In the 14th Dec 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l An ex-hostage had his phone stolen, but he wasn’t unhappy.
l A family tragedy resulted in a new center for research into child cancer.
l Over 1,000 Evangelical Christian pastors made a solidarity visit to Israel.
l Israeli scientists have developed cacao resistant to West Africa’s drought.
l Funding for Israeli AI startups rose over 60% in 2025 to nearly $8 billion.
l Israel’s Gal Gadot is donating her $1 million Genesis prize to help heal Israelis.
l In time for Hanukah – major Hasmonean discoveries at three Israeli sites.
· Click here to see the 7th Dec 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, 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 27,800 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
Phone theft is better than being a hostage. A thief broke into the car of ex-hostage Bar Kupershtein and stole his cell phone. But he was still upbeat. He was “going to the police station to file a complaint, and not being in the tunnels thinking about what I need to eat now and whether they will bring me food.”
https://unitedwithisrael.org/former-hostage-shrugs-off-car-break-in-with-remarkable-grace/
How ex-hostage was sustained by biblical Joseph. Ditza Or, mother of ex-hostage Avinatan tells how her son was strengthened when he heard his Hamas captors praising the Biblical “Joseph The Righteous”. Ditza uses this episode to urge Israelis to unite in the same way that Joseph united his family and built a nation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Naj9pL-5WFQ
Hope for trauma sufferers. SafeHeart, a nonprofit mental-health organization created to support survivors of the music-festival massacre, was founded that very day. Since then, it has reached more than 2,500 survivors, and currently provides long-term therapy for about 1,000.
https://www.jns.org/safe-heart-for-israels-mental-health-professionals-oct-7-is-ongoing/
Gala supports Israelis in recovery. The La’aretz Foundation (see here previously) gala raised funds to help reservists rebuild livelihoods, support families in financial crisis and establish an emergency grant fund. It will also assist families affected by post-war trauma and continue to provide education scholarships to ex-IDF.
https://www.jns.org/wire/from-devastation-to-renewal-laaretz-foundation-gala-supports-israeli-families-in-recovery/ https://www.laaretz.org/
A war edition of the “Blue Box”. KKL-JNF’s “Iron Swords” blue box seeks to tell the national story of the past two years. It features broken glass, red anemones and, in Hebrew, the phrase given to the “Rising Lion” operation against Iran. “Am Ka’Lavi Yakum, v’Ka’Ari Yitnasei”.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Turning up the heat on cancer. (TY UWI & I24 News) Israeli startup New Phase (see here previously) is conducting a clinical trial on 27 patients of its heat-activated, iron-oxide nanoparticles that use heat to destroy cancer cells from the inside. It provides a low-toxicity method of slowing down metastasis and extending life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKAiqOVLCKk
Top 10 shaper. (TY Grace) Prof. Yifat Merbl, a systems biologist at Israel’s Weizmann Institute has been named to Nature’s 10, the journal’s annual list of the ten people who shaped science in 2025. It recognizes her work uncovering natural antibiotics in the “garbage” of the immune system’s proteasome (see here previously)
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/ryss8k4z11x
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-03846-3
Researching into child cancer. (TY Irene G) 12-year-old Aryeh Natanel Kluger (z”l) passed away from brain cancer in 2023. His parents founded the Aryeh Kluger Fund which has led to the creation of the ARI-PST Hub at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem. It aims to make breakthroughs in pediatric brain tumor research.
https://www.szmc.org.il/en/departments/childrens-hospital/pediatric-hematology-and-oncology/aryeh-kluger-research-center/ https://aryehkluger.org/content/2025.09.ARI-PST_Progress-Report.pdf
Movember for men’s health. Throughout November, Israeli men were urged to get regular check-ups and screenings, and to lead healthier lifestyles. The Movember campaign began in Australia (Mo is Australian slang for moustache) and focuses on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, suicide prevention and men’s mental health.
