In the 25th Oct 2026 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Amazing sporting successes by permanently injured Israeli soldiers.
l Sheba is ranked the 6th smartest medical center in the world.
l Time Magazine included 4 Israeli innovations in their Best Inventions of 2026.
l The 10-minute charging car battery has now arrived.
l The USA and 3 European countries purchased Israeli defense systems.
l Every microchip in the world is screened by Israeli technology.
l Israeli dance company received standing ovations in Madrid.
l Colombia became the 10th country to open an embassy in Jerusalem.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Israeli amputee completes Hawaii Iron Man. Boris Shtonda, who lost his leg fighting Hamas in Gaza, completed the Hawaii Ironman in 16:33:54, becoming the first Israeli leg amputee to finish the race, waving the Israeli flag. https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-israeli-soldier-who-lost-leg-in-gaza-conquers-hawaii-ironman/
Israeli amputee wins taekwondo silver medal. (TY UWI) Israeli para taekwondo athlete Omer Barel, who lost his left arm during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, won silver at the 2026 Swiss Open, marking his first international victory.
Award for rescuing pets after Oct 7 2023. Dr. Galia Melman Shalev, a veterinarian and founder of Negev Vet clinics, will receive the World Small Animal Veterinary Association's 2026 Animal Welfare Award for her efforts to rescue and treat hundreds of pets following the October 7 massacre.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-909057
https://wsava.org/updates/dr-galia-shalev-receives-2026-wsava-companion-animal-welfare-award/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Breast cancer survival rates exceed 85%. (TY TPS) Since 2013, the risk of invasive breast cancer among Israeli Jewish women has declined by an average of 1.6% annually. Israel ranks 33rd among 186 countries for breast cancer incidence but only 125th for mortality. Early detection and genetic screening are key reasons.
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/breast-cancer-survival-rates-exceed-85-among-israeli-women
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Guardian proteins protect tumors. Scientists at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have identified two guardian proteins that allow cancer cells to stay alive after chemotherapy. DNAJB12 and DNAJB14 sit on the wall of a cell’s protein factory – the endoplasmic reticulum. Chemotherapy releases them, to attack anti-cancer enzymes.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-cells-survive-chemo-israeli-researchers-find-guardian-proteins-protect-tumors/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221323172600323X?via%3Dihub
Ketamine for pain relief only. A new study by Tel Aviv University scientists reveals that ketamine's pain-relieving effects and its influence on consciousness involve separate brain mechanisms, opening possibilities for reducing psychological side effects.
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/ketamine-relieve-pain https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-026-02496-x
The right dose. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s DreaMed Diabetes (see here previously) has received FDA approval for its MODI system. MODI uses glucose-monitoring data to automatically optimize insulin dosing for people with type 2 diabetes across both basal-only (steady regulation) and bolus (booster) insulin regimens.
https://dreamed.ai/press-releases/dreamed-receives-fda-clearance-for-modi/
Genetic discovery explains rare hearing loss. Researchers from Bethlehem University, Seattle University, and Tel Aviv University have uncovered how the FMN1 gene maintains the inner ear’s structural integrity. Four Arab children had two copies of an FMN1 variant, generating silver-gray hair and moderate hearing loss.
https://thejewishedition.com/news/israel/2026/09/14/israeli-scientists-unravel-a-hidden-cause-of-inherited-hearing-loss/ https://www.jpost.com/health-and-wellness/article-909541
New medical research group. A new Nvidia research group has begun operating in Israel, using artificial intelligence to accelerate medical and scientific breakthroughs. The Applied AI Architecture group is recruiting in Israel and will work on AI applications ranging from genomics and medicine discovery to new materials.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/s10w00yz5gg
The world’s sixth smartest hospital. (TY TPS & WIN) Israel’s Sheba Medical Center has risen from #9 to #6 in Newsweek and Statista’s World’s Best Smart Hospitals 2027 ranking of hospitals that successfully translate technological innovation into practical applications.
https://www.shebaonline.org/sheba-ranks-6th-newsweek-best-smart-hospitals-2027/
Unlocking the human genome. Nvidia, Sheba’s ARC, & Mt. Sinai hospital have joined forces to use AI to decode the 98% of the human genome (previously dismissed as “junk DNA”) that remains unexplored. It will pave the way for novel approaches in disease prevention, diagnosis, and precision medicine worldwide.
