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
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/
