In the 23rd Nov 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Read about the bravery and resilience of Israeli ex-hostages.
l Israeli researchers have found a remedy that can reverse ALS.
l World’s first robotic abdominal surgery on a 32-week pregnant woman.
l Israel’s Save A Child’s Heart is training doctors throughout Africa.
l Israel is still working at the leading edge of water technology.
l Major investment to boost development of Israel’s Negev region.
l Ex-hostage, with a patch over one eye gives amazing TV piano performance.
l Bereaved Rabbi Doron Perez is elected chairman of World Zionist Organization.
· Click here to see the 16th Nov newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, and (TY Peloni) IsraPundit. Also TY Barbara for translating the newsletter into Spanish here TY Colin for translating it into German here and into French here and into Hebrew here. Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-speaking, German-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 continue the publication of VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
· Click here to keyword SEARCH almost any topic in the IsraelActive archives (over 27,700 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
Forest for the fallen. Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund has dedicated the “Iron Swords Forest” in memory of all soldiers and civilians who were killed on 7 Oct 2023 or during the subsequent war. Each bereaved family is invited to plant a tree at the 367 dunams (90 acres) forest at Khirbet Mador, southern Israel.
Eden is promoted. Israeli-American Edan Alexander, held hostage in Gaza for 584 days, has been promoted to the rank of Sgt. First Class. The Golani Brigade IDF lone soldier vowed to resume his military service.
https://www.jns.org/former-hostage-edan-alexander-given-promotion-by-idf/
Former hostage plays Hatikvah in Berlin. At the 38th Jüdische Kulturtage in Berlin, Agam Berger - an Israeli soldier who survived 482 days in Hamas captivity - delivered a haunting violin performance of “Hatikvah,” a quiet display of endurance, dignity, and unbroken hope.
Hostage families open Tel Aviv Fashion Week. Tel Aviv Fashion Week returned after a two-year gap, with former hostage, Eli Sharabi, plus relatives of other freed captives, striding down the runway. The crowd erupted in cheers as Sharabi - decked out in a white suit - appeared among the models.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/released-hostage-and-relatives-of-ex-captives-walk-runway-at-tel-aviv-fashion-week/ https://www.jns.org/freed-hostages-open-fashion-week-in-tel-aviv/
“Lights out” at hostage recovery units. (TY Yanky) Ex-hostage Evyatar David smiled as he formally turned the lights off in the Returning Hostages Recovery Unit at Israel’s Beilinson Medical Center. Evyatar, Avinatan Or, Guy Gilboa Dalal, Eitan Mor, and Alon Ohel - the unit’s last patients - were discharged last week.
Kfar Aza soccer team bounces back. The Shu’alei Kfar Aza soccer team are all 7 Oct 2023 survivors from Kibbutz Kfar Aza. They are travelling to Uruguay to play in the Masters Maccabiah Games, for older athletes. They represent resilience of Israelis who don’t have the luxury of knowing what it means to quit or lose.
https://www.jns.org/from-kfar-aza-to-uruguay-an-israeli-soccer-squad-bounces-back/
Eritrean hero settles down in Israel. 51-year-old Mulugeta Tsegay / Tsagi (see here previously) the Eritrean migrant who was granted Israeli residency for saving the life of IDF Lt. Col. Y on 7 Oct 2023, is now well on the way to obtaining Israeli citizenship. Read the brave actions of Mulugeta on that fateful day.
Foreign volunteers continue to help. Despite the Oct. 10 ceasefire, visitors from the US and around the world have not stopped coming to the Jewish state to offer a helping hand. They continue to feed soldiers, help displaced families, or clean up kibbutzim devastated by the Hamas attacks.
https://www.jns.org/volunteers-from-abroad-continue-to-serve-in-israel/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/israelvolunteer/
Argentine volunteers rebuild Israeli homes. A group of 30 young volunteers from Argentina joined the “Volunteer in Israel” Birthright initiative operated by Tlalim Group. They went to Moshav Avivim, on the Lebanese border, to rebuild the Hezbollah-destroyed home of elderly resident Shlomo Peretz.
https://www.jns.org/argentine-volunteers-help-rebuild-homes-and-hope-in-israel/
Emergency measures cancelled. Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz has cancelled emergency measures in the south that had been in place since Hamas’s Oct 7, 2023 invasion. The IDF can relax restrictions that imposed limits on gatherings and civilian movement. .https://www.jns.org/after-two-years-of-war-israeli-defense-minister-cancels-emergency-measures-in-israels-south/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
RNA therapy reverses ALS. (TY Ron M) Israeli researchers have discovered that ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) patients produce less microRNA-126 than normal individuals. This allows the protein TDP-43 to build up and destroy motor neurons. When microRNA-126 is added, the process reverses. Jon Medved now has ALS.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-world-first-israeli-scientists-use-rna-based-gene-therapy-to-stop-als-deterioration/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41593-025-02062-6
Molecule to boost immune system. (TY Ron M) Despite the Iranians destroying their lab, an international team of Weizmann scientists have built MiTEs, or natural killer/T-cell Enhancers, to combat cancers. The MiTEs contain special antibiotics and cytokine to block the activity of harmful TREM2 macrophages
DNA test for tracking Leishmaniasis. (TY Nevet) Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have tracked how sandflies spread the parasitic disease Leishmaniasis (see here previously). Their HRM-PCR DNA test identifies the animals and humans that the insect has infected and can help control or prevent epidemics.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/11/12/cracking-leishmaniasis-new-dna-test-to-track-infection/
https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0013412
First 3D printed cornea tissue implant. (TY Nevet) Israel’s Precise Bio (see here previously) has reported the first successful human implantation of its 3D-printed cornea implant, constructed of functional human eye cells cultured in a laboratory. Israel’s Corneat has previously implanted synthetic corneas (see here previously).
Blurred vision mystery solved. Doctors at Haifa’s Rambam Health Care Campus solved a puzzling case of two 16-year- old Israelis who arrived with deteriorating vision and recurring fever. They had rappelled into a cave infested with ticks carrying Borrelia persica. Both are now recovering with antibiotic and steroid therapy.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-doctors-crack-mystery-behind-teens-sudden-vision-loss/
MedEx Canada. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in partnership with other Agencies, hosted the first-ever MedEx (Aliyah preparation for medics) events in Canada, alongside the Nefesh B’Nefesh’s signature “NBN On Tour” programming. The events attracted 500 participants. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417909
Teva’s global innovation program. Teva is opening a call for startups in Israel and abroad as part of its new Rise program, offering full funding for pilots, rapid integration and support, in a move to accelerate therapy development and supply-chain efficiency. https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/ryambdhxwg
Robotic surgery on 32-week pregnant patient. (TY Aubrey) Doctors at Israel’s Rabin Medical Center have performed the world's first robotic-assisted keyhole intestinal surgery on a woman in advanced (32nd week of) pregnancy, saving having to open her abdomen. The baby went to full term and was delivered naturally.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/pregnancy-and-birth/article-873895
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Beautiful visit. Melanie Shiraz. “Miss Universe“ Israel, visited Save a Child’s Heart (SACH) at Sylvan Adams Children’s Hospital in Holon. She met children and trainee doctors from Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia and Zambia. She also visited the SACH Children’s Home where Israeli and overseas volunteers care for patients.
https://www.jns.org/wire/miss-universe-israel-melanie-shiraz-visits-save-a-childs-heart/
Hundreds of women celebrate in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) Nearly 800 global Jewish women filled Kedma Hall in Neve Ilan for a gala celebration organized by Momentum (see here previously). It was titled “A Mother’s Heart: The Heart of a Nation.”
Albania joins Israel Allies Foundation. The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) launched the Albanian Parliamentary Israel Allies Caucus at the Parliament of Albania in Tirana. The Muslim-majority country joins over 60 pro-Israel parliamentary groups, strengthening international support for the State of Israel.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417625
So does Panama. Panama has launched a parliamentary Israel caucus in the latest fruition of faith-based diplomacy around the world. “The formation of the Israel Allies Caucus represents a significant step in strengthening the ties between Panama and Israel,” said Panamanian Deputy Manuel Cohen Salerno.
https://www.jns.org/panama-launches-parliamentary-israel-caucus/
Global honors at Yale debating championship. 15 students from Israel’s Ehad Ha’Am Middle School won 10 trophies and many gold medals at the World Scholar’s Cup finals at Yale University. Against some 2,500 competitors, they achieved 3rd place overall, plus 3rd in the Team Challenge. The Israeli flag flew prominently.
Shoulder-to-shoulder with Jamaica. The 30 Israeli medical professionals helping Jamaicans in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, went straight to the outlying hospitals treating injured patients. They have already saved lives and are receiving the gratitude of the local Jamaicans. https://www.algemeiner.com/2025/11/19/shoulder-to-shoulder-israeli-medical-delegation-assists-in-aftermath-of-devastating-hurricane-in-jamaica/
https://www.jns.org/people-in-jamaica-know-israel-is-here-jerusalem-med-center-head-says/
Washington State seniors can now get ElliQ. (TY OurCrowd) Seniors in Washington can now enjoy the benefits of the ElliQ Smart Care Companion (see here previously), now being offered by the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services to Medicaid clients through its Roads to Community Living program.
https://kffm.com/ixp/1134/p/elliq-washington-seniors/
130 overseas officials learn from Israel. (TY Hazel) Israel hosted around 130 officials from foreign militaries to present lessons from the current war. They included USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, India, Morocco, Finland, Greece, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Austria, Estonia, Japan, , Serbia, and Slovenia.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-874378
Hundreds saved on flight from Australia. Former Mossad chief, Yossi Cohen, said Israel's intelligence-sharing saved hundreds from an attack on an Etihad plane about to take off from Sydney Australia. This was our intelligence, and what do we receive back from Australia?” Cohen asked.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/28/yossi-cohen-mossad-intelligence-sharing-australia/
https://www.jns.org/former-mossad-chief-the-bomb-was-on-its-way/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Majestic technology. Israel’s Majestic Labs has overcome the “memory wall” which is a common problem facing developers of AI systems. So much processing power is required, that data transfer rates slow down. Majestic’s solution is to balance memory, bandwidth and computational power in each integrated server.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hktmbi1lbe
https://finder.startupnationcentral.org/company_page/majestic-labs https://majestic-labs.ai/
Preventing digital shoplifting. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Chargeflow has launched Chargeflow Prevent, a first-of-its-kind post-purchase, pre-fulfillment fraud prevention platform designed to stop “friendly fraud” before it occurs. It protects merchants against customers who exploit chargeback policies (e.g. returns) to obtain refunds.
Cultured beef can keep on growing. Scientists at the Hebrew University, together with food-tech firm Believer Meats (see here previously) have succeeded in getting cow cells to renew themselves indefinitely without using genetic engineering. The cells were cultured for more than 500 days.
1 million+ water meters and sensors. Israel’s Arad Group, has deployed over one million active LoRa-based water meters and sensors across Israel. LoRa technology also supports smart parking systems, air-quality monitoring, soil humidity sensing, public lighting control, and even emergency alert buttons.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/energy-and-infrastructure/article-874024
https://www.jpost.com/consumerism/consumer-news/article-837144 https://www.arad.co.il/
Pumped storage. So what does Israel do with all that electricity at night, when very few Israelis want to use it? Pump it uphill, is the answer. Until the morning when everyone boils water for their beverages. Then the pumped water facilities release the water to generate electricity from hydro-electric power.
https://www.auerbach-halevy-energy.com/project/pumped-storage-maale-gilboa/
Bringing water to the Negev. (TY IsraPundit) See how Israel turned its barren desert into fertile lands by constructing an artificial river system that flows through the heart of the Negev. A network of canals, pipelines, and reservoirs channels life–giving water deep into the desert. The video has had 1.3 million views in 10 days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdQxfrWhh2M
Innov’Nation. The bright side of AI. The 11th Nov 2025 edition of I24’s new Tuesday evening’s Innov’Nation program included Israel’s impact on AI; AI21 Labs Maestro and Jamba; PetPace; NVidia Israel; Carbyne; Xania Monet (an AI-generated singer); sit-coms; fridges; even Yad Vashem;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54DXz9RL36Y
Defending against deepfake attacks. Israel’s Multikol and Cyvore Security were featured on the 18th Nov I24 News Innov’Nation. Multikol protects individuals from being fooled by someone pretending to be you. Cyvore is used by companies to authenticate customers. https://multikol.ai/ https://cyvore.com/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Transforming the Negev. The Israeli government has allocated NIS 1 billion to develop Beersheba and the wider Negev region. It includes light rail, cyber, health services, R&D, education, sports, tourism, and urban renewal. Some 676,000 people live in the Beersheba metropolitan area.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-873251
No-cow milk to flow into Israeli cafes. Israel’s Remilk (see here previously) is partnering with Israel’s Gad Dairies to put its high-tech, non-dairy, lab produced milk, made from dairy proteins, in Israeli eateries in the coming days. A supermarket rollout is planned for early 2026.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/lab-grown-milk-set-to-start-pouring-into-israeli-dairy-aisles-cafes/
Israel’s got talent. Israel’s Island.io (see here previously) is opening a new research & development center in Ramat Hasharon. It will house some 50 employees, in addition to the 250 Island already has in Israel. Our success is built on Israeli talent, which we believe is the best in the world,” said founder Dan Amiga.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/s1ky00tp111x
Good buy. Since Israel’s Wix acquired Israeli natural-language coding specialist Base44, the number of users for the tiny startup has increased seven-fold to two million. Base44 is now expected to reach $50 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by year-end. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sy194qsg11g
Peru buys Israeli armored vehicles. Peru is purchasing 56 “Sandcat EX12” multipurpose 4×4 armored vehicles for the National Police for around $23.8 million. They are manufactured by Kibbutz Sasa-based firm Plasan (see here previously). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xpd8fE1KxE
https://worldisraelnews.com/peru-to-buy-23-8-million-worth-armored-vehicles-from-israeli-firm/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 23rd Nov 25. US-based Itron Inc is acquiring Israel’s LocusView US-based Tulip is acquiring Israel’s Akooda, for tens of millions of dollars, which will become Tulip’s Israeli R&D center.
