In the 25th Jan 26 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Israeli-invented portable fridge saves lives on the battlefield.
l Israelis have proved that positive thinking makes vaccines more effective.
l Golan Heights Druze used to support Syria but now fight for Israel.
l Israel is powering ahead with investment in its energy resources.
l More huge purchases of Israeli technology in the USA and Europe.
l The world’s oldest working journalist celebrated his 102nd birthday.
· Click here to see the 11th Jan 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.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Combat fridge. (TY Hazel) IDF reservist and industrial design graduate Oz Lotati, developed a portable blood bank fridge powered by standard military radio batteries, vehicle outlets, or solar, engineered to withstand combat conditions. Oz said, “I saw with my own eyes what it means to be in the field without blood available”.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/bkfyjr5ezg
Assuta was ready when necessary. Israel’s newest public hospital, Assuta Ashdod, was never meant to be a primary destination for emergency helicopter evacuations from Gaza. But being only 16 miles from Gaza, it treated 60% of soldiers injured in the war’s most severe phases, with a 96% survival rate.
https://www.jpost.com/conferences/article-883491
Lessons for NATO from Gaza war. (TY Hazel) Maj. (ret.) Andrew Fox served for 16 years in the British Army. He writes that the 2023-25 war in Gaza provides timely lessons for NATO forces, their governments and their allies for intense combat in densely populated cities. IDF medical experience can keep UK troops alive.
https://x.com/Mr_Andrew_Fox/status/2008546949260095578
Wounded IDF soldier proposes to his nurse. IDF soldier Itamar, critically wounded in Gaza after Oct 7 2023, endured a long road of recovery. He was supported every step of the way by volunteer nurse Maya. When Itamar had fully recovered he proposed to Maya. The answer, of course, was “Yes”.
Correction. (TY Nevet) Last week’s newsletter said that the Shah of Iran’s son recently visited Israel. It was actually in Apr 2023. My apologies.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
How cells survive and regenerate. (TY TPS) Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have identified that caspases enzymes allow severely damaged tissue to regenerate after widespread destruction. The findings can help treat burns victims, but could also help stop cancer cells from recovering after chemotherapy.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-scientists-pinpoint-tissue-regenerating-cells-offering-hope-for-cancer-and-burn-victims/ https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/resurrected-tissue
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65996-2
Early detection of IBD flares. Nachi Natan at Israel’s Weizmann Institute has developed Navigut - genetically engineered bacteria that sends a signal in urine tests if it detects gut inflammation. His colleague Ofir Bar’s Wellnitor is a wearable patch designed to monitor stress levels that may predict disease activity.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/s1vlrjx4we
Mind over matter. A breakthrough controlled study by Tel Aviv University, Technion, and Tel Aviv Medical Center (Ichilov) used fMRI neurofeedback technology to stimulate the brain’s reward system. It increased the antibodies produced from subsequent vaccinations, compared to those not stimulated.
https://www.sciencealert.com/positive-thinking-may-help-you-get-more-out-of-your-vaccines
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-04140-5
Hebrew U’s top 10 for 2025. (TY Hazel) Hebrew University scientists in 2025 invented adhesive that bonds to almost anything, yet is released by a microwave oven. Also created hundreds of novel antibacterial entities that bacteria have never encountered. And combined theobromine and arainosine to stop deadly flu in its tracks.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/spotlight/ten-discoveries-that-shaped-the-year/
Helping heal traumatized children. NGO Early Starters International Israel has created a therapeutic space, in the northern Israel town of Shlomi, for children recovering from trauma. The space integrates all five senses - sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste - to create an environment of safety, calm, and predictability.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-883709
1,000 doctors made Aliyah in last 2 years. 541 physicians made Aliyah in 2025 through the International Medical Aliyah Program – over 1,000 in the past two years, during a time of war. The National Conference for Immigrant Physicians in Israel aims to accelerate their integration into Israel’s healthcare system.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/syy2c9dsbe
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Support for orphans of IDF parents. Israel’s Bereaved Families Law has been amended to provide additional funds and support for IDF orphans. An orphan is recognized up to the age of 30. It includes monthly stipends to orphans up to age 40, and a one-time grant for orphans over 40.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421119
Women in the IDF. (TY Hazel) 8,500 women served in IDF combat roles in 2025, more than double 2020 levels. Some 5,000 enlisted in 2025, nearly ten times that of a decade ago. 65,000 women have served in the reserves since Oct 7 2023. There are currently six female combat battalion commanders.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/sy138rbr11l
Golani Druze turn to Israel. Druze communities in the Golan Heights (originally supporters of Assad of Syria), are increasingly aligning with Israel. Many have joined IDF-linked local defense units to protect their homes and future. See video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXrIo7VS5tY
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-the-druze-of-the-golan-embrace-a-historic-turn-toward-israel/
Zimbabwean teen thanks Israel. Takudzwa Chitima, 15, thanked Dr. Lior Sasson of Israeli NGO Save A Child’s Heart) after undergoing complex pediatric heart surgery. He was just 21 months old when he arrived in Israel in 2012, suffering from a rare and life-threatening congenital heart condition.
