7.5 million to five joint US-Israel cleantech projects. The Israeli startups involved are Lucy Borchard Shipping (hydrogen-diesel engines), Nitrofix, OASIX Energy, Phinergy, and Plasticback (PVC recycling).

https://www.timesofisrael.com/five-us-israeli-clean-tech-projects-chosen-to-receive-7-5-million-in-grants/

https://www.lubor.co.il/   https://www.plastic-back.com/


CYBERDOME. The annual joint Israeli-US cyber defense exercise, “CYBERDOME IX,” was conducted by the U.S. Cyber Command and the IDF’s J6 and Cyber Defense Directorate and Intelligence Directorate. It included battlefield simulations that tested both offensive and defensive strategies.

https://www.jns.org/israel-and-us-conclude-joint-cyber-defense-exercise/


Better wind turbines. (TY Atid-EDI) Louisiana's Gulf Wind Technology is using technology from Israel’s Stratasys to improve the efficiency of designing its wind turbines. Stratasys’s Neo® stereolithography (SLA) technology reduced the design and fabrication cycle for wind tunnel models from 30 - 40 days to just 3 - 4 days.

https://investors.stratasys.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/920/gulf-wind-technology-leverages-stratasys-3d-printing-to  https://www.stratasys.com/en/resources/case-studies/gulf-wind-technology/

 

Fighting crime in North America. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Cognyte Software (see here previously) has received an additional follow-on order totaling over $2 million, from a leading North American law enforcement agency. Cognyte’s technology ensures the safety of communities across a wide geographic region.

https://www.cognyte.com/news/leading-north-american-law-enforcement-agency-places-2m-plus-follow-on-order-with-cognyte/  

 

Innovative water technology. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Plas-Fit - Tavlit manufactures high performance water filters, sprinklers, and (via its Terranos subsidiary) implements irrigation systems for agriculture in South America and Africa. https://israelagri.com/smart-efficient-and-built-to-last-just-what-your-system-needs/

https://www.tavlit.co.il/

 

Super-sensitive hearing. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Silynxcom (see here previously) has launched its latest product that detects distinct and potentially life-threatening drone humming, while simultaneously maintaining hearing protection in high-noise environments.

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/12/02/2989885/0/en/Silynxcom-Enhancing-Drone-Sound-Awareness-for-Armored-Vehicle-Crews-with-Upgraded-New-Product.html

 

 

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

 

4th best pension program. (TY Laura B) Israel ranked 4th of 48 countries for quality of retirement income systems, according to the 2024 Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index. Netherlands, Iceland, Denmark and Israel all had overall scores above 80. The average of all countries analyzed was 63.4. The U.S. scored 60.4.

https://www.gobankingrates.com/money/economy/countries-with-better-pensions-than-united-states-according-to-experts/   https://www.mercer.com/en-us/insights/investments/market-outlook-and-trends/mercer-cfa-global-pension-index/

 

Six airlines resume flights.  (TY Yanky) Six airlines are resuming their services to Tel Aviv: Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air, Romanian low-cost airline Biz, Polish airline Lot, Spanish carrier Air Europe, Air Baltic; and Bulgaria Air. Biz began its inaugural Israel route in August.

https://www.jns.org/six-airlines-resuming-service-to-israel/

https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-six-airlines-to-resume-israel-flights-over-next-week-1001496951

 

16.000 Indian construction workers. 16,000 workers have come from India to work in Israel’s building sector over the past year – and Israel has plans to bring thousands more. Indian workers often can make three times what they would back in India.  https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241230-indian-workers-replace-palestinians-in-israel-s-building-sector

 

Vegan meat in LA and NYC. The cultured, non-GMO soy protein-based products of Israel’s Chunk Foods (see here previously) are now available in independent grocers in Los Angeles and New York City. Chunk Foods won Plant Based Meat Product of the Year at the Fourth Annual AgTech Breakthrough Awards.

https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-plant-based-meat-comes-to-us-retailers/

https://www.agritechtomorrow.com/story/2023/08/fourth-annual-agtech-breakthrough-awards-program-showcases-leading-edge-of-agricultural-and-food-technology-innovation-in-2023-awards-program/14753/

 

IAI accelerates three more US startups. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel Aerospace Industries has selected three US technology startups (Dalus, Lola Vision & Nefeli Air) for its second North American CATALYST program.

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241121322709/en/IAI-North-America-Selects-Three-Startups-for-the-Second-Cohort-of-Their-IAI-CATALYST-Accelerator-Program

 

$10 billion raised in 2024. Israeli high-tech companies raised $9.58 billion in 2024 across 443 fundraising rounds. This marks a 38% increase in capital raised and a 13% increase in the number of rounds compared to 2023 when $6.9 billion was raised. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1nydncsjl

 

Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 5/1/25: Israel’s Nova has acquired Germany’s Sentronics Metrology for approximately $60 million.