Startup investment – to 23rd Nov 25: Eon.io raised hundreds of millions (value $4 billion); Guardio raised $80 million; Venn raised $52 million; Chargeflow raised $35 million; Mate Security raised $15.5 million; Cassidy Bio raised $8 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Israel Music Showcase. (TY Yanky) Music fans from 50 countries, including UAE, Morocco, New Zealand, Senegal, US, France, Germany, the UK, Canada, India, South Korea, Taiwan and China, are coming to Israel for the 6-day 2025 Israel Music Showcase Festival. They will enjoy jazz, rock, pop, electronic, and more.
https://2025.musicshowcaseil.com/program/
No funny business. Freed hostage Alon Ohel played the piano on Israel’s normally satirical comedy program Eretz Nehederet. But this was not a joking experience – Alon played ‘Under the Sky’ wearing a patch on his right eye due to untreated injuries he sustained on Oct 7 2023. And there wasn’t a dry eye in the audience.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/freed-hostage-alon-ohel-plays-piano-on-eretz-nehederet/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAcGsa87Mt0
Inside the pack. (TY Yanky) Israel’s Amit Eshel had two images commended in the prestigious Nature Photographer of the Year competition. One featured arctic wolves on Ellesmere Island, Canada. Amit wanted to dispel irrational views of “hate” for the maligned creatures. (Maybe relevant for human to human behavior.)
https://www.amiteshel.com/blog/highly-commended-in-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-competition-2025 https://www.nhm.ac.uk/wpy/gallery/2023-life-on-the-edge
First snowfall on Mount Hermon. The first snow of the season fell on Mount Hermon in the Israeli Golan Heights, signaling the start of winter as storms swept across the country. It ended a record-setting heatwave, with the highest maximum temperatures ever for 1-10 Nov in the country’s hills and along the coastal plain.
https://www.jns.org/first-snow-falls-on-mount-hermon-in-israeli-golan-heights/
The Sportiada returns to Eilat. (TY Yanky) After a 3-year gap, the 41st Eilat Sportiada, one of the world's largest grassroots sports events, was described as “the most successful ever.” 10,000 athletes from hundreds of workplaces across Israel participated in the 3-day Games, featuring competitions in a wide range of sports.
https://eilat.city/en/info/sports-events-in-eilat
THE JEWISH STATE
Released hostage fulfils mother’s vow. Ex-hostage Matan Angrest, abducted from his tank on 7 Oct 2023 and released in the recent hostage deal, traveled to pray at the tomb of Rabbi Meir Baal HaNes in Tiberias. His mother vowed that when he was freed, she would come with him to pray at the rabbi's tomb.
Rabbi Doron Perez is WZO Exec Director. The World Zionist Congress elected Rabbi Doron Perez and incumbent Yaakov Hagoel as rotating chairmen for the World Zionist Organization (WZO). Each will serve for half a term. Rabbi Perez’s son Captain Daniel Perez fell fighting Hamas terrorists in Gaza on 7 Oct 2023.
https://www.jns.org/doron-perez-elected-to-rotating-wzo-chairmanship/
Wine and beer? (TY Yanky) Jerusalem-based Shapira Brewery and the Bat Shlomo Winery have launched Vinobier. In a first-of-its-kind local version of an ancient genre, Vinobier is made by fermenting a blend of wine must (juice from grapes) and beer wort (unfermented beer). So what blessing should you say on it?
https://shapirobeer.co.il/beer/vinobier/
251116
In the 16th Nov 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l An elite IDF unit and an innovative blood system saved hundreds of soldiers.
l Doctors have used Israeli Experiential Reality in 50,000+ operations.
l The first Israeli Druze pilot of a commercial airline.
l Israel’s new Estonian embassy is now open.
l Israeli-developed seeds are saving the tomato industry.
l Two multi-billion dollar Israeli companies soar in value.
l An escaped ostrich went on the run in Tel Aviv.
· Click here to see the 9th Nov newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, and (TY Peloni) IsraPundit. Also TY Barbara for translating the newsletter into Spanish here TY Colin for translating it into German here and into French here and into Hebrew here. Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-speaking, German-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 continue the publication of VeryGoodNewsIsrael.
· Click here to keyword SEARCH almost any topic in the IsraelActive archives (over 27,700 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
Saving lives in Gaza. (TY UWI) The Elite PALMAR Asaf combat medical extraction team helped the IDF air-rescue unit get wounded soldiers from the Gaza battlefield to Israeli operating rooms in under an hour. Dr Tuvia Book (see here previously) explains. Also (TY Nevet) MDA’s whole blood system halved mortality rates.
https://www.jns.org/combat-medic-reveals-how-an-elite-idf-unit-saved-soldiers-lives-in-gaza/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6FZHhoN2PE https://www.ynetnews.com/article/bjt11e4qage
Flight of hope. (TY Yanky) The El Al pilot made an announcement on the flight bringing families of hostages back home to Israel from Amsterdam, ahead of the implementation of the hostage deal. The pilot congratulated them., saying, “It is a privilege to bring you home for the reunion that you've waited for.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416030
Hostages go on secret shopping trip. (TY Yanky) 18 of the 20 recently released hostages and their families visited the Azrieli Ayalon Mall in Ramat Gan for a three-hour shopping spree. They were given vouchers to all Fox Group stores, Food was provided by Landwer Café. The mall was closed to the general public.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-871126
48 war orphans celebrate. 48 Israeli children who lost a parent serving in the IDF celebrated their coming of age in Jerusalem, in an event organized by the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization. It included a reception at the President’s Residence, where they were welcomed by Israeli President Isaac Herzog and his wife, Michal.
https://www.jns.org/for-israeli-war-orphans-an-unforgettable-jerusalem-experience/
Posters taken down. Posters of dozens of now-freed Israeli hostages that have lined Israel’s main international airport for nearly two years are being gradually removed by individual family members as they wish.
https://www.jns.org/posters-of-freed-hostages-being-taken-down-at-israeli-airport/
Former hostage pops the question. Eliya Cohen proposed to his girlfriend Ziv Avud on a Tel Aviv hotel rooftop, eight months after his release from Gazan captivity. Before his kidnapping, Eliya had bought a ring and planned to propose. More than two years later, he was finally able to ask, and Ziv said yes.
https://www.jns.org/the-ring-that-waited-through-captivity-former-hostage-pops-question/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isqMLc28TJI
Daffodils bloom for ex-hostages. In contrast to European daffodils, the Israeli variety comes into flower in the fall / autumn. As Israel welcomed home the last remaining hostages from Hamas captivity, nature joined in the celebration and the country was painted yellow.
https://www.jns.org/wire/sign-of-the-times-autumn-daffodils-bloom-in-israels-northern-forests/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Destroying RNA in a cancer cell. (TY Nevet) Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have built a molecule that targets and destroys cancer cells. The used Ribonuclease-Targeting Chimera (RIBOTAC) to locate an RNA module called TERRA inside a tumor, and then releases an enzyme RNase L to rip it apart.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/11/04/new-molecule-that-finds-and-destroys-rna-lined-to-cancer-growth-developed-by-hebrew-university-researchers/ https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202512715
Hypnosis simulates gastric bypass. The UK Daily Mail has reported about Hadassah hospital’s program of hypnosis to convince obese patients that they have had gastric bypass surgery. Patients no long have cravings for food and their body weight has been reduced by more than 10 percent.
Positive results in Crohn’s treatment trial. Israel’s Amorphical (see here previously) announced positive interim results from its ongoing open-label clinical trial evaluating its amorphous calcium carbonate therapy for the treatment of moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease.
Insulating the brain from nerve damage. Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that reducing the protein Tfii-i enhances the production of myelin - a essential for nerve communication and brain function. It could lead to new treatments for neurological disorders including multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/boosting-myelin-production
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-63500-4
50,000 XR-assisted operations. The Experiential Reality (XR) of Israel’s Surgical Theater (see here previously) has now been utilized over 50,000 times. The fighter-jet technology is changing how surgeons visualize and prepare and is establishing XR as an essential tool across cranial, spine, and other specialties.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/startup-news/surgical-theater-surpasses-50000-xr-utilizations
1,500 hours saved and 21 lives saved. (TY Nevet) Analysis of more than 5,000 CT scans by Assuta Medical Center in 2024 highlighted 21 intracranial hemorrhages only detected thanks to the AI imaging analysis system of Israel’s Aidoc (see here previously). Aidoc also prevented a cumulative delay of more than 1,500 hours.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-869819
Therapy rooms for children. The Israel Association for Child Protection (ELI), has opened 20 new therapy rooms across four cities in Israel to meet the demand for therapeutic services for children impacted by the war. They will enable ELI to provide 10,000+ additional hours of therapy annually to hundreds of children in need.
https://www.jns.org/wire/eli-opens-20-new-therapy-rooms-to-support-israels-children-impacted-by-war/
Linking migraines to high blood pressure in teens. (TY Nevet) A study of two million adolescents by researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem reveals that teens diagnosed with migraines were three times more likely to have hypertension than their peers. Migraines could be an early indication of heart problems.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/11/12/early-blood-pressure-screening-matters-as-teens-with-migraines-linked-to-hypertension/ https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.125.24861
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Gala for hospitalized children. The Gilat Foundation (see here previously) held its first annual gala at ALYN Hospital with a performance by Israeli singer-songwriter Ishay Ribo. The Gilat Foundation provides therapeutic live theater to children in hospitals, including (since 7 Oct 2023) 4 Jerusalem hospitals.
https://www.jns.org/wire/ishay-ribo-headlines-inaugural-galit-gala-for-hospitalized-children/
The first Israeli Druze airline pilot. (TY Yanky) Iyad Bader, a member of Israel’s Druze community, joined Arkia a decade ago. After completing the company's captains' course, Bader has made history in Israel’s aviation industry by becoming the first-ever Druze captain. (Article only on Facebook, X, & Instagram)
$3.2 billion for student scholarships. The 16th Annual Bel Air Affaire, hosted by American Friends of the Hebrew University’s (AFHU) Western Region at the iconic Papillon Estate in Beverly Hills on Sept. 20, raised over $3.2 million in support of student scholarships at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU).
Support from Christians and indigenous peoples. (TY Sharon) Jerusalem was the venue for two contrasting recent conferences. The gala opening of the Christian Media Summit took place at the Museum of Tolerance. Meanwhile, the annual symposium on indigenous people was held at the Bible Lands Museum.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/11/09/did-you-see-these-3-things-in-jerusalem/
Kenyans march for Israel. Hundreds of Kenyan evangelical Christians marched through the streets of the capital Nairobi on a two-mile “March for Israel,”. They marked the second anniversary of 7 Oct 2023 with a show of support for Israel, with their leaders emphasizing the Biblical foundation for their support.
https://www.jns.org/hundreds-of-kenyans-march-for-israel-in-nairobi/
Mandela’s grandchildren. Mandla Mandela, grandson of former South African president Nelson Mandela, has been deported from Israel following his participation on the recent failed flotilla. Perhaps he should have been given the chance to see the reality of Israel, like Nelson Mandela’s granddaughters (see here previously).
https://www.jns.org/mandelas-grandson-deported-following-flotilla-stunt/
https://jewishinsider.com/2025/10/nelson-mandela-granddaughters-israel-gaza-visit/
Israel opens new embassy in Estonia. Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar officially inaugurated Israel’s new embassy in Tallinn, emphasizing shared values, innovation, and growing strategic ties with Estonia. He compared both Israel and Estonia as small nations committed to democracy, innovation, and security.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417624
Morocco resumes flights to Israel. For the first time since October 7, Morocco will resume flights to and from Israel. Following approval from Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority and its Moroccan equivalent, direct flights to Marrakesh and Casablanca will restart. Prior to the suspension, the routes operated at near-full capacity.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417710
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Weizmann World 6th for Research Quality. (TY Grace) Israel’s Weizmann Institute was placed sixth in the world in the 2025 ranking of research quality by the Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS) of Leiden University, the Netherlands. This is Weizmann’s highest placement ever by the Leiden Ranking.
Massive new chip plant in Ashkelon. Canadian-Israeli VC fund Awz Ventures announced plans to build a chip manufacturing plant at an initial investment of NIS 5 billion ($1.6 billion) in the coastal city of Ashkelon. It will produce III-V semiconductors for use in advanced tech, such as AI and specialized defense arrays.
Using AI to streamline workflow. Israel’s Wonderful AI (see here previously) has launched operations in 10 countries, building effective AI agents for customers to enhance efficiency rather than replace human workers. Wonderful’s CEO says, “What’s changing is what people do, not whether they’re needed.”
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sylnkhlezl
AI cybersecurity testing. Israel’s Tenzai (see here previously) is replacing laborious, manual, skilled, computer security penetration testing with automated AI-based software. The platform operates continuously, detecting complex and hard-to-find security gaps and helping organizations rapidly fix them.
https://www.tenzai.com/ https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjngskgewg
Israeli women will enable “responsible” AI. Nice article featuring Women In Tech Israel and other female IT leaders who are confident that they can provide the ethics, social, and human skills necessary to prevent AI systems from getting out of control. We shall see!
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ry56gory11x
Virus-free tomato seeds for sale. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s NRGene (see here previously) is now selling tomato seeds that are resistant to Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) developed in partnership with Israel’s Philoseeds. ToBRFV is one of the most serious threats to global greenhouse tomato production.
https://nrgene.com/press-release/hr-tobrfv/ https://philoseed.com/
A green treasure beneath the waves. Tel Aviv University researchers conducted Israel’s first ecological–biotechnological seaweed survey. It revealed a natural hotspot of resilient, nutrient-rich species that could serve as a foundation for groundbreaking innovations in food, medicine, and biotechnology.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/mediterranean-green-treasure
International students come to learn neuroscience. Israel’s Bar-Ilan University has welcomed a new cohort of 24 international graduate students from 14 countries to commence their studies in neuroscience. The program underscores Israel’s growing role as a global hub for brain and data science research.
https://www.jns.org/24-to-study-the-intersection-of-neuroscience-and-data-science-at-bar-ilan/
British Embassy in Israel leads Israel’s UK Quantum showcase. (TY Hazel) The British Embassy in Israel led a delegation to London for the United Kingdom’s National Quantum Showcase Week. It highlightes efforts to deepen cooperation between the two countries in one of the world’s fastest-growing fields.
https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/h1omwrflwe
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Stable. Global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s upgraded Israel’s credit rating outlook to stable from negative. S&P said it “could raise the ratings if Israel’s growth and fiscal outcomes proved much stronger than we currently project…. and from a significant and lasting reduction in regional geopolitical and security risks”
https://www.timesofisrael.com/sp-upgrades-israels-credit-rating-outlook-after-gaza-ceasefire/
Towering achievement. Israel’s Tower Semiconductor was nearly sold to Intel for $5 billion two years ago. It is now valued at $10 billion and plans to boost production of its sought-after next-generation analog chips using SiPho (silicon photonics) and SiGe (silicon–germanium) technologies that support AI applications.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hy0kkpjlwe
JFrog leaps in value. Another top-performing Israeli company is JFrog. Since it floated on Nasdaq (IPO) five years ago, it has risen in value from $3.9 billion to $7 billion. JFrog employs more than 1,600 people, around 1,000 of whom are based in Israel. It has taken over three companies since the IPO – all Israeli.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ry56gory11x
Nebraska governor leads mission to Israel. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen led a 4-day trade and solidarity mission to Israel. The delegation initiated strategic partnerships between Nebraska and Israeli institutions and saw firsthand how America’s alliance with Israel was critical in the war against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
https://governor.nebraska.gov/gov-pillen-wraps-successful-trade-and-solidarity-mission-israel
https://www.jns.org/gov-of-nebraska-which-provides-99-of-us-beef-exports-to-israel-leading-trade-visit-to-jewish-state/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27BunSB158k
Top 10 Middle East hotel. The Six Senses Shaharut resort (see here previously), 45 minutes north of Eilat, has been voted one of the top 10 Hotels and Resorts in the Middle East for 2025 in the Condé Nast Traveler’s Annual Readers’ Choice Awards. The Six Senses CEO called it, “a desert paradise in the heart of the Negev”.