https://www.jns.org/zimbabwean-teen-returns-to-israel-to-thank-the-doctor-who-saved-him/
The Karlin Expo. (TY Yanky) The Karlin Hassidic sect is led by Rabbi Baruch Meir Shochat, who encourages enlistment in the IDF. He is also behind the recently organized Karlin Business Fair at Jerusalem’s Binyanei HaUmah) Convention center) that displayed the wares of business owners in the Karlin community,
Medicine doesn’t discriminate. Nice example of Jewish and Muslim Israeli medics changing the perception of (most of) the media-indoctrinated public to understand that Israel gives equal opportunities to all its citizens.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-medics-disprove-apartheid-myth-in-israel/
Lithuanian medics visit MDA campus. The Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, Marija Jakubauskiene, arrived for a visit to the MDA Campus in Ramla, accompanied by her deputy and 13 senior medical officials from Lithuania, together with Lithuania’s Ambassador to Israel, Audrius Bruzga.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421293
Advancing education with UAE. Israel’s first-ever education delegation concluded an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. The Education Ministers of both states pledged to expand cooperation in education and higher learning. The Israelis visited UAE and Jewish learning institutions, plus the Abrahamic Family House.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-education-minister-meets-counterpart-during-uae-trip/
Blooming support from Dutch Christians. Dutch NGO Christians for Israel have planted 150,000 tulips in Israel, including more than 50,000 that are blooming throughout the Gaza border area.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/150000-tulips-donated-by-dutch-christians-starting-to-bloom-in-israel/
Endangered penguin chick born. Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem celebrated the hatching of a black-footed penguin chick - a species in decline and in serious danger of extinction. The new chick, named Ofek, is currently 37 cm tall and weighs only 1 kg. In the future, it could reach up to 70 cm, and weigh between two and five kg.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/674681
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Promoting pioneering energy startups. (TY TPS) Israel has awarded grants totaling $4.2 million, to 18 projects spanning renewable energy, energy storage, alternative fuels, and advanced infrastructure technologies. They include eStreet’s vehicle charging, and Solarwin’s smart solar shading system
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israel-awards-4-2m-in-grants-to-pioneering-energy-startups/
Seven power stations under construction. New Israeli power stations are being built – They include Mivtach Shamir's Kesem power plant, the Ari Real Estate's power station in Givat Haviva, the Shimshon plant near Beit Shemesh, Eshkol 2 and Sorek 2, and now the Atarot power plant north of Jerusalem.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-new-jerusalem-power-plant-given-green-light-1001530568
Sea the future. Israel launched, in Eilat, the “Sea the Future 2026” international conference on food security and aquaculture. Some 400 researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and industry figures discussed sustainable marine food production.
US-Israel AI strategic partnership. Senior U.S. and Israeli officials including Israel’s Foreign Minister and the US Ambassador to Israel have launched, in Jerusalem, a strategic partnership on artificial intelligence. The agreement forms part of the Pax Silica initiative, a framework advancing advanced technology collaboration.
https://thej.ca/2026/01/20/israel-and-united-states-launch-strategic-ai-and-technology-partnership-under-pax-silica-initiative/ https://www.jns.org/us-israel-launch-strategic-partnership-on-ai-in-jerusalem/
Subsidized supercomputer access. Israel has rolled out a national supercomputer to be used by the high-tech industry and academia at low cost (see here also). As part of the National Program for AI R&D Infrastructure (Telem Program), it will allocate computing resources to high-tech firms (70%) and research groups (30%).
https://www.jns.org/israel-offers-subsidized-ai-computing-to-boost-tech-research/
Data stays in; hackers stay out. Israel’s Zeroport has developed a new secure way for trusted users to access the company network from remote locations. Instead of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), Zeroport’s Fantom creates a physical non‐IP bridge at network boundaries. No malware can get in, and no data can get out.