 

Startup investment – to 5/1/25: Atlas Invest raised $11 million;

 

 

CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT

 

Israeli art exhibited in Miami. An exhibition in Miami titled HOME | LAND features works from 40-plus classic and contemporary Israeli artists. 120+ pieces in a mix of media, including paintings, sculptures, prints, textiles, digital art and photography provide a multifaceted view of the landscape of the Jewish state.

https://www.jns.org/wire/pop-up-exhibit-in-miami-features-israeli-works-by-classic-and-contemporary-artists/

 

Ben Gurion’s artifacts auctioned. Israel’s Benetivei Udi non-profit and Curio Auctions have been auctioning artifacts belonging to David Ben Gurion – Israel’s first Prime Minister. Proceeds will help build Beit Udi a center for the Nitzanim program - providing tech training for thousands of youths from the Negev and Galilee.

https://www.jns.org/wire/auction-features-historic-artifacts-from-israels-first-prime-minister/

https://www.curioauctions.com/beitudi-auction

 

“10 Commandments” tablet fetches $5 million. A tablet purporting to date from 300 - 800 CE and containing the Samaritan version of the biblical Ten Commandments, sold for $5.04 million at a Sotheby's auction. The buyer is anonymous and the tablet will be housed in an Israeli museum.

https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/archaeology-around-the-world/article-834246

https://www.jns.org/samaritan-ten-commandments-tablet-sells-for-5m/

 

Colors and candles in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) Chanukah lights brightened Jerusalem streets, to end 2024.

https://rjstreets.com/2024/12/29/in-jerusalem-the-year-ends-with-colors-and-candles/

 

European Hotelier of the Year. (TY Yanky) David Fattal, founder and CEO of the Fattal Group, is the first Israeli to win a Grand Prix award in the European Hotelier of the Year category at the 2024 Hospitality Awards in Paris. Fattal owns the Fattal and Leonardo hotel chains. The French Minister of Tourism presented the award.

https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/press/leonardo-hotels-celebrates-a-huge-success-as-david-fattal-secures-a-grand-prix-award-in-paris

 

Gal Gadot’s surgery. Last week’s newsletter featured Moriel Indek who had a tumor removed from her brain while she was pregnant (see here previously). Israeli actress Gal Gadot has just revealed that she had brain surgery to remove a blood clot in February when she was eight months pregnant with her fourth daughter.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/401497  

 

 

THE JEWISH STATE

 

Chanukah miracle – policewoman wakes up. Hadassah Medical Center announces a major improvement in the condition of policewoman Hodaya Halperin, who was shot in the head about a month ago in Pisgat Ze’ev (see here).  She has regained full consciousness and is communicating with her family and the medical staff.

https://jewishbreakingnews.com/first-miracle-of-chanukka-eve-policewoman-shot-in-the-head-wakes-up-fully-conscious/

 

Chanukah menorah from rocket parts. Israeli police constructed a unique Chanukah menorah from pieces of rockets fired into Israel by Hezbollah over the last year. The symbolic project, dubbed “Lighting up the North,” was carried out by two police sappers who defused thousands of rockets, missiles and drones.

https://www.jns.org/israel-police-sappers-make-chanukah-menorah-from-hezbollah-rockets/  

https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-police-sappers-make-chanukah-menorah-from-hezbollah-rockets/

 

The largest Chanukiah. The largest Hanukkah menorah in the world cannot be lit. It is made of 25,000 balloons and stands in Schneider Children's Medical Center in Petach Tikva. It was constructed by a team of 100 volunteers from the Tikva Umarpe organization, and a rappelling crew.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/401338

 

Hasmonean King’s treasure unearthed. A hoard of coins which once belonged to the Hasmonean King Alexander Jannaeus (103 – 76 BCE) was discovered in Israel’s Jordan Valley on the second day of Hanukkah. Alexander Jannaeus was the great-nephew of Judah Maccabee.

https://worldisraelnews.com/trove-of-ancient-coins-owned-by-hasmonean-king-discovered-during-hanukkah/

https://www.timesofisrael.com/miracle-hoard-of-hasmonean-coins-discovered-during-hanukkah-in-jordan-valley-dig/

 

More Chanukah articles. A rare 1,700-year-old oil lamp has been discovered, depicting the Temple menorah. Other articles include six other Chanukah-related archeological discoveries, and a Chanukah tour of Jerusalem.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/401327

https://unitedwithisrael.org/in-time-for-chanukah-6-ancient-findings-in-the-footsteps-of-the-maccabees/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_-TU9kgSoE

 

Birthright celebrates 25 years. Birthright Israel marks its 25th anniversary by bringing 6,500 participants this winter to support the recovery of Israel’s tourism sector. More than 300 international groups will engage in volunteer programs and diverse internships across Israel.

https://www.jns.org/birthright-celebrates-25th-anniversary/

 

How to help Israel.  Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time.  Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.

 

Friends of the IDF (US donors): https://www.fidf.org/

or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/  (select the English speakers’ option)

 

American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/

or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation

 

Zaka (US donors):  https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/  or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka 

or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/

 

United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/  or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/

Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/

 

Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/

JNF USA - https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate  or Canada https://jnf.ca/

Orthodox Union - https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis

 

Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)

https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK) 

https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)

 

Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/  (US)

https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)

 

Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/

Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado

 

Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds

USA - https://www.israelbonds.com/

Europe - https://israelbondsintl.com/

Canada - https://www.israelbonds.ca/