More drones for the US. (TY Aubrey) Israel’s XTEND has won another multi-million-dollar contract with the US Dept of War (see here for previous). XTEND will develop and deliver AI-enabled, modular, one-way attack drones designed for close-quarter combat.
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-873488
Power for European robots. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s CaPow (see here previously) has received Europe’s CE Mark for its Genesis robust, high-efficiency, wireless power systems for Autonomous Mobile Robots, Automated Guided Vehicles, and other mission-critical industrial platforms. CaPow already sells in the US.
Millions for Israeli startups. Venture Capital firm NFX has raised a $325 million 4th fund of which 40% is earmarked for early-stage Israeli tech startups. Meanwhile, Cyberstarts has closed a $380 million Opportunity Fund II for investing in cybersecurity companies. Plus, Israeli startups raised $800+ million in a week.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hjn111m7ewg
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 16th Nov 25. Israel’s C2A Security has acquired USA’s Vigilant Ops. Israel’s Kaltura has acquired Israel’s eSelf.ai for $27 million. US-based Salesforce is acquiring Israel’s Doti AI for an estimated $100 million.
Startup investment – to 16th Nov 25: Tipalti raised $200 million; Wonderful AI raised $100 million; Majestic Labs raised $90 million; Sweet Security raised $75 million; Tenzai raised $75 million; Classiq raised $30 million; Notch.cx raised $15 million; Malanta raised $10 million; Milestone raised $10 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
The earliest wine production. Archaeologists in northern Israel uncovered a 5,000-year-old rock-hewn wine press—one of the oldest ever found—alongside 3,300-year-old Canaanite ritual vessels, offering rare insight into early wine production and ancient religious practices near Megiddo (Armegeddon).
Israeli theater in London. (TY Yanky) Israel’s Gesher UK production of Oscar Wilde’s play “Salome” attracted huge audiences to the first ever performance in London’s West End by an Israeli theater company. Anti-Israel UK media panned it, but one unbiased review said it was “easily one of the best shows of the year”.
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/salome-opens-in-london-starring-israeli-actress/
https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2025/10/review-salome-theatre-royal-haymarket/
Patriotic concert in MSG. Israeli-US singer Omer Adam opened his sold-out concert at the Madison Square Garden in New York City with a special tribute video to the IDF and a video of hostages returning from Gaza. Adam fuses Mizrahi music with Western pop and is one of Israel’s most famous and successful singers.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-singer-opens-madison-square-garden-show-with-patriotic-video/
Ostrich takes flight. A male ostrich ran out of the entrance gate of Ramat Gan Safari Park as it was closing. It went for a stroll in the Tel Aviv area before being brought back to its home. The curious bird was filmed by local residents sprinting through the Ramat Chen neighborhood of Tel Aviv with a police escort.
https://www.jns.org/ostrich-is-returned-safely-after-escaping-ramat-gan-safari/
Medals for Israeli martial artists. Israel’s Omri Haviv won the gold medal in the men’s 69kg No-Gi category at the Jiu-Jitsu World Championships in Bangkok. Meanwhile, at the Sambo World Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Israel’s Shaked Nisimian won a silver medal in the women’s 72kg category.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-873280
Another gold for Raz Hershko. (TY Yanky) Just six days after winning a gold medal in the Lima Grand Prix (see here previously) Israeli Judoka Raz Hershko won another at the Guadalajara, Mexico Grand Prix.
https://www.ijf.org/judoka/13713/results?results_rank_group=all
Gold at Jiu-jitsu. Israel’s Omri Haviv won a gold medal at the Jiu-jitsu World Championships in Bangkok.
THE JEWISH STATE
Why is Israel thriving? (TY UWI) Despite two years of existential war including against Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, and the Houthis, Israel’s GDP per capita is higher than Germany, the UK, Canada and France. It is 4th in life expectancy and 8th happiest. It doesn’t make sense unless you believe in something beyond the math.
Rabbi’s wedding message. Former Israeli Chief Rabbi David Lau presided at the ceremony of Israeli female pop star Noa Kirel and Israeli goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. He likened their professions to the Levites’ temple duties: (Noa) singing and (Daniel) guarding the gate. Noa is the daughter of a Levite.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417691
251109
In the 9th Nov 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l The war and serious wounds didn’t stop Israeli weddings.
l Israeli hospitals get top marks from its patients.
l 15 Israeli cheeses won world medals in France.
l Israeli technology has transformed the F35 plane.
l The developed world is amazed at Israel’ agricultural growth.
l Kazakhstan is the latest Muslim majority country to join the Abraham Accords.
· Click here to see the 2nd Nov newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, and (TY Peloni) IsraPundit. Also TY Barbara for translating the 2nd Nov newsletter into Spanish here and the 26th Oct newsletter here. TY Colin & Sandra for translating the 2nd Nov newsletter into German here. TY Colin for translating the 19th Oct newsletter into French. (Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-speaking, German-speaking, and French-speaking contacts. Also please visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/verygoodnewsIL.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Building & rebuilding. Since Oct. 7 2023, Israeli non-profit Livnot U’Lehibanot (“To build and to be built” – see here previously) has focused on restoring homes damaged in border communities in the north and south. Livnot has completed more than 320 projects in dozens of these communities, with many more underway.
https://www.jns.org/from-destruction-to-renewal-rebuilding-and-connecting-diaspora-jews-to-israel/
Free therapy. Non-profit Planetherapy provides free therapy sessions to Israelis and Jews affected by Oct. 7 2023. 300+ volunteers from 35 countries, have provided 4,000+ therapy sessions in 22 languages. A dozen therapists are in Israel, counseling first responders, trauma therapists, Nova festival survivors and others.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/rjci1161kzg
Ex-hostage on cover of TIME magazine. Eli Sharabi, a former Israeli hostage held by Hamas in Gaza, is featured on the cover of TIME magazine that hit newsstands on Oct. 27. An excerpt of his memoir, documenting his survival of 491 days of captivity in the Strip, was published online on Oct. 1.
https://www.jns.org/former-hamas-hostage-eli-sharabi-featured-on-cover-of-time-magazine/
https://time.com/7322015/eli-sharabi-hostage-excerpt/
Batman runs marathons for the Bibas family. Manchester UK’s Yoel Levy is “Marathon Batman,”. He runs marathons in honor of Shiri Bibas and her sons, murdered by Hamas. He also supports Shalva, the Israel Association for the Care and Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities. His sister has Down syndrome.
https://www.jns.org/the-marathon-batman-from-manchester/
Love and resilience. Beautiful true life story of two Israelis who found love during IDF service. He built a path over muddy land so he could visit her. They then both began studying at Israel’s Technion. He was called up after 7 Oct 2023 and was badly wounded in combat. He rebuilt the path in hospital and in September they wed.
https://ats.org/our-impact/love-and-resilience/
Wedding of most severely wounded survivor. I mentioned previously (see here) about Israelis who wanted to dance after suffering severe injuries. Here is a detailed article about Michelle Rukovicin, the most injured survivor of Oct. 7 2023, who came out of a coma to walk to the chuppah and marry her boyfriend of five years.
https://www.jns.org/wounded-oct-7-survivor-weds-longtime-partner/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Biotech research center. Bar-Ilan University and Sheba Medical Center have established the $120 million Health Tech Valley biotech research institute. It will enable research into cancer, 3D organ printing, medical devices, sensors, robotics, AI medical data, personalized medicine, genetic engineering, and more.
Analyzing skin medications in 10 minutes. Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), combined with an automated computational tool, to quickly analyze how topical medications, from antifungal creams to anti-aging serums, navigate and absorb the layers of the skin.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-872410
Fetal monitoring for US women. Following 4 major US trials, the ES device from Israel’s Pulsenmore (see here previously) has received US-FDA approval. It allows pregnant US women to carry out ultrasound fetal monitoring at home and will expand access to prenatal care in areas facing physician shortages.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-at-home-ultrasound-device-earns-fda-approval/
Breakthrough device for dialysis patients. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s PatenSee (see here previously) has received US FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its non-contact vascular access (VA) management technology designed for patients undergoing hemodialysis. Its imaging & AI warns of fistula deterioration.
https://patensee.com/patensee-breakthrough/
US approval for kidney tumor ablation platform. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Techsomed (see here previously) has received US FDA approval for its BioTraceIO360 software platform to be used to burn or freeze kidney tumors. The device was previously approved only for destroying liver tumors.
https://evtoday.com/news/techsomeds-biotraceio360-platform-cleared-for-kidney-ablation-indication
AION Labs biotech startups. I24 broadcast its first “INNOV'NATION” program (Tues 9pm IST). It featured several interesting biotech companies. E.g., AION Labs (see here previously) which now has nine startups in its portfolio. Thes include Cassidy Bio which is developing the first AI platform for faster, safer, gene editing.
https://aionlabs.com/startup-portfolio/ https://www.cassidy-bio.com/
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/innov-nation https://www.i24news.tv/en/shows
AI decision support at children’s hospital. (TY WIN) An Israeli-developed Pediatric AI Navigation and Decision Assistant (PANDA) has begun trials at Israel’s Schneider Children’s Medical Center. It answers clinical questions from the hospital’s knowledge base, so doctors can give children the most accurate treatment.
https://nihp2024.b2b-wizard.com/expo/posters/14977.pdf
Happy patients. Netanya’s Laniado Medical Center topped the Israeli Health Ministry’s National Patient Experience Survey. Even during the height of the war, 88% of Laniado’s patients were satisfied with their treatment. Every one of Israel’s 24 hospitals surveyed scored over 70%, with the average being 82%.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-872667
Underground emergency medical unit. Hopefully, this will never be needed. The Helmsley Charitable Trust has donated $10 million to build an underground emergency hospital at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center's (Ichilov) new Alrov Rehabilitation Tower. On level -5 it will have 250 beds, with plans for 150 more.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-872339
New Eilat medical school approved. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Council for Higher Education has approved setting up a three-year pre-clinical medical school in Eilat. It aims to boost medical services and raise life expectancy in the area.
Eye-opening. Two Israeli news media sites have just announced that, for the first time, an artificial cornea from Israel’s EndoArt was transplanted into a patient. The operation was performed at Israel’s Kaplan Medical Center. But (see here previously) Jerusalem’s Shaare Zedek Medical Center did the first one in 2022!
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-872530 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417178
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Honoring Israeli lionesses. The Israeli mission to the United Nations honored the “women who stepped forward when the world stood still” at U.N. headquarters in New York City. Ambassador Danny Danon said, “On Oct. 7, not only was the cruelty of Hamas revealed to the world, but also the heroism of Israeli women,”
https://www.jns.org/event-at-un-honors-israeli-lioness-heroes/
Manchester hero rabbi had Israeli training. Rabbi Daniel Walker, who blocked the terrorist from entering his Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, underwent security by the Community Security Trust, funded by Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Ministry. Thanks to the rabbi’s actions, an even greater disaster was prevented.
https://www.jns.org/manchester-hero-rabbi-underwent-israeli-security-training/
Say “cheese”. Four Israeli dairies won a total of 15 medals in the annual international Mondial du Fromage cheese competition in the city of Tours, France. Gvinage, Hanan Hagaban, Flora and Hanoked Dairy Farm won between them four gold medals, five silver and six bronze.
https://www.jns.org/france-israeli-dairies-claim-15-medals-in-intl-cheese-competition/
https://israfan.com/p/israeli-dairies-win-global-cheese-awards
Oceans of opportunity. Deputy Israeli Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel’s made her first visit to Fiji following the opening of the country’s new Jerusalem embassy. She also visited several other Pacific countries, including Papua New Guinea where she toured one of the farms built by Israel’s Innovative Agriculture (Agro) Industry.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-872253
Aid for Jamaica. Israel has begun the dispatch of humanitarian and medical aid to Jamaica, following the destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872619
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/israel-to-dispatch-a-humanitarian-and-medical-aid-delegation-to-jamaica-3-nov-2025 https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-and-israeli-groups-rush-to-provide-aid-to-hurricane-ravaged-jamaica/
Hungary stands with Israel. Miklós Szánthó, Director General of the Center for Fundamental Rights in Hungary, says, “what we are doing here in Hungary is to back the cause of Israel. That's why we block and stop every and each initiative in the UN or within the EU that would harm the interests of Israel."
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417071
More agreements signed with India. (TY Hazel) Israel and India signed new agreements to expand defense, industrial, and technological co-operation during high-level talks in Tel Aviv. India is also finalizing deals worth $3.7b for Israeli defense systems and the joint manufacture of other armaments.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-joint-venture-wins-huge-indian-army-rifle-deal-1001524541
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Transforming patient phone calls. Israel’s Popai Health listens to patient phone calls, then uses Voice AI to identify clinical, operational, and social cues, and subsequently improve proactive follow-up care. The system is already deployed at providers including Essen Healthcare and Clover Health.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bjvouquj11e https://www.popai.health/
Look what they did to our plane. Amazing video showing how Israel completely upgraded the F35 combat aircraft, to double its range and equip it with the latest Israeli technology, whilst still keeping it impervious to radar. This was despite the US manufacturer saying it was impossible. And now the US wants the upgrade.
https://www.israelunwired.com/secrets-out-israels-f-35-upgrade-left-america-stunned-and-changed-the-world-forever/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSpD3onvf2g
Drone maintenance of wave power stations. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s BladeRanger (see here previously) has partnered with Israel’s Eco Wave Power Global (see here previously) to deliver the first-ever drone-powered maintenance solution for onshore wave energy systems. See video of what the drones can do.
https://www.ecowavepower.com/eco-wave-power-and-bladeranger-launch-first-ever-drone-powered-maintenance-for-onshore-wave-energy-systems/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNWGpRQIhiw
The center of the chip world. With $40 billion of deals since 1996, and annual +$400 million of private funding, Israel is central to the world’s semiconductor supply chain. Israeli R&D underpins Intel’s Gaudi AI processors, Amazon’s Graviton CPUs and Nvidia’s high-speed data center interconnects. https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sj411cxdkwe
Study at the Technion in English. At Israel’s Technion, you can study for a BSc in Engineering or Science entirely in English. Or choose an MSc in Science and Engineering.
https://govextra.gov.il/moia/academic-programs-in-english/home/technion-programs/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
OECD praises wartime growth of Israel’s agriculture. (TY TPS) A report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) praised Israel for maintaining stability in its agricultural sector despite the prolonged war. It highlighted the lowering of water costs to farmers and the hiring of foreign workers.
https://worldisraelnews.com/oecd-praises-israels-agriculture-for-wartime-growth/
No EU boycott – just the opposite. Despite threats to boycott, European nations are increasing purchases of Israeli defense systems. Israeli military exports hit a record $14.8 billion in 2024, of which 54% went to European countries. It compares to just over 33% in 2023.
https://worldisraelnews.com/eu-boosts-israeli-defense-purchases-despite-boycott-threats/
New record for forex reserves. Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of Oct 2025 rose to $231.954 billion - a new record for the third consecutive month. The level of the reserves relative to GDP at the end of Oct was 41.3%. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-forex-reserves-hit-new-record-1001521383
Norway cannot divest from Israeli-linked companies. Norway has just realized that if its $2.1 trillion sovereign wealth fund divests from Israeli-linked companies, it will no longer be able to invest in Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta and Broadcom. So it has put on hold its divestment plans.
