In the 1st Jun 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l The IDF is using powerful lasers to successfully destroy hostile drones.
l Israel surgeons used an artificial heart for the first time, to save a patient’s life.
l Israeli medics have now treated over 500 Syrians in Syria.
l More examples of Israeli technology benefiting the USA and globally.
l Israel’s wealth fund investments achieved huge returns.
l Many 13th century literary treasures have returned to Jerusalem.
l Israel celebrated Jerusalem Day in the heart of its re-unified capital city.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
The first lasers to combat drones. During the Swords of Iron War, the IDF successfully intercepted dozens of drones using new laser interception systems operated by air defense personnel. Israel is the first country in the world to field high-powered, operational laser systems at scale. Rafael’s Iron Beam should be ready end-2025.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkq073ezge#google_vignette
https://ats.org/ats-news/rafael-gears-up-for-iron-beam-launch/
Israel invention saves wounded Israeli. Surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center saved a young Israeli whose heart artery was torn by terrorist shrapnel. The surgeons used Israel’s unique HemaShock tourniquet (see here previously) to squeeze his blood just to his vital organs. His heart restarted while surgeons repaired the artery.
https://www.israel21c.org/a-simple-lifesaver-for-hemorrhagic-shock-or-cardiac-arrest/
The first Hassidic pre-army academy. Netzah Yehuda, the organization behind the founding of the Haredi Nahal unit, is set to launch a unique pre-military program designed for Chabad Hasidim. The new initiative will combine Torah study and Hasidic philosophy with preparation for meaningful military service.
IDF office has Bar Mitzvah in Gaza. Reservists of the Israel Defense Forces’ 8110th “Yoav” Infantry Battalion recently celebrated the bar mitzvah of their commander in Rafah, Gaza. The commander, who had got engaged a few days earlier, had never celebrated his bar mitzvah, so his troops decided to surprise him.
https://www.jns.org/idf-officer-marks-bar-mitzvah-in-rafah-synagogue/
Over 1100 new immigrants enlisted. (TY Yanky) During the 2025 Spring recruitment, 1113 new immigrants enlisted in the IDF. It compares to 883 in Spring 2024 and 799 in 2023. Most of the recruits came from the US, Russia and Ethiopia. Over 700 lone soldiers joined the IDF this year – most of them new immigrants.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/they-came-to-serve-the-lone-soldiers-defending-israel-after-oct-7/
Finland buys Israeli tank protection. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Trophy’s active armored defense system has saved the lives of many Israeli soldiers during the war. Finland's majority government-owned Patria group will now integrate it onto its vehicles to protect them from anti-tank missiles, UAVs, and other threats.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-finland-to-buy-rafaels-trophy-defense-system-1001510475
Expanding defense tech production. Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems has raised $512 million on Nasdaq to help expand its production of military systems. On 31st March, Elbit had a record $23.1 billion backlog of orders. The new cash will be used to establish more infrastructure and invest more in R&D.
Collapsible drone. (TY Yanky) Flying Production, a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems, has begun serial production of its new X-Intra combat drone that can carry loads up to 30kg. Stored disassembled, it fits into a padded bag that one soldier can carry, and can be deployed and operational within just two minutes.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ubpzksl3m https://flying-production.com/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
First Israeli artificial heart implantation. A medical team at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center saved the life of a 63-year-old Israeli man with the first-ever implantation in Israel of an artificial heart. The man’s heart was replaced with a unique artificial organ made of titanium, animal-derived tissues and advanced sensors.
https://www.jns.org/medical-breakthrough-in-israel-artificial-heart-implanted-at-hadassah-ein-kerem/
Teen MDA trainee saves father’s life. 15-year-old Lana, from Tel Aviv, used skills from her MDA youth training to identify a life-threatening condition in her father’s brain and urged immediate hospital care. Doctors diagnosed and treated a severe bacterial infection in his brain and said that Lana’s actions had saved his life.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408721
Lone soldier saves Massachusetts doctor. Maya Ben Yitzhak, a lone IDF soldier from Chicago, saved the life of a 64-year-old Massachusetts doctor after she donated her bone marrow through Ezer Mizion. Dr. Rothenberg has been battling multiple forms of cancer since she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2014.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-855688
ECG AI for doctors. Using AI to interpret ECG readings saves time and can find things the doctor might miss. But it’s hard to stop false positives. Scientists at Israel’s Technion have developed a new AI interpretability tool, designed for photographed ECG images, that explains to the doctors the “alerts” and what can be ignored.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-ai-doctor-language-tool-ecg.html
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41746-025-01467-8
300+ at Medex France. More than 300 doctors and medical students from France, Belgium, and Switzerland attended the MedEx conference in Paris. Since the start of 2024, approximately 650 doctors have made Aliyah, with an additional 130 already arriving in 2025.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-855474
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Women in philanthropy. Jewish National Fund-USA’s Sapphire Society empowers women to uplift each other. An example is Rivka Kahn, an oncology researcher helping improve cancer care in Sub-Saharan Africa. She writes, “When women lead in philanthropy, we do not just contribute - we change the world.”
