In the 11th May 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Israel is protecting Syrian Druze from massacre and treating their wounded.
l Israeli scientists have developed a treatment to stop massive blood loss.
l A huge private donation will help create Israeli doctors.
l Ecuador has opened a diplomatic office in Jerusalem.
l Israelis young and old win top international Mathematics prizes.
l Lower debt and higher investment in Israel’s economy.
l Israeli’s winning goal sends UK soccer fans wild.
l Leading Israeli team forfeits top robotic prize rather than desecrate the Sabbath.
· Click here to see the 4th May newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours (great intro), (TY Ted Belman) IsraPundit, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). 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.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
IDF soldier’s Righteous great-grandparents. Noah’s great-grandparents hid a Jewish woman in their attic in the Netherlands during WWII. Her great-grandmother’s brother hid a Jewish couple and their three children, earning recognition as “Righteous of the Nations”. Today, Noah is proud to serve as a soldier in the IDF.
Saving the Syrian Druze. The Ziv Medical Center in Safed has admitted 32 injured Druze, victims of fighting in Syria during the past week. They include two pregnant women. The IDF has also has established a forward mobile medical triage facility near the Syrian village of Hader and is also protecting the Druze from massacres.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/levant-turkey/artc-32-syrian-druze-so-far-treated-in-israeli-hospital https://www.jns.org/idf-sets-up-field-triage-facility-for-syrian-druze-civilians/
https://www.jns.org/idf-strikes-in-syria-amid-violence-against-druze-community/
A French exoskeleton in Israel. An IDF soldier, severely wounded in Gaza, took his first steps in recovery at Sheba Medical Center. Sheba is one of the few places in the world that offers the Atalante X robotic exoskeleton developed by the French-American company Wandercraft.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/severely-injured-idf-soldier-walks-again-thanks-to-robotic-exoskeleton/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_xnLd4yqDg
Chai. In celebration of Israel’s 77th Independence Day, internationally acclaimed singer Netta Barzilai has partnered with the Jewish Agency for Israel to release a new rendition of the iconic Israeli anthem “Chai.” The 1983 Eurovision Song has been reimagined to reflect Israel’s resilience in the face of current challenges.
https://www.jns.org/netta-barzilai-teams-up-with-jewish-agency-to-drop-independence-day-tune/
Look! How marvelous our people are. (TY Ted Belman & Rhoda) Great article by Arlene Kushner highlighting Israeli resilience. https://arlenefromisrael.info/look-how-marvelous-our-people-are/
Chance Gaza border encounter leads to new VC. “Only in Israel” story where a meeting between two IDF reservists resulted in the founding of Venture Capital organization TBC VC that has raised $35 million in three months for investment in Israeli startups. It will also donate money to non-profit Gav Lalohem to help others.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/35-million-vc-fund-launches-thanks-to-reservists-chance-encounter-on-the-gaza-border/ https://www.gavla.org.il/gav-lalohem-ngo-2024/
Help support therapy for Israeli soldiers. Beit Binyamin, near the spiritual town of Tzfat, is a therapeutic respite center for IDF soldiers and their families, displaced families and struggling spouses and parents.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysXhDvC7PpA https://causematch.com/beitbinyamin25/igno/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEKpADkRdfV/?igsh=a3pucm90NW91dGd1 https://beitbinyamin.org/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Successful life-support treatment. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see here previously) used its INSPIRA ART100 system at Westchester Medical Center, New York to circulate and oxygenate a patient’s blood. It marked the first real-world implementation of Inspira's innovative life-support technology.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inspira-technologies-announces-successful-treatment-123000786.html
Safer cardiac treatment. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s CardioVia has just received U.S. FDA clearance for its ViaOne system. It provides safe (no needle) access to the pericardium – the thin sac protecting the heart where new minimally invasive treatments are having much success over conventional, risky, heart surgery.
Breakthrough treatment for massive blood loss. (TY Ron M) Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the IDF's Medical Corps have discovered a peptide to activate Protein Kinase C-epsilon (PKC-ε) and significantly improve survival rates of patients (including wounded soldiers) who suffer massive blood loss.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/bkler7vgxg
Monitoring vital signs from a distance. During the Covid-19 epidemic, Professor Yonina Eldar of Israel’s Weizmann Institute led the development of radar technology to remotely check health. Her lab has unveiled BRAHMS, the Bio-Radar Health Monitoring System which uses AI to analyze subtle chest movements.
https://www.israel21c.org/noncontact-radar-unit-monitors-patients-vitals-remotely/
Live long and prosper. Researchers from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have analyzed the differences in protein sequences across mammals with varying lifespans. They discovered that long-lived whales and humans have specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) that may protect against age-related diseases (e.g. cancer).
https://www.newswise.com/articles/new-research-reveals-nature-s-secret-to-healthy-longevity
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58762-x.epdf
How bacteria take control of infected cell. Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that the protein CsrA in bacteria creates a “control center” inside a cell that manages the activation of disease-causing genes. Future treatments that disable the control center should stop infections before they take hold.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58829-9#Sec2
$125 million donation to Tel Aviv University. Blackstone Investment firm president Jonathan Gray and his wife Mindy are donating $125 million to Tel Aviv University's Faculty of Medicine - the largest donation in the university's history - to increase the number of doctors in Israel. The faculty will now bear the couple's name.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/blackstone-president-to-donate-125-million-to-tel-aviv-universitys-medical-school-nyt/ https://israfan.com/p/blackstone-gray-donation-tel-aviv-university
Celebrating Life. US ambassador Mike Huckabee received a United Hatzalah Defender of Israel Award at a special celebration for the Israel's emergency response organization at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. He recounted the time when a UH responder saved the life of one of the delegates of a mission he was leading.
https://www.jns.org/huckabee-united-hatzalah-is-an-organization-worth-celebrating/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
It’s raining toys. (TY Sam Kramer) Fans of top Israeli basketball team Hapoel Jerusalem turned their team’s court into a sea of stuffed animals during a “Doll Toss” event. These toys will soon bring joy to children in hospitals, shelters, and schools across Jerusalem.
From Ethiopia to Jerusalem. (TY Israpundit) To mark the forthcoming Jerusalem Day, this article celebrates those Ethiopians (now Israelis) who could only dream of reaching Jerusalem, until rescued by Israel.
https://jewishwebsite.com/featured/yom-yerushalayim-from-ethiopia-to-jerusalem/106044/
First Ireland, now Spain. Following the revelation (see here previously) of Ireland’s broken promise not to buy arms from Israel, now Spain has been caught out with a similar promise. The Spanish government has in fact granted 46 contracts worth over 1.2 billion Euros with Israeli defense firms since 7 Oct 2023.
Drones for Germany. Israel’s UVision (see here previously) and Israel Aerospace Industries have partnered German companies to produce loitering drones for the German army. UVision and Rheinmetall are to produce the Hero series of drones. IAI and MBDA are to promote the Harop drone.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-firms-to-supply-german-military-with-armed-drones/
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-firms-to-arm-germany-with-suicide-drones-1001508356
Capital events. (TY Sharon) The first JNS International Policy summit had an impressive line-up of speakers. Other events included Yom HaZikaron, International Bible Quiz, and Independence Day President’s reception.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/05/04/in-jerusalem-new-conference-annual-memorial-and-independence-day/
Ecuador opens diplomatic tech office in Jerusalem. President Isaac Herzog welcomed Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to Jerusalem - the South American leader’s first official visit to Israel. He also opened Ecuador’s Innovation Research and Development Center in Jerusalem, with diplomatic status.
https://www.jns.org/ecuador-opens-diplomatic-tech-office-in-jerusalem/
How to boycott Israel. Some 14 years ago I wrote a series of blogs about all the vital products and services you must avoid if you want to completely boycott Israel (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and (TY Phillip P) consolidated). Now here is a recent, more up-to-date, more extensive “15-steps” article by Joshua Hoffman.
https://www.futureofjewish.com/p/how-to-boycott-israel-a-guide
10 Israeli inventions that are changing the world. Readers of this newsletter will already know these. PillCam, flexible solar panels, desert hydroponics, eco-friendly packaging, ReWalk exoskeleton, Watergen water from air, emergency bandage, AI medical imaging, lab-grown meat, and space technology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaNFak3fbis
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The most AI skills in the world. In the LinkedIn AI Talent Index, Israel has the highest proportions of workers with AI-related skills (1.98%). Israel is first in education, financial services, manufacturing, and technology, information & media. Israel’s women score 2.95% - nearly three times the average of the 87 countries listed.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-tops-list-of-countries-with-highest-self-reported-ai-skills/
Prestigious scientists. The three young Israeli scientists awarded 2025 Bavatnik awards (and $100,000 each) are Weizmann’s Yonatan Steizer (epigenetics), BGU’s Benjamin Palmer (organic biomineralization), and Hebrew University’s Chaim Garfinkel (weather forecasting).
$3 million Math Breakthrough Prize. (TY Yanky) Israeli-American mathematician Dennis Gaitsgory has been awarded the $3 million 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics for his role in the proof of the geometric Langlands conjecture - often called a "grand unified theory of mathematics."
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-850057
Two golds at girls Euro Math Olympiad. (TY Nevet) The Israeli team won two gold medals and two honorable mentions at the 2025 European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) in Pristina, Kosovo. Gold medalists Neta Ilani and Olga Basov were 5th and 11th overall of the 219 participants representing 56 countries.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851094
Let’s hear it for Israeli technology. Israel’s Bettear (see here previously) is a leader in assistive listening and audio streaming. Its system is available in concert halls, museums, theaters, cultural centers, university campuses and senior residences in 60 countries. 4,000 venues and institutions use it in Israel alone.
https://www.israel21c.org/assistive-listening-updated-for-the-digital-age/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw_xjOpM9M8
Painting by robot. (TY Atid-EDI) The EG7 robot produced by Israel’s Okibo autonomously finishes dry walls – sanding and spray-painting, guided by Okibo’s patented AI-guided 3D scanning and real-time modeling algorithm. No preparations, measurement tools, or special marking. Okibo has just launched its US HQ.
https://okibo.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fv9hggiy_M
Eliminating construction delays. More information about Israel’s Buildots (see here previously) which says it can cut construction project delays by 50% and reduce timelines by an average of three months. Buildots works with 50+ construction firms globally. One of its case studies is UK Royal Bournemouth’s hospital project.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sm24gdi85
https://pages.buildots.com/hubfs/Bournemouth%20Hospital-case%20study-9.pdf?hsLang=en
Use Israeli AI to create mobile games. Israel’s Sett offers a suite of tools that automates the creation of ads and content for mobile games. But unlike traditional AI content generators, Sett’s platform learns from live campaign data, competitor behavior, and consumer interaction patterns to generate content that performs well.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkeiua00geg https://www.sett.ai/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
National debt reduces. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel's fiscal deficit narrowed in the twelve months to the end of March 2025, for the sixth consecutive month, to 5.2% of GDP, or NIS 105.5 billion. Israel had a fiscal surplus of NIS 3.7 billion in Q1 2025, compared with a fiscal deficit of NIS 26.4 billion in Q1/24.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-fiscal-deficit-continued-to-narrow-in-march-1001507309
$1 billion raised in March. (TY Atid-EDI) Israeli startups raised over $1 billion in March 2025 – more than 20% higher than in March 2024. Total raised in Quarter 1, 2025 was $2.1 billion, 24% higher than Q1 24.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-startups-raised-over-1b-in-march-1001506631
“Win-Win” investment. (TY UWI) The rebranding of US aid to Israel as “Investment” is gathering steam (see here previously). MK Amit Halevi is spearheading the initiative to phase out a longstanding U.S. foreign aid model for a new framework based on joint investments, innovation and equal partnership.
https://tps.co.il/articles/israel-moving-to-replace-u-s-aid-with-win-win-investment-model/
Bonus for first Israeli passengers to Tirana. Sundor Airlines, a subsidiary of El Al, inaugurated its new direct route from Tel Aviv to Tirana, the capital of Albania, with a ceremonial flight. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the inaugural passengers with a festive dinner at the presidential palace.
https://passport.news/article/483
Supporting criminal rehabilitation in the US. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s SuperCom (see here previously) has won recent contracts in Arizona, and Utah, making eight US States in total. It also has signed a new Electronic Monitoring contract with a government agency in Kentucky to expand its business in that State.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supercom-secures-new-electronic-monitoring-contract-in-utah-expanding-us-presence-into-8th-new-state-in-less-than-a-year-302441245.html https://www.supercom.com/pr
$49 million of hi-tech orders. (TY Atid-EDI) In under three weeks, Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks has won orders worth nearly $50 million. They include a $23 million five-year contract to supply Satellite Transportable Terminal (STT) units worldwide in support of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customers.
https://www.gilat.com/pressreleases/gilat-awarded-up-to-23-million-multi-year-contract-to-service-satellite-transportable-terminal-units-for-us-dod-customers/ https://www.gilat.com/pressreleases/gilat-receives-over-11-million-defense-contract-from-a-leading-uav-company/ https://www.gilat.com/pressreleases/gilat-receives-over-15-million-in-orders-from-leading-satellite-operators/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 11th May 25: Elastic has acquired Israel’s Keep (AIOps). Israeli-founded UK-based Tripledot Studios has acquired the mobile games studio portfolio of US-based AppLovin for around $800 million.
Startup investment – to 11th May 25: Orca AI raised $72.5 million; Ox Security raised $60 million; Onebeat raised $15 million; Sett.ai raised $15 million; LeakZon raised $5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
The longest scenic route in Judea & Samaria. Israel recently inaugurated the Gvaot Forest Scenic Route (Derech Nof Gvaot) in Gush Etzion. The 4.3 mile trail, Judea and Samaria’s longest scenic route to date, “offers breathtaking views, forest serenity, and the options of hiking, cycling, or driving”.
https://www.jns.org/israel-opens-longest-scenic-route-in-judea-and-samaria/
Wonder Woman at 40. Few Hollywood actresses can be like Gal Gadot. She can identify a weapon from any distance, lift a car in one scene, close multi-million dollar real estate deals, and still be home in time for dinner with her four daughters and husband. Her films have grossed over $2 billion. She is Israel’s No. 1 ambassador.
https://www.jns.org/gal-gadot-turns-40-a-look-at-her-life/
Chess Champion. Israel’s Noam Sasson, an 11-and-a-half-year-old chess prodigy, won two medals at the World Youth Chess Championship in Rhodes. Competing in the 10-12 age category, Sasson earned world runner-up titles in both rapid and blitz chess. https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1cf3wzkxx
Israeli scores goal to win UK soccer championship. Israeli soccer international Manor Solomon fired Leeds United to the English Championship title with a stoppage-time winner in a 2–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. Just watch the video of Solomon’s superb goal and the celebrations of him and the Leeds fans.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-soccer-star-strikes-to-seal-crown-for-englands-leeds-united/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnMUIGplzRg
London Marathon runners for hostages. (TY Hazel) During the annual London Marathon, 59 runners donned yellow hats and pinned photographs of the 59 remaining Gaza hostages to their shirts, taking the 26.2-mile run as an opportunity to spread awareness about their plight after 570 days in captivity.
THE JEWISH STATE
Only in Israel. (Yanky) Yanky Fachler writes that he sat in the Yael Synagogue (Emek Refaim) in Jerusalem next to a Nobel prizewinner, a former Israeli ambassador, and an Israel Prize laureate. The Torah scroll had been rescued by Yanky’s great uncle Gershon in Berlin on the morning after Kristallnacht in 1938.
https://www.yael.org.il/2019/02/ (click on link and see last paragraph on page 1)
US Ambassador’s mezuzah. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee affixed a mezuzah to the entrance of his Jerusalem office. The mezuzah holds a profound connection to Israel’s biblical past. crafted from stones taken from Mount Ebal, the site traditionally identified as Joshua’s Altar.
https://israfan.com/p/huckabee-mezuzah-joshuas-altar
US Ambassador prays at ancient Shilo. US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee continued his post-appointment tour with a visit to ancient Shiloh, the historic site of the Jewish Tabernacle. He recited Hannah’s prayer that celebrated the birth of the prophet Samuel. He also prayed personally for the release of the hostages.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-ambassador-huckabee-recites-prayer-upon-visiting-ancient-shiloh/
Biblical archaeology is being covered up. (TY WIN) In Judea & Samaria, archaeologists have uncovered much Biblical evidence. E.g. Sebastia National Park, Sartaba (Alexandrium); Shiloh; Herodion; and Joshua’s altar. International academics blacklist these archaeologists, and their findings need to be publicized.
More important than winning. The Trigon team from Modiin’s AMIT religious public high school withdrew from the final day of the FIRST robotics competition in Houston, Texas rather than compete on Shabbat. They were 15th overall of the 600 competitors. Seven other Israeli teams were finalists in their specific categories.
Israel’s Jews. On Israel’s Independence Day, of Israel’s 10.1 million residents, the Jewish State’s Jewish population was roughly 7.7 million, comprising around 45% of world Jewry. 80% of Jewish Israelis are “sabras” – born in Israel. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-population-tops-10-million-for-1st-time/
250504
In the 4th May 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l See the remarkable resilience of war-wounded Israelis.
l Israeli fraud detection techniques exposed the proteins responsible for many diseases.
l Israeli neonatologists are saving the lives of babies in Ghana.
l Israel is the first country to provide an AI tutor to every 16-year-old student.
l An Israeli physical security system will be protecting the Netherlands.
l Israelis won multiple gold medals in four different sports.
l Israelis celebrated Independence Day despite massive (arson) fires.
· Click here to see the 27th Apr newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours (another great intro), (TY Aviva) United With Israel, (TY Ted Belman) IsraPundit, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). 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 26,400 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
Wounded doctor returns to work. Seven months after being severely injured in a Gaza helicopter crash and undergoing intense rehab, senior pediatrician Dr. Eyal Hayman has returned to work at Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406627 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/396323
After 16 years, wounded soldier returns to IDF. Aharon Karov, the most critically-injured soldier in Operation Cast Lead 16 years ago, has re-enlisted in the IDF as part of a team creating the Disabled Soldiers Department. Following Oct 7 2023 he helped create the "Continuing Life" initiative, to support the injured.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407428
Overcoming the odds at his wedding. Ziv, a 30-year-old Israeli engineer, overcame a Hezbollah missile attack that cost him his arm and spinal cord damage, defying odds to walk down the aisle and marry his bride Nitzan after intensive rehab.
“Operation Hug” resumes. Operation Hug (see here previously) has restarted thanks to Nefesh b’Nefesh, JNF-USA and Friends of the IDF. It brings to Israel parents of lone IDF soldiers, to be reunited with their loved ones. The initiative aims to offer soldiers the unmatched strength and comfort of a long-awaited embrace.
https://www.jns.org/operation-hug-resumes-reuniting-lone-soldiers-with-their-parents/ https://hug.nbn.org.il/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851890
Young resilience awards. 26 children and teens, age 6 – 18) have received “Resilience Award for Children and Youth” for their actions promoting strength, persistence and determination during the Swords of Iron war. Half will also receive a personal scholarship. Three youth groups were also recognized.
https://www.jns.org/wire/resilience-award-bestowed-to-young-people-for-contributions-during-the-war/
Robotic bulldozers deployed in Gaza. The IDF has begun limited deployment in Gaza of the Robdozer - the robotic version of Caterpillar’s D9 bulldozer. These are used to clear roads and buildings of Hamas booby traps, plus to build defensive barriers around temporary IDF camps.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-new-unmanned-bulldozers-changing-the-paradigm-of-war-in-gaza/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Identifying key proteins. Ben-Gurion University researchers have developed WGAND - an AI algorithm that can detect "anomalous" proteins that are associated with tissue-specific diseases. It involves "anomalous" behavior analysis, similar to methods that identify fraudulent financial transactions or suspicious user activity.
https://academic.oup.com/gigascience/article/doi/10.1093/gigascience/giaf034/8106436
Defibrillators installed on 150 trains. Magen David Adom and Israel Railways are installing defibrillators, for the first time, on more than 150 Israeli passenger trains to save lives in the event of cardiac issues. They have already equipped defibrillators at all 67 active Israeli train stations.
https://www.jns.org/magen-david-adom-and-israel-railways-install-defibrillators-on-150-trains/
Eye doctor saves heart patient on flight from Tbilisi. Dr Eyal Aloni, head of ophthalmology at Israel’s Barzilai Medical Center, saved a young man with a medical history of heart disease, who collapsed during a flight from Tbilisi, Georgia to Israel. He used medications that he carried, plus oxygen supplied by the crew.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407449
Ex-supermodel is now a paramedic. Israeli ex-supermodel Michaela Bercu featured here previously when she founded the app Tribu, which connects volunteering needs with those who wish to help. She recently completed the Magen David Adom paramedic course, and works two 8-hour shifts a week as a medical orderly.
https://www.israel21c.org/ex-supermodel-reinvents-herself-as-volunteer-paramedic/
Chewable gummy synbiotics. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s TopGum (see here previously) has launched no-added sugar, synbiotic” Gummiotics” in two natural flavors: orange and strawberry. They comprise probiotics and postbiotics, bound together in a natural, prebiotic fiber-based matrix, to provide gut-health benefits.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
IDF cosmetic updates. The IDF is revising long standing grooming and uniform standards. All soldiers will be permitted to grow neatly maintained beards, regardless of religious affiliation and female soldiers can use a wider variety of nail polish colors. The new Chief of Staff wishes to support a more inclusive environment.
https://www.jns.org/idf-to-overhaul-grooming-and-uniform-rules-in-modernization-push/
Huge shopping mall opens in Ramallah. (TY Hazel) The grand opening of the Icon Mall in the Palestinian Authority city of Ramallah was accompanied by music, mixed dancing, and fireworks. The mall is the largest in the PA-controlled region and even has a rooftop swimming pool.
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/hjds5xe1xe https://iconmall.ps/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy262y3ot6g
Augmenting the Abraham Accords. Azerbaijan could be the next Muslim country to join the Abrahan Accords. Its international stature is increasing, as is its ties with Israel. After 7 Oct 2023, citizens gathered around the Israeli Embassy in Baku, expressing support and sympathy with flowers and memorial candles.
https://www.jns.org/azerbaijan-augmenting-the-abraham-accords/
Saving babies in Ghana. (TY Hazel) An Israeli team from “Neonatologists for Africa” is training Ghanaian health care workers in modern neonatal resuscitation amid harsh conditions. It aims to reduce Ghana’s infant mortality rate of 59 per 1,000 births (5.6 in the US; 2.7 in Israel).
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/by6y3h11yle
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
An AI tutor for every 16-year-old. Israel is the world’s first country to give every K-12 student access to a private AI tutor. Israel’s eSelf (personalized AI agents) has partnered the Center for Educational Technology (see here previously). Harvard University (surprisingly?) is providing academic guidance.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1tkoce1gg https://www.eself.ai/ https://cet.ac.il/?lang=en
Vegan smoked salmon. Israel’s SimpliiGood by AlgaeCore Technologies (see here previously) is starting commercial production of its 100% plant-based smoked salmon analog composed of highly nutritious spirulina microalgae. It is the result of dual intellectually-protected technologies – decolorization and texturizing.
https://asiafoodjournal.com/a-new-wave-spirulina-smoked-salmon-goes-commercial/
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Xim91NqB3wPbr8EqNW-1dolRKBMZg7go
Early cherries. (TY TPS) Researchers from Israel’s Miguel and Volcani Institutes have advanced the flowering and ripening of the Royal Dawn cherry variety by about a month, to benefit Israeli cherry growers. They used temperature-controlled root containers to simulate and monitor different seasonal conditions.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-researchers-harness-warm-winters-to-transform-cherry-farming/
Intelligent business management. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Similarweb (see here previously) has launched its App Intelligence solution, marking a significant advancement in unified digital analytics. It combines web and mobile app data, providing businesses with a holistic view of digital performance and user engagement.
Israeli deep tech startups to be Ignited. 10 Israeli startups were chosen (from 258 applicants) for the first cohort of the Ignite DeepTech, accelerator (see here previously). They are DYM Sense, MNDL Bio, SkyPulse Technologies, Twine Security, Jazz, Huskeys, Impala.ai, DataFlint, Troup AI, and Particle Lab.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkfyr8o1le https://www.dymsense.com/
https://www.skypulse-tec.com/ https://www.twinesecurity.com/ https://www.dataflint.io/ https://troup-ai.com/
Making aviation safer. Israel’s Odysight (see here previously) is working to reduce airplane accidents and make aviation generally safer. Its AI-based visual sensing technology monitors the conditions and critical safety components of hard-to-reach environments, such as planes, for the early detection of potential malfunctions.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-startup-promising-to-make-our-airplanes-safer/
Keeping electrons spinning. (TY WIN) Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have discovered that low magnetic fields can maintain the spin of electrons used by quantum computers. When they encounter certain light, electrons often stop spinning, which would cause these computers to lose valuable data.
A smart view of the field. Israel’s Phytech has launched AI Advisor, its AI-powered irrigation advisor trained on real in-field data from Phytech’s IoT (Internet of Things) network of tree, fruit, soil, and climate sensors. Its advanced AI-driven irrigation solution is like having a super-agronomic intelligence and an army of advisors.
77 years of military innovation. For 77 years, Israel’s defense industry and military prowess have expanded and adapted to the times, leading the world in many technologies, and developing the systems to defend the nation against all enemies. https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israels-defense-ministry-releases-independence-day-message-77-years-of-innovation/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Exporting fruit and veg to Azerbaijan. (TY TPS) For the first time, in 33 years of diplomatic ties, Israel will export fresh agricultural produce (mangoes, avocados, and peppers) to Azerbaijan. It opens a new door for Israeli agriculture on the Modern Silk Road and could expand to other countries along the route.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-launches-first-agricultural-shipments-to-azerbaijan/
Jerusalem rising. Jerusalem is on the brink of a dramatic transformation. Developers are racing to reshape the city with hundreds of new towers, light rail lines, and mixed-use districts. From urban renewal to skyline redefinition, the future of Jerusalem is unfolding - faster than most imagined.
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/s1owjl4cyx
Launching Israeli startups in the US. (TY Atid-EDI) California-based Mercurius Media Capital (MMC) has launched Mercurius Bridge in Israel, empowering local startups and growth-stage companies with established product-market fit to expand into the U.S.
https://www.prnewswire.com/il/news-releases/israeli-startups-gain-strategic-us-market-entry-through-new-initiative-from-mercurius-media-capital-302403453.html https://www.mmc.us/mercuriusbridge/
Israel & Florida – a sunny relationship. The two sunshine states enjoy an extremely beneficial mutual business relationship. A study by the United States-Israel Business Alliance indicates that Florida hosts 429 Israeli-founded companies, employing some 8,200 people, which earned over $7 billion in 2024 - and growing.
https://www.jns.org/florida-and-israel-just-scratching-the-surface-in-economic-cooperation/
Cooling SoftBank’s servers. Japanese banking giant SoftBank has teamed up with Israel’s ZutaCore (see here previously) to use its synthetic fluid cooling solution to prevent the bank’s servers from overheating.
Netherlands approves Israeli security screening system. (TY OurCrowd) The Automated Prohibited Items Detection System) from Israel’s SeeTrue (see here previously) has been approved by Netherlands' National Coordinator for Security and Counter-Terrorism for use with the Analogic ConneCT.
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 4th May 25: Israel’s Upwind has acquired Israel’s Nyx Security for an estimated $8-10 million;
Startup investment – to 4th May 25: Lightrun raised $70 million; Miggo Security raised $17 million; LayerX raised $11 million; Hopper Security raised $7.6 million; Bagel AI raised $5.5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
The great outdoors. During Passover, 1.5 million Israelis visited parks and forests managed by KKL-JNF. The Re’im Recreation Area, which features the Nova music festival memorial, attracted more than 7,000 visitors daily. https://www.jns.org/wire/1-5-million-israelis-visited-forests-during-passover-despite-security-tensions/
No camels please. A wild dromedary trotted through Rosh HaAyin’s industrial park in central Israel, evading municipal veterinarians’ attempts to capture the animal. The camel calmly walked down the roads, as motorists drove around the animal and stunned pedestrians stared. It then returned to the Arab city of Kfar Kassem.
https://worldisraelnews.com/wild-camel-sparks-chaos-in-central-israel-city-evades-capture/
Israeli elected to international soccer committee. Israel Football Association Chairman Moshe “Shino” Zuares was elected to the UEFA Executive Committee, the top governing body of European soccer.
https://www.jns.org/israels-moshe-zuares-elected-to-top-uefa-committee/
European medals for marathon runners. (TY Hazel) Israel’s marathon runners won a historic four medals in the European Athletics Championships in Brussels. The men’s team won gold, while the women’s team won a silver medal.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-marathon-runners-win-four-medals-at-european-championships/
Gold for Israeli fencers; Swiss are poor losers. The Israeli U23 team (ranked 7th) won the Gold medal at the European fencing championships, decisively beating hosts Estonia, second-seed Sweden, Italy, and then Switzerland in the final. As Hatikvah was played, the Swiss team refused to acknowledge the Israeli victory.
https://worldisraelnews.com/swiss-fencers-turn-backs-on-israeli-team-after-championship-defeat/
World championship windsurfing gold. Israeli windsurfer Tamar Steinberg won the gold medal in the women’s iQFoil at the World Cup in Hyeres, France. Israel’s Sharon Kantor won bronze in the same event. It was Tamar’s second gold medal in a row, having won first place in Cadiz, Spain, last month.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-windsurfer-tamar-steinberg-wins-gold-at-world-championship/
Acrobatic performance for Israeli gymnasts. Israel's national acrobatic gymnastics team delivered a standout performance at the 2025 European Championships in Luxembourg, winning two gold medals and two silver. The senior men’s team won the all-around title; and the mixed pairs (Refaeli and Fridman) won the combined.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-850788
The first Israeli in the NHL. Zeev Buium took the ice yesterday for the Minnesota Wild, becoming the first NHL player born to Israeli parents to feature in a National (Ice) Hockey League game. Zeev’s older brother Shai plays in the AHL. https://forward.com/news/sports/713896/zeev-buium-jewish-hockey-debut/
THE JEWISH STATE
Former hostage puts on Tefillin at kidnap site. Eliya Cohen, who was freed from Hamas captivity earlier this year, returned to the roadside bomb shelter where he was abducted on Oct 7 2023, wrapping tefillin and reciting the Shema prayer at the very spot he was taken.
Sounding the Shofar before entering Gaza. The newly formed IDF Hashmonaim Brigade of Haredi soldiers has embarked on their first-ever mission into Gaza. Before going in, they recited prayers and blew the Shofar just as the Children of Israel did prior to Biblical battles. https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-newly-created-ultra-orthodox-brigade-sounds-shofar-before-first-ever-mission-to-gaza/
73 fun facts about Israel. To celebrate Israel’s birthday, Israel21c publicizes 73 weird, wacky and remarkable things about this tiny country in the Middle East you may not know, unless you’ve studied all these newsletters.
https://www.israel21c.org/73-fun-facts-about-israel/
It’s Judea and Samaria. Arkansas is the first US State to ban the Jordan-invented term “West Bank” when referring to the territory recaptured by Israel during the 1967 six-day war. Judea and Samaria are its Biblical names – Judea being the area south of Jerusalem, and Samaria the area to its north.
https://www.jns.org/arkansas-becomes-first-state-to-ban-agencies-from-saying-west-bank/
123 Bar Mitzvot for orphans at the Kotel. Thanks to Colel Chabad, 123 boys who had lost at least one parent came to the Western Wall to celebrate their 13th birthday (Bar Mitzvah). each one was danced to the Kotel, made the blessing on the Torah, and received tefillin and new clothing. Afterwards all enjoyed a banquet.
https://www.jns.org/wire/123-orphan-boys-celebrate-their-bar-mitzvah-at-the-western-wall/
Kosher Nosher. (TY Yanky) Burger King falsely advertised its Hod Hasharon branch as kosher. An Israeli court’s “sentence” was to order the restaurant chain to distribute $128,000 in meal vouchers to religious and non-religious IDF combat soldiers. The vouchers will be redeemable only at the chain’s kosher branches.
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/h1dgcywc1x
It’s all happening in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) So many events after Pesach in Israel’s capital, including Yom Hazikaron (Memorial Day) and Yom Ha’atzmaut (Independence Day), albeit rehearsals and rescheduled events. New Ambassadors presenting credentials to President Herzog included from the USA, India, and Philippines.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/04/28/seven-new-ambassadors-to-israel-before-holocaust-remembrance-day/
Yom Ha’Atzmaut / Israel Independence Day. Many celebratory events went ahead despite the fires. Here are links to some of them.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/freed-hostage-agam-berger-opens-israels-77th-independence-day-with-powerful-violin-tribute/ https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-ben-shapiro-lights-torch-in-honor-of-israel-a-land-of-heroes-and-dreamers/ https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-idf-soldiers-stationed-in-rafah-thank-god-for-the-miracle-of-the-jewish-state/ https://unitedwithisrael.org/happy-independence-day/
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-live-israel-independence-day-torch-lighting-ceremony/
https://www.jns.org/israel-celebrates-77th-independence-day-in-shadow-of-wildfires/
250427
In the 27th Apr 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Bereaved Israeli family has joyful reunion with pet dog.
l UK journalist praises emergency treatment from Israeli medical system.
l Israeli Arabs educate Londoners about the war.
l Israeli scientists work at the speed of light.
l Israel gives good investment returns for American aid.
l Sporting success for Israelis at gymnastics, soccer, and basketball.
l Blessings of peace proclaimed at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
· Click here to see the 6th Apr newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours (please read her intro), (TY Aviva) United With Israel, (TY Ted Belman) IsraPundit, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). 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.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Cutting-edge leg surgery from US to Israel. (TY Sam Kramer) Israeli surgeons at Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center used a US technique for the first time in Israel, to fix a titanium screw to the bone of a wounded IDF soldier. The technique, called osseointegration, significantly reduces pain and friction from a prosthetic leg.
https://www.ynet.co.il/health/article/bkg58dstke (Hebrew article)
Rush to join Gaza border Kibbutz. (TY Yanky) The residents of Kibbutz Kerem Shalom on the Gaza border defended valiantly against Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 2023. Its religious / secular mix attracted 20 new prospective families to their recent open day. https://www.timesofisrael.com/open-day-at-religious-secular-kibbutz-on-gaza-border-draws-20-families-wanting-to-join/
Therapy dogs for IDF veterans with PTSD. As part of a new FIDF initiative together with the Ministry of Defense, IDF veterans suffering trauma such as PTSD receive a specially trained therapy dog. They are able to sense when the individual begins to suffer panic attacks or nightmares, and calm them down. Please donate.
https://www.fidf.org/news/therapy-dogs-for-veterans-with-ptsd-2/ (includes link to US donation site)
https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (Israelis - select the English speakers’ option)
Rehabilitation center opens in Haifa. Sheba Medical Center has successfully replicated its Tel Hashomer “Returning to Life” rehabilitation center (see here previously) at Haifa’s Beit Halochem. Therapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) plus therapy dogs, physical training, and community integration.
https://sheba-global.com/sheba-and-fidf-open-mental-health-center-in-haifa/
https://zdvo.org/beit-halochem-haifa/
Good news from JNS. Ruthie Bloom and Mark Regev dedicate their weekly program during Pesach / Passover to giving positive news. The baby boom, the high happiness level, the economy, innovation driving hi-tech acquisitions, strong family values, deep community bonds, and patriotic youth, leading to resilience in a war.
https://www.jns.org/whats-behind-israels-baby-boom/
Family dog returned from Gaza. A reservist soldier found a frightened dog among the ruins in Rafah. Its electronic chip identified it as Billie, a 3-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel that was kidnapped on 7 Oct 2023 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. It was treated and then returned to the surviving members of the Dancyg members.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406892 https://www.jns.org/idf-rescues-dog-taken-to-gaza-on-oct-7/
https://www.timesofisrael.com/dog-abducted-from-murdered-hostages-family-found-by-troops-in-gaza/
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-dog-stolen-on-oct-7th-returned-to-owner-after-18-months/ (see video)
Battlefield Chatbot. As you may have guessed, Israel is using AI to help conduct military operations during the war. It allows commanders to ask intelligence questions and get vital answers fast. Aaron Cohen tells more.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO5-ACBBwVs
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Good results of IceCure’s kidney cancer solution. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s IceCure (see here previously) is already saving many lives by destroying tumors using cryoablation (freezing). Its most recent ICESECRET study on 114 kidney cancer patients with small renal masses (SRM) showed an 88.7% non-reoccurrence rate.
Blood test for early detection of Parkinson’s. A team led by Hebrew University of Jerusalem researchers has developed the first ever blood test capable of detecting Parkinson’s disease, even before symptoms emerge. The test identifies transfer RNA fragments unique to the neurodegenerative disease.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-00851-z
Brain cancer treatment trial. The radiation treatment from Israel’s Alpha Tau (see here previously) has been used to treat skin cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer. It now has had US FDA approval to initiate a trial for patients with recurrent glioblastoma (brain cancer).
Complex facial surgery for Guatemalan baby. Santiago, a baby from Guatemala born with a cleft lip and palate (and other problems), successfully underwent complex corrective surgery at Israel’s Schneider Children's Medical Center. The parents knew in advance of Santiago’s condition and arranged to have their baby in Israel.
https://www.schneider.org.il/?CategoryID=1011&ArticleID=5708
Praise for Israel’s world-class healthcare. UK Telegraph journalist Isabel Oakeshott accidentally went over the handlebars of her e-scooter in Tel Aviv. But she was over the moon about her treatment at the state of the art Sylvan Adams Emergency Hospital (see here previously) at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) Medical Center.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/2608c1a7006e27ba
Israel’s first psycho-trauma dog unit. Israeli medical emergency NGO United Hatzalah has just completed training it Psycho-trauma Canine Unit. Its 10 special dogs provide support until the ambulance arrives. Leading Israeli pet supply chain, Speedog, will donate a portion of sales proceeds, plus essential equipment and food.
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/health-and-medicine/pet-supply-chain-speedog-united-hatzalah-partner-to-support-psychotrauma-k-9-unit/2025/01/23/ https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-848142
If you’re sick, see a computer. A new study from Tel Aviv University found that diagnoses and treatment recommendations given by AI were more accurate than those of physicians. Of 461 online patient visits, AI was rated as good in 77% of cases but only 67% by doctors. Bad AI ratings were 2.8%; Bad doctors were at 4.6%.
https://www.aftau.org/news_item/ai-diagnoses/ https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-24-03283
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Israeli Arabs go underground in London. Yoseph Haddad led a delegation of Israeli Muslims, Christians and Druze to London to confront increasing delegitimization of Israel in the UK. His video shows them on the London Underground (metro / tube) giving passengers an alternative view of the Jewish state.
https://www.jns.org/yoseph-haddad-speaks-up-for-gaza-hostages-on-london-underground/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukafOUDWgw0
A Guatemalan in Jerusalem. Ava Atzum Arévalo de Moscoso is very positive about her two years as the Guatemalan ambassador to Israel. she feels right at home in the Jewish state, and expresses her admiration for Israelis, citing Guatemala’s historic relationship with the Jewish state, as well as her evangelical Christian faith.
https://www.jns.org/guatemalan-ambassador-to-israel-gets-more-than-she-bargained-for-and-thats-fine/
Berlin to twin with Tel Aviv. The mayors of Berlin and Tel Aviv-Jaffa have announced the establishment of a new Twin Cities partnership. It marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel. Tel Aviv is twinned with 35 foreign cities including five in Germany - Cologne, Freiburg, Frankfurt, Essen, and Bonn.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406526 http://en.sistercity.info/sister-cities/Tel%20Aviv.html
Ties with Malawi. Israel has signed a bilateral agreement to bring in laborers from Malawi to Israel in sectors such as agriculture and caregiving. Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said, “Malawi is a true friend of Israel”. “Malawi has stood with us both at the U.N. and with steadfast vocal public support.”
https://www.jns.org/as-part-of-bilateral-labor-agreement-israel-furthers-ties-with-malawi/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Predicting lightning-induced fires. Scientists at Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have developed an AI-based model that can predict where and when lightning strikes are most likely to cause wildfires. It analyzes high-resolution historical satellite data, weather patterns, vegetation, and topography, achieving over 90% accuracy.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/new-israeli-system-predicts-lightning-strikes-and-tackles-wildfires/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-92171-w https://www.nature.com/articles/s41566-024-01556-2
Light-speed processing. Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have developed a dual-laser technique that manipulates electrons and then tracks the effect in attoseconds (one quintillionth of a second). It opens up the possibility of computer processors capable of operating at light speed.
https://israfan.com/p/israeli-laser-light-speed-processors
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/space-physics/matter-crossroads
Top Greentech companies. Many Israeli startups appear in the Time and Statista’s World's Top GreenTech Companies of 2025. I spotted Ormat, Redefine Meat, TIPA, Beewise, Aleph Farms, CropX, H2Pro, Addionics, Exodigo, and StoreDot, but there could be others.
https://time.com/collection/worlds-top-greentech-companies-of-2025/
Agrotech conference in the North. “Bringing Good News to the North” is the excellent title of the Sunnyside Migal Annual Conference for Agriculture of the Future. 400+ farmers, agrotech innovators, and more, gathered to exhibit agriculture and food production technology, and to plan the future of agriculture in the Galilee.
https://www.jns.org/sunnyside-conference-bringing-good-news-to-the-north/
Saving the soybean. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Agmatix (see here previously) has partnered with agriculture solutions giant BASF to develop a digital solution for detecting and predicting the presence of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) - the most devastating pest to soybean crop yields in the U.S.
https://www.basf.com/us/en/media/news-releases/2025/03/P-US-25-07?ref=karanmaindan.com
US reinforces Israel’s defense systems. The US has transferred a second THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System) anti-missile defense battery to Israel (see here previously). It has also reportedly provided additional Patriot anti-missile defense systems.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-said-to-transfer-2nd-thaad-missile-battery-to-israel-as-iran-nuclear-tensions-rise/ https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1brdqkr1l
Taking border security to the next level. Israel’s RT Aerostat Systems (see here previously) is showcasing its innovative mobile advanced aerostat (air balloon) platforms to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and other security agencies at the Border Security Expo in Phoenix. They are designed for extreme weather conditions.
Green technology for New York. (TY Atid-EDI) The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and Israel’s Phinergy (see here previously) were awarded a $1.5 million U.S. grant from US-Israel BIRD Foundation (see here previously) to demonstrate a clean alternative to emergency generators based on aluminum-air technology.
Radio headset plus health monitor. Israel’s Silynxcom (see here previously) has added vital life signs monitoring to its ruggedized communication headsets. They provide crucial health insights and two-way real-time alerts in combat or high-risk environments, alerting command centers, even when the user is incapacitated.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/silynxcom-advances-revolutionary-ear-communication-130600578.html
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
2025 growth to exceed global average. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) expects Israel’s economy to rebound this year. Assuming fighting in Gaza and Lebanon will ease, the OECD forecasts that Israel’s economy will grow at a rate of 3.4 percent in 2025 and 5.5% in 2026,
Resilience & adaptability. (TY Yanky) The 2024/5 Israel Life Sciences and Health-Tech Industry Report published by the Israel Advanced Technology Industries Association (IATI) and Israel’s Innovation Authority, predicts a rosy future for Israel’s life sciences. 92% registered in Israel; 25% increase in investment.
It’s not aid, it’s investment. Another article that confirms that the US doesn’t give Israel aid; it makes an high-return investment. Israel returns billions of dollars more than cost, in jobs and benefits to US security & defense industries. Plus Israel fights US’s enemies (Iran, Hamas,& Hezbollah) without needing US boots on the ground.
https://www.jns.org/america-makes-high-returns-on-investment-when-it-comes-to-israel-military-aid/
Quebec opens Israel office. (TY Atid-EDI) Québec has opened its first representative office in the Middle East. Trade between Québec and Israel is valued at $525 million annually. The bureau will also focus on education. Québec is sponsoring an international diplomacy course in French at Netanya Academic College.
https://thecjn.ca/news/quebec-representative-office/
El Al resumes flights to Eilat. After a 12-year break, El Al Airlines is returning to Israel’s southern skies with the relaunch of its domestic route from Ben-Gurion Airport to Ramon Airport near Eilat. Starting next month, El Al will operate two weekly flights between the central hub and the Red Sea resort city.
https://israfan.com/p/elal-resumes-ben-gurion-eilat-flights
British Airways resumes Israel flights. British Airways has resumed flights to Israel, becoming the latest major carrier to renew services suspended due to the Israel-Hamas war. The move came the week before the busy Passover and Easter travel season, when flights to Israel are heavily booked.
https://www.jns.org/british-airways-resumes-israel-flights/
$54 million in fraud prevented. Israel’s BioCatch (see here previously) protected customers of Alkami Digital Banking Platform (e.g. Gate City Bank) by stopping more than $54 million in fraudulent transactions in 2024. BioCatch's Account Takeover Protection analyzes digital behaviors in real time to highlight attempted fraud.
Inspecting rental cars. Car rental giant Hertz has partnered with Israeli startup UVeye (see here previously) to deploy AI-powered vehicle inspection systems across major US locations. The move marks one of the largest rollouts of automated inspection technology in the car rental industry to date.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1gwjltcjl
IAI is worth billions. (TY Atid-EDI) The 2024 financial results for Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) were phenomenal. Revenue up 14% to over $6 billion; net profit up 55% to nearly half a billion dollars; and a pipeline of orders of $25 billion. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-iai-profit-jumps-55-1001504732
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 27th Apr 25: Israel’s CloudShare was acquired by US-based Bow River Capital for $60 – 80 million. Israeli cybersecurity Torq acquired stealth Israeli AI startup Revrod for over $20 million; Israel’s Similarweb acquired Switzerland’s 42matters (in 2024).
Startup investment – to 27th Apr 25: Healthee raised $50 million; Sentra raised $50 million; BRIA.ai raised $40 million; Cynomi raised $37 million; Groundcover raised $35 million; Anecdotes raises another $30 million; Reco.ai raised $25 million; Tapcheck raised $25 million; Bliss Aesthetics raised $17.5 million; Pillar Security raised $9 million; Terra Security raised $8 million; Brandlight raises $5.75 million; AutonomyAI raised $4 million; Cyvore Security raised $2.5 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Moss Haggadah at National Library. A unique Haggadah crafted by American-Israeli artist David Moss four decades ago joins the National Library of Israel’s collection and was on display for Passover. It includes a page of portraits and mirrors that allows the reader to see themselves as having been liberated from slavery.
GCI to open on 7th May. JNF-USA’s Galilee Culinary Institute (see here previously) is due to be opened on May 7 by Israeli-born, French-educated chef Lior Lev Sercarz. It will bring its new unique program to the upper Galilee and not only to change the landscape of the food industry, but bring life to the food basket of Israel.
https://forward.com/food/386180/israeli-who-spices-up-new-york-kitchens-will-open-unique-cooking-school-in/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q48TS-CAyP0 https://www.galileeculinaryinstitute.com/
The world’s only known black flamingo visits Israel. (TY WIN & AllIsraelNews) As millions of birds migrate this season, one is capturing hearts around the globe - the only known black flamingo in the world! It stopped in Eilat, Israel, on its way to Europe, thrilling birdwatchers and nature lovers alike.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4nhWnQQggc
40,000 run in the holy city. 40,000 runners in the 14th International Jerusalem “Winner” Marathon included elite athletes, IDF soldiers, families, blind & partially-sighted. At the start, ex-hostage Karina Ariev asked them to “dedicate this run to the memory of our heroes who sacrificed their lives so that we could stand here today.”
https://www.jns.org/2025-jerusalem-marathon-events-see-40000-run-in-the-holy-city/
https://israfan.com/p/blind-sighted-runners-jerusalem-marathon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-oc8gzIgUU (United Hatzalah video)
4 gold medals at acrobatic gymnastics. (TY Nevet) On the fourth and final day of the 13th European Age Group Competitions in Acrobatic Gymnastics, seven finals were contested. Israel had a fabulous day, earning a grand total of 4 European titles and 2 silver medals.
Hapoel wins EuroCup. Hapoel Shlomo Tel Aviv captured the EuroCup championship earning promotion to the 2025–26 EuroLeague. Hapoel beat Gran Canaria, becoming only the second Israeli club ever to lift the EuroCup trophy, joining Hapoel Jerusalem, which won it in 2004.
https://www.jns.org/hapoel-tel-aviv-clinches-first-eurocup-title/
More Israelis in the NBA draft. In the 2025 - 26 season, at least two more Israelis will join Deni Avdija in the National Basketball Association (NBA) league. They are 19-year-old guard Ben Saraf, who grew up in Moshav Gan Yoshia and 21-year-old 7-foot Danny Wolf, born in Glencoe, Illinois – an Israeli U21 star in 2023.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/8fbs7ekw3
THE JEWISH STATE
Biblical-era dye factory found. Researchers have discovered the tools proving that the blue (tchelet) and purple (argaman) dyes were produced in industrial quantities in the Land of Israel in biblical times. They have documented how the material was produced for hundreds of years at Tel Shiqmona on Israel’s Carmel Coast.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/made-from-snails-and-fit-for-kings-first-biblical-era-dye-factory-found-on-israels-coast/ https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/figure?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0321082.g012
https://unitedwithisrael.org/ancient-tools-reveal-economic-power-behind-biblical-israel/
The logo for Israel’s 77th Independence Day. The official logo for the torch-lighting ceremony at the 77th anniversary of the State of Israel reflects the theme "Bridges of Hope", and the connections within Israeli society. The Magen David (Star of David) is fused with the number 77 in yellow, as a tribute to the hostages.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/406519
Solomon’s pools opened during Pesach. Three reservoirs that brought water to Jerusalem during the Second Second Temple period were opened to the public during Passover for the first time since 1995 when they were transferred to the control of the Palestinian Authority. (See Ecclesiastes 2:6 for King Solomon’s connection).
https://www.jns.org/solomons-pools-open-to-public-over-passover-in-first-since-oslo-accords/
Matzah baking therapy for special children. (TY TPS) At the Aleh Center in Bnei Brak, children with severe disabilities receive therapy from their involvement in Pesach preparations. Matzah-making enhances fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and sensory processing. It also deepens their connection to their Jewish heritage.
Ex-hostages receive priestly blessing at the Kotel. This Passover’s traditional priestly blessing ceremony at the Western Wall had special significance. The thousands of participants included ex-hostages, families of those still held captive, and wounded IDF soldiers. One of the priests was ex-hostage Eliya Cohen.
https://www.jns.org/former-hostages-gather-at-western-wall-for-priestly-blessing/
A message of peace from the US. The newly appointed US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, placed a note from US President Donald Trump in the Western Wall. It said “For Peace in Israel”. The Ambassador said, “Trump told me to pray for the hostages’ return.” https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/407018
Yom HaShoah in Israel. Watch as all traffic stops when the 2-min siren sounds. Also ex-hostage Agam Berger plays her 130-year-old violin with bereaved Oct 7 survivor Daniel Weiss at Auschwitz. WWII survivors light memorial torches at Yad Vashem. And the great-granddaughter of Righteous Gentiles is now an IDF soldier.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israel-comes-to-standstill-as-siren-marks-yom-hashoah-holocaust-remembrance-day/ https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-oct-7th-orphan-released-hostage-perform-in-march-of-the-living-at-auschwitz/ https://israfan.com/p/yad-vashem-holocaust-remembrance-2025
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In the 6th Apr 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Unbelievable courage and resilience of Israeli Oct 7 survivors.
l Five major Israeli advances in the detection and treatment of cancer.
l The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews also helps Israeli Muslims.
l Many large Israeli companies are switching to green energy.
l Israel has received billions of shekels from its natural gas windfall.
l Jerusalem opens the new Museum of Tolerance.
l An auction of rare 1948 “Independence Day” edition Passover Haggadot.
· Click here to see the 30th Mar newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours with another excellent intro, (TY Aviva) United With Israel, (TY Ted Belman) IsraPundit, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). 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 26,400 articles).
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Woman of Courage. One of the seven International Women of Courage 2025 awarded by the US State Department was Israel’s Amit Sousanna. Amit uses her voice to courageously advocate for survivors by using her own lived example to describe the trauma she suffered as a hostage of the October 7th attack.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-former-hostage-amit-soussana-receives-us-state-departments-international-woman-of-courage-award/ https://www.state.gov/2025-international-women-of-courage-award/#amit-soussana
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPFKZG_J9YI
Gadi returns to Turner stadium. This scene was too emotional not to include in this newsletter. Ex-hostage Gadi Moses was welcomed back to Turner stadium, the home of his favorite soccer club Beersheva. Also read his latest interview. https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-released-hostage-gadi-moses-honored-at-soccer-game/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-847026
Shot in the back but recovered. Female IDF soldier Stav Bachar survived Oct 2023 despite Hamas terrorists shooting her in the back, abdomen, and pelvis, and leaving her for dead. If you can access X, see her now.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/s3ckd9 https://x.com/VividProwess/status/1906534415582339547
The most wounded soldier forges on. On Oct 7 2023, Alon Kaminer’s life changed forever when a premature explosion in combat left him clinically dead and with devastating injuries. He lost his leg, right arm, left hand, and an eye. He was clinically dead but he survived, and with unshakable courage and resilience, he fights on.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-the-most-wounded-idf-soldier-forges-on/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-L49-PUlreA
Battlefield lessons save civilian lives. Israeli hospitals, such as Laniado in Netanya, have been applying many of the advanced methods developed by the IDF during the war. Whole blood is given to wounded soldiers before evacuation, and this technique is now used in Laniado if patients have insufficient platelets for surgery.
https://laniadosupporters.org.il/laniado-applies-advanced-idf-methods/
Donor’s lungs blew the shofar at his memorial. Last year, Kfir Zar received a double lung transplant from fallen IDF soldier Dor Zimel (see here previously). At the memorial to Dor, Kfir used Dor’s lungs to blow a shofar for him. https://inspirationfromzion.com/2025/03/31/how-do-we-heal-from-the-trauma-of-this-war/
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hknxtehzc
$1.3 billion for rebuilding Gaza envelope. Israel’s Knesset has approved a comprehensive recovery plan aimed at rebuilding communities located within 7 km. (4.3 miles) of the Gaza border that were severely impacted by the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023.
https://www.jns.org/knesset-approves-1-3b-recovery-plan-for-gaza-border-communities/
From evacuation to action. (TY Mara) Students from JNF-USA-supported Kiryat Shmona University have returned to clean up the battered city. And young educators from JNF-USA’s network of organizations including MAKOM (see here previously) have relocated to Israel’s North and South to revive the communities.
https://www.jnf.org/jnf-blog/post/blog/be-inspired--jewish-national-fund-usa-is-bringing-young-people-back-to-the-north-and-south https://www.jnf.org/ways-to-help/support-israel
Volunteering led to romance. Rebecca Starr and Benjamin (Benji) Katz are among countless Diaspora Jews who immediately volunteered to join the war effort in Israel after Oct 7 2023. They met at the NGO Pitchon-Lev, which is providing aid to IDF soldiers and Oct 7 survivors. Rebecca and Benji are to be married in July.
https://www.jns.org/a-love-story-born-from-the-tragic-day-of-oct-7/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Good progress on pancreatic cancer treatment. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Silexion Therapeutics reported that its SIL-204 pancreatic cancer treatment effectively reduces primary tumor growth and secondary cancer spread. Silexion 's first generation LODER treatment already had good results in Phase 2 trials on “simple” cancers.
https://silexion.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/silexion-therapeutics-announces-completion-of1.pdf
New way to treat resistant cancers. Israel’s MitoCarex Bio has developed its MITOLINE™ algorithm and other advanced computational capabilities to identify small molecules that can fight cancer. MitoCarex has just been acquired by Israel’s N2OFF (see here previously) which is also injecting $1 million of investment.
https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/n2off-inc-enters-agreement-acquire-mitocarex-bio-ltd-expand-cancer-therapeutics-portfolio `https://mitocarexbio.com/
How cells respond to treatment. Researchers from Tel Aviv University have developed scNET that tracks gene expression at the single-cell level in response to various therapies. It has exciting implications for research into cancer treatments and their effect on the tumor, pro-cancer supporting cells, and anti-cancer immune cells.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41592-025-02627-0
What’s happening inside? Prof Hossam Haick of Israel’s Technion and his team have developed a new method for monitoring molecular processes deep within tissue. Their system uses chemical tomography to analyze volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It can help early cancer detection in many organs of the body.
Real-time blood tests. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see here previously) announced positive results from the clinical study at Sheba Hospital of its AI-powered HYLA blood sensor. Its real-time blood monitoring enables early diagnosis and personalized care without the need for intermittent blood draws.
Combatting gum disease and more. (TY Nevet) Hebrew University of Jerusalem scientists have discovered how the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis causes periodontitis infection (gum disease). Preventing it binding to protein CD47 prevents periodontitis, and its correlation with cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, and cancer.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/02/24/new-approach-to-suppress-oral-bacteria-that-cause-periodontal-and-other-disease-symptoms-discovered-by-hu-researchers/ https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2405534121
US approves rotator cuff repair system. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Arcuro Medical (see here previously) has received US FDA clearance for its SuperBall-RC system for use in rotator cuff (shoulder) repair procedures. Arcuro's SuperBall technology platform has now successfully been used in over 5,000 meniscus (knee) repairs.
From cultivated meat to muscle therapy. Israel’s Profuse (see here previously) which specializes in the laboratory cultivation of muscle tissue for non-animal meat, has launched a new technology and program for preventing and restoring muscle lost by the growing use of weight-loss treatments, aging, and cancer.
https://profuse-tech.com/drug-discovery/
Combining complementary and conventional medicine. Israel’s Treat Me (see here) has developed an AI-driven platform that allows practitioners to create tailor-made treatment plans that bridge Western medicine, complementary therapies (e.g. Chinese medicine, naturopathy, reflexology) and cutting-edge research.
https://www.israel21c.org/mom-turns-medical-nightmare-into-an-integrative-care-dream/ https://www.treatme.ltd/
Rehabilitation conference. (TY Yanky) Israel hosted the “Lifetime Partnership” International Rehabilitation Conference in Tel Aviv. It attracted medical and rehabilitation experts from militaries, defense ministries, and health departments in England, Thailand, Germany, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Brazil and Canada.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
President hosts two autistic children. On World Autism Awareness Day, Israel’s President Isaac Herzog welcomed Alex an IDF reservist, his wife Julieta and his two autistic children Peer and Priel to his official residence in Jerusalem. The family was evacuated from Sderot and had to change special education programs.
https://www.jns.org/for-world-autism-awareness-day-herzog-hosts-idf-soldiers-family/
Caring for everyone. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews supports Israeli Holocaust survivors, funded an MRI machine for Yoseftal Medical Center in Eilat, and an armored ICU mobile vehicle for Judea and Samaria. It also provides food cards to Muslim IDF soldiers during Ramadan.
https://youtu.be/DFyT_dP2QPg?t=98 https://www.ifcj.org/who-we-are/programs/alleviating-poverty
https://www.ifcj.org/news/fellowship-blog/project-spotlight-mri-machine-for-yoseftal-medical-center
https://www.ifcj.org/news/fellowship-blog/project-spotlight-armored-icu-mobile-vehicles
As an Arab I'm so lucky to be born In Israel. Nice little video by Mansor Ashkar which sums it all up.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH3GZfWIWCd/?igsh=MWk0YWtkdGE4bmhweg%3D%3D
A new road for Palestinian Arabs. A new road is to be built in eastern Jerusalem to allow Palestinian Arabs to travel, without checkpoints, from az-Za’ayyem east of the Hebrew University’s campus on Mount Scopus, to the al-Eizariya village west of Ma’ale Adumim. The so-called Living Space Road will cost NIS 345 million.
https://www.jns.org/israel-to-build-new-road-for-palestinians-near-jerusalem/
Israel joins Qatar & UAE in air force drill. (TY Yanky) The Israeli Air Force took part in Greece’s annual multinational Iniochos 25 air drill. This year Qatar (widely thought to back Hamas) also participated with F15s. The UAE flew Mirage 2000 aircraft. Israel flew its Oron advanced intelligence-gathering jet,.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1w75f0061g https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bo3QovKJdg
Searching for survivors in Bangkok rubble. A team of IDF engineering and civil affairs officers has started sharing technological expertise with Thai authorities in their mission to rescue survivors of the earthquake that rocked Thailand and Myanmar. The IDF has equipment that can help locate 81 workers trapped under rubble.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-rescue-mission-lands-in-earthquake-struck-bangkok/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2JN6oyPhCU
One hundred years of the Hebrew U. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem marked its 100th anniversary by celebrating a century of groundbreaking research, academic excellence, and visionary leadership that helped shape the intellectual and scientific foundations of the State of Israel.
https://israfan.com/p/hebrew-university-jerusalem-centennial
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Aloe vera for enhancing cultured meat. (TY Nevet) Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Reichman University have proposed to use aloe vera to improve the sensory experience of eating plant-based meat substitutes. The process holds great potential for sustainable food production.
Major discovery impacts air quality and medicine. (TY TPS) A team in Sweden led by Hebrew University scientists have discovered a chemical process in nature that creates hydroxyl (OH) radicals at low temperatures. It has major implications for pollution control and human health (aging, cancer and immune response).
Saving the planet from plastic. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s PlasticBack is working with a USA-based recycling company to scale-up its technology, which converts hard-to-recycle plastics into valuable byproducts. It aims to to upcycle 100,000 tons of plastic waste by 2030, setting a new benchmark for sustainable plastic recycling.
A miniature nuclear reactor. Israel’s Megatron N.R.G. is developing a nuclear fusion energy reactor no bigger than a desktop computer. It says it has achieved ongoing fusion events in the lab by using micro-entities called stable plasmoids - tangled bundles of super-hot charged gas (plasma) held together by magnetic fields.
https://www.israel21c.org/building-a-nuclear-reactor-the-size-of-a-desktop-computer/
Multiple green energy projects. Israel’s Enlight Renewable Energy is to build a $1.1 billion 100MW per hour solar-power plant and data center in Ashalim, southern Israel. It has also signed contracts for NTA (Tel Aviv Metro), Big, SodaStream, Applied Materials, Amdocs and others, who will buy green electricity from Enlight.
Turning Haifa green. Haifa bay’s heavy industry is to be replaced with green spaces, housing and commercial areas. The key event will be the closure of the Bazan oil refineries, which is now scheduled for 2030. Haifa will remain home to the country’s largest cargo port, two smaller seaports, and a small airport.
Even more lifting power. Israel’s Heven Drones (see here previously) has increased the size of the loads they can carry. The hydrogen-powered Raider drones can carry up to 50 pounds and fly for up to 12 hours.
A quality code-generator. (TY Atid-EDI) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being widely used to create computer code, but the code generated is often over-complex, full of bugs and security flawed. Israel’s Qodo (see here) sets a new standard for efficiency in code understanding, enabling AI systems to work with code at any scale.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qodo-achieves-best-code-embedding-performance-with-small-1-5-billion-parameter-model-302387275.html https://www.qodo.ai/
Storing data as DNA. Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed DNAformer – a technology for encoding, retrieving, and rapidly reading data stored in DNA molecules. DNA takes up 100 million times less space, lasts hundreds of millennia, saves energy and emissions, and is thousands of times faster to process.
https://www.technion.ac.il/en/blog/article/dnaformer-where-nature-meets-ai/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-025-01003-z
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Huge income from natural gas. (TY Atid-EDI & TPS) Israel earned record revenues of NIS 2.37 billion from royalties on natural gas and minerals in 2024 - 8.2% more than in 2023. Israel has earned nearly NIS 30 billion from royalties and taxes on profits. The Sovereign Wealth Fund (or Citizens’ Fund) is worth nearly $2 billion.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-state-royalties-on-natural-resources-reach-new-peak-1001503817
https://worldisraelnews.com/israels-sovereign-wealth-fund-grows-to-2-billion-despite-war/
AI translating all TASE reports into English. (TY Atid-EDI) The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) has commissioned Israel’s TipRanks, to develop a AI-based system to translate listed company reports into English. It is part of the initiative to increase global investors' exposure to the 487 TASE-listed companies.
Delta resumes flights to Israel. Delta Air Lines has restarted daily flights from New York’s JFK airport to Tel Aviv, adding 2,000 weekly seats on the popular New York route. The move comes two weeks after chief rival United Airlines resumed its service to Tel Aviv, and ahead of the busy Passover and Easter travel season.
https://www.jns.org/delta-resumes-flights-to-israel/
More flights to Bucharest. (TY Yanky) Israeli airline El Al has signed a codeshare agreement with Romanian state-owned TAROM Airlines. The number of weekly flights on the Tel Aviv to Bucharest route will increase to 18, and the first flight under the new agreement was scheduled to begin on Apr 1.
https://www.jpost.com/consumerism/article-846698
New El Al route to Albania. El Al is launching direct, nonstop flights, 3 times a week, between Tel Aviv and Tirana, Albania, through its low-cost subsidiary, Sundor. Albania only has 60 Jewish citizens, but is building two Jewish museums, in Tirana and Vlora. Other sites include a Holocaust museum and Shimon Peres Square.
https://www.jta.org/2025/03/28/global/once-isolated-albania-hopes-for-israeli-tourist-boom-with-launch-of-el-al-direct-flights https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/rjsxvrou1e
Lemonade’s $1 billon of fizz. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Lemonade, the AI-powered digital insurance firm (see here previously) has passed $1 billion of In Force Premium (IFP). It marks a significant milestone for the company, achieved just 8.5 years after selling its first policy.
https://www.reinsurancene.ws/lemonade-passes-1bn-in-premiums/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 6th Apr 25: Israel’s Nayax has acquired Brazil’s UPPay for $5 million. Israel’s N2OFF is acquiring Israel’s Mitocarex Bio from Israel’s SciSparc and others.
Startup investment – to 6th Apr 25: Grain raised $50 million; Unframe raised $50 million; Hi Auto raised $15 million; Linguana raised $8.5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Site of Armageddon confirmed. Archaeologists have dated Egyptian pottery found at Megiddo in Northern Israel to the time of the Biblical battle where Egypt defeated the Judean King Josiah in 609 BCE. The battle was so vital that it was prophesized to become the site of Armageddon – the final battle at the end of days.
https://israfan.com/p/armageddon-battle-site-confirmed-megiddo
Pre-schooler finds 3,800 year-old amulet. (TY WIN) 3-year-old Ziv Nitzan was hiking with her family at Tel Azeka near Beit Shemesh in central Israel, when she unearthed a Canaanite scarab amulet dating back 3,800 years. Tel Azeka is where David fought Goliath, as described in the Book of Samuel I (17:1).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNTKmsqVcGw
Jerusalem Museum of Tolerance opens. The newly opened Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem resembles a bridge or a dove with outstretched wings, representing unity, dignity and respect among Jews and people of all faiths. The two temporary exhibitions are (a) on Oct 7 2023, and (b) “Documenting Israel: 75 Years of Vision.”
https://www.israel21c.org/israels-magnificent-new-museum-of-tolerance-is-a-study-in-just-that/
Superhero artist is Wonder Man. Marvel and DC comic book artist Michael Netzer is famous for drawing Batman, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, etc. He has lived many lives – US-born to a Druze father and a secret Jewish mother, his journey included a Lebanese village, back to the USA, and Aliyah. An amazing story.
https://www.jns.org/michael-netzer-from-american-superheroes-to-israeli-spirituality/
THE JEWISH STATE
Border Police receive portable synagogue. An Israeli Border Police training base received a portable synagogue with prayer books and a new Torah, ensuring officers have access to worship wherever they serve.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-police-base-receives-portable-synagogue/
Canadian Jews strengthen Israeli education. (TY Yanky) With a fund to be administered by the JFC-UIA organization, a total of $20 million will be invested in educational development in northern Israel, with a special focus on the Galilee region. This includes transforming Tel-Hai College into a university.
3 MDA ambulances donated in memory of Dee family. An anonymous donor, through the Israeli Friends of MDA, has donated three ambulances in memory of Lucy, Maia, and Rina Dee, the wife and daughters of Rabbi Leo Dee who were murdered by terrorists on 7 Apr 2023. They will be used in Efrat, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
https://www.jns.org/three-mda-ambulances-donated-in-memory-of-dee-family/
The Ambassadors of Truth. (TY Sharon) Jerusalem’s conference “Ambassadors of Truth” was focused on combatting Antisemitism. The speakers were many of the leading international defenders of Israel and although others boycotted the conference, it was still a great success.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/03/30/see-the-faces-of-the-ambassadors-of-truth/
Cleaning the Kotel for Pesach. As every year, the Western Wall in Jerusalem is being cleared out of the tens of thousands of prayers that have been inserted between the stones over the past year. These notes will be buried alongside unwanted or damaged sacred writings according to Jewish customs.
https://www.jns.org/western-wall-prayer-notes-extracted-ahead-of-passover/
Rare Haggadot auctioned in Bnei Brak. The Brand auction house in Bnei Brak is auctioning a Jewish Brigade fighters’ Haggadah, and a Haganah Haggadah, both created for Passover 5708, weeks before Israel’s Declaration of Independence in 1948. Also a 1940 Kibbutz Shefayim Haggadah that refers to the Shoah.
https://www.jns.org/rare-haggadot-up-for-auction-in-bnei-brak/