https://www.zeroport.com/ https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hjongcibzg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IRDGzG5r00
SafeWax on the way. Since 2022 Israel’s Technion Institute has been developing SafeWax coating to protect crops from fungal infection (see here previously). The research has now been published in “SafeWax: A Bio-Inspired Multifunctional Coating for Sustainable Crop Protection.” Implementation is likely within 2 years.
https://safe-wax.eu/news-events/safewax-featured-in-an-article-on-the-hayom-website/
https://www.jpost.com/science/article-883647
A production line of surprises. (TY Rhoda) Father of Iron Dome, Defense R&D chief Dr. Daniel Gold discusses Iran, lasers, AI and the weapons still under wraps. The Iron Beam laser system is another of his decisions. And several more weapons that may one day surprise everyone are already in the pipeline.
https://www.ynetnews.com/magazine/article/bju3rg11rzx
Tell me what you want. Israel’s Legato, was founded by female entrepreneurs Dana Rochman and Shlomit Tennenbaum. Users simply describe their requirements in plain language, and Legato instantly generates production-ready software. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-883895
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/symx3m6s11x https://www.legato.ai/
Making cars safer. Škoda Auto (see here) has signed a new cybersecurity partnership with Israel’s Upstream (see here previously). Skoda will use Upstream’s vehicle-focused extended detection and response platform to monitor cyber risks across its connected cars, backend systems, applications and supply chain infrastructure.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/skoda-and-israeli-cybersecurity-firm-team-up-to-make-cars-safer/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
$450 million to bolster tech sector. The Israel Innovation Authority has announced a planned government investment of approximately $450 million in Israeli venture capital funds through its government-backed Yozma Fund. It is expected to generate more than $2 billion in total fundraising.
https://www.jns.org/israel-invests-450-million-in-vc-funds-to-bolster-tech-sector/
Millions for fledgling Israeli startups. New US venture fund Striker Venture Partners, which recently raised $165 million and is co-led by IDF veteran Matan Lamdan, says it will put half of its initial investments into early-stage Israeli tech firms in hot fields of AI and cybersecurity.
Top 10 visitors to Azerbaijan. (TY WIN) Israelis were among the top 10 foreign visitors to Azerbaijan this year with 60,000 Israelis tourists and 90,000 connecting through Baku. . “Israelis can walk the streets speaking Hebrew without fear and wear Jewish symbols feeling safe,” said Ambassador Mukhtar Mammadov.
https://www.jns.org/israelis-among-top-10-foreign-visitors-to-azerbaijan/
86,000 foreign workers. More than 86,000 foreign workers have come to Israel since the war began.- mostly from Thailand and India. Half work in construction, but also in agriculture, in supermarkets, car repair shops, and as caregivers. They replaced some 190,000 Palestinian Arabs, of which under 10,000 now work in Israel.
https://www.jns.org/war-driven-labor-shortage-pushes-israel-toward-asian-workers/
Drones for US military. (TY Hazel) The U.S. military has selected the HERO-90 loitering munition system developed by Israel’s UVision to give soldiers on the ground the ability to strike armored and fortified targets with precision. HERO drones are already being produced for the German army (see here previously).
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/67495
Protection for NATO tanks. EuroTrophy GmbH, the German subsidiary of Israel’s defense group Rafael, has signed a €330 million contract with KNDS Deutschland to supply its Trophy active protection system (APS) for the Leopard 2 A8 main battle tank programs of Lithuania, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Croatia.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sylrighswx
Israeli companies thrive in Europe. VC fund Planven, KPMG, and IT Hub Israel, found that Israeli tech firms operating in Europe increased their European headcount by an average of about 5% per year since 2023. In Jan 2025, 1,686 Israeli tech companies had 32,617 employees compared to 30,936 in 2024.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/despite-boycott-calls-israeli-tech-companies-expanded-european-hiring-during-gaza-war/ https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/bk2c9rymzx
Israeli airlines expand schedules. 2026 looks good for tourists to and from Israel. El Al has some 900 weekly flights to 50+ summer destinations including a record 55 to North America. Israir has new routes to Dusseldorf, Bari, Crete, Bologna, & Tashkent. Arkia is to fly to Malaga & Ibiza. Blue Bird & TUS also have new routes.
https://www.ynetnews.com/travel/article/ryuco7enzg
El Al pays a dividend. El Al will distribute its first dividend since 2017. El Al's board of directors has decided to distribute a cash dividend to shareholders, for profits from the first three quarters of 2025.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-el-al-to-pay-first-dividend-since-2017-1001531190
Big deals for renewable energy companies. Israel’s Nofar Energy has bought a solar energy portfolio of nine projects in the US from a bankrupt company called Pine Gate for $285 million. Israel’s Doral Energy is expanding in the US. And in Israel, Enlight is to provide electricity and energy storage to Israel’s Mivne group.