https://www.jnf.org/jnf-blog/post/blog/the-power-of-women-in-philanthropy--strength-in-unity
18 American Zionist women. The Zionist women’s organization Hadassah includes in its list of “18 American Zionist women you should know” Anila Ali, president of the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council. Also Emmy award-winning actress Patricia Heaton, founder of October 7 Coalition.
https://www.jns.org/hadassah-celebrates-women-reshaping-what-it-means-to-be-zionist/
https://october7coalition.com/
RiseApp. Israel’s Reichman University is building RiseApp - a one-stop-platform of personalized, high-quality Jewish content and events to empower and unite the global Jewish community. It will provide podcasts, videos, and images tailored to personal interests, plus connections to local events and Jewish businesses.
https://www.runi.ac.il/en/students/extracurricular/riseapp/
IDF treats 500+ Syrians at field clinic. ISF troops have been operating a mobile forward facility for triage and treatment of the wounded in the area of Hader in southern Syria. The facility is intended to provide medical care and support to the Syrian-Druze population in the area. Over 500 Syrian civilians have been treated at the clinic.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/409105 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaxp8yJB8ks
Flying alongside Morocco. (TY Yanky) An IDF delegation has traveled to Morocco to take part in “"African Lion," - the largest military exercise of its kind on the African continent. It is jointly led by the US and the Moroccan Armed Forces and comprises military units from 20 countries, including several Arab nations.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408288
Austria’s parliamentary allies. The Austrian Parliament has launched its Israel Allies Caucus, supporting Israel through shared Judeo-Christian values and democratic principles. The Israel Allies Foundation network comprises over 1,500 legislators from the parliaments of 52 countries, including 22 in Europe.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/408750
South African PA visits Israel. The PA here is the South African Patriotic Alliance party. A22-member delegation visited Israel recently, expressing steadfast support for the Jewish state and opposing the ruling ANC’s pro-Hamas stance. Councilor Theo Doyle said 80% of South Africa are Christians who support Israel.
https://www.jns.org/south-african-patriotic-alliance-delegation-visits-israel/
Opening the door to Positive News. (TY Yanky) OpenDor Media, whose digital platforms educate tens of millions of people about Israel, Judaism, and the Jewish people, is acquiring Israel21c, the nonprofit website focused on positive stories about Israel. It will also expand the ISRAEL21c Digital Ambassadors program.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Precision spraying for US growers. Israel’s Fieldin (see here previously) has partnered with Nordson’s Arag to boost adoption rates of precision spraying (currently 10%) amongst US-based permanent crop growers. In the parts of Australia where Fieldin operates, 90% of farmers have adopted data-driven precision spraying.
More solar energy for Indiana. Doral Energy (Doral Group Renewable Energy Resources) construction of two large solar energy projects in the state of Indiana. The agreement, worth $1.3 billion, is with a group of institutions that includes major banks HSBC, Santander, and KeyBank.
Technological partnership with South Korea. (TY OurCrowd) OurCrowd’s Ely Razin writes that the Israel-South Korea defense partnership encompasses joint ventures, co-production, collaborative R&D, innovation funding mechanisms and funds such as the Trepont Fund launched by OurCrowd and Korean NH Ventures.
From the Negev to the world. Israel’s Negev is becoming a global center for innovation in agriculture, water technology, and renewable energy. Institutions supported by JNF-USA lead sustainable development, building a flourishing ecosystem that will support Israel’s growth, resilience, and bring huge benefits to the entire planet.