https://sheba-global.com/nvidia-arc-mt-sinai-join-genome-unlock-ai/
https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/7i84y98uk
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Black, Muslim, Bedouin and Zionist. (TY Hazel) Israel’s Tamer Masudin refuses to fit into the labels often imposed on Israel. He shares why he began speaking publicly after Oct 7, why he sees Zionism as compatible with his own identity, and what growing up as a Black Bedouin in Israel actually looked like.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQqMhsL4ZZA
Israel’s tallest building (for now). Companies are beginning to take up residence in the Beyond Tower in Givatayim. At 320 meters high with 78 floors it is currently Israel’s tallest building. It will eventually be superseded by the Azrieli Group’s Spiral Tower in Tel Aviv, which will be 355 meters high.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-tallest-building-for-now-about-to-be-occupied-1001557819
Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2026. Four Israeli innovations made TIME’s Best Inventions list for 2026. SpotitEarly (see here - dogs to detect cancer); Beewise (see here - robotic beehives); Bria AI (see here - artists royalties); and Aidoc (see here - medical imaging analysis). Most have been around for several years.
And 20 more 2026 breakthroughs. This is a far more comprehensive list – produced by ynet Global. Alpha DaRT, AstroRad, Iron Beam, Innovalve, Wiliot, Aleph Farms, MeMed, Biolojic, NovoCure, Mobileye, H2Pro, CarbonBlue, Qedma, SPICE missiles, Keter, Trophy, Remilk, BlueWhale, gFM, and LIV.
https://p.ynet.co.il/IsraeliBreakthroughs2026 https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/b1tkoowkmg
https://sheba-global.com/nvidia-arc-mt-sinai-join-genome-unlock-ai/
Visit by tech leaders from all 50 US States. Israel hosted 250 entrepreneurs, investors and technology leaders from all 50 U.S. states at the Foreign Ministry in Jerusalem. The Flightech delegation is part of the Foreign Ministry’s “50 States, One Israel” initiative, building strong partnerships between US & Israeli tech leaders.
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/israel-welcomes-250-tech-leaders-from-all-50-us-states
https://www.israeldefense.co.il/en/node/71904
UK carnage prevented by Israel. Just one example of the benefits that the UK may lose, due to the anti-Israel policy of its government. https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-907973
Pacific Islands partner. Israel has become a Pacific Islands Forum partner. Forum Secretary-General Baron Divavesi Waqa informed Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar that the Pacific leaders had approved Israel’s application as a “Forum Partner” at their meeting in Palau.
https://www.gov.il/en/pages/israel-joins-the-pacific-islands-forum-as-a-forum-partner-20-oct-2026
https://forumsec.org/partnerships
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
$250 million donation to Hebrew U. US billionaire investor John Paulson has donated a record $250 million to the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the largest in the university’s history, to support science and medicine. He said a dollar invested at Hebrew University goes ten times further than at Harvard. Please read the article.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/cbfje1pzd
Better pollination. Israeli agtech company BloomX, develops technology to manage and optimize agricultural pollination. Its biomimetic systems combine robotics with AI-based algorithms to control pollination. Its Robee system for blueberries mimics the bumblebee; the Yahav 2400 detaches and distributes avocado pollen.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ryfhzkrofx https://bloomx.ag/
From nature to innovation. (TY Ollie) Israel’s Ofir Meir co-founded UK’s Tropic Bio (see here previously) to develop a disease-resistant better banana. Now he has founded UK’s Qubertech where he’s making synthetic rubber out of dandelion roots as an alternative to the diminishing availability of rubber from trees.
The world’s first drone-based explosive-detection sensor. Israel’s Laser Detect Systems (LDS) has launched SpectroDrone (see here previously) the world’s first drone-based explosive-detection sensor. With machines conducting initial inspections from a safe distance, it reduces human exposure to explosive hazards.
https://idfclub.org/new-israeli-tech-detects-explosives-from-a-distance/
Protection against hostile drones. The US Army has deployed the wearable counter‑drone kit developed by Israel’s Anonymous Guard (see here previously) as part of its EUCOM exercises. The system is already deployed by Ukrainian troops and the IDF.
https://www.jpost.com/defense-and-tech/article-910744
Israeli chips power Nvidia’s AI security system. Nvidia is using BlueField-4 data-processing chips developed at its Israel R&D center as the hardware backbone of a new system designed to stop AI agents from operating outside their authorized boundaries. They form the core of Nvidia’s Open Agent Safety Platform.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/uwoyygmsu
Recording their “magic” moments. Israel’s Gabi Arnovitz has launched Relly - an app that allows parents to quickly record funny expressions or milestone moments in their kids’ lives with a click. The speaker records a memory, and the app converts it to text. Users can search the family timeline by keyword, date, or child.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/busy-couple-launches-app-to-help-parents-record-kids-magic-moments/
https://rellyit.com/voice-first
StoreDot finally delivers. Israeli battery developer StoreDot (see here previously) has finally completed its 10-minute fast-charging technology. It has signed manufacturing deals for the silicon-based battery cells in Asia and is now pursuing agreements with major automakers. The cells remain fully charged even after 2,400 cycles.