https://www.jns.org/israel-joins-movember-campaign-for-mens-health/
Learning doesn’t have to slow down with age. (TY TPS) Researchers at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and at the Stanford Center for Longevity has proved that older adults learn best when education taps into their motivations, connects new knowledge to previous experience, and allows for active engagement.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/learning-doesnt-have-to-slow-down-with-age-israeli-research-shows/
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03601277.2025.2569386
Why I don’t want to go on a diet. Scientists at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University have discovered that when obese middle-aged mice lose weight, it aggravates inflammation in the hypothalamus, a brain region that governs appetite, energy balance, and numerous essential functions. And I don’t want to stop eating cheese.
https://scitechdaily.com/midlife-weight-loss-may-trigger-unexpected-brain-inflammation/
Gala raises funds for Israeli mental health. Over 500 supporters attended the 20th Anniversary Gala of American Friends of NATAL (see here previously) hosted by Michael Rapaport in New York City. A record number of tickets were sold raising vital funds for trauma care and spotlighting Israel’s mental health crises.
Ultrasound machines help save Jamaican lives. The Israeli medical delegation that flew to Jamaica assisted local doctors in the aftermath of Hurricane Mellisa. They brought ultrasound equipment which they donated to two hospitals and trained staff to operate them. Patients discharged from ER said “Hey Israel, thank you”.
https://www.hadassah.org/story/after-hurricane-melissa-israeli-crisis-response-team-saves-childrens-lives-in-jamaica https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2clpn_YOLw
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
The first World Jewish-Zionist Youth Congress. Some 300 Jewish teenagers from Israel and the Diaspora convened in Budapest - birthplace of Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl - for the first World Jewish-Zionist Youth Congress. a state-backed initiative linking Israel’s Ministry of Education with international partners. They wrote a Global Jewish-Zionist Youth Charter and elected a council to connect young Jewish leaders.
https://www.jns.org/jewish-teens-gather-in-herzls-birthplace-to-launch-global-zionist-youth-council/
Druze, Arab enlistment rising. Druze conscription has climbed to around 85% since 7 Oct 2023, with Bedouin service remaining high and Arab Christian enlistment tripling in the past year. They now realize that Israel’s existential enemies do not distinguish between Israeli Jews, Bedouin, Christians, or foreign workers.
https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-879662
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-876669
1,000 Christian pastors support Israel. The first ever Ambassadors Summit in Jerusalem brought more than 1000 pastors to stand with Israel and combat antisemitism in Jerusalem. The gathering aimed to make what's heard in America's pulpits stronger than today's propaganda. Their main aim is reach global youth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ld0m4Ph9KQ https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-879251
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/tragedy-to-resilience-to-remembrance-to-victory-israel-reaches-out/
https://rjstreets.com/2025/12/07/a-big-day-for-diplomacy-but-a-slow-day-for-the-jerusalem-streets/
Christmas festivities return to Bethlehem. Though anti-Israel BBC reports from Bethlehem are expected, the residents are much more positive this year and hotels in the city were at 70% occupancy. Less than 10% of Bethlehem (under the Palestinian Authority) are Christians (2017 census) compared to 86% in 1950.
https://tps.co.il/articles/bethlehems-last-christians-face-persecution-violence-and-erasure/
Look whose hands are shaking. A warm chance encounter took place at the World Travel Markets fair in London. Pakistan’s Advisor & National Coordinator on Tourism to the Pakistan Prime Minister, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, greeted Israeli Tourism Ministry Director General Michael Izhakov, at the Pakistani booth.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-pakistani-tourism-officials-shake-hands-at-london-fair/
Israel joins Society of Foreign Consuls. The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, celebrating its 100th year, stated that it is “thrilled” to welcome Israel as a new member and offered the Jewish state “heartfelt congratulations.” Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in NY, said it was an important diplomatic achievement.
https://www.jns.org/society-of-foreign-consuls-in-new-york-thrilled-to-welcome-israel/
Ties with Bolivia restored. The new Bolivia’s center-right government of President Rodrigo Paz has restored diplomatic relations with Israel that were severed by the previous socialist government following the Hamas invasion. Travel visa restrictions have also been lifted. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-879824
https://worldisraelnews.com/bolivia-israel-to-renew-diplomatic-ties/
https://www.jns.org/senior-israeli-official-attends-inauguration-of-bolivian-president/
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
BGU opens new science faculty. Israel’s Ben-Gurion University has opened the Stein Faculty of Computer and Information Science. Its curriculum and research address the rapid shifts in technology, particularly the fast-paced development of AI-based solutions and information technologies.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-878946
Intelligent voyage planning. (TY Nevet) Israel’s THETIS AI is a maritime technology startup that helps shipping companies optimize their voyages using artificial intelligence. Its platform delivers real-time, data-driven voyage planning that reduces fuel consumption, lowers CO₂ emissions, and cuts operational costs.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ry9zch1axx#google_vignette
https://ats.org/ats-news/ai-for-global-shipping/ https://thetisai.com/
Best of the Best. (TY Yanky) The Israel Ministry of Defense Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D) Iron Beam laser interception system, developed with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems, has won the prestigious 2026 Aviation Week Laureate Award.
Europe’s dependence on Israeli drone tech. Interesting article on how the problems Israel has been forced to solve - detecting low-flying drones in crowded airspace, distinguishing friendly from hostile platforms, and more - are now confronting European governments. See also link to Startup Nation Central’s article.
https://www.jns.org/europes-quiet-dependence-on-israeli-drone-technology/
https://startupnationcentral.org/hub/blog/c-uas-israels-response-to-uavs/
Israel’s largest-ever public works project. The pre-qualification phase has begun for firms bidding on the $20 billion first phase of the Tel Aviv Metro underground network. Israeli and international firms will compete for construction tenders. The initial stage includes construction of 48 miles of tunnels and 59 underground stations.
https://www.jns.org/israels-largest-ever-public-works-project-gets-underway/
No bricks in the walls. (TY Yanky) The advanced XAVER 400 “Sense Through The Wall” radar imaging systems from Israel’s Camero-Tech (see here previously) are now used across nearly 60 countries in defense, law enforcement, and search and rescue. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-872935
US professors visit Israel. Over two dozen American professors (including law, political science and psychology faculties) traveled to Israel with Academic Engagement Network from Nov. 2 to 6, 2025. They learned about Israel’s legal system and challenges, and also saw the aftermath of the 7 Oct 2023 invasion.
https://www.jns.org/american-professors-visit-israel-with-academic-engagement-network/
Spotting deep fakes. Israel’s Imper.ai analyzes impersonation risk in real time across widely used communication systems, including Zoom, Teams, Slack, WhatsApp, and Google Workspace. It evaluates multiple security signals across network devices and digital personas, rather than scanning content alone.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rk9nmmjgbl https://imper.ai/
Saving the Cocoa bean. The Cacao crop in West Africa has been devastated due to drought. AgroNetica, a subsidiary of Israel’s Betterseeds (see here previously) has developed advanced CRISPR 2.0 technology to produce drought-resistant Cacao. And its "super-cacao" project addresses efficient harvesting and much more.
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Free-trade agreement with Costa Rica. Israel and Costa Rica signed a comprehensive free trade agreement in Jerusalem, introducing wide-ranging tariff cuts and updated trade rules designed to expand exports and reduce costs for consumers. Officials anticipate a substantial increase in Israeli exports from the current $32 million.
https://israfan.com/p/israel-costa-rica-free-trade-deal
AI drives Israel’s tech economy. Startup Nation Central says funding for AI-focused startups has risen from $4.9 billion in 2024 to some $7.9 billion in 2025, placing AI at the center of Israel’s growth and innovation engine. Cybersecurity has attracted $4.4 billion. Total 2025 tech funding is expected to exceed $12.3 billion.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/r1vs00gvzbl
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hk66wu4gwx
Huge demand for Israeli military products. A massive German deal for Spike missiles (see here previously) is the latest in a wave of purchases as the continent prepares for threats from Russia. And many countries that had put bans on Israeli exports or imports have been regretting it.
