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.
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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
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/
Magen David Adom UK: https://mdauk.org
USA: https://afmda.org/
Israel: https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
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/
