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.
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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
How to help Israel. Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (Select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA - https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union - https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Help rebuild Soroka: https://www.soroka.org/
And Weizmann: https://weizmann-usa.org/
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA - https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe - https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada - https://www.israelbonds.ca/