https://www.ynetnews.com/tech-and-digital/article/bkzafm0qfx
Expanding AI and STEM education. Israel’s Education Ministry and Intel have signed a cooperation agreement to expand AI and STEM education, mentoring programs and technological opportunities for Israeli students. It is part of Melania Trump’s international initiative Fostering the Future Together.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/433654 https://www.gov.il/en/pages/spoke-ai250926
A solution for oil spills. Researchers at Israel’s Ben Gurion University have developed a porous aerogel made from cellulose fibers that cleans up after oil spills (see here previously). The 'sponge of the sea' absorbs 100 times its own weight and cleans itself up afterwards by using oil-eating bacteria to degrade the pollutants.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-908953
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-scientists-develop-huge-sponge-to-mop-up-and-eat-oil-spills/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666821126003583
Innovation Expo. (TY UWI) From brain science to quantum computing: Israeli entrepreneurs took the stage at the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. This interview features Neurokaire (previously Genetika), Classiq, and UBQ. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uygRkgYAvaI
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/innov-nation/artc-from-brain-science-to-quantum-computing-israeli-entrepreneurs-take-the-stage-at-the-peres-center https://www.peres-center.org/en/the-israeli-innovation-center/explore/innovation-exhibits/temporary-exhibit-cohort-iii/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
The fastest growing country in the OECD. Israel tops the 2026 GDP growth table of the 38 OECD countries.
https://www.reddit.com/r/EU_Economics/comments/1xaxhj0/oecd_projected_economic_growth_2026/
TASE tops $1 trillion. The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (TASE) ended the Hebrew year with total market capitalization above $1 trillion for the first time. The TA-35 rose 40.5% during the year, while the TA-125 gained 36.8%. Both outperformed the S&P 500 (18.1%), Nasdaq 100 (21.8%), and MSCI World (19.1%).
https://unitedwithisrael.org/tel-aviv-stock-exchange-market-value-tops-1-trillion/
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-tel-aviv-stock-exchange-again-outperforms-in-5786-1001555323
US Navy awards $127 million contracts. Stark Aerospace Inc. of Columbus, Mississippi, a wholly owned subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries, won a $114 million contract to supply rocket launchers to the US Navy. Elbit Systems also won a contract worth $13.5 million for maintenance of navy aviator survival radios.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ot3jw6i38
SPYDER delivered to Czech Republic. The Czech Republic has received the first components of its new Israeli-made SPYDER air defense system (see here previously).
https://unitedwithisrael.org/czech-republic-receives-israeli-spyder-air-defense-system/
Latvia buys Spanish vehicles with Israeli systems. Latvia has begun taking delivery of 84 military vehicles, called Mednieks. from Spain’s GDELS-SBS based in Madrid, in a deal worth around €800m. Their unmanned turret systems are produced by Israel’s Elbit Systems.
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/spanish-built-combat-vehicles-latvia-carry-israeli-turrets-despite-arms-embargo https://defence.m5dergi.com/one-cikan/latvian-army-takes-delivery-of-first-hunter-fighting-vehicle/
Azerbaijan buys $235 million Israeli defense system. Israel’s Elbit Systems has been awarded a $235 million contract to supply its EXTRA-MR artillery defense system to an unnamed European country.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/fifu295q2
19 tech firms exhibit at Washington defense show. (TY WIN) Israel's Defense Ministry brought 19 Israeli defense tech companies to the Association of the US Army (AUSA) 2026 Exposition in Washington DC. They showcased advanced drone interception, electronic warfare, and AI-powered surveillance technologies.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/434507
Preventing fraud. (TY OurCrowd) US based Alkami Technology says that its customers using technology from Israel’s BioCatch prevented over $263 million in fraud during 2025. This compares with $54 million in 2024 (see here previously). https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alkami-customers-prevent-over-263-million-in-fraud-with-biocatch-302902791.html
Screening every microchip in the world. A journalist once wrote "Applied Materials (see here previously) is one of the most important US companies you've probably never heard of." Now CEO Ofer Greenberger says, “There isn't a microchip in the world that isn't screened by a made-in-Israel Applied Materials machine.".