More support for Israeli food-techs. More about the $9-12 million that U.S. foodtech investment fund Siddhi Capital is investing in Fresh Start, the government-backed foodtech incubator based in Kiryat Shmona (see here previously). Siddhi joins Tnuva, OurCrowd, and Tempo to help push Israeli foodtech into the global market.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r15z1jepgl
Good news for Intel Israel employees. The 9,300 Israeli employees of Intel Corporation will see their benefits soar, once special Israeli bonuses are absorbed into basic salaries, boosting them by some 10%. It will increase other bonuses, pensions, training funds, compensation etc. as these are dependent on basic salaries.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1lw3rwjbe
Beating the defense competition. Israel’s SPYDER air defense system has become one of the world’s most popular ground-based air defense systems. Its modular design allows it to be tailored to the specific needs of client nations, contributing to its widespread appeal. Worries about Ukraine have superseded political rhetoric.
https://worldisraelnews.com/how-israels-spyder-took-the-lead-in-the-air-defense-market/
$2 million of headsets for the IDF. In the last 2 months, Israel’s Silynxcom (see here previously) has received four orders from the IDF, totaling $2 million for its innovative headsets.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/b2icontent.irpass.cc/2916/rl157824.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/b2icontent.irpass.cc/2916/rl158287.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/b2icontent.irpass.cc/2916/rl158048.pdf
https://s3.amazonaws.com/b2icontent.irpass.cc/2916/rl157731.pdf
Luxury hotel opens at Dead Sea. Isrotel’s Kayma hotel is the first new Dead Sea hotel to open in 20 years. It has just 44 rooms and suites and cost NIS 128 million to build. Construction took eight years.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872343
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 9th Nov 25. US public safety giant Axon has acquired Israel’s emergency call service startup Carbyne for $625 million; US-based HubSpot has acquired Israel’s XFunnel. Israel’s Steakholder Foods has acquired Israel’s Twine Solutions.
Startup investment – to 9th Nov 25: Armis raised $435 million; Daylight Security raised $33 million; Augmented Intelligence (AUI) raised $20 million; RAAAM Memory Technologies raised $17.5 million; Dualbird raised $17 million; MetalBear raised $12.5 million; Hush Security raised $11 million; Popai Health raised $11 million; Ray Security raised $11 million; Feelit Technologies raised $8.3 million; Quack raised $7 million; IMMA Health raised $2.5 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Jerusalem – a city for all seasons. (TY Sharon) Signs on the Jerusalem streets warn citizens and visitors to prepare for winter. But as Sharon describes, it feels more like summer or late spring. She attended a religious wedding in the desert with the sun setting, where the bride and groom rode away on a camel.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/11/02/in-jerusalem-october-ended-with-protests/
Gold and silver Pickleball medals. At the Pickleball World Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Israel’s Adi Berman won Israel’s first international gold medal in the Over-35 Women’s Singles. She and Yaniv Semo won silver in the U35 Mixed Doubles 4.5 category. And team captain Adam Bachmann won silver, in the +35 Men’s Singles.
https://www.jns.org/israel-shines-at-pickleball-world-cup-in-fort-lauderdale/
https://www.jns.org/whats-the-big-dill-pickleball-hits-the-holy-land/
Hapoel Jerusalem welcomed in Brooklyn. Barclays Center (see here previously) turned Blue and White as the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets hosted Israel’s Hapoel Jerusalem for a preseason friendly. US-Israeli Gilad Paz sang the Israeli National Anthem, “Hatikva.”
https://www.jns.org/fans-at-barclays-center-give-warm-reception-to-hapoel-jerusalem/
THE JEWISH STATE
Shabbat-friendly electricity. Ben-Gurion University researchers are developing solar-powered microgrids to meet the needs of Orthodox religious Jews, while cutting pollution. The microgrids store renewable energy (e.g., solar power) during the week and then distribute electricity during Shabbat without human intervention.
https://israfan.com/p/bgu-shabbat-tech-kosher-energy
Shabbat project targets one million Israelis. The Shabbat Project (Nov 7-8), brings together a million Jews in Israel and millions more worldwide. South Africa’s Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein (founder) says, “a spiritual revolution is happening in Israel, an outpouring of people wanting a deeper connection to Shabbat.”
https://www.jns.org/shabbat-project-aims-to-reach-a-record-million-jews-in-israel/
No atheists in a foxhole. After 7 Oct 2023, many secular Israelis have embraced Jewish rituals and practices. Soldiers have also taken up Jewish activities, singing, and dancing, plus studying Jewish texts. At their request, thousands of Bibles, prayer books, and volumes of Mishna and Gemara have been distributed to soldiers.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-872560
Finding happiness in Israel. Stephen Pohlmann writes why he is so pleased that he made Aliyah from the UK.
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-872178
Avi Abelow is the Lion of Zion. This year’s Lion of Zion prize in memory of Ari Fuld, was awarded to Avi Abelow, Fuld’s friend since childhood and a prominent Israel advocate in his own right. Avi continues Fuld’s legacy through his Pulse of Israel Show and 12Tribe Films Foundation platforms. Well deserved, Avi!
https://www.jns.org/lion-of-zion-prize-in-memory-of-ari-fuld-presented-to-avi-abelow/
Floyd is World Champion for Israel. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather (see here previously) received the 'World Champion for Israel' award at the RJC conference in Las Vegas. "I will always be the voice for the people in Israel.”, he said. In 2024, Mayweather dedicated the 'Floyd Fleet.' of MDA Medicycles.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417291 https://afmda.org/news/mayweather-israel-visit/
Kazakhstan joins Abraham Accords. Kazakhstan officially joined the Abraham Accords following a trilateral phone call between US President Donald Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. President Trump stated it would be the “first of many”.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-873025
251102
In the 2nd Nov 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Virtual Reality video, that hoped for hostages return, now has a happy sequel.
l Two Israeli medical programs to save lives in the UK.
l 2,700 New York City jobs created by Israeli companies.
l Nvidia unveils its Israeli-developed AI microprocessors.
l Israelis and tourists look forward to festivals of music, comedy and opera.
l Latest hostage release has triggered a national religious mini revival.
· Click here to see the 26th Oct newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, and (TY Peloni) IsraPundit. Also (TY Barbara) for translating the 19th Oct newsletter into Spanish here and (TY Colin) for translating 19th Oct newsletter into French. (Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-speaking and French-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 27,600 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
VR video becomes reality. Israeli pop star Yoni Bloch created the music video “Sof Tov” (Happy Ending) in Jan 2025 using AI & Virtual Reality to depict the hostages returning from Gaza. 9 months later, Bloch remade the viral video with real-life scenes of the hostages returning, to mirror the previous scenes of hope.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/ai-becomes-reality-in-music-video-of-returning-gaza-hostages/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erLAgHIP6UM (Original AI VR Jan 2025)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnAfCwA7skY (New real-life Oct 2025)
Discharged from hospital. (TY Hazel) Crowds across Israel waved flags and sang as ex-hostages Evyatar David, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Eitan Mor, Segev Kalfon and Bar Kuperstein made triumphant return to their homes after being discharged from hospital treatment, following their more than two years in captivity.
Eden returns to IDF. US-Israeli Eden Alexander, who survived Hamas captivity in Gaza, has returned to IDF service in the Golani Brigade. He was promoted to Sergeant 1st class in a moving ceremony attended by the Head of the IDF Personnel Directorate.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417018
Homecoming kits. The Kibbutz Movement Rehabilitation Fund is distributing homecoming kits to residents of southern Israel returning to kibbutzim. Their kits contain seeds for planting, symbolizing hope and renewal; calming herbal tea; a purification kit; and cards encouraging families to hold a homecoming ceremony.
Freed hostage reunites with his dog. Ex-hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal was finally reunited with his loyal dog, who had waited faithfully for two years while his master was held captive by Hamas.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-freed-hostage-reunites-with-his-dog-after-two-years-in-captivity/
Toys for children of ex-hostage. Elkana Bohbot, released in the latest hostage exchange, saw his children receive dozens of Jurassic Park dinosaur toys from a philanthropist. A touching gesture of love and support.
Devastated kibbutz invests in renewable energy. (TY UWI) Kibbutz Be’eri, almost totally destroyed by Hamas, has recovered sufficiently to invest NIS 20 million in Israeli renewable energy company Arava Power. Kibbutz Hatzerim, where most of Be’eri’s members temporarily reside, has also invested NIS 20 million.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/k3carulwk
OneFamily event for bereaved families. A special Sukkot event organized by OneFamily and its US sponsors brought together bereaved families from across Israel for a day of connection, comfort, and community. Among the participants were orphans, widows, and children who lost siblings or parents to terror and war.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417074
Former Syrian outpost. 58 years after Israel took control of the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, mine clearance at the former Syrian army outpost of Ein Almin is complete. The public is invited to view 11 acres of trenches, underground bunkers and cool off in the “officers pool” of natural spring water.
https://www.jns.org/israel-to-open-former-syrian-military-outpost-to-public-during-sukkot/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
A bio-adhesive for closing wounds. Scientists at Israel’s Technion Institute have developed biomimetic hydrogel bio-adhesives that can seal wounds quickly and effectively even under extreme conditions and environments. The scientists were inspired by how mollusks / molluscs adhere to wet surfaces.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-871577
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/adma.202502850
Brainwave helmet mends broken links. (TY Hazel) Detailed article about the magnetic field helmet invented by Yaron Segal and commercialized by Israel’s BrainQ (see here previously). It now has the CE mark – which means it’s safe to be sold and used across Europe – and has been approved by Israel’s ministry of health.
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/brainwave-pioneer-time-is-running-out-for-my-son/
Unlocking the secrets of aging. Researchers at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University and at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have discovered a new subset of T helper cells - CD4-Eomes cells – are prominent in people well over 100 years old. these T helper cells act to clean out the system of senescence cells that accelerate aging.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/bgu-scientists-one-step-closer-to-understanding-aging/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43587-025-00953-8
Test for suicide risk. (TY Nevet) Researchers from University of Haifa’s Sagol Department of Neurobiology have combined genetics and AI to detect suicidal tendencies in bipolar patients with near-perfect precision, offering a new hope for early intervention. They identified distinctive molecular signatures in high-risk patients.
UK trials virus vs bacteria blood test. The UK’s National Health Service in Liverpool, London and Newcastle is using the BV test from Israel’s MeMed to decide whether a patient is suffering from a bacterial or viral infection. It speeds up treatment of sepsis, meningitis, etc., and prevents unnecessary use of antibiotics.
Addressing UK mental health. The UK Embassy in Israel has launched the 2nd cohort of the Dangoor Health-Tech Academy, a joint initiative by the UK-Israel Tech Hub and the Dangoor Foundation. The 8-week program connects Israeli health-tech start-ups with the UK healthcare ecosystem, focusing on mental-health innovation.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-872003
100 medics at first Medex Australia. Nefesh B’Nefesh, in cooperation with The Jewish Agency for Israel, hosted the first-ever MedEx events in Australia, for over 100 Jewish doctors in Sydney and Melbourne. It is part of the International Medical Aliyah Program (IMAP), streamlining the process for doctors making Aliyah.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416950 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417076
80 ambu-cycles to celebrate Dr Miriam Adelson's 80th. Israel's national emergency volunteer organization, United Hatzalah, proudly announced the dedication of 80 new emergency motorcycles ("Ambu-cycles") to celebrate the 80th birthday of philanthropist and friend Dr. Miriam Adelson.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-871691
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Middle East minorities forge ties with Israel. Representatives of the Druze, Kurdish, Alawite, Assyrian and Yazidi communities gathered in Tel Aviv for the first-of-its-kind conference ““The Future of Minorities in the Middle East,”. They discussed the future, following the end of the brutal Syrian regime and a weaker Iran.
600 companies, 2700 jobs in NYC. A US-Israel Business Alliance report highlights that nearly 600 Israeli companies have created 27,000 jobs in New York City, generating billions of dollars for the city’s economy. What a pity that the leading contender for the city’s mayor supports the Israel boycott movement.
Taiwan: Israel is a model for defense. Israel is a model for Taiwan to learn from in strengthening its defenses, President Lai Ching-te said at an AIPAC meeting, citing the Biblical story of David versus Goliath on the need to stand up to authoritarianism. Unfortunately, Taiwan is not allowed to join the United Nations.
https://www.jpost.com/international/article-871910
Medals of honor. (TY Sharon) The nine awardees of the Israeli President’s Medals of Honor included Israel Druzr leader Sheik Muwaffaq Tarif; US philanthropist Dr. Miriam Adelson; freed hostages Matan Angrest and Segev Kalfon; and non-Jewish Zionist Mathias Döpfner the “giant” CEO of Axel Springer SE media group.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/10/26/jerusalem-gets-back-to-normal-after-holidays/
Responding to Hurricane Melissa. IsraAID, Israel’s leading independent humanitarian organization, launched an emergency response after Category 5 Hurricane Melissa battered Jamaica. Its team will focus on providing support in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, as well as Mental Health and Psychosocial Support.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417057
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Using AI to translate into sign language. Israel’s Nagish has acquired sign.mt, a cutting-edge AI company specializing in real-time sign language translation. The deal marks a step forward in Nagish’s mission to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals through innovative communication tools.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-871685 https://sign.mt/
Batty discovery. (TY Nevet) Prof. Nachum Ulanovsky took his entire Weizmann Institute lab to “bat island” near Zanzibar to record the activity of fruit bats. His team discovered that bats brains have an internal “global compass”. Head-direction neurons consistently point in the same direction across the entire island,
https://zuckermanstem.org/spotlight/going-to-the-ends-of-the-earth-to-better-understand-the-brain/
https://www.weizmann.ac.il/lsc/lab/prof-nachum-ulanovsky
Autonomous AI defense startup. Israel’s Skyforce has developed AI software that transforms manually controlled defense platforms into fully autonomous multi-platform operations involving large numbers of low-cost, units. It also can be deployed in agriculture, healthcare, and other non-military areas.
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-871876
Checking for suspicious behavior. Israeli cybersecurity Reflectiz is a behavioral analysis mechanism that simulates human user actions. This system continuously monitors all activities and behaviors of website components. By establishing what constitutes normal behavior, it can detect deviations that pose security risks.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hj01cfjjbg
Nvidia’s new AI chips. Nvidia has unveiled two new chips developed in Israel, BlueField-4 and ConnectX-8 SuperNIC. The chips, six times more than previous chips, were developed at Nvidia’s R&D center in Tel Aviv. They are designed to accelerate data transmission of huge AI models, supporting speeds of up to 800 Gb/s.
New programs on I24News. The new program lineup on the English language Israeli TV station I24News includes “Innovation Nation” at 9pm (Israel time) on Tues eves (14:00 EST). It says it will highlight Israel’s renowned startup scene and the region’s most inspiring technological breakthroughs.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417084
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israeli companies come home. In 2021, seven of the ten largest Israeli companies were listed in New York; now they're in Tel Aviv. Seven are traded in Tel Aviv (including two dual-listed stocks), whereas in only three of the ten were traded in Tel Aviv; two of them being dual-listed.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-for-israeli-companies-theres-now-no-place-like-home-1001524336
Gas prices fall. The maximum price of government price controlled 95 octane gasoline at self-service pumps in Israel fell by NIS 0.17 per liter to NIS 7.07 per liter, back to its price in August 2024, which is its lowest price in nearly two years. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-gasoline-prices-in-israel-to-fall-saturday-night-1001525164
Startup employees become millionaires. More employees are becoming millionaires, even before the company is sold or goes public. In the past year, Armis, Island, Quantum Machines and Exodigo have allowed employees and founders to sell shares to new investors, and pocket the proceeds.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-secondary-rounds-in-tech-sector-make-a-comeback-1001524831
$2 billion fund with Israeli emphasis. Viola Credit has announced the closing of the $2 billion Viola ABL Fund III asset-based lending strategy fund. The fund was $0.5 billion oversubscribed. The fund places a unique emphasis on the Israeli ecosystem and is expected to expand the financing of local fintech companies
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-viola-credit-closes-2b-asset-backed-credit-fund-1001524977
Nvidia employs 5,000 Israelis. In one year, Nvidia (at $5 trillion, the world’s most valuable company) has increased its Israeli workforce from 3,300 (see here previously) to 5,000 and it’s still hiring. Today, Israel is Nvidia’s second-largest R&D hub outside the United States.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjberli0eg
Replacing diesel generators. The Net Zero Innovation Hub for Data Centers, a consortium of companies involved in data centers led by Google and Microsoft, has chosen the aluminum-air technology from Israel’s Phinergy (see here previously) as the main solution for replacing diesel-fueled data center generators.
A $1.5 billion solar project in Texas. Israel’s Doral Energy (see here previously) has won a NIS 1.5 billion deal for the construction of a large solar field (553 megawatt output) at Cold Creek in Texas. The project will include storage capacity of 340 megawatt-hours, and will be spread over more than 5,000 acres.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-doral-to-build-nis-15b-solar-project-in-texas-1001524685
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 2nd Nov 25. Israel’s Nagish has acquired sign.mt. US design software company Figma has acquired Israeli AI powered design workflows company Weavy for $200 million.
Startup investment – to 2nd Nov 25: Navan raised $923 million; Winvia Entertainment raised $40 million; Reflectiz raised $22 million; Onfire AI raised $20 million; CyberRidge raised $16 million; Impala AI raised $11 million; Spacial raised $10 million; Wild Moose raised $7 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Rare turtle rescued. A very rare softshell turtle was rescued from the Jordan River during Sukkot after his beak became entangled in abandoned fishing wire. The turtle was recovered by the Nature and Parks Authority and treated at the KKL-JNF Hula Valley Wildlife Acclimation Center. It had also swallowed fishing hooks.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-871598
Here come the cranes. The first flock of migrating cranes have arrived at the KKL-JNF Hula Valley Nature Reserve, marking the start of the region’s annual spectacle as the birds leave their Russian breeding grounds (see kkl-jnf’s live cameras). Meanwhile, the first-ever sighting in Israel of Asia’s White’s thrush.
https://www.jns.org/first-migrating-cranes-arrive-at-israels-hula-valley-reserve/
https://www.kkl-jnf.org/tourism-and-recreation/forests-and-parks/hula-lake-park/live_broadcast/
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-872281
Abu Ghosh festival. This year’s Abu Ghosh fest featured 30 concerts and musical events, including the "Sinatra Meets New Orleans" show with Eli Preminger and The Chocolate Factory Band! Part of the festival was held in Tel Aviv due to the renovation work being carried out on the Kiryat Ya'arim Church.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-869106 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRQpku31BwA
Punch comedy festival. Tel Aviv’s first-ever stand-up and comedy “Punch” festival, takes place Dec 11-13. Based at the Zionist House, it features homegrown comedians, a special Russian-language stand-up night, and The Harry Potter Stand-Up Show for the whole family. bit.ly/3WrVOf9 for tickets.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-871931
Sderot blues festival. From Dec 1-3, the southern Israeli city of Sderot will pulse with the sound of Israeli blues, as top artists, local jams, and rare blues films take over the Music, Soul, Cinema and Resilience Festival at the Sderot Cinematheque. For a city that’s seen more than its share of blues, the festival is one of celebration.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-871684 https://www.sderot-cin.org.il/movies
Israel Opera at 40. The Israeli Opera turns 40 this year, featuring seven productions. Purcell's Dido & Aeneas (November - the company’s very first production in 1985), Tchaikovsky's Iolanthe (January), The Dybbuk, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Strauss’s Salome, Verdi’s Nabucco, and finally, Puccini’s Tosca.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-871817
Kevin Spacey and Jazz concert. Actor Kevin Spacey will perform a show, “Songs & Stories,” accompanied by a jazz band on 19 Nov at Tel Aviv’s Hangar 11. Spacey visited Israel in Dec 2024 with British author Douglas Murray (see here previously).
https://www.timesofisrael.com/kevin-spacey-heads-to-israel-with-one-man-show/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ycXNuw5zQA https://www.eventim.co.il/en/artist/kevinspacey/
Tel Aviv Night Run. The annual Tel Aviv Night Run, featuring courses lined with DJ stands and illuminated art installations, on Oct 29 was organized by the Tel Aviv-Yafo municipality. It is described as a “celebration of sport, music, and urban energy”. It had three courses - 5km, 10km, or 15km - to attract various fitness levels.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-871555
THE JEWISH STATE
Ex-hostage leads mass tefillin event. Hamas captivity survivor Bar Kuperstein called on the public at Tel Aviv’s Hostages’ Square to join a mass tefillin-laying event before Shabbat. He gave “a huge thanks to everyone for your prayers, your support, and everything you’ve done for me and for all the other hostages.”
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416968 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/417072
Hostages became religious. Most of the ex-hostages were completely secular before being kidnapped, but conducted Jewish practices during their ordeals. Some kept Shabbat; some refused food on religious fast days. Bar Kuperstein simulated putting on tefillin; others prayed. And most have maintained those practices since.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-freed-hostage-segev-kalfon-on-keeping-shabbat-in-gaza/
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-gali-and-ziv-berman-don-tefillin/
Ministers quoting the Torah? Interesting article – maybe inferring that Israel is becoming more “Jewish”?
https://www.jns.org/golden-age-of-israeli-ministers-quoting-scripture-experts-say/
From Ethiopia, to New York, to Jerusalem. Ethiopian-born scholar Dr. Shmuel Legasse has represented the Knesset abroad and worked with Jewish and interfaith communities across Africa, the US and Israel. “Our diversity is our greatest diplomatic asset,” he says. His mentor was Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (z”l).
https://www.jns.org/israel-should-lead-with-moral-diplomacy/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jTAUizSSI
Aliyah Day. Officially the 10th of the Hebrew month of Nissan (when the Israelites entered the Land), Aliyah Day is celebrated at this time of year - on the 6th or 7th of the Hebrew month of Marcheshvan to coincide with the Torah reading of Lech Lecha, when Abraham was commanded to go to the Land of Israel.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-871928 https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-871918
https://anglo-list.com/israel-aliyah-day/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yom_HaAliyah
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-872014 (celebration at Tel Aviv’s ANU museum)
She said “Yes”. At his graduation ceremony, an IDF soldier stole the spotlight with a heartfelt proposal—dropping to one knee before his girlfriend as his fellow soldiers erupted in dance and cheers around them.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-idf-soldier-proposes-during-his-graduation-ceremony/
251026
In the 26th Oct 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Two ex-hostages were presented with signed shirts by Soccer legend Lionel Messi.
l Israelis are the 4th longest-lived citizens in the developed world.
l France has employed an Israeli firm to track down Louvre thieves.
l An Israeli autonomous system can extinguish wildfires before they take hold.
l Almost every airline that had a service to Israel pre-2023, has returned.
l Jerusalem takes an extra day to celebrate good news.
l A letter from Assyria to Jerusalem has been read after 2,700 years.
· Click here to see the 19th Oct newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, and (TY Peloni) IsraPundit. Also (TY Barbara) for translating it into Spanish here. (Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-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 27,500 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
I lost my leg but not my future. Three IDF soldiers endured trauma, yet their resilience shines through as they rebuild their lives. Through the support of Belev Echad (see here previously) they have received advanced prosthetics, therapy, and a community in Kiryat Ono that helped them reclaim their lives.
https://worldisraelnews.com/i-lost-a-leg-but-not-my-future-soldiers-journeys-from-trauma-to-renewal/
Messi gifts signed jerseys to ex-hostages. Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi gifted two recently released Israeli hostages, Bar Kuperstein and Segev Kaflon, with signed jerseys valued at $10,000 each.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-soccer-legend-messi-gifts-two-released-hostages-signed-jerseys/
Oct 7 VR center. The new October 7 Education Center in the southern city of Sderot, aims to create an immersive experience using screens and other multimedia technology. The center, opened in April, since when a few thousand people have already visited, with a goal of 40,000 visitors per year.
Return to Kibbutz Dafna. On 8 Oct 2023, Hezbollah rained rockets down on northern Israel, forcing hundreds of thousands of Israelis to evacuate. Today, 95% of the 1,000 residents who lived in Kibbutz Dafna before the war are back. And the secular kibbutz held a communal Shabbat to give a message of resilience, faith, & hope.
Mandela’s granddaughters visit Israel & Gaza. As most people find, when they see Israel and the Palestinian territories for themselves they get a completely different view from that they received in their home countries. Very interesting interview here of the experiences of two granddaughters of Nelson Mandela.
https://jewishinsider.com/2025/10/nelson-mandela-granddaughters-israel-gaza-visit/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Israel ranks 4th in OECD for life expectancy. Israel spends less than most OECD countries on health, yet it has one of the lowest levels of infant mortality, heart disease mortality, and preventable deaths. Israel’s average life expectancy is 83.8 years – almost a year more than in 2023 and the fourth highest in the OECD.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-life-expectancy-fourth-highest-in-oecd-1001524081
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870952
Breakthrough device for bladder cancer treatment. (TY Ron M) Israel’s CAPS Medical (see here previously) has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its its PlasmaSure™ System to treat low- to intermediate-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC).
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/caps-medicals-plasmasure-receives-fda-110000164.html
IBD therapy discovered. Israel’s Immunai has used its immune system AI mapping platform to discover a novel therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Immunai has partnered with AstraZeneca who will develop the therapy, which if successful will earn Immunai up to $85 million.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hj8zlcr6ex
Downton Abbey writer can write again. (TY OurCrowd) Downton Abbey creator Lord Julian Fellowes was successfully treated for essential tremor at St. Mary’s Hospital, London with the incisionless focused ultrasound therapy from Israel’s Insightec. He had lost the ability to write by hand due to involuntary shaking.
https://insightec.com/news/downton-abbey-creator-lord-julian-fellowes-successfully-treated-for-essential-tremor-with-insightecs-incisionless-focused-ultrasound-therapy/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downton_Abbey
Be smart – pay attention. A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem shows that the auditory cortex, one of the brain’s main sound-processing centers, changes how it operates when we focus on a task. It synchronizes its activity to the rhythm of the task rather than merely reacting to sounds.
https://www.cfhu.org/news/huji-researchers-discover-how-the-brain-becomes-a-better-listener-how-focus-enhances-sound-processing/ https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-870916
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adv1963
Israel can kickstart US IVF initiative. The new US policy announcement making In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) more accessible is good news for Israel, which has been at the forefront of IVF treatment for decades. It opens up a massive opportunity for medical technology companies, particularly in Israel’s vibrant fem-tech scene.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-871149
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Women fighting terrorism and stereotypes. Elite Israeli recon women soldiers are shattering stigmas on the way to real equality. The Gaza war has shattered stereotypes and proved that female combat soldiers can eliminate terrorists, can survive captivity, and are capable of commanding a company, regardless of gender.
https://www.jns.org/the-women-fighting-terrorists-and-stereotypes/
UAE to build embassy in Herzliya. A permanent embassy for the United Arab Emirates is to be constructed in Herzliya, following a four-year search, Israel Land Authority and the mayor of Herzliya have confirmed. The deal is valued in the tens of millions of shekels.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870864
After Louvre heist, France requests Israeli help. (TY UWI) Israel’s CGI Group is assisting French authorities in their investigation into the audacious theft of Crown jewels from the Louvre. President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to recover the stolen works and bring the perpetrators to justice.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h18mt8magg https://www.cgi.co.il/About-en.html
Christians stand with Israel. Thousands of Christian pilgrims came to Israel for the Feast of Tabernacles, showing no hesitation in supporting Israel during these times. They gathered for the A Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem (DPPJ) and the Awake Jerusalem solidarity concert at the Tower of David Museum.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-869700
One of UN’s best tourism villages. Kibbutz Neot Smadar in Israel’s Arava is included in the U.N. Tourism 2025 list of 52 Best Tourism Villages in the world. The U.N. agency praised the kibbutz for its cultural and natural richness and its commitment to sustainability “in all three dimensions: ecological, social and economic.”
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Firedome snuffs out fires. Israel’s FireDome (see here previously) has demonstrated its automated ability to detect, target and extinguish spot fires in real-world conditions, marking what experts say could be a major breakthrough in wildfire response. It can protect lives, property, and critical assets before responders arrive.
https://www.ynetnews.com/business/article/rkyk55mcll
The first ad-free public transport app. Egged Group has unveiled “egg,” a new no-ads public-transport, real time navigation and payments app for riders across operators and modes. Smart route options, fares, ticketing, and customer service. Android and iOS; all buses, Israel Railways, light rail lines, shared scooters and bikes.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-870960
Rapid satellite communications deployment. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Orbit Communication Systems (see here previously) has launched its Multi-Purpose SATCOM Terminal MPT30Ka SATCOM On-The-Move, its most compact satellite communication system for military vehicles, maritime vessels and rapid deployment.
Unravelling the secrets of dark matter. A study from Tel Aviv University predicts that during the cosmic dark ages, dark matter formed dense clumps throughout the Universe, pulling in hydrogen gas and causing it to emit intense radio waves. These measured radio signals can help resolve the mystery of dark matter.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/dark-matter-revealation https://www.nature.com/articles/s41550-025-02637-0
Israel’s new homegrown border defense aircraft. Blue Sky Warden is a light aircraft jointly developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and L3Harris Technologies. It can take off from short or rough runways, stay airborne for hours, patrol the borders, gather intelligence, and strike when necessary.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/blue-sky-warden-israels-new-homegrown-border-defense-aircraft/
AI agents get even cleverer. Israel’s Similarweb has launched its Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server to connect Similarweb’s trusted market insights directly to AI platforms such as Claude, n8n, and Cursor. AI agents may control company workflows, but Similarweb can provide the market data to power their decisions.
Technion UK trip to Israel. The next Technion UK solidarity mission to Israel (2-6 Mar 2026) offers an inspiring overview of Israel’s academic, industrial and social achievements. Explore how Israel continues to thrive – advancing science, technology and innovation, while honouring its heritage and humanity.
https://technionuk.org/event/solidarity-trip-to-israel-march26/ https://technionuk.org/trip-album/
Superfood from rotten apples. (TY Ron M) Latest news of the project (see here previously) to turn discarded apples into a nutritious powder with an apple cider vinegar by-product. The project recently received a 3 million shekel grant from the Israel Innovation Authority to advance development and fund pilot-scale production.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/h1kk7sinxx
More security for automobiles. (TY OurCrowd) Harman International, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, will deliver comprehensive security services for the automotive sector using the EVSec platform created by Israel’s C2A Security (see here previously).
A voice-activated air purifier. (TY OurCrowd) South Korea’s SK Networks and SK Magic have adopted the sound isolation tech developed by Israel’s Kardome (see here previously) to launch NAMUHX, a robot that combines air purification with advanced voice interaction.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Deficit falls again. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s fiscal deficit fell in August, for the second successive month. The cumulative deficit for the 12 months to end Aug amounted to 4.7% of GDP (end July 4.8%) or NIS 98 billion in absolute terms. The 8 months’ deficit of 2025 was half that of 2024, due to 16.7% higher state revenues.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-fiscal-deficit-falls-again-1001521048
Israeli defense systems showcased. Paris, Dubai and the Netherlands barred Israeli defense companies from displaying their products. So all the many countries wanting the latest Israeli technology have gone to ADEX 2025 in South Korea to see IAI, Elbit, Rafael, SDC, Ophir Optronics, and the dedicated Israel pavilion.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416525
Germany buys €2 billion of Israeli spike missiles. Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems will supply the German army with Spike anti-tank missiles in a €2 billion deal, The contract is especially notable given the arms embargo imposed on Israel earlier this year by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz,
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rjhqsfsrlx
$325 million for startups. Venture firm NFX (see here previously) has raised $325 million. CEO Gigi Levy-Weiss - “We believe Israeli entrepreneurs have the speed, resilience, and vision to lead the AI era, and we’re here to back them. Good times are upon us. We’re in a very good place, and we deserve some good news.”
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bk2miixaxl
$42 million orders for Gilat. Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks received one of its largest ever orders, $42 million from a leading satellite operator, primarily for its Multi-Orbit SkyEdge IV Platform. SkyEdge provides In-Flight Connectivity (IFC) that international passengers increasingly demand.
Samsung selects Valens. (TY Atid-EDI) Korea's Samsung is partnering with Israel’s Valens Semiconductor (see here previously) to develop the next generation of MIPI A-PHY products for autonomous vehicle and ADAS usage. Samsung will manufacture Valens chipsets using its advanced automotive process node.
Israeli desalination in the Middle East. If you wish to know how Israeli desalination technology reached countries that had no diplomatic relations with Israel, this article will interest you.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/xtkwpd3kh
60 airlines now fly to Israel. KLM has renewed daily flights from Amsterdam to Israel via Larnaca, Cyprus, while the return to Amsterdam is non-stop. British Airways (from Heathrow) and Iberia (from Madrid) Scandinavian (Copenhagen) and Eurowings resume on 26 Oct. United is adding Chicago and Washington DC.
https://www.jns.org/klm-resumes-flights-to-israel/
https://worldisraelnews.com/british-airways-iberia-to-resume-israel-flights-next-week/
Returning to base. In 2019, Intel acquired Israel’s Habana Labs for $2 billion. Habana’s Caesarea offices are being vacated and the Israeli team will move to other Intel Israel offices. Symbolically, the original founders of Habana are taking over the 8,000-sq-meter Caesarea complex for their new AI chip startup – Element Labs.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkudepmaxx
A clean break from a stressful career. Nice article about an individual entrepreneur that decided to embark on a new career by launching a cleaning company startup after she made Aliyah from Russia.
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/article-869229
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 26th Oct 25. Australia’s Bizcap has acquired Israel’s 8fig. Collage AI (part of Boston’s Morningside VC) has acquired Israel’s StudyWise (see video). Israel’s Fireblocks has acquired U.S.-based Dynamic for an estimated $90 million.
Startup investment – to 26th Oct 25: Hyro raised $45 million; Darwin AI raised $15 million; Moonshot AI raised $10 million; Anchor Browser has raised $6 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Another Israeli singer at MSG. Renowned Israeli singer Omer Adam paid tribute to the IDF, freed hostages, & President Trump during his sold-out concert at Madison Square Garden in New York. (see here previously).
Why buy Israeli wine? If you needed a reason to enjoy an Israeli wine, here are a few: World-class quality, perfect for entertaining, historic wineries, and sustainable farming. The Israeli Wine Producers Association (IWPA) brings together more than 40 wineries—from boutique gems to renowned estates.
https://www.jns.org/wire/raise-a-glass-to-israeli-wines-this-holiday-season/ https://iwpa.com/
Jerusalem Oud Festival returns. The Jerusalem International Oud Festival is set to open on 6 Nov. It will be opened by local hero Ehud Banai and Shalom Hanoch, who is among the best Israeli blues players. Highlights will include India’s Guru Ravikiran and Israel’s Nikmat Hatraktor with works based on 11th century Ibn Ezra.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-871194
Two days of rejoicing in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) Whereas the Jewish festival of Simchat Torah is only one-day in Israel, the citizens of Jerusalem continue the celebrations for an extra day. Musical events were held in Liberty Bell Park and at the Kotel. And a new Torah scroll honored “Shabbat Heroes” at the Great Synagogue.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/10/19/extra-joy-in-jerusalem-for-simchat-torah/
Golden and bronze judokas. (TY Hazel) Judoku Raz Hershko won gold in the women’s heavyweight category at the Lima Grand Prix. Israel’s Yuli Alma Mishiner won the bronze medal.
https://www.ijf.org/news/show/78-kg-hershko-holds-firm-to-claim-gold-for-israel
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPzHd1dkeFy/ (Hatikvah)
EuroLeague and EuroCup return to Israel. (TY WIN) Israel welcomed the announcement that EuroLeague and EuroCup basketball games will return to Israel starting 1 Dec. It follows a two-year break where Israeli teams played their “home” matches throughout Europe due to the war with Hamas in Gaza.
THE JEWISH STATE
So what do these archaeological discoveries mean? Since modern Israel’s establishment in 1948, excavation after excavation has yielded finds that have forced scholars to confront not only the story of ancient Israel but also the development of Judaism, Christianity, and human civilization. Great summary of major discoveries.
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-869513
Assyria’s 700 BCE letter to Kingdom of Judah. Archaeologists have unearthed a 2,700-year-old cuneiform Akkadian-language inscription – the first ever found in Jerusalem’s City of David. The inscription specifies the first of Av – a date common to Mesopotamia and Judah. It also mentions an Assyrian chariot officer.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416623
The Great Bridge Route. (TY UWI) Beneath the Western Wall in Jerusalem lies the Great Bridge Route, an extraordinary archaeological site that offers a tangible link to the Second Temple period and the enduring presence of the Jewish people in the Land of Israel. The bridge connects different areas of the Temple Mount.
https://honestreporting.com/the-great-bridge-route-a-journey-through-jerusalems-jewish-heritage/
Haifa thanks India. (TY Nevet) The Israeli city of Haifa recently paid tributes to fallen Indian soldiers, with the Mayor noting that the city's school history books are being changed to correct that it was Indian troops and not the British who liberated the city from Ottoman rule.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/israel-haifa-indian-troops-liberation-ottoman-rule-1918-2795228-2025-09-29 https://www.outlookindia.com/international/israels-haifa-honours-indian-soldiers-updates-textbooks-to-credit-their-role-in-wwi-liberation
Integrating Olim into the workforce. Israel has finally realized that Jews are worried about making Aliyah and finding themselves without a job. The new “Leap to Aliyah” charter commits dozens of companies (hi-tech, medical centers, retailers etc.) to hire immigrants before they arrive in Israel and fill the 35,000 vacancies.
A long journey to Judaism. David Ben Moshe was born into an evangelical Christian family but was jailed for unlicensed gun selling and drug dealing. In prison he discovered Judaism and on release, he underwent an orthodox conversion. He married, had 4 children, moved to Israel and became a national Jiu-Jitsu champion.
It’s raining! It may be unimportant in most of the countries where newsletter readers reside, but here in Israel we welcomed the first of the season’s rainfall. On 25 Seo, 4 inches of rain fell in Nahariya causing flooding. And on 9 Oct, Netanya on Sea became Netanya in Sea! But the Kinneret is well below the bottom red line.
https://www.jns.org/new-year-ushers-in-record-rainfall/ https://forecast.israelinfo.co.il/kineret
251019
In the 19th Oct 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l The remaining 20 live hostages have been reunited with their families.
l Israeli immune research discovery is “food for thought”.
l Exciting new Israeli-developed Intel Panther Lake AI microprocessors.
l Israeli-educated Professor wins Nobel Prize for Economics.
l Watch US Ambassadors Huckabee and Friedman make music in Jerusalem.
l The Jewish “Season of Rejoicing” returns to Israel.
· Click here to see the 5th Oct newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, (TY Peloni) IsraPundit, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). Also (TY Barbara) for translating it into Spanish here. (Please forward this newsletter to Spanish-speaking contacts. Also please visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/verygoodnewsIL.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Hostages released. After 738 days, all living Gaza hostages are back in Israel. A timeline and videos and photos of some of the emotional reunions. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/416200
https://www.jns.org/israel-set-to-redeem-hostages-in-first-phase-of-trump-peace-plan/
https://www.jns.org/watch-israelis-gather-at-hostage-square-to-celebrate-return/
Giving thanks. US President Donald Trump had a tumultuous welcome when he spoke at the Israeli Knesset (parliament). His first words were, “We gather on a day of profound joy, of soaring hope, of renewed faith, and above all, a day to give our deepest thanks to the almighty God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPAkvSgxDWY
Bereaved father seeds “honoring” startups. After Izhar Shay lost his son on 7 Oct 2023, he launched “Next October” to support early-stage businesses that agree to commemorate one of the approximately 2,000 people, killed on 7 Oct and in the ensuing war, in perpetuity. In two years, the project has enlisted 450 startups.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/bereaved-by-october-7-an-entrepreneur-seeds-startups-with-memorials-to-those-lost/ https://www.nextoctober.org/ https://www.nextoctober.org/ourstartups
Seeds of renewal. More about the 3-year initiative to rehabilitate and redesign 32 early childhood educational centers of excellence for ages 3–6 across the Gaza Envelope and northern Israel. (See here previously)
Maintaining Mankai production. Israel is the only country in the world where the superfood Mankai (see here previously) is grown commercially. So it was vital that the man managing the Mankai at Kibbutz Be’eri returned two days after the Hamas 7 Oct 2023 invasion. Otherwise it might have disappeared from the world.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/skur8qytll
Hummus in Damascus. Israelis used to speak about the day when we’d be eating hummus in Damascus as a longed-for era of peace. We’re now eating kosher hummus in Damascus, says Mendy Chitrik, the Safed-born rabbi of Turkey’s Ashkenazi community and the chairman of the Alliance of Rabbis in Islamic States.
PM Prize to Mossad operatives. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Prize has been awarded to the Mossad operatives involved in the “beepers” attack against Hezbollah, and the 12-day Operation Rising Lion war against Iran. https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-barnea-award-mossad-operatives-pm-prize/
Zikim Beach reopens. The IDF is reopening to the public, Zikim Beach, located near the Gaza border, on Oct. 16, marking the first time the area has been accessible since the start of the war two years ago. The IDF views the opening of the beach as an additional step in the rehabilitation of the area.
https://www.jns.org/idf-reopens-zikim-beach-for-first-time-since-oct-7/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Combat medicine advances. Wounded Israeli soldiers are surviving serious injuries that would have been impossible just a few years ago. E.g., drones parachuting temperature-controlled whole blood units into the battlefield; or a portable device that separates oxygen from the air and uses it to ventilate wounded soldiers.
https://www.kosu.org/world-news/2025-09-18/how-israels-combat-medicine-has-changed
Why the immune system ignores food. (TY David Fieldstone) I missed this discovery in May by scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute. They identified that ROR-gamma-T cells trigger a chain reaction of four types of immune cells, which stop the body’s attacking cells (CD8 cells) from responding to food proteins.
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/food-friend-not-foe-%E2%80%93-new-study-explains-why
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-856867
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09173-x
Oxygenating patients during lung transplants. (TY Atid EDI) Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see here previously) announced that a top U.S. hospital has expanded its clinical use of the INSPIRA ART100 system to lung transplantation procedures, one of the most demanding applications in advanced respiratory care.
Restoring vision in a shingles-blinded eye. (TY Atid EDI) Israel’s CorNeat Vision (see here previously) has implanted its KPro artificial cornea to restore perfect vision in a patient blinded by corneal scarring from the Shingles virus. In addition, the eye, once deformed by shingles, now looks remarkably natural and healthy.
Partnering to diagnose Huntington’s. (TY Atid EDI) Israel’s NeuraLight has partnered with New York's CHDI Foundation to build one of the largest eye movement datasets for Huntington’s Disease. It will support CHDI’s work to develop sensitive, trial-ready tools with the potential to develop HD therapies.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
The largest US flag ever hoisted in Israel. The largest American flag ever flown in Israel has been raised in the Binyamin Regional Council in a gesture of gratitude to U.S. President Donald Trump. Measuring 26×36 feet, the red and blue striped flag is visible to passengers on planes landing at Ben Gurion International Airport.
International Jerusalem march. Thousands, from 70 countries, gathered in Sacher Park for the International Jerusalem March, hosted by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) during the Sukkot holiday. The ICEJ represents millions of Christians around the world who support Israel.
https://www.jns.org/the-international-jerusalem-march-brings-joy-and-friendship-to-the-capital/
Tourism to Tajikistan launched. Israel’s Tourism Minister Haim Katz made the first official visit by an Israeli Cabinet member to the Muslim state of Tajikistan. There he signed the first bilateral tourism accord with Tajikistani Committee for Tourism Development Chairman Jumakhonzoda Jamshed Jurakhon.
https://www.jns.org/israel-and-tajikistan-sign-tourism-agreement-in-landmark-visit/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Powering Intel’s AI laptop revival. Intel has unveiled its first 18A-based processors, developed in Israel. They will form the basis for Panther Lake, a new Israeli-developed family of 900 AI models that will support real-time translation, image recognition, and much more, while maintaining strict user privacy.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkwnfmhpex
Israel’s largest AI cloud. Israel’s Vast Data (see here previously) has entered a strategic partnership with Israel’s Shonfeld Data Services (SDS) to power what is being described as Israel’s most advanced sovereign AI infrastructure. It will be built on Vast’s AI Operating System.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/uz6dlauqi
National AI HQ. Israel has appointed Brig. Gen. (res.) Erez Askal to head its newly established National Artificial Intelligence Headquarters. It will oversee the creation and execution of Israel’s AI strategy, focusing on innovation, regulation, infrastructure and research while bolstering Israel’s international standing in the field.
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-appoints-general-to-lead-national-ai-initiative/
More cool data centers. Israel’s ZutaCore has established another cool partnership (see here for previous one) this time with Taiwan’s Compal. The integrated server and cooling solution aims to “revolutionize data center efficiency, reliability, and sustainability”. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/zutacore-and-compal-transform-ai-data-center-cooling-at-yotta-2025-302548739.html
Mapping Israel’s semiconductor industry. Israel’s startup ecosystem is punching far above its weight in the global semiconductor race. With $5.5 billion raised collectively, 70 startups are positioning Israel as a key player in next-generation chips and AI models.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1yxvtznel
https://www.earthandbeyond.ventures/deeptech-explained-semiconductors
Better desalination membranes. Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute, and at University of Texas Austin, have mapped the nano-properties of desalination membranes in their wet state – never achieved before. The information will help design membranes that will desalinate seawater more efficiently, using less energy.
https://phys.org/news/2025-08-desalination-characterizing-membranes-dry-states.html
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.5c01190
Scaling up green hydrogen production. (TY Nevet) Israel’s Technion is part of an international team that has determined how to scale up decoupled water electrolysis (DWE, see here previously) - a technique that produces green hydrogen without carbon emissions or expensive hardware.
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/green-hydrogen-industrial-scale-affordable-dwe/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44359-025-00061-1
Automating the greenhouse. (TY Atid EDI) Israel’s GrowDirector has developed a modular greenhouse automation system to reduce input costs, water, electricity, fertilizers, and labor. Farmers can track crop details, schedule planting, spraying, receive reminders, analyze and refine protocols to avoid repeating mistakes.
Seeing through the layers. Latest progress of Israeli archaeologists in the City of David, using muon particle detectors to map ancient sites underground without digging (see here previously). Jerusalem’s historic layers are revealed, from the Iron Age / First Temple period through the Roman era and into the Early Islamic period.
A better defense. (TY Atid EDI) Israel's Ministry of Defense has bought dozens of EdgeUAV systems from Israel’s Axon Vision (see here previously) to detect nearby air threats (e.g. drones). The systems analyze and classify data collected by cameras mounted on armored combat vehicles or stationary installations.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-idf-using-axon-visions-ai-to-combat-drones-1001489208
Securing entrance to arenas. Barclays Center in New York has selected the advanced artificial intelligence software from Israel’s SeeTrue to detect prohibited items at visitor checkpoints. The system enables faster throughput, reducing long lines at entry points, while providing detection across a wide range of threats.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Optimistic economic indicators. The Israeli Shekel rose strongly on the news that Israel and Hamas have signed the first phase of the plan to end the war in Gaza. The Israeli stock market also rose with the TA-35, TA-90, and TA-125 closing at record highs. The construction index soared, and the risk level fell sharply.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hjagmxr6lx
Nobel Prize for Economics. Dutch-born, Israeli raised, US Professor Joel Mokyr has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics together with two other economists, for showing how useful knowledge, mechanical competence and institutions conducive to technological progress has led to sustained economic growth.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-870390
https://www.jns.org/tel-aviv-university-economist-among-3-nobel-prize-laureates/
$0.5 billion for Israeli startups. Israel’s Glilot Capital Partners has raised $500 million to invest in Israeli cyber and AI software startups. The fresh capital was raised mainly from large financial institutions in the US and Europe. Glilot says it “we deeply believe in the Israeli ecosystem.”
Gas pipeline to Egypt. The partners that own the Leviathan reservoir off the Israeli coast have inked a $610 million deal with state-owned pipeline operator Israel Natural Gas Lines to build a 40-mile pipeline to export natural gas to Egypt. When complete in 2028 it will deliver 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day.
El Al in top 25. El Al earned a five-star APEX rating for the fifth consecutive year and, for the first time, entered the global top 25 airlines for in-flight passenger experience based on millions of traveler reviews. Fewer than 7% - around 40 airlines—earned a five-star rating. https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/r13p9rgsgl
Swiss & Delta are back. Swiss International Air Lines has resumed flights to Israel with a daily non-stop return service from Zurich to Tel Aviv Ben-Gurion International Airport. Delta Airlines resumed daily flights from JFK to Tel Aviv on 1st Sep. https://www.jns.org/swiss-air-resumes-flights-to-tel-aviv/
https://news.delta.com/delta-resumes-tel-aviv-service-jfk-sept-1
$1.2 billion aero engine parts deal. Israel’s Bet Shemesh Engines (see here previously) has won a $1.2 billion 15-year contract to supply critical jet engine components to one of the world’s leading aircraft engine makers. Only a few weeks ago Norway’s sovereign wealth fund divested its 2% stake in Bet Shemesh Engines.
Botanical-enhanced functional soft drinks. Israel’s SolvEat (see here previously) has partnered with Israel’s Central Bottling Company subsidiary Gat Foods, to develop functional beverages infused with SolvEat patented natural herbal formulations. They will target metabolic support, blood sugar control, and more.
Using AI to sell industrial machinery. Israel’s Corbel aims to replace manual quoting and PDF-based workflows with AI-driven intelligence for the trillion-dollar manufacturing sector. Corbel is targeting one of manufacturing’s most persistent bottlenecks: outdated sales and quoting systems.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/h1axzfaplg https://corbelpay.com/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 19th Oct 25. Israel’s CropX has acquired Israeli Crop Supply Intelligence Company Acclym. US insurance giant Penn-America Group (part of Global Indemnity Group) is acquiring Israeli insurance agency Sayata. LevelBlue (formerly AT&T Cybersecurity) has acquired Israel’s Cybereason. Israel’s Pentera acquired Israel’s DevOcean for $30 million. Amazon's Annapurna Labs has acquired the entire core engineering team of Israel’s NeuroBlade.
Startup investment – to 19th Oct 25: Deel raised $300 million (valuation $17.3 billion) Sensi.ai raised $45 million; Sola Security raised $35 million; Prisma Photonics raised $30 million; OneLayer raised $28 million; Omnix Medical raised $25 million; Second Nature raised $22 million; Siddhi Capital has invested $9-12 million in Israel’s Fresh Start foodtech incubator. Corbel raised $6.7 million; ARGU AI raised $2 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
An Ethiopian Israeli restaurant in Harlem. Beejhy Barhany was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Israel. She has opened Tsion Cafe - a kosher, vegan cafe in Harlem, New York. She describes it as a place of Pan-African love and Black Israeli pride. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/at-this-harlem-chefs-table-the-rosh-hashana-menu-is-full-of-ethiopian-spices-180987378/
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/720855/gursha-by-beejhy-barhany-with-elisa-ung/
US Ambassadors rock Jerusalem. (TY INN) US Ambassadors Mike Huckabee and Daniel Friedman wowed the crowd at the United Hatzalah Sukkot concert, playing “Sweet Home Yerushalayim”. Great new lyrics.
https://www.jns.org/huckabee-friedman-perform-sweet-home-yerushalayim-in-jerusalem/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wh6Z6Hk3cAk
Acrobatic dolphins. Some 15 dolphins, including mothers and calves, gave an acrobatic display off the Israeli coast near Haifa. They performed for over an hour to a team of Haifa University marine scientists conducting an exploration project, 10 miles from the shore. It was the most exciting display ever seen by the scientists.
https://www.jns.org/dolphin-pod-puts-on-acrobatic-display-off-haifa-shore/
Golden gymnast. Israel’s Artem Dolgopyat won gold in the floor exercise at the Challenge Cup in Paris. With one Olympic gold and one silver, Dolgopyat is Israel’s most successful Olympian. He also holds a World Championship title. https://www.jns.org/this-week-in-israeli-sports-2/
First NHL goal by an Israeli. Israeli American hockey player Zeev Buium scored his first NHL goal on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets; Buium, a defenseman for the Minnesota Wild, is believed to be the first Israeli hockey player to ever score a goal in the US National Hockey League.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6709728/2025/10/12/wild-blue-jackets-zeev-buium-nhl-goal/
https://x.com/THEREALJEW613/status/1977206806108905773?s=08
Gold paralympic swimmer. (TY Yanky) Paralympic swimming champion Ami Dadaon (see here previously) claimed his first world title in the 50m breaststroke SB3 in Singapore, setting a new Israeli record of 48.17 seconds. In the 2024 World Championships in Paris, Ami won 4 gold medals.
https://www.ynetnews.com/sport/article/h1eltqajel
THE JEWISH STATE
Ancient Jewish synagogue unearthed in the Golan. Another historical Jewish link to the Land – in the Golan Heights recaptured by Israel in the 1967 Six-day War. Excavations at the Yahudiya Nature Reserve revealed lintels and basalt columns of a 1,500-year-old synagogue – the 26th discovered in the Golan.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/10/05/ancient-underground-synagogue-discovered-in-golan/
A home in Israel. Reminder - Marina Shear, wife of Newsletter subscriber Glen, can help any reader wishing to make Aliyah or purchase a property in Israel. She has teams of English-speaking lawyers, mortgage brokers, builders, property managers, inspectors and designers. Read her guide and see her website for more details.
https://marinashear.com/ https://marinashear.com/2025-guide/
Delayed passengers break into song. After a 4-hour delay on a Delta Airlines flight from New York to Tel Aviv, two musicians led passengers in singing “Adon HaSelichot” and then “Am Yisrael Chai”.
https://www.jns.org/hold-passengers-on-delayed-delta-flight-to-israel-break-into-song/
Exciting times in Jerusalem. During Sukkot, Jerusalem was full of hope for the release of the hostages. The schools were on vacation so families were enjoying holiday activities.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/10/12/exciting-times-in-jerusalem-on-chol-hamoed-sukkot/
50,000 Jews celebrate Sukkot in Hebron. 50% more worshippers than last year visited Judaism's second-holiest site during the first days of Tabernacles. The Cave of the Patriarchs was bought by Abraham more than 3,000 years ago. and is the burial place of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and matriarchs Sarah, Rabecca and Leah.
https://www.jns.org/nearly-50000-jews-celebrate-sukkot-in-hebron/
On Simchat Torah we dance. Israelis are determined to dance, even overcoming physical and spiritual barriers. And on the second anniversary of the Hamas invasion, the IDF danced at the Nova festival site.
https://worldisraelnews.com/wounded-idf-soldiers-joyfully-celebrate-simchat-torah-despite-injuries/
https://www.jns.org/how-an-oct-7-amputee-refuses-to-stop-dancing-this-simchat-torah/
https://www.jns.org/idf-soldiers-dance-with-torah-at-nova-festival-massacre-site/
251005
In the 5th Oct 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Kibbutz Be’eri has turned its devastated fields into whisky production.
l Israeli surgeons are successfully using hypnosis instead of anesthetics.
l Bipartisan lawmakers from all 50 US States made a solidarity visit to Israel.
l An Israeli high school graduate won an International University competition.
l Israeli technology is inside Google driverless taxis and Nasdaq fraud detection.
l Massive ancient hoard of gold coins unearthed in the Golan Heights.
l Celebrations for the fifth anniversary of the Abraham Accords.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Eden to return to IDF service. American-Israeli Edan Alexander, who was held hostage in Gaza for 584 days, said that he intends to continue his IDF service next month. “I will once again put on the IDF uniform, and I will proudly serve alongside my brothers. Serving in the IDF is one of the greatest honors of my life.”
https://worldisraelnews.com/freed-hostage-edan-alexander-says-hes-returning-to-the-idf-next-month/
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868112
Yuval is a hero. Yuval Raphael, Nova Festival survivor and Israel’s 2025 Eurovision contestant, received the United Hatzalah Hero Award at the organization’s Los Angeles annual gala. Her rendition of resilience anthem “New Day Will Rise,” won the global audience vote and 2nd place overall, despite suffering anti-Israel abuse.
https://www.jpost.com/j-spot/article-868140
Water of Life. (TY Scott & Yanky) Two years after the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas massacre, Kibbutz Be’eri turned its bloodied fields into 139 tons of barley to make single-malt whisky, “Single Be’eri”. It featured at Whisky Live Tel Aviv (Sep 10-11) together with other local whiskies plus “SuperNova”, blended by Israel’s nine distilleries.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/whisky-event-will-join-israeli-enthusiasts-and-distillers-launch-oct-7-single-malt/ https://www.ynetnews.com/food/article/bjpqk00aceg
Robotic vehicles in Gaza. The IDF has deployed dozens of robotic armored vehicles in Gaza. They carry an explosives container, place it at the target, and retreat before detonation. They are a dramatic combat tool, neutralizing thousands of explosive devices and saving the lives of many soldiers.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/415257
Academic support for IDF soldiers. Serving IDF soldiers enrolled in further education, will continue to receive benefits in the new academic year. In addition, all lectures will be recorded and made accessible to students who are serving in the military. More benefits for those serving over 300 days, plus STEM subjects.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-868174
New rehab center in Ramla. Construction has begun on ALEH Zahav, an $81 million, 15-story, 420-bed rehabilitation facility in the Israeli city of Ramla. It will provide inpatient care, trauma therapy, hydrotherapy, adaptive sports, advanced imaging, and family support for soldiers and civilians wounded in the Gaza conflict.
https://www.jwire.com.au/new-420-bed-rehab-facility-in-ramla-to-aid-israels-injured-soldiers/
$7.8 million for recovery projects. The UJA-Federation of New York announced a fresh round of grant allocations to Israeli initiatives on Monday totaling $7.8 million, mainly to recovery projects in the north and the Western Negev. Half the funds will go to communities attacked by Hamas terrorists on 7 Oct 2023.
https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/uja-federation-of-new-york-issues-7-8-million-in-grants-to-israel/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Hypnosis before brain surgery. (TY Nevet) Surgeons at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya have been using hypnosis instead of anesthesia prior to drilling holes in the skull for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Psychologist Dr Udi Bonshtein says it helps shorten and improve medical treatment.
https://www.jpost.com/science/article-868234
Technion’s medical breakthroughs. (TY Nevet) Latest news from Israel’s Technion Institute includes AI analysis of imperfect ECG images to pinpoint critical heart problems (see here) plus how dopamine rewires the brain to help learn new movements (see here).
https://ats.org/our-impact/todays-breakthroughs-for-the-next-generation-of-treatment-part-2/
Obese children can still be healthy. A new study from Tel Aviv University and Dana Dwek Children’s Hospital shows that obese children with illnesses had over twice the fat in their liver than healthy obese children. A Mediterranean diet may provide protection against metabolic illness, even in the case of obesity.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/liver-fat-predicts-health
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1559271/full
More European funds for Israeli research. Two Technion faculty members have been awarded prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants. Prof Efrat Shimron for her development of a low-cost, small portable MRI machine, and Prof Ariel Rapaport for his work on fractal geometry.
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Women’s summit in Tel Aviv. (TY Hazel) 30 women leaders, from or with roots across the Middle East and North Africa, met in Tel Aviv for the inaugural Women Champions for Change summit. Israelis, Lebanese, Iranian, Tunisians, Saudis, Afghans, Moroccans, Emiratis, and Iraqis, discussed collaborating on social change.
Day centers for adults with disabilities. Israel Elwyn (see here previously) has just opened a $7 million day center in Herzliya for people with disabilities aged 21 and over requiring constant comprehensive support. It is funded by the Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs, Bituach Leumi, and the Shalem Fund.
https://israelelwyn.org.il/activity/day-programs/
Fast entry for students. Foreign visitors arriving in Israel with valid student visas will now be able to enjoy a streamlined entry process. Upon scanning their passport at the automatic machines, they will receive a printed “VIP” slip and may proceed directly to the exit gates without stopping at the counter.
From beauty queen to pro-Israel influencer. Israel’s Noa Cochva represented Israel at Miss Universe in 2021. In 2023, when Hamas launched the Oct. 7 attack, she was called up as a reservist. Her message is that Israeli women are both soldiers and beauty queens - strong and feminine at the same time.
https://www.jns.org/noa-cochva-from-beauty-queen-to-pro-israel-influencer/
Memorial garden in Majdal Shams. The “Peace Team Garden” was inaugurated in Majdal Shams in memory of the 12 Druze children killed by a rocket fired by Hezbollah terrorists. The garden’s funders include pro-Israel Jerusalem-based Christian organization Bridges for Peace and Toronto-based One Free World International.
https://www.jns.org/memorial-garden-dedicated-to-12-angels-of-majdal-shams/
250 legislators from all 50 states. The largest-ever delegation of US lawmakers, representing all 50 US States, attended the “50 States, One Israel” event in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked the “Democrats and Republicans alike”. Delegates visited Gaza border towns, met US lone soldier immigrants and planted 50 trees.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/saar-urges-250-visiting-us-state-legislators-to-pass-anti-bds-laws-in-their-states/ https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867559
New York police chiefs train in Israel. (TY Yanky) 13 senior police officials from the New York area returned to the U.S. after an intensive week in Israel designed to increase their counterterrorism training and understanding of antisemitism. They also visited the Nova music festival site and several kibbutzim.
Top entrepreneurial universities. (TY Hazel) Two Israeli universities are listed among the world’s top 10 academic institutions for producing the most entrepreneurs, according to financial research firm PitchBook’s 2025 rankings. Tel Aviv University maintains its 2024’s 7th position. Technion Institute rose 6 places to 10th.
https://english.tau.ac.il/news/tau-maintains-7-place (Highest non-US University)
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjjpqw00ogg (unstoppable)
Climate Solutions Prize Tour. The Climate Solutions Prize Tour, in partnership with the Jewish Climate Trust, arrived in Israel on 14 Sep, after launching in the United Arab Emirates on 10 Sep. It connects builders, investors, and changemakers to forge meaningful partnerships, and explore transformative technologies.
https://climatesolutionsprize.com/CST25/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
More help for the bees. Israel’s Technion is helping Israel's - and the world's - dwindling bee populations thrive. From AI-monitored hives to robotic honeybees, Israel's brightest minds are ensuring that Jewish tradition and nature's sweetness endure for generations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8n8Iv2DkpE
University prize-winner. 18-year-old Raz Dvora won the top prize at the International Mathematics Competition for University Students, just weeks after graduating high school. He had simultaneously been studying undergraduate mathematics at the Open University of Israel’s Academia in High School program.
https://www.jns.org/wire/open-university-of-israel-program-launches-teen-to-global-math-victory/
Engineering a new future for Haredim. Israel Sci-Tech Schools has inaugurated a new ultra-Orthodox hesder yeshiva, thanks to Chedvata (see here previously). Netanya’s Hermelin College combines Torah study with academic excellence in practical engineering tracks. There are now four Chedvata yeshivot.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-867220 https://chedvata.org/
Filling the Sea of Galilee. As planned (see here previously) for the first time in the world, desalinated seawater is being pumped into a freshwater lake, as Israel transfers Mediterranean water into the Sea of Galilee (Lake Kinneret). The “Reverse Carrier” initiative will keep the level of the Kinneret above the “Red line”.
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/skadez43xl
Eilat corals survive heatwaves. An Israeli university study has revealed that corals in the Gulf of Eilat have survived four consecutive and intensifying marine heatwaves without experiencing mass bleaching. These include the world’s most extreme event in 2024 - a resilience unmatched anywhere else on the planet.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-868441
Vegan eggs from pea protein. Israel’s Meala FoodTech (see here previously) has unveiled Groundbaker, a single-ingredient pea protein that replicates eggs’ multi-functional performance in baked goods. It enables food manufacturers to reduce costs, decrease reliance on eggs (due to avian flu), and simplify formulations.
https://www.foodingredientsfirst.com/news/meala-egg-replacer-groundbaker.html
Strawberry fields not needed. Israel’s Novella Innovative Technology has used its AuraCell platform to develop Novella Strawberry, a patent-pending, new generation of bio-actives derived from whole strawberry cells. Novella bypasses the need to grow the whole plant, saving time, cost, waste and the environment.
Hard cheese. Israel’s SCIO has launched its handheld Cheese Analyzer (see here previously). No need to prepare the sample, the portable near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy device provides fast, accurate, and non-destructive analysis of fat, moisture, and protein content in all types of cheese and curd in under 10 seconds.
https://www.scionir.com/solutions/dairy/ https://farming.co.uk/news/scio-introduces-handheld-cheese-analyzer
Satellite communications in the palm of your hand. Israel’s Commcrete has developed a suite of ultra-compact satellite communication systems (Flipper, Stardust & Bittel) to work without clear sky access or heavy antennas, enabling secure voice, text, data, and location-sharing globally, in any environment or weather.
https://www.commcrete.com/ https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rkzk00fthlx
Science that makes you laugh and think. A team of Ben Gurion University Professors and students has won an Ig Nobel – the international science prize for making people laugh and then think. They published a study to reveal what happens to bats when they get drunk. They won ten trillion Zimbabwe dollars (60 cents in 2008).
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376635710000446?via%3Dihub
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Israeli hi-tech had a record year. Despite the war. Israel’s high-tech industry posted a record year for exits and cemented its global leadership in Deep-Tech. The “Status Report on Israeli High-Tech 2025,” from Dutch database management company DealRoom, totaled 1,500 active Deep-Tech companies in Israel.
https://www.jns.org/despite-war-israeli-high-tech-has-record-year-new-report-finds/
AIR ONE can fly. (TY OurCrowd) The AIRONE all-electric eVTOL aircraft from Israel’s AIR (see here previously) has successfully received FAA Experimental Airworthiness Certification.
ElliQ for Japan. (TY OurCrowd) Japan’s Kanematsu will develop a Japanese version of ElliQ, the interactive AI companion for seniors developed by Israel’s Intuition Robotics (see here previously) Japan has 36 million seniors. Kanematsu is also investing in Intuition Robotics to raise its total equity funding to date to $85 million.
https://blog.ourcrowd.com/ai-companion-robot-says-hello-to-japans-36-million-seniors/
https://www.jobtorob.com/elliq-japan-launch
Partnering Nasdaq to prevent fraud. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s BioCatch (see here previously) has partnered with Verafin (a subsidiary of Nasdaq). They will combine their fraud detection technologies to combat rising payments fraud. Verafin is used by over 2,600 financial institutions.
Managing autonomous taxis. The technology of Israel’s Via Transportation (see here previously) is to serve as the backbone of the autonomous taxi service of Google subsidiary Waymo. Via’s platform will allow for pooling multiple passengers into a single ride.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/lrmoww2qt
No worries for Elbit. Israel’s Elbit Systems has secured a $120 million contract to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned aerial system (UAS) for long-range maritime surveillance to an undisclosed international customer.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b1zvead3gx
Living financially smarter in Israel. The third annual Living Financially Smarter in Israel (LFSII) conference, at Nefesh B’Nefesh’s Jerusalem campus attracted some 350 new and veteran immigrants, plus English-speaking Israelis. They heard practical strategies on how to build financial stability and thrive in Israel.
https://www.jns.org/nefesh-hosts-living-financially-smarter-in-israel/
Free banking in Israel? In early 2026 Israel’s newest digital bank, Esh Bank Israel, promises to offer accounts completely free of fees for both retail customers and small businesses. It also will share 50% of the interest earned on their current account balances. The bank will be entirely digital, offering basic banking services.
https://finder.startupnationcentral.org/company_page/esh
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 5th Oct 25. US Datavant has acquired Israeli medical document analysis startup DigitalOwl for just over $200 million. Israel’s Kela Technologies has acquired Israel’s Pelanor for tens of millions of dollars. Israel’s Honeybook has acquired Israel’s Fine.dev. Brazil’s Unico has acquired Israel’s OwnID.
Startup investment – to 5th Oct 25: Via Transportation (value $3.65 billion) raised $493 million (IPO); Descope raised an additional $35 million; Commcrete raised $29 million; Datawizz raised $12.5 million; Gain raised $12 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Oldest church organ makes music again. A pipe organ crafted some 1,000 years ago for Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity made music once more, as the instrument was unveiled at Jerusalem’s Terra Sancta Museum. It was hailed as the “oldest organ in Christendom.” It was rediscovered in 1906 during construction work.
Ancient gold hoard unearthed. University of Haifa archaeologists have uncovered a Byzantine-period (6th or 7th century CE) hoard of 97 pure gold coins and jewelry at Sussita National Park. They believe it was buried in fear of the Sasanian-Persian conquest. It includes a rare 610 CE tremissis (gold coin) of Emperor Heraclius.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/415383
World’s largest fish visits Israel. Ashdod authorities recorded the the first documented sighting of a whale shark along Israel’s Mediterranean coast and only the third confirmed sighting in the entire Mediterranean. Whale sharks are occasionally seen in the Gulf of Eilat – this one is thought to have swum up the Suez Canal.
https://www.ynetnews.com/environment/article/skadez43xl
Israel reached Euro baseball quarterfinals. The Israel Baseball National Team beat Switzerland 9-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the 2025 European Championship. Pitcher Justin Alintoff dedicated the victory to all the Israelis fighting in the war and those who have lost their lives. Israel finished 7th in the competition.
https://israfan.com/p/alintoff-leads-israel-euro-baseball-quarterfinals
Good results. Israel finished 7th at the European Softball Championships. Israel placed 8th at the Women’s European U-18 Water Polo Championships. And Israel’s men’s U18 water polo team won the European Championship Division 1, having already secured promotion to the Elite tier.
https://www.wbsceurope.org/en/events/2025-womens-softball-european-championship/teams/34606
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_women%27s_national_water_polo_team
https://www.instagram.com/isrswimming/p/DNyJ9LJ2BIu/
THE JEWISH STATE
Bringing youths from FSU to Israel. (TY Yanky) The NGO Naale (its acronym means Youth Immigrating Before Parents) has brought 40 Jewish teenagers from the Former Soviet Union to pursue a new life in Israel. They are being supported by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) including its Ireland branch.
https://www.icej.org/blog/naale-nurturing-the-next-generations-connection-to-zion/
Training young advocacy leaders. 25 young leaders from four continents completed KKL-JNF’s Zionist Leadership Academy in Israel with a week of training, advocacy and resilience building. Now in its fourth year, the program combines about 10 months of online sessions with a mandatory intensive week in Israel.
https://www.jns.org/young-diaspora-leaders-attend-zionist-leadership-academy/
New home for lone soldiers. A new residential facility for lone soldiers was inaugurated at the Hannaton Educational Center in northern Israel (see here previously), welcoming 30 young immigrants from North America as its first residents.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/new-home-for-lone-soldiers-opens-in-northern-israel/
Future-proof in Jerusalem. (TY Sharon) Jerusalem is busy preparing for future. Construction continues at a pace. Conferences included Living Financially Smarter in Israel, the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference (including discussion on the rise of global antisemitsm), and the Michael Levin Base gala.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/09/28/from-rosh-hashanah-to-yom-kippur-on-the-jerusalem-streets/
5th anniversary of Abraham Accords. Several articles mark the five years since the Abraham Accords were signed on the White House lawns between Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and the USA. Despite the current war, international cooperation still continues. Jewish religious events in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been restored.
https://themedialine.org/top-stories/asher-fredman-on-abraham-accords-fifth-anniversary-continuation-depends-on-peace-as-a-strategic-choice/ https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/the-abraham-accords-offer-a-model-and-a-means-for-countering-antisemitism-on-campus/ https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/414969
