In the 31st Aug 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Emotional reunion of Arab boy and the Israeli medic who saved him on 7 Oct.
l Unique successful emergency valve repair for heart transplant patient.
l Building the largest cardiological and neurological center in the Middle East.
l Placing an Israeli flag on Mount Kilimanjaro raised funds for Israeli hospital.
l An Israeli partnership will keep everyone in good shape.
l Another European country will not sell arms but will buy them from Israel.
l Enjoy a French pastry in a thousand-year-old forest
l See the dam built by Jewish Kings 2,800 years ago in Jerusalem.
· Click here to see the 24th Aug newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, (TY Peloni) IsraPundit, (TY Aviva) United with Israel, 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
Daniella has bullet removed. (TY Yanky) Ex-hostage Daniella Gilboa has finally had a Hamas bullet removed from her ankle at Rabin Medical Center-Beilinson Campus. She had put off undergoing the surgery because the bullet was a daily reminder of how grateful she is to the Almighty for protecting her.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-860704
A sanctuary for combat soldiers. (TY Yanky) NGO Nechama and Hatzala for Israel has dedicated Dekel House in Moshav Patish to the memory of brave Captain Dekel Swissa, who fell on Oct 7 2023. Dekel House gives combat soldiers from Gaza a place to relax, swim, eat, drink and wind down during short periods of leave.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bkutc0w8xl https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-864016
“Miracle” saves IDF soldiers. The recent night attack on an IDF camp by 18 Hamas terrorists near Khan Younis could have been catastrophic. But six of Hamas’ eight grenades failed to explode. They also blew up an empty building. The soldiers responded, quickly eliminating 10 terrorists and air support finished the job.
https://worldisraelnews.com/soldiers-attacked-by-hamas-last-week-call-survival-a-miracle/
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-soldiers-tefillin-remain-unscathed-after-hamas-attack/
Arab boy reunited with medic who saved him on 7 Oct. 7-year-old Atala Osma Abu Madian was shot in the stomach and his father was murdered by Hamas on 7 Oct 2023. Atala was saved by MDA paramedic Zvi. They had a very emotional reunion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpKayVLjdgg
Floyd is back. (TY Yanky & JNS) ) At the BAYZ restaurant on Tel Aviv’s Hilton Beach, World boxing champion Floyd Mayweather met soldiers who have fought in Gaza’s alleyways or battles against Hezbollah in Lebanon. The soldiers showered him with love. “Know that you are winners,” he told them.
Quietly helping since 2024. You will have read here about IsraAid and its relief work in global catastrophes. But it kept quiet about its work in Gaza since early 2024, coordinating international aid organizations with the Israeli government and military. It is now publicizing its work and directly creating a logistics hub for partners.
Famine? Where? COGAT: “1,300 aid trucks entered Gaza during past week.” Meanwhile, almost 1,900 trucks waiting inside the Strip were collected and their supplies distributed by the U.N. and other international organizations. And more than 1,000 aid packages have been airdropped into the Strip since late last month.
https://www.jns.org/cogat-1300-aid-trucks-entered-gaza-during-past-week/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVPf-6wtDyI https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413974
https://www.jns.org/huckabee-slams-cbs-for-selectively-editing-interview-on-israel/
Hope and renewal. (TY Yanky) Hadas Loewenstern is widow of Rabbi Elisha Loewenstern, who heroically fell in Gaza. Elisha told Hadas that if anything happened to him, she was to “quickly find a new partner.” Hadas is now engaged to Hod Reichert whose wife during childbirth and they will raise their 10 children together.
https://www.jfeed.com/news-israel/widow-idf-soldier-engagement
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Valve repair for heart transplant patient. Doctors at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center successfully performed an emergency mitral valve repair on a heart transplant patient. The procedure has been performed only twice in patients after heart transplantation worldwide - and never before attempted on a patient in cardiogenic shock.
Promising treatment for cancer. Israel’s Silexion reported here in April that its SIL-204 reduced pancreatic tumors. Latest studies show it also works on lung cancer. Its silencing of KRAS protein mutations achieved unprecedented inhibition rates of up to 97% in pancreatic cancer cells and nearly 90% in colorectal cancer cells.
The first fingerstick infection blood test. Israel’s MeMed (see here previously) has completed a multi-year development of MeMed BV Flex. The test enables accurate differentiation between bacterial and viral infections in just 15 minutes using only a few drops of capillary blood from a finger prick.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.07.21.25331877v1
BGU scientists return to their work. The direct missile hit on Soroka hospital in Be’er Sheva during the war with Iran also froze groundbreaking research on curing diabetes at Ben-Gurion University. Now, after two months, the scientists have returned to alternate laboratories to continue their work on life-saving medications.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UFsZencAT5E
US FDA helps clear the airways. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Synchrony Medical (see here previously) has received FDA clearance for its LibAirty™ Airway Clearance System for At-Home Respiratory Relief. It can now bring relief to millions of patients in the USA, living with chronic lung diseases.
https://sheba-global.com/synchrony-medicals-libairtytm-cleared-by-fda/
1,600+ more Ethiopians can now see. Dr Morris Hartstein (see here previously) led an annual delegation from Israel's Shamir Medical Center under the auspices of his Operation Ethiopia, where they treated 1,653 patients suffering from cataracts, infections, and preventable diseases. They also distributed 440+ pairs of eyeglasses.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413822
Massive donation for “Hope Tower”. Israelis Shmuel and Anat Harlap have donated $180 million to Israel’s Rabin Medical Center for the construction of the largest cardiological and neurological center in the Middle East. It is the largest-ever single gift to an Israeli hospital and the new center is to be named “Hope Tower”.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Caring for lone soldiers. The Lone Soldier Center had a busy first six months of 2025. It onboarded 449 new Lone Soldiers; handled a 60% increase in mental health needs; provided food vouchers; reunited soldiers with family; awarded 118 scholarships and provided 80 laptops to soldiers leaving for civilian life or university.
https://lonesoldiercenter.com/half12025_e.pdf
Voice of the people. President Herzog’s inaugural Voice of the People summit. in Haifa, brought together 50 people from Israel, 50 from North America, and 50 from other regions to address rising antisemitism, strengthen Israel-Diaspora ties and promote internal diversity
Scholarship for 40 Druze. The World Zionist Organization, the Zionist Council in Israel and the Menomadin Fund are financing a scholarship for 40 Druze students who have served in the reserves a scholarship to help them ease back into their studies. This is the third year that these scholarships are available.
https://menomadinfoundation.com/druze-leadership-program-aalam-to-welcome-fourth-cohort/
Climbing Kilimanjaro for Israel. 18 young Jewish professionals from North West London successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in a landmark charity expedition. They carried an Israeli flag to the summit and raised more than £90,000 to help fund a new medical center in Tzfat through a partnership with UJIA.
Panama’s Ambassador speaks out. Ezra Cohen, Panama’s envoy to Israel, has a candid conversation about diplomacy, crisis management and the untold story of Israel’s global image. He also explains why Latin American leaders are aligning more with Israel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMzZqYhHJQM
https://www.jns.org/from-nasdaq-to-the-western-wall-panamas-ambassador-speaks-out/
Serbia-Israel friendship conference. (TY Yanky) The Congress of Serbian-American Friendship hosted a conference in Belgrade: “Belgrade Strategic Dialogue: Serbia–US–Israel Partnership.” Serbian foreign minister Marko Djuric said that there was strong political will in Serbia to develop good relations with Israel and the US.
Only Israel can save the world. Terrific video features Melanie Phillips speaking at the Argaman Institute for Advanced Studies in Jerusalem. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M39HvcgvHts
How an antisemite changed. What changed Nikos Sotirakopoulos from an antisemite to an admirer of Israel was seeing positive messages. Please pass on this newsletter to those who fail to see Israel in a positive light.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RN8Jd6VCIl4&t=2246s
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
A global AI-giga computer. A technological breakthrough by Nvidia’s Israeli R&D center will allow data centers in geographically distant locations to operate as if they were in one place. It effectively creates “AI factories” on a massive scale and significantly increases the maximum available computing power.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/6b219rhac
National space lab. Israel is to establish a national R&D lab to back startups developing space technologies and propel them into orbit. The lab is expected to reduce market launch costs by 35% for eligible companies. The lab operator will be awarded up to NIS 40 million in grants, for 55% to 66% of total project costs.
Prestigious grants to Israeli scientists. Bar-Ilan University Prof. Amos Danielli (see here previously) won grants from the U.S.–Israel Binational Science Foundation and the European Union’s Horizon Innovative Health Initiative. Six other Bar-Ilan scientists were awarded grants from the Israel Science Foundation.
https://engineering.biu.ac.il/en/node/14273
Innovation Resilience & Hope. On 17 Sep, Ben Gurion University of the Negev invites the global community to a special virtual event celebrating the extraordinary spirit of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. They will share groundbreaking scientific achievements, from students who serve in the IDF and other accomplishments.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yqtWmpJVRWm8ERZuGXU-_w#/registration
New windows on trains. (TY Yanky) Israel’s Transportation and Communications ministries are to spend NIS 68 million to improve cellular reception for passengers traveling on Israel Railways. It includes laser-etching train windows to reduce signal obstruction, Wi-Fi boosters and more cellular antennae along the tracks.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-860540
From Promise to Progress: Rebuilding the Negev. This video from Ben Gurion University features Prof. Miki Malul, Special Advisor on rebuilding the Negev after Oct 7 and the Iranian missile attacks. He shares the University’s efforts in Sderot, Dimona, and the Bedouin communities, along with his vision for the future.
https://americansforbgu.org/video/rebuilding-the-negev/
Hospital goes greener. (TY Yanky) Sourasky (Ichilov) Hospital is the only hospital in Israel so far to have established a trigeneration station. It combines electricity production with the use of thermal energy from the production process for cooling and heating processes.
https://israel.com/breaking-only/major-tel-aviv-hospital-goes-green/
Israeli hi-tech partnership for better health. Israel’s VR/AR immersive therapeutic care platform XRHealth (see here previously) has partnered with Israel’s AI-driven virtual physiotherapist Kemtai (see here previously) to to create a fully interactive, clinically validated digital therapy experience..
You can have Sophie Now. Well actually you’ll have to wait until Sophie AI (from Israel’s TechSee – see here previously) has been integrated into the “Now” platform from US-giant ServiceNow. Then service teams will get real-time visual diagnostics, guided automation, and AI-powered visual assistance.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
A bigger BIRD. (TY Yanky) A new bipartisan US House bill seeks to expand joint US-Israeli R&D (BIRD) programs in the medical field by establishing a $10 million annual funding stream and joint management structure between the US Department of Health and Human Services and the Israeli Ministry of Health.
https://jewishinsider.com/2025/07/bird-health-act-bipartisan-bill-u-s-israel-collaboration/
https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4473/text/ih?overview=closed&format=xml
Biblical site for new airport? (TY Atid-EDI) Initial planning for an international airport at Ziklag in the Negev should be ready within three months. A decision will then be made in comparison with the alternate site at Ramat David in the Jezreel Valley. By 2040 Ben Gurion Airport will reach its 40 million maximum capacity.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-netanyahu-orders-planning-for-new-airport-at-ziklag-1001515114
More El Al flights to the UK. Israel’s El Al is to operate 20 weekly flights to Britain next winter to meet heightened demand - its most ever on the route. The airline will offer 15 flights a week to London’s Heathrow Airport - Europe’s busiest airport - as well as five weekly flights to Luton Airport, starting in late October.
https://www.jns.org/el-al-to-offer-a-record-20-weekly-flights-to-the-uk-this-winter/
Building Israeli drones in Florida. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s XTEND Reality officially debuted its new U.S. headquarters and production facility in Tampa, Florida. The new facility strengthens America's domestic drone production capacity while bringing high-tech jobs and investment to Florida.