https://www.jns.org/many-european-countries-increasing-arms-purchases-from-israel/
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-rafael-delivers-spyder-air-defense-system-to-georgia-report-1001528937
https://www.jns.org/regrets-on-the-global-stage-as-countries-rethink-bans-on-israel/
Omri Caspi launches $100 million fund. Former Israeli NBA star Omri Caspi is expanding his Swish Ventures VC firm to manage a total of $300 million with a new $100 million Opportunity Fund,. The new fund plans to participate in roughly eight investments across cybersecurity, infrastructure technologies, and AI.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bkd82edzze
Elbit expands Virginia USA facility. Israel’s Elbit is investing $30 million its facility in Roanoke County, Virginia USA, where it makes night-vision devices for the US defense industry. It will add 288 new jobs for a total of more than 1,000 in the state. https://www.jns.org/elbit-to-invest-30-million-in-virginia-facility/
Kim Kardashian launches stores in Israel. SKIMS, the American shapewear and clothing brand founded by Kim Kardashian, will open 15 stores in Israel by 2026. SKIMS products are already available on Factory 54’s online platform, with in-stores sales at selected Factory 54 outlets across Israel starting in December.
https://www.jns.org/kim-kardashian-clothing-brand-skims-launches-stores-in-israel/
Israeli chocolate is “7th Heaven”. (TY Yanky) 7th Heaven 100% vegan chocolate (see here previously), made by Israelis Daniel and Elya Bareket, is now available in 2,000 points of sale in the US.
https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/pages/store-locator
https://www.7thheavenchocolate.com/blogs/news/7th-heaven-announces-new-oat-milk-formula
Engage with your customers. Israel’s Eikona positions its technology as an “adaptation layer” between marketers and audiences. Its engine adjusts imagery, video, microcopy and layouts, while preserving brand, product and legal requirements, based on how individuals actually engage. It improves sales & retention.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/skq3hzkgwe https://www.eikona.io/
Inspecting fresh food. AgroFresh Solutions, a global leader in post-harvest freshness systems has partnered with Israel’s Neolithics to integrate Neolithic’s AI-powered TrueFruit® inspection imaging into AgroFresh’s FreshCloud™’s packaging process. https://www.ourcrowd.com/startup-news/agrofresh-announces-new-ai-powered-imaging-and-orchard-analytics-partnerships-with-aerobotics-and-neolithics
Takeovers, exits, and mergers to 14th Dec 25. European cybersecurity company Outpost24 is establishing a new R&D center in Israel with the acquisition of Israel’s Infinipoint for tens of millions of dollars,
Investment news to 14th Dec 25: Port.io raised $100 million; Quantum Art raised $100 million; Parametrix raised $27 million; Imper.ai raised $22 million; Hud.io raised $21 million; Prime Security raised $20 million; Lumia Security raised $18 million; Shapes.co raised $15 million; Safebooks raised $15 million; Eikona raised $5 million; Medida.ai raised $4 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
“One Day In October” screens in Miami. The Lawfare Project joined a packed audience in Miami Beach for an exclusive screening of the acclaimed HBO Max series “One Day in October.” The event featured hostage survivor Omer Shemtov who was held in Hamas captivity for 505 days.
https://www.jns.org/wire/hbo-max-series-one-day-in-october-hosts-successful-screening-in-miami/
Movies in the desert. Israel’s Negev desert is becoming the new base of Israel’s film industry. It’s also being used as a tool to drive economic growth in Israel’s south. Many film makers are showing Israel in a good light, such as with “Fauda” and “Teheran”. And Israel’s relatively “small” desert makes filming more accessible.
Gal Gadot wins 2026 Genesis Prize. Israeli actress Gal Gadot will be awarded the 2026 Genesis Prize that honors Jewish contributions to humanity. She said she was humbled, and will donate her $1 million prize to organizations that will help Israelis heal, rebuild, and recover, after the Hamas terrorist attack of 7 Oct 2023.
Sweet home, Jerusalem. (TY Sam Kramer) From Dec 14-21, the Municipality of Jerusalem is holding a "Sweet JLM" Festival on Armon Hanatziv Promenade from 5pm to 10pm. It will feature stalls offering all kinds of sweets; a giant illuminated menorah; and a musical laser show over the skies of Jerusalem. Plus other events.
https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/experience/allevents/sweetjlm/
https://www.jerusalem.muni.il/en/experience/events/hanukkah/?display=gallery
Jerusalem chess championship attracts hundreds. (TY Yanky) The Jerusalem Open Rapid Chess Championship drew 450 competitors from 38 countries, including some that typically avoid participating in Israeli events. The Museum of Tolerance was chosen as an awe-inspiring venue to bring people together.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-879185
All-time highest scoring NBA Israeli. (TY WIN) Israel’s Deni Avdija scored 35 points for Portland Trail Blazers in their loss to the Detroit Pistons. His consolation was that he became the highest ever Israeli scorer in the NBA, surpassing Omri Caspi’s total of 4,642 points. He averages 25.8 points per game, ranked NBA 14th.
https://www.jns.org/avdija-becomes-israels-all-time-nba-scoring-leader/
THE JEWISH STATE
Coming home. 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/
Filipino child becomes orthodox Jew. (TY UWI) Howie Danao grew up in an affluent Tel Aviv home as the adopted son of a secular Israeli family, alongside his Filipino mother who worked as a caretaker. His success as a singer, IDF service and a Jewish-identity program changed his life.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfGgeV1NG1s
2100-year-old wall reveals its mystery. A segment of an ancient wall, over 40 meters long, and about 5 meters wide dating back to the latter part of the second century BCE, has been discovered in the Old City of Jerusalem. See the video to understand why this wall was dismantled during the reign of King John Hyrcanus 1.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/2100-year-old-mystery-unearthed-with-dismantled-hasmonean-era-wall-in-jerusalem/ https://worldisraelnews.com/ancient-wall-built-by-hasmoneans-discovered-in-jerusalem/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WG2YzqcTho
Video series brings David Ben-Gurion to life. Americans for Ben-Gurion University (A4BGU) has launched “David Ben-Gurion Speaks”, a 3-part, AI-powered video series that brings Israel’s founding prime minister to life. Together with Jewish IdeaLab, archival images and recordings were enhanced through generative AI.
https://www.jns.org/wire/a4bgu-brings-david-ben-gurion-to-life-with-new-ai-powered-video-series/
https://americansforbgu.org/news-videos/videos/dbg-speaks/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRheKlngjxw
High-school summer program. Give your teens an Israel that they'll never forget. Four immersive weeks at Alexander Muss High School, on a secure campus. Five tracks to choose from - Culinary, Entrepreneurship, Sports, Classic, Explore. A transformative summer in Israel, while following their own passions.
https://www.amhsi.org/summer-sessions https://rootone.org/ ($3,000 grants available)
The Western Wall Hanukkiah. Israeli authorities have erected the ceremonial menorah at the Western Wall for Chanukah, marking a deeply spiritual moment in the Jewish calendar for the nation.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-menorah-erected-at-western-wall-ahead-of-hanukkah/
Evidence of Judah Maccabee’s battlefield. (TY WIN) The Jewish holiday of Hanukah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees against the Seleucid Greeks. A survey at Horbat Bet Zecharia, south of Jerusalem, has found objects that match the date and profile of the famous battle described in the Book of Maccabees in 163 BCE.
Built by the Hasmoneans. The Jewish victory that lead to Hanukah also established the Hasmonean dynasty. Israeli archeologists have just discovered remains of a Hasmonean palace at Alexandrium above the Jordan Valley. And a 40-meter wall, built by the Hasmoneans was uncovered in Jerusalem’s City of David.
https://www.jpost.com/archaeology/article-879197 https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/bjvd5evmwe
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/