Israeli defense tech in Japan. An Israeli delegation of 20 companies took part in the biennial international DSEI defense exhibition in Japan. They include Orbit Technologies, Xtend, Steadicopter, MagnaBSP, Resight, Next-Dim, and Sealartec, This year's exhibition is double the size of the 2023 event.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-defense-industry-targets-japan-1001511040
https://www.next-dim.com/ https://magnabsp.com/
Israel’s first commercial electric boat. Israel’s Francis Eco Sailing has launched the Corazine, Israel’s first-ever commercial electric boat, on the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). The 55-passenger, silent, zero-emissions, high performance vessel is named after the ancient village of Corazine (Chorazin) on the lake’s northern shores.
Slashing autonomous car development time. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Foretellix has significantly expanded its Foretify platform, enabling autonomous vehicle developers “to slash development time in half and save hundreds of millions of dollars”. https://www.foretellix.com/foretify-platform/#main
AI to make human decisions. A new startup AA-I Technologies, founded by Mobileye founder Prof. Amnon Shashua, has raised $20-30 million to transform AI into AEI (Artificial Expert Intelligence). It aims to develop reasoning models (intelligent digital agents) that will make decisions and perform processes like human experts.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-shashuas-artificial-expert-intelligence-co-aa-i-completes-seed-round-1001510682 https://finder.startupnationcentral.org/company_page/aa-i
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Good return from Wealth fund. (TY Yanky) The Citizens of Israel Fund (Israel’s sovereign wealth fund) manages some $2 billion of state revenues from the levies on the profits of Israel's natural resources, to be used for social, economic, and educational purposes. In 2024, the fund’s return on investments was a healthy 11.5%.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-sovereign-wealth-fund-earned-handsome-returns-in-2024-1001506557
https://govextra.gov.il/mof/israelcitizensfoundation-en/home/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aeAY_FLVRQ
Joint economic council with NYC. New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Israel’s Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat are to create the New York City-Israel Economic Council. It aims to “strengthen economic ties and promote innovation between the two governments. It will create jobs and bring Israeli startups to NYC.
https://www.jns.org/nyc-israel-agree-to-create-joint-economic-council/
Air France resumes Israel flights. Air France has restarted its Tel Aviv - Paris route. It will operate seven weekly flights between Tel Aviv and Paris. Israeli travelers can connect via Paris to more than 300 destinations worldwide - one of the largest such networks available to Israelis, to reach cities in Europe and North America.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-air-france-to-resume-tel-aviv-paris-flights-1001511407
Hainan Airlines returns to Israel. (TY Yanky) I was one of the first passengers to fly from Tel Aviv to Shanghai on Hainan Airlines in 2018 when my daughter was working in China. It is great to read that the airline is resuming the service in Dec after an 18-month hiatus.
https://www.hainanairlines.com/IL/GB/TelAvivToShanghai
Massive new Tel Aviv HQ for Check Point. Israeli cybersecurity giant Check Point is building a 100,000 square meters Tel Aviv campus with 6,000 workstations. It is also hiring 500 employees to power its new AI research hub. It signals Check Point’s growth ambitions and commitment to Israel’s high-tech ecosystem.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b11oln7zgl
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkcc880011xe
400+ Haredim work for IAI. The number of Haredi employees working for Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has risen steadily to over 400. IAI attributes the increase (48 in 2024) to recruitment activities, partnerships with Haredi organizations, an accommodating work environment and more.
Vegan salmon available on-line. (TY OurCrowd) US customers can now order online the plant-based salmon from Israel’s Oshi and have delivered straight to their door. https://oshi.fish/
1,000+ Israeli startups poised to launch. Analysis firm Dealigence, in collaboration with Google for Startups, has revealed that there are currently 1,054 entrepreneurs operating in stealth mode in Israel. This high volume of companies quietly building systems, indicates a 30% surge in future early-stage funding rounds.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/skkoaczzgl
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 1st Jun 25: US Tenable has acquired Israel’s Apex Security for $105+ million; Israel’s Wix has acquired Israeli text-to-video startup Hour One. Israel’s Check Point has acquired Israeli cybersecurity startup Veriti, in a deal estimated to be worth over $100 million.
Startup investment – to 1st Jun 25: Empathy raised $72 million; Tenzai raised $32 million; Sweep.io raised $22.5 million; Sequence (getsequence.io) raised $7.5 million; Traceloop raised $6.1 million; OncoHost awarded €2.5 Million from EIC Transition Programme;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Events & celebrations in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) The week before Jerusalem Day was packed with events. The World Jewish Congress in Jerusalem for the first time in 19 years. The Codices of Damascus – 12 ancient illuminated Bibles at the National Library. And Yakir Yerushalayim awards to 12 Jerusalem seniors.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/05/25/see-this-week-in-jerusalem-faith-memory-and-celebrations/
Medieval manuscript returns to Jerusalem. The illustrated Shem Tov Bible, a.k.a. Sefer HaYashar, was written in 1312 in Spain by Rabbi Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon. Ibn Gaon took it to Jerusalem and it was sold overseas several times after Ibn Gaon’s death. It is now back in Jerusalem at Israel’s National Library.
https://www.jns.org/shem-tov-bible-returns-to-jerusalem-for-public-display/
One of the most impressive mosaics. The colorful 1,600-year-old Be’er Shema mosaic includes 55 medallions decorated with scenes of hunting, animals and everyday life. Discovered in a monastery 35 years ago near the border with Gaza it recently underwent conservation, is now on display in the Merhavim Regional Council HQ.
https://www.jns.org/top-israeli-mosaic-goes-on-display-in-the-negev-desert/
New visitors center for biblical blue dye. A visitors center telling the story of the mystery of the biblical blue dye (tekhelet) is being launched at the end of May. It will be located at Ptil Tekhelet’s factory, located a 20-minute drive east of Jerusalem in the Judean Desert. The snails to make the dye are now imported from Europe.
https://www.jns.org/the-search-for-the-biblical-blue-dye-is-told-in-a-new-visitors-center/
Tel Aviv’s beautiful beaches. For the 13th consecutive year, all 13 beaches in Tel Aviv were recently honored with the annual Blue Flag Award. It ensures that they meet a host of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility standards. The city has also banned disposable plastic bags and utensils on its beaches.
https://www.israel21c.org/tel-avivs-13-beaches-honored-with-2025-blue-flag-award/
In search of the perfect cheesecake in Jerusalem. Celebrity chef and cookbook author Jamie Geller set out on a quest to find the best cheesecake in Israel’s capital city. Cheesecake is the delicacy that most Jews enjoy especially on the Jewish festival of Shavuot (Pentacost), as well as at any other time of the year!
https://www.jns.org/jamie-gellers-quest-for-jerusalems-perfect-cheesecake/
Israeli helps USA win World Hockey Championship. Israel’s Ze’ev Buium (see here previously) helped Team USA to win the Ice Hockey World Championships for the first time since 1933. Buium impressed throughout the tournament, recording two assists and a critical goal in the 5–2 quarterfinal win over Finland.
https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/sktduiqzee
THE JEWISH STATE
Israeli baker recreates the Showbread. Eliezer Meir Seidel, an expert baker and owner of the Showbread Institute in the Samaria community of Karnei Shomron, is proud that he has perfected the recipe for the special 12 loaves of “wonder bread” that were displayed continually in the Temple 2000 -3000 years ago.
https://www.jns.org/wonder-bread-karnei-shomron-baker-produces-12-loaves-of-showbread/
20,000 summer Birthright participants. Birthright Israel has launched its summer session, welcoming the first groups of U.S. participants to Israel. Running from mid-May through Sept, the program expects to bring more than 20,000 young Jewish adults from across the United States, Canada, and 30 additional countries.
https://www.jns.org/wire/birthright-kicks-off-summer-season-welcoming-more-than-20000-participants/
Bringing Israel to European teens. NGOs Mosaic United and RootOne have partnered to take thousands of Jewish teens from Israel this summer to Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Spain and France. In each locale, the students will study issues related to local Jewish history and strengthen the spirit of solidarity with Israel.
https://www.jns.org/if-they-cant-come-to-israel-well-bring-israel-to-them/
Living the dream. The Flag March on Jerusalem Day 2025 is a festive procession from the City Center to the Western Wall to mark the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem. As Avi Abelow describes it, “Jerusalem – we are living the dream of our ancestors.” See the giant Israeli flag unfurled in the Kotel Plaza.
https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/experience/allevents/rikuddgalim25/
https://pulseofisrael.com/2025/05/27/jerusalem-day/ https://www.ynetnews.com/article/skkwx0efee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYpJDdaGmHY https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8U8sUtshO0o
Jewish, Zionist studies to be core curriculum. Finally, we may one day see all Israeli children growing up knowing their historical connection to the Land. Reforms placing Jewish and Zionist studies at the heart of the core curriculum in all publicly-funded state schools will start in 2026.
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/
