In the 22nd Mar 26 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Israeli tech companies expand even in wartime.
l An Israeli biotech is developing replacement organs from skin cells.
l The first Israeli woman to command a missile boat.
l Israelis are still the 8th happiest people in the world.
l Israelis develop the latest technology to handle the heat.
l Latest statistics are good news for Israel’s economy.
l Israel’s sportsmen and women strike gold.
l Samoa will be the 8th foreign embassy in Jerusalem.
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Lungs from fallen soldier give new life. Israel’s Rabin Medical Center achieved its 1,000th lung transplant using organs from a fallen IDF soldier for a man battling chronic lung disease.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-fallen-idf-soldiers-lungs-give-life-to-another/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubd376l9z7M
IDF amputee turns tragedy into triumph. Wounded IDF soldier Ari Spitz opened up about the devastating injuries he sustained while fighting in Gaza and how he worked to overcome them, becoming an inspiration to other wounded soldiers and the world.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-idf-amputee-reveals-how-he-turned-tragedy-into-triumph/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc-RRJ_Kg8k
Police spokesman protects Arab child. Israeli Police International Spokesman Dean Elsdunne shared a video showing him placing his own helmet on an Arab child as sirens rang out in Jerusalem.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-police-spokesman-protects-arab-child-from-missile-attack/
Tech expansion continues. Two weeks into the war with Iran, Israeli high-tech companies continue to recruit hundreds of employees, even under fire, with a net annual increase of 5%. Tech investment for Q4 2025 was 45% higher than 2024. Tech firms are increasing their workforce in Europe, despite political challenges.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-tech-firms-expanded-their-workforces-in-europe-during-war-study-shows/ https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/cdzdrd6pl
How Israeli Innovation Is Shaping the War With Iran. In this webinar, Prof Jacob Nagel of Israel’s Technion Institute, explains the role of Israeli defense technologies - many developed by Technion alumni - in protecting citizens, soldiers, and critical infrastructure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irdy7feaN88
Support for Oct 7 orphans. New York fashion designer Marlene Kolangi has founded Israel Orphans of 10/7. It funds key life milestones, including bar and bat mitzvahs, education expenses and weddings, and offers emotional support services such as play therapy. It also sets up long-term savings accounts for each child.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/ny-fashion-designer-launches-initiative-to-help-oct-7-orphans/
https://www.israelorphansof10seven.org/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Cells that can grow replacement organs. Israel’s Renewal Bio, a startup spun out of Israel’s Weizmann Institute, is turning skin cells into stem cells that can be grown into replacement organs for cancer patients or to cure rare orphan diseases. They simulate embryonic development – and even employ a womb-like incubator.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/f2op09yes https://www.renewal.bio/
4-minute heart arteries test. Israel’s AccuLine conducted a trial of its CORA non-invasive coronary artery test on 305 heart patients. It was 94% correct in predicting blockages and 99% correct in giving the all-clear. Easier, faster, cheaper or more accurate than angiographs, imaging or stress tests.
https://sharingfromisrael.substack.com/p/israeli-startup-acculine-heart-disease-detection-cora
Living pancreas is possible. Technion and top US university researchers have conducted lab trials of an implantable 'living pancreas'. It senses glucose, produces insulin, while its crystalline shield prevents immune system rejection. It paves the way for self-regulating, long-term diabetes treatment without daily injections.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hyfay5gdwe
Why cancer spreads to the brain. A Tel Aviv University-led international team, has deciphered a mechanism that enables breast cancer to metastasize to the brain. They found an anomaly in chromosome 17 and faulty p53 (“genome guardian”) genes increased the risk of cancer spread. Inhibiting the SCD1 enzyme greatly lowered it.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/breast-cancer-mechanism
Blood cancer treatment for brain diseases. Weizmann scientists are now developing Israeli-invented CAR-T cancer therapy to cure brain diseases such as Alzheimer's. The team of Israeli and American scientists have modified T cells to recognize and respond to amyloid proteins in the brain.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-world-first-israeli-researchers-use-blood-cancer-treatment-for-alzheimers-in-mice/ https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2530977123
Treating resistant OCD. Surgeons at Rambam Medical Center used deep brain stimulation on a patient with severe Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder that failed to respond to medication or psychotherapy. Four electrodes were implanted in two separate regions of the brain, handling anxiety, emotional regulation, & impulse control.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/rambam-medical-center-finds-solution-for-treatment-resistant-ocd/
Israeli record for organ transplants. Jan 2026, saw the highest number of organ transplants ever recorded in Israel in a single month - 54 on 47 patients. 7 hearts, 9 lungs (including 7 doubles), 9 livers, and 21 kidneys. The previous record was 36 transplants back in 2024. There were also 78 corneas, 6 heart valves, plus others.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-887040
I can see it in your face. Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that facial mimicry (copying a speaker’s facial movements) can reveal preferences better than interpreting smiles, frowns etc. The team used unique technology to track micro-movements of the face that are invisible to the naked eye.