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-most-important-company-youve-never-heard-of-1001554463
25-year-old exits for $30 million+. HexAI, founded by 25-year-old Israeli Elon Gliksberg, has just been acquired by Belgium’s Hex-Rays for $30-35 million. HexAI built an operating system for AI agents designed to conduct security research. It never raised any outside capital, and Hex-Rays now plans to expand in Israel.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hytvgbf3ze https://hexai.re/
Exits, takeovers & mergers to 25/10/26. Belgium’s Hex-Rays acquired Israel’s HexAI for $30-35 million. US-based Boomi acquired Israel’s Elementary-Data for $40-45 million. US-based Ondas has acquired 3 Israeli companies Insignito, Ottopia Defense, and Caribou Labs for a total of $56 million. Ondas has also acquired Israel’s Gate technologies for $205 million. OpenAI has acquired Israel’s Glass Imaging for $300 million. US-based Kiteworks has acquired Israel’s Bonfy.ai for tens of millions of dollars.
Israeli startup investments to 25/10/26. Buildots raised $130 million; Mind Security raised $72 million; Noetive raised $41 million; Mave Security raised $34 million; Zenzap raised $33 million; UAE’s EDGE has invested $30 million in Israel’s High Lander; Loora raised $22 million; FIZE Medical raised $20 million; BloomX raised $13 million; Keewano raised $12 million; Two Delta raised tens of millions of dollars.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT,
Acre (Akko) comes alive. (TY WIN) The ancient fortress walls of the historic northern Israeli port city of Acre become aglow with a new sound and light show. The 35min music & visual spectacle depicts the city from ancient times through the Roman, Byzantine, Crusader and Ottoman periods up to the modern State of Israel.
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/ancient-acre-fortress-comes-alive-in-a-new-sound-and-light-show
Dancing in Madrid. Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company staged three sell-out performances of Sadeh21, a work by Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin at the Concha Velasco auditorium in Madrid. It received standing ovations and no disruption from the protests outside the theater.
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-911960
Gal Gadot’s Genesis Prize generates $3 million of funds. Israeli actress Gal Gadot won the $1 million 2026 Genesis Prize (see here previously) matched by another $2 million. All funds will go to 24 charities helping Israelis recover from the trauma of Oct 7, 2023. https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-909336
European Junior Squash champion. (TY Hazel) Israel’s top seed Ofri Maliach saw off challenges from Ukrainians in the semi-final and final to take the Girls Under 17 competition at the at 2026 Danish Junior Open.
https://europeansquash.com/seven-nations-top-the-podium-at-2026-danish-junior-open/
https://esf.tournamentsoftware.com/tournament/BD7CAF87-D8EC-4CDE-8855-C53E365C6C84/player/272
THE JEWISH STATE
Ancient mikveh complex unearthed at foot of Temple Mount. Three large ritual baths, built around 10 CE, are evidence of the massive influx of Jewish pilgrims visiting the Second Temple some 2,000 years ago. The public infrastructure is located just 50 meters from the entrance to Judaism’s most central house of worship.
Relocating an ancient mikveh. A 2,000-year-old Jewish ritual bath weighing about 25 tons was lifted intact from the ground in the southern city of Kiryat Gat. It was moved to the IAA’s National Treasures Department in Beit Guvrin to protect it amid ongoing construction in the rapidly developing neighborhood of Carmei Gat.
The Joshua Trail. (TY TPS) Officials have laid the cornerstone for the “Joshua Trail,” the first project under Israel’s new “Biblical Trails in Judea and Samaria” tourism initiative. The NIS 3.2 million project will connect the Elon Moreh Heritage Center with the summit of Mount Kabir described in the Book of Joshua.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-breaks-ground-on-first-biblical-trail-in-judea-and-samaria/
Exceptional immigrants. Eight outstanding Jewish immigrants to Israel were honored at the Annual Nefesh B’Nefesh Sylvan Adams Bonei Zion Prize ceremony on Yom Ha’Aliyah. They included Ron Dermer, Marta Weinstock-Rosin, inventor of Alzheimer’s drug Exelon, and Naomi Stuchiner, founder of Beit Issie Shapiro.
https://www.boneizion.org.il/livestream-bonei-zion-award-ceremony-2026/
Colombia opens embassy in Jerusalem. (TY WIN) Colombia has opened its embassy in Jerusalem, the 10th foreign diplomatic mission in the Israeli capital. Ahead of the opening, the two countries restored their free trade agreement. https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/israel-colombia-restore-free-trade-deal-ahead-of-jerusalem-embassy-inauguration https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PxlEAