In the 29th Mar 26 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Defenders of the Jewish State now include children of foreign workers.
l Israeli researchers have found genetic links to skin diseases and aging.
l Israel provided ambulances and medical treatment to Syrian civilians.
l Israel is using underground technology to build new railway lines.
l Huge demand for Israeli bonds and startups.
l Israelis make history at basketball and judoka.
l The number of Israeli weddings has soared.
· Click here to see the 22nd Mar 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 28,100 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
Children of foreign workers enlist. Following petitioning by 50 teens born in Israel, the law has been changed to allow the children of foreign workers to serve in the IDF. For years, young men and women, like them, born, raised, and educated in Israel, have pushed for the right to serve in the military.
Wounded Fauda star rejoins IDF. (TY Yanky) Two years after suffering serious injuries in combat in the Gaza Strip, Idan Amedi (star of Israeli TV hit Fauda) has resumed active reserve duty in the IDF. He has also launched a new concert tour on Feb 18 at Tel Aviv’s Homegrown Hall.
Bedouins welcome Arad & Dimona families. Israel's Bedouin community rushed to support over 100 people wounded after an Iranian missile destroyed residential buildings in Dimona and Arad. Sager Abu Srehan, vice principal at the Amal Reut School, explains why. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-891064
Israel captured Iran’s CCTV cameras. Iran built a vast network of tens of thousands of cameras to control dissent on the streets. Israel highjacked them turning them into a targeting tool. The infrastructure authoritarian states build to make their rule unassailable, also makes them visible and vulnerable.
Bus station shelter transformed. The shelter inside Tel Aviv’s Central Bus Station has been renovated and staffed by volunteers who entertain the children of residents who don’t have their own shelters.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-inside-israels-most-unique-bomb-shelter/
Revitalizing Kiryat Shmona. Even as Hezbollah target Kiryat Shmona, Israel plans to rehabilitate the northern city. It will re-open its airport to commercial flights. Also, Tel-Hai College, now merged with the MIGAL Research Institute, will relocate to the city and be upgraded to the University of Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee.
https://worldisraelnews.com/new-university-airport-revival-anchor-kiryat-shmona-rehabilitation-push/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Making medicines inside the body. Researchers at Israel’s Technion Institute have generated, in lab tests, live, harmless bacteria that produce fragile therapeutic proteins directly inside the body, and not destroyed in the stomach. Using microneedle patches they could treat war wounds, cancer, diabetes, and many other diseases.
3rd ERC grant for nanotech cancer treatment. (TY Yanky) Bar-Ilan Prof Rachela Popovtzer has been awarded her third European Research Council (ERC) grant. The Proof of Concept grant supports development of her GOLDEN-RT nanotechnology platform for more precise, effective, and safer cancer treatment,
https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/584251
Iranian cancer treatment to begin Israeli trials. Iranian Amir Heshmatpour, CEO of NeOnc Technologies, is to start trials of his brain cancer treatment at Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) hospital. Nasally-administered NeOnc bypasses the blood-brain barrier. Trials will include stage 3 and 4 patients. 24 patients are in remission.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/iranian-businessman-holds-clinical-trials-in-israel-for-cancer-drug/
Special lenses slow nearsightedness in childen. A two-year Israeli clinical study at Assuta Medical Centers and Sheba Medical Center proved that specialized lenses significantly slowed worsening nearsightedness in children. The lenses used a peripheral defocus technology known as Myoslow. Young children benefited most.
https://www.visall-brillenglas.de/en/myoslow/
World record of kidney donors. 2,000 kidney donors gathered at a Matnat Chaim (Gift of Life) event in Jerusalem, joined by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, to celebrate life, selflessness, and a world-record-setting achievement. And the Guinness Book of World Records reversed its previous decision of refusing to include it.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-2000-kidney-donors-gather-in-jerusalem-set-world-record/
Skin gene helps immune system. Researchers at Israel’s Ben-Gurion University have discovered that the gene ZNF750, essential for forming healthy skin, also supports Langerhans immune skin cells that are the frontline defense against infection. The discovery aids research into skin diseases such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/skin-gene-helps-build-bodys-immune-defense/
Longevity is 50% genetic. Research by Weizmann Institute scientists finds genetics may explain 50% of the human lifespan, over twice previous estimates which should have ignored accidents, infections and other external reasons for death. The study opens doors to therapies targeting aging itself.
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/rethinking-longevity-genes-matter-more-we-thought
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-885443
https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adz1187
Maimonides’ guide to healthy eating. King Solomon wrote “there is nothing new under the Sun”. In the 12th century, Rambam (Moses ben Maimon – a.k.a. Maimonides) wrote about a healthy diet. Follow his 10 rules and while you might not live to 120 (Rambam was only 69 when he died) but you will never put on weight.
https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/nutrition/article-885430
Is there a doctor on board? (TY Yanky) On a Lufthansa flight to Israel a 64-year-old passenger suffered a cardiac event. She was saved by two Israeli doctors, Dr. Mohammad Badarna, a senior endocrinologist at the Galilee Medical Center in Poriya, and his wife, family physician Dr. Miriam Mafra Badarna.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/sjieqhsrwe
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
100 diverse faces. Professional photographer David Shlachter has launched his project, “Hinenu: Israel at 10 Million,” to capture 100 faces and tell their life stories. It tries to answer a question: “Who is Israel right now, at this moment?” He built a spreadsheet of 100 demographic profiles and then embarked on finding subjects.
School to train prosthetists. Israel’s School of Prosthetics and Orthotics at ADI Negev rehabilitation village addresses a long-standing need for both patients and practitioners, who previously had to go abroad to train. Some 18,000 Israelis have lost limbs including 1,000 from military activities - 88 since Oct 7 2023.
Women-led farm near Egyptian border. Prime Minister Netanyahu visited Mitzpe Kmehin in the Negev, operated by female national service volunteers from the HaShomer HaChadash organization. It establishes new agricultural communities and expands existing ones in the Negev, in Arad and in Ein Yahav.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/energy-and-infrastructure/article-882976
Record number of public transportation trips. (TY Yanky) 2025 ended with an all-time record 912 million public transport trips on Israeli buses, light rail and railway. It reflects a shift from private vehicles to avoid congestion, despite public transport being reduced, and many drivers and vehicles being mobilized for the war.
Five MDA ambulances for Syrian Druze. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) has transferred five Magen David Adom ambulances to Druze medical forces in southern Syria. MDA and IFCJ said, it is another step in the Fellowship’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Druze and Christians in Syria.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421316
Syrian child treated in Israel. (TY UWI) Israeli medical NGO United Hatzalah evacuated a 5-year-old Syrian child in serious condition to Rambam Hospital after falling from a great height. United Hatzalah immediately administered emergency first aid and transported the child in an ambulance across the border..
https://jewishbreakingnews.com/syrian-child-airlifted-to-israel-after-devastating-fall/
Turtle rescue center comes out of its shell. When Yaniv Levy discovered injured sea turtle Mazal he set up a temporary treatment center. Some 27 years and NIS 30 million later, Israel’s new purpose-built National Sea Turtle Rescue Center is opening its doors to the public, with Levy as its director.
Good Deeds Day 2026. The Israeli-founded “Good Deeds Day” this year was held in Israel on March 10 (globally April 12) on the 20th anniversary of the flagship Ruach Tova project, initiated by Shari Arison of of the Arison Group in 2007. Millions of people in 115 countries have since participated in community projects
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-885235
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Israeli tech matures. Analysis by Avi Hasson, CEO of Startup Nation Central, ex-Chief scientist and Israel Innovation Authority chairman. “From scale to substance: Israeli tech’s 2025 turning point.” How discipline, concentration, and execution replaced speed and hype. A more mature, resilient era for the Start-Up Nation.
https://www.jpost.com/jerusalem-report/article-884771
Grant for humanities AI research. Two Bar-Ilan University–led projects have won part of a prestigious $11 million Schmidt Sciences award for research into artificial intelligence and humanities innovation. Dr. Shira Faigenbaum-Golovin and Prof. Yehuda Halper are unlocking hidden histories in texts, art, and cultural heritage.
https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/584121
Underground mapping. Israel Railways and Israel’s Exodigo (see here previously) have introduced a new AI-driven remote-sensing system designed to map underground infrastructure with unprecedented accuracy. It aims to cut development costs, shorten project timelines, and prevent unexpected damage to buried infrastructure.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-882956
Cyber defense agreement with Germany. Prime Minister Netanyahu and German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt have signed a cybersecurity cooperation agreement between Israel and Germany. It includes the next generation of the "Cyber Dome", a Cyber Center of Excellence, joint exercises, and cyber risk management.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-883033
Protecting planes from cyber-attacks. Boeing and Israel’s Ben-Gurion University have launched a joint aviation cybersecurity research initiative in Beersheba designed to confront the growing cyber risks facing modern aerospace systems. Boeing already uses vast amounts of Israeli technologies and suppliers.
Prisma Negev. Israel’s Ben-Gurion University has launched 'Prisma Negev,' a new center integrating academic research, data, and applied initiatives to develop practical, scalable solutions that directly benefit residents and communities across the Negev. It unites local authorities, industry, the IDF, academia, and civil society.
https://www.bgu.ac.il/en/news-and-articles/bgu-launches-prisma-negev/
Soreq B increases the flow. The Soreq B desalination plant in the center of the country has entered full operation and will produce 200 million cubic meters of water annually. The facility, located in Rishon Lezion, began operating about a year ago at 60 percent capacity.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/desalination-plant-in-central-region-goes-into-full-operation/
A phone app for the deaf. (TY UWI) Nagish (see here previously) enables hundreds of thousands of deaf and hard of hearing individuals to make phone calls. It converts text-to-speech and speech-to-text in real time. The idea came to Tomer Aharoni, a 33-year-old Israeli engineer, when he was a student at Columbia University.
https://www.jns.org/feature/us-israeli-startup-achieves-communication-breakthrough-for-the-deaf
Tesla to start autonomous driving tests. Tesla will begin supervised autonomous driving trials in Israel after receiving government approval. It represents the first step towards Israel authorizing the use of Tesla's Full-Self Driving (FSD) system, which allows the cars to operate autonomously with a supervised driver at the wheel.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-885328
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Looks like 1967? Israel experienced a significant boom following the Jun 1967 six-day war. In fact it could be classified as the genesis of the Startup Nation. 2026 is already looking to mirror the format. GDP is forecast to expand by 4.3%, the shekel is strong, the stock market is booming, and investment is at all-time high.
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-883674
$6 billion of bonds are oversubscribed. Israel successfully completed a $6 billion public offering of dollar-denominated bonds with low interest rates, that were six times oversubscribed. 300+ institutional investors participated from over 30 countries, indicating a high level of confidence in the Israeli economy.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-882593
$100 million for biotech. Israel’s Arkin Capital has closed a new $100 million biotech fund, Arkin Bio Ventures III. It will invest in advanced pre- and early- clinical-stage biotech companies developing therapies for areas of high unmet medical need, including oncology, immunology, inflammation and rare diseases.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/by2xnwzrzg
Who invests in Israeli startups? Very instructive article that explains the different objectives of foreign investors and Israeli VC investors into Israeli startups. Foreign investors essentially are looking for a “quick buck” whereas Israeli VCs want to nurture the startup until it can achieve commercial success.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bkerbckewg
Israeli US startup founders open the TASE. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange hosted a special Opening Bell Ceremony, welcoming eight prominent founders of New York–based Israeli technology companies. Nearly 500 Israeli startups are operating in New York, mainly in cybersecurity, fintech, AI, digital health and proptech.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/banking-and-finance/article-882622#google_vignette
Up-scaling in Yerushalayim. As more wealthy Jews from the Diaspora look to make Israel their home, interest is soaring for “historic”, iconic and ultra-luxury properties.
$275 million to protect helicopters. Israel’s Elbit has been awarded contracts worth $275 million to supply its advanced airborne self-protection electronic warfare suite, including its Direct Infra-Red Counter-Measure (DIRCM) system, to an Asia-Pacific country. The contracts will be delivered over five years.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-elbit-wins-275m-helicopter-protection-deal-1001531732
Exits, takeovers & mergers to 22/3/26: Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd has acquired Israel’s Zim for $4.2 billion and then sell Zim’s Israeli operation to Israeli private equity fund FIMI. Multinational Radware has acquired Israel’s Pynt for tens of millions of dollars; AI giant Nebius has acquired Israel’s agentic search startup Tavily for up to $400 million. Palo Alto Networks has acquired Israel’s Koi Security for $400 million. Israel’s Fireblocks has acquired Israel’s TRES Finance for $130 million; US giant ServiceNow has acquired Israel’s Traceloop for $60-80 million; Nvidia acquired Israel’s Illumex for $60 million. Israel’s AUI acquired Israel’s Quack AI for an estimated $15 million. Israel’s Check Point has acquired Israeli startups Cyclops, Cyata and Rotate for $150 million.
Israeli startup investments to 22/3/26. Claroty raised $150 million; Onyx Security raised $35 million; Venice raised $33 million; Orion Security raised $32 million; Native Security raised $31 million; Brandlight raised $30 million; Fig Security raised $30 million; Reco.ai raised $30 million; Adaptive6 raised $28 million; Bold Security raised $28 million; Astelia raised $25 million; Slice raised $25 million; Visitt raised $22 million; Matia.io raised $21 million; Reclaim Security raised $20 million; Solid raised $20 million; Winn.ai raised $18 million; Lema Security raised $17.5 million; Hypercore raised 13.5 million; Mesh Security raised $12 million; Niv-AI raised $12 million; Recapp raised $11 million; Chamelio raised $10 million; Limy raised $10 million; Rein Security raised $8 million; Senai raised $6.2 million; Marquee raised $2 million; American Express has invested in Israel’s Zafran Security.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
97-year-old Yaacov Agam, wins Israel Prize. 97-year-old artist Yaacov Agam is the recipient of the Israel Prize in the field of plastic arts, painting, sculpture and photography for 2026. His seven decades of plastic art, kinetic art, and op art includes the "Fire and Water" fountain in Dizengoff Square.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/jcibp7l0z
Exhibition marks Knesset building’s 60th anniversary. The Knesset’s 60th annual Tu B’Shevat celebration, featured an exhibition tracing Jewish leadership institutions from the Great Assembly and Sanhedrin to the modern Israeli parliament. It included a recently unearthed stone vessel used by Galilean Jews 1,800 years ago.
https://www.jns.org/israel-news/ancient-vessel-from-jewish-galilee-on-display-at-the-knesset
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7T0fJPS22Y4
Craft beers tell stories of war, recovery, and creativity. Israeli beer expert Doug Greener takes the lid off several new Israeli beers that add to the culture and flavor of the country. Best wait until after Passover.
https://www.jpost.com/food-recipes/article-882671
All Star. Deni Avdija has made history, becoming first-ever Israeli selected to play in the NBA All-Star Game. The achievement is one more accolade for Avdija during a breakout season, in which he’s averaging over 25 points, seven rebounds and six assists per game. This is his sixth season in the league.
Gold medal judoka is only 18. Israel’s Izhak Ashpiz was named “Prince of Tibilsi” when the 18-year-old dominated the Under 60kg Men’s Grand Slam Judo event in the capital of Georgia. Ranked officially number 14, he displayed a masterclass in varied execution to exploit weaknesses in each opponent. Next the Olympics.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/sports/article-891093
THE JEWISH STATE
International MA in Jewish Studies. Tel Aviv University announces its new International MA in Jewish Studies, a dynamic program, in English, studying Jewish civilization from antiquity to the present. It includes Biblical studies, Jewish and Semitic languages, Jewish history, culture, literature and thought.
https://english.tau.ac.il/news/international-ma-jewish-studies
Jewish charity guide – new edition. (TY Yanky) The new online edition of the UK Jewish Charity Guide has just been launched. Co-edited by Edgware’s Sharon Graham and Netanya’s Alan Gold, it covers Israel, the arts, culture, sports, education, health and welfare, disability, human rights, mental health, religion and more.
https://jewishcharityguide.co.uk/
ICEJ President is a “Pillar of Jerusalem”. Dr. Jürgen Bühler, President of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, received the “Pillars of Jerusalem” award from Jerusalem’s Mayor Moshe Lion. It recognized the ICEJ’s work in boosting Aliyah and in deepening ties between Christians and Jews.
https://www.icej.org/blog/dr-buhler-receives-pillars-of-jerusalem-award/
Half a million saplings. Last month it was Tu B’Shvat – the new year for trees. To mark the occasion, KKL-JNF distributed over 550,000 saplings. It also hosted tree-planting events, guided tours, botanical activities and visits to seed nurseries, promoting environmental awareness and a deeper appreciation for the land.
https://www.jns.org/israel-news/kkl-jnf-distributes-over-550k-saplings-to-mark-tu-bshevat
Can’t get home for Pesach? IsraelForPesach.com was launched to connect people unexpectedly staying in Israel over Passover with families willing to open their homes for holiday meals and accommodation.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/culture/article-891146#google_vignette
Meet Tel Aviv. Nefesh B’Nefesh hosted 300+ Olim at its Tel Aviv Center in the Azrieli Tower for “Meet Tel Aviv: A Community Fair for Olim" in partnership with JNF-USA. It connected Olim living in Tel Aviv with organizations, resources, and networks essential to building their lives in Israel’s most dynamic urban center.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421850
More weddings. The number of marriage registrations in Israel has increased by 6.4% in 2025 compared to 2024. The increase in northern and southern conflict areas was even more significant, e.g. Kiryat Shmona rose by 164%. Sha'ar Hanegev recorded a 67% increase. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/421615
The first tour group to walk the Pilgrimage Road. Pilgrimage Road, leading from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount – constructed during the Second Temple period – was officially opened for tourists following the recent completion of the excavations. See the first group of tourists climb up the road.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-jerusalems-famed-pilgrimage-road-opens-to-visitors/
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/