Israel’s Rafael to upgrade German Eurofighters. Germany may not be selling Israel weapons to fight terrorists but it sure is buying them from Israel. It has just approved a Euro 358 million purchase of 90 Litening 5 targeting pods for enhancing its Eurofighter Typhoon fleet from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413899 https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1ysgnofxe
Top 10 AI fintech. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s ThetaRay (see here previously) has been selected by FinTech Magazine as one of the Top 10 FinTechs Leveraging AI. ThetaRay also launched its Self-Service Rule Builder and Simulator, two powerful tools enhancing its transaction monitoring solution.
https://fintechmagazine.com/news/top-10-fintechs-leveraging-ai
Starlink launches Israel Internet services. Elon Musk's low orbit satellite company Starlink has launched services in Israel to the general public directly from its Internet site. The SpaceX division will offer Israelis fast Internet at download speeds between 40 and 200 Mbps and upload speeds between 8 and 25 Mbps.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-elon-musks-starlink-launches-israel-internet-services-1001518509
Financial help for Israeli research – from…. Poland! The 2025 Polish government Grants Program is open for companies all around the world. But it is specifically keen on bringing in Israeli R&D and is offering grants up to Euro 20 million, covering up to 80% of R&D costs.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkd4kuntxx
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 31st Aug 25: Cybersecurity giant Okta has acquired Israel’s Axiom Security for an estimated $100 million; Global cryptocurrency exchange Kraken has acquired Israel’s Capitalise.ai. Thoma Bravo is acquiring Israeli-founded Verint for $2 billion.
Startup investment – to 31st Aug 25: Ampa Real Estate raised NIS 600 million (TASE IPO); Restore Medical raised $23 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Sataf Forest visitor center. The Sataf Forest in the Jerusalem Hills dates back thousands of years, with two natural springs and some one million visitors a year. It has just opened a $4.5 million environmentally friendly visitor center, with a French patisserie, thanks to Jewish and non-Jewish Swiss Friends of KKL-JNF.
https://www.jns.org/visitor-center-with-french-patisserie-opens-in-sataf-forest/
Last days of the school holidays. (TY Sharon) In Jerusalem there were many opportunities for entertaining the children before they started their new school year. Fountains, water slide, International Puppet Festival, train theatre’s X-Mix, Circus in the Forest at the Botanical Gardens, Capital of Youth at Cinema City and more.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/08/24/in-jerusalem-how-to-keep-children-busy-and-safe/
Israelis overcome hurdles. (TY Yanky) Israel’s Adva Cohen won the Women's 3000 Meters Steeplechase race at the Balkan Championships in Greece. Israel’s Roan Halabi-Kablan won the bronze. Omri Shiff won silver in the Men’s 400 meters hurdles. https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7221422
Gold for acrobatic gymnastics. Congratulations to Israel’s men for winning the Acrobatic Gymnastics gold medal at the World Games in Chengdu. https://www.instagram.com/israelincanada/p/DNV2OLdNO3x/
THE JEWISH STATE
Billionaire moves to Israel. Brandon Korff, a Jewish-American billionaire renowned for orchestrating one of the media industry's landmark deals, the $35 billion sale of Paramount, is in the process of securing Israeli residency. Korff framed his decision as a gesture of solidarity in the face of global boycotts and rising hostility.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-864800
1st Temple dam unearthed in Jerusalem. A massive dam uncovered in Jerusalem’s City of David has been dated to the reign of the Jewish Kings Joash or Amaziah, showing how Judah’s rulers responded to climate challenges 2,800 years ago. It is the largest dam ever found in Israel, 12m high, 8m wide and over 21m long.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413854
King David’s Israelites were bronze-age pioneers. University of Haifa archaeologists have uncovered evidence of bronze production dating back about 3,000 years, in the Biblical kingdom of David and Solomon. The ability to produce bronze reflects far greater technological sophistication than previously believed.
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.
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
Help rebuild Soroka: https://www.soroka.org/
And Weizmann: https://weizmann-usa.org/
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/