https://www.aftau.org/news_item/tau-study-facial-mimicry-is-part-of-the-decision-making-process/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00351-1
Israeli medical scientists visit UK. A delegation of ten top Israeli genomics and biodata experts visited the UK to explore new channels for joint innovation in the life sciences. Meetings took place in London’s Knowledge Quarter research cluster included at University College London and the Francis Crick Institute.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-uk-scientists-team-up-on-genome-project/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Free clothes for students in need. Michal Mizrahi, a teacher at ORT Singalovski High School, made a spare schoolroom into a small retail shop. Students can help themselves to new and nearly new clothing without embarrassment. Some students chose items not only for themselves but also for younger siblings at home.
First Israeli female naval missile boat commander. The IDF has appointed the first-ever female missile boat commander, Lt.-Cmdr. R. She was previously a missile boat deputy commander and commander of a Dvora-class vessel. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-887133
IDF unit for soldiers with disabilities. The IDF marked a milestone in inclusion with the inauguration of the Douglas Unit, a new initiative dedicated to soldiers with disabilities and special needs. One soldier, Maayan Mangadi is autistic and nearly mute. She received her IDF uniform from her brother in the elite Matpa Unit.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israels-military-launches-new-unit-for-soldiers-with-disabilities/
Wiz stock donation worth NIS 1 billion for charity. The founders of Israel’s Wiz (sold to Google for $32 billion) have pledged 1% of Wiz’s shares for future donations through the Merit Spread Foundation.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ryu83jhfwg
140,000 tarpaulins for Gaza. Israel facilitated the transportation of 140,000 tarpaulins to the residents of Gaza ahead of the winter. The IDF has also supplied 370,000 winter items for its troops.
https://www.jns.org/edited-pub-tues-israel-facilitates-140000-tarpaulins-for-gaza-ahead-of-winter/
Ties with Republic of Srpska. The election of Siniša Karan as the new President of the Republic of Srpska (Serb Republic) will deepen ties between the two countries. Prime Minister Netanyahu sent a message of congratulations. In January, the PM hosted two Bosnian Serb leaders in Jerusalem.
https://www.jns.org/netanyahu-sees-growing-ties-with-the-serb-republic/
Somaliland delegation arrives in Israel. The first official Somaliland delegation arrived in Israel. Its mission was to establish professional ties and explore how Israeli water technology and agricultural expertise can help address urgent development needs back home.
https://israfan.com/p/somaliland-delegation-israel-water-technology-cooperation
Still happy. Despite the ongoing war, Israel maintained its eighth position in the 2026 World Happiness Report. Those under 25 rank as the happiest age group within the country and place third worldwide - far ahead of their peers in many Western nations. In the United States, for example, young people rank around 60th.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Israel hosts major cybersecurity summit. Israel’s reputation as a cybersecurity powerhouse was on full display at the CyberTech Tel Aviv - one of the largest gatherings in the world of the cybersecurity community.. Government officials, startups, and international investors met to address the growing cyber threats.
Massive desalination project for the North. Israel is constructing its largest-ever desalination project - a 21km, 2 billion shekels system that will send 200 million cubic meters of purified seawater north. It will revive drought-stricken landscapes, secure water for millions, and permanently transform the region’s water future.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israels-giant-desalination-lifeline-for-a-dry-north/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-PctQX9PN8
Harvesting waste heat. Israel’s Thermagix is building a patented, economical platform to capture low-grade heat for producing electricity and / or cooling. It comprises Phase Change Thermoacoustic technology with outstanding heat dissipation capabilities for data centers.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/dfpboxzg9 https://www.thermagix.com/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bI63uIG3Y2g
Upgrading solar heaters. Israel plans to phase out the ubiquitous “Dude Shemesh” - rooftop solar water heaters, in favor of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells that power heat pumps, which are 2.5 to 4 times more energy-efficient than standard electric boilers. The NIS 4,500 cost pays back in about 4 years.
350 F-35 wings. The wings on the F35 jet fighter are made of unique composite materials and Automatic Fiber Placement (AFP) technology by Israel Aerospace Industries. IAI has just delivered its 350th F-35 jet wing to overall jet manufacturer Lockheed Martin. https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-886139
Successful construction planning. Israel’s Constrol turns buildings into computable financial models, enabling fast, accurate, and lower risk estimation at scale and ultimately lowering construction costs. It has supported the estimation of projects with a cumulative value of over $50 billion across Israel, Europe, and the US.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bcansfvdc https://www.constrol.com/
AI to recruit sports professionals. Israel’s Marquee has developed an AI-native operating system for recruitment departments in pro team sports. It matches the club’s sporting DNA, financial constraints and the prospects abilities to make recommendations. It also automates some 70% of the manual recruitment work.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/kbfidxotv https://www.themarquee.ai/
Cosmic. An international team, led by Israel’s Technion Institute researchers has measured cosmic rays at the heart of a galactic nebula located 400 light-years from Earth for the first time. Using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, they analyzed the Barnard 68 nebula, opening a new field of astrophysics research.
Watch the tech. From coral reef restoration to the new space revolution, from building a thriving high-tech company to science and entrepreneurship in the fight against cancer: all the lectures from the Unexpected Innovation event at Israel’s Technion Institute are now available to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW3u28VuDAHJvnZ-_PmBTjaH6jUfy4c1m
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Record average wage. Israel’s average wage of 14,677 shekels ($4,753) increased by 3.1% compared to December 2024. The December 2025 figure was 0.1% higher than the previous record set in March and up 8% from November, when the average wage was 13,588 shekels ($4,400).
https://www.jns.org/edited-pub-thur-israel-average-wage-hits-record-4753-in-december/
Tax revenues soar. The Israel Tax Authority collected a record NIS 509.3 billion in 2025, up 12% from 2024. Israel’s fiscal deficit at end 2025 was 4.7% compared to 6.8% at end 2024. A key reason is the successful implementation of the Tax Authority's digital invoices program, which reduces loopholes for tax evasion.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-tax-collection-in-israel-up-12-in-2025-1001531232
$165 million for enterprise tech. Israel’s StageOne Ventures has raised a new $165 million venture capital fund aimed at backing early-stage Israeli enterprise technology startups. It will focus on startups building AI infrastructure, cybersecurity, physical AI, agentic orchestration, vertical AI, etc.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/synq7ee5zg
$140 million for Israeli cyber and AI. Israel’s Hetz Ventures has closed a $140 million fourth fund, in wartime, for investing in Israeli cybersecurity and AI infrastructure. Managing partner Judah Taub said, “Fund IV is not just a vote of confidence in Hetz, but in the Israeli ecosystem at large.”
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjnpgr9ebx
India defense deal is worth $8.6 billion. The total value of the defense order by India that included Jan 2026’s 1,000 SPICE missiles was $8.6 billion. Defense sales to India from 2020 to 2024 were worth $20.5 million, and the current trend is increasing.
https://www.israpundit.org/india-and-israel-sign-8-6-billion-defense-agreement/
More protection for NATO. Israel’s Elbit has been awarded new contracts worth $150 million, for its Iron Fist Active Protection System (APS). These will be integrated into CV90 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) operated by European NATO member states. In one demonstration Iron Fist intercepted 12 120mm tank rounds.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-elbit-wins-150m-armored-forces-protection-deal-1001531201
Highly valued. Israel’s NetVision went public on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange in 2021. Then it was worth NIS 407 million. Today its value is NIS 21 billion. Its lightweight stabilized cameras are ideal for drones, e.g. for Israel’s Elbit, IAI, UVision Air, and Aeronautics. Its order backlog is $223 million.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/b100hn8t4bg
More El Al direct flights. El Al is launching nonstop services to Hanoi, Seoul and Manila from Tel Aviv, marking a major expansion of its service to Asia. The thrice-weekly flights to each city will bring to a record 60 the number of destinations serviced by El Al.
https://worldisraelnews.com/el-al-to-fly-to-vietnam-korea-and-the-philippines/
40-storey tower rises in Jerusalem. The 40-storey Marom Tower is the flagship office building for the new business center being constructed at the Jerusalem Gateway district at the Western entrance to Yerusahalayim. Eventually, 20 high-rise towers will house some 60,000 employees.
https://worldisraelnews.com/historic-40-story-marom-tower-rises-at-jerusalems-new-gateway/
Astera Labs opens Israeli R&D center. US semiconductor manufacturer Astera Labs has opened an Israel R&D hub to tap into local talent and develop high-performance AI connectivity technologies. It has rented offices in Tel Aviv and Haifa and is planning to hire hundreds of employees by the end of 2027.
Exits, takeovers & mergers to 22/3/26: US giant ServiceNow has acquired Israel’s Pyramid Analytics for hundreds of millions of dollars. Dutch-based Nebius has acquired Israel’s Tavily for an estimated $275 million. Israel’s Trax has merged with multinational Form. Israeli-founded Varonis has acquired AllTrue.ai for $150 million. Israeli-founded Semperis has acquired MightyID for an estimated $20 million. Medtronic is to acquire Israel’s CathWorks for $585 million. Apple is acquiring Israel’s Q.ai for an estimated $1.5 billion. Radware acquired Israel’s Pynt for tens of millions of dollars.
Israeli startup investments to 22/3/26. Vast Data raised $1 billion (value 30 billion); Upwind raised $250 million (new Unicorn); Tomorrow.io raised $175 million (new Unicorn); XTEND raised $152 million (IPO); Wonderful AI raised $150 million (value $2 billion); Oasis Security raised $120 million; Lyte raised $107 million; Factify raised $63 million; ZyG raised $58 million; Gambit Security raised $56 million; Guidde raised $50 million; Nimbleway raised $47 million; Cylake raised $45 million; Jazz Security raised $43 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Here come the storks. Some 140 of the season’s first storks have arrived at the Hula Lake Park, marking the start of the major spring migration. The male birds fly in first, in order to build or reinforce existing nests before the females arrive. An estimated 600,000 storks will pass over Israeli skies in the coming months.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/422435
Exporting kangaroos from Israel. Gan Guru in Beit She’an is the only animal park outside Australia with kangaroos that roam freely. 20 Gan Guru kangaroos flew from Israel as part of a donation to the Moscow Zoo. They were flown via Abu Dhabi by Etihad Cargo, which also flew 6 zebras from Israel to India.
https://en.port2port.co.il/article/Air-Transport/Airlines/Etihad-Cargo-Undertakes-Complex-Logistics-Operation-Flying-Kangaroos-from-Israel-to-MoscowEtihad-Cargo-Executes-Complex-Logistics-Operation-Flying-Kangaroos-from-Israel-to-Moscow/ https://gangaroo.co.il/en/
Israeli bobsleigh team qualify for Olympics. For the first ever time the Israeli bobsleigh team has qualified for the Winter Olympic Games. Even when they were robbed of their passports and thousands of dollars of money, equipment and accessories, they went straight back into training, showing true Israeli spirit.
https://worldisraelnews.com/in-first-israeli-bobsleigh-team-qualifies-for-winter-olympics/
So many medals. Israelis won 17 medals at the IMMAF European Championship in Serbia. 15-year-old Guy Pariente and Alon Avital won gold. Maya Day and Maya Behar won gold at the JJIF Genoa Open Ju-Jitsu Grand Prix in Italy. Israeli windsurfer Sharon Kantor won silver at the iQFOiL International in Spain.
More sporting achievements. Israel’s women fencing team won the gold medal in Abu Dhabi while the men’s squad captured gold in Switzerland. Meanwhile, Noa Szőllős earned Israel’s first-ever World Cup points in alpine skiing, in the slalom in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-fencers-win-gold-in-abu-dhabi-and-switzerland/
THE JEWISH STATE
2,000-year-old stone factory in Yerushalayim. A large stone tool workshop from the Second Temple period, which produced tools for Jews some 2,000 years ago, was uncovered in a cave on the slopes of Mount Scopus in Jerusalem. The Israel Antiquities Authority saw thieves enter the cave with excavation equipment.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/422486
Hasmonean era slingshot discovered. A circa 2,100-year-old sling bullet inscribed with the word “Learn” in Greek has been unearthed during excavations at Sussita in the Galilee. It may have been used by the Greek defenders of the city against the Hasmonean army of King Alexander Jannaeus in 101 BCE.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00310328.2026.2641294#abstract
Holocaust survivor, 96, makes Aliyah. Holocaust survivor Charlotte Roth, 96, arrived in Israel nearly 80 years after liberation from the Nazis. Born in Czechoslovakia, she survived Auschwitz and a death march. She has 9 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren, many living in Israel.
https://www.jns.org/holocaust-survivor-96-makes-aliyah-to-israel/
Samoa to open embassy in Jerusalem. Samoa has announced plans to open an embassy in Jerusalem next year, becoming the latest Pacific Island nation to establish a diplomatic presence in the Israeli capital. Diplomatic ties have expanded in recent years, thanks mainly to Israel’s international aid agency, MASHAV.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy/artc-samoa-to-open-embassy-in-jerusalem-in-2026