Exits, takeovers & mergers to 25/1/26: US cybersecurity Crowdstrike has acquired Israel’s Seraphic for around $400 million. Multinational Etraveli has acquired Israel’s AI flight booking startup Wenrix for $200-$300 million. Israel’s Tasq.ai and Israel’s BLEND have merged. Israel’s Comm-it has acquired Israel’s Savannah for several million dollars. PayPal has acquired Israel’s Cymbio for hundreds of millions of dollars. Israel’s Base (Crowdvocate) has acquired Israel’s EverAfter AI for an estimated $20 million.
Israeli startup investments to 25/1/26. Claroty raised $150 million (value $3 billion); Torq raised $140 million (new Unicorn); Datarails raised $70 million; Novee raised $51.5 million; Atlas Invest raised $25 million; Converge Bio raised $25 million; IO-River raised $20 million; Klearly raised $14 million; Zeroport raised $10 million; Legato raised $7 million; Yuki raised $6 million. Carebestie raised $4.4 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Israel Museum at 60. More exhibits for Jerusalem’s Israel Museum’s 60th anniversary (see here for previous). “Ages of the World,” a monumental, installation by Germany’s Anselm Kiefer. Also Israel’s Lea Nikel’s color-drenched canvases “Path to Eden”. Plus “The Medium and the Message: Six Centuries of Printmaking.”
Speak to Israeli Prime Ministers. A new exhibition, marking the 10th anniversary of the Friends of Zion Museum (FOZ) in Jerusalem, has interactive holograms of most of the 14 prime ministers who have led Israel from 1948, beginning with David Ben-Gurion and ending with Benjamin Netanyahu.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/new-jerusalem-exhibition-lets-you-talk-to-israels-premiers/
Israel’s largest winery exhibition. Israeli wine lovers gathered in Tel Aviv for Sommelier, the country’s largest annual winery exhibition. Its popularity signaled a recovery to the whole wine industry. Israel’s 300 wineries produce 40-45 million bottles of wine annually.
https://www.jns.org/lechaim-israels-wine-industry-raises-a-glass-to-recovery/
Happy birthday Walter. (TY Sharon) The Real Jerusalem Streets celebrated the 102nd birthday of the world’s oldest journalist and radio personality Walter Bingham. At his Jerusalem home, Walter hosted US Ambassador Mike Huckabee and Janet, his wife.
https://rjstreets.com/2026/01/18/when-the-sun-came-out-over-the-jerusalem-streets/
Mount Hermon ski resort opens. The ski resort at Mount Hermon opened to visitors for the first time this year, after snow piled on Israel’s highest mountain. Entry to the site requires booking in advance via the Ski Hermon website and nearby lodging facilities are nearly fully booked. The IDF has trained to protect visitors.
https://www.jns.org/israels-ski-resort-opens-as-snow-covers-mount-hermon/
https://www.jns.org/idf-alpinist-unit-completes-training-on-syrian-hermon/
How low can you run? (TY Yanky) The most popular marathon in the world – the Dead Sea Marathon – on 6 Feb 2026 is already sold out. This marathon in the lowest place in the world, allows runners to cross the sea on salt embankments in a desert landscape. https://deadsea.run/en/
THE JEWISH STATE
Largest-ever Israel fair for gap-year students. Nefesh B’Nefesh held its largest Israel Fair, “Here Next Year” with 600 gap-year participants, all interested in exploring pathways to Aliyah and long-term life in Israel. Some 32 booths focused on Aliyah, Israeli universities, Sherut Leumi national service and more.
The IDF’s Hoshen plan. (TY Yanky) The IDF’s new 5-year plan includes groundbreaking advances in AI, robotics, and space defense, to revolutionize Israel’s military capabilities. The plan has been dubbed “Hoshen” in reference to the biblical breastplate that the Jewish High Priest consulted to interpret messages from above.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-883121
Training course for Priests and Levites. Mamlechet Kohanim runs a basic training course using life-sized replicas of Temple vessels - including an altar and menorah. Meanwhile, Beyadenu trains Levites to sing on Temple Mount (where members ascend to areas permitted under Jewish law), as per the Levites of old.
https://www.jns.org/priestly-and-levite-guilds-prepare-for-temple-revival/
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/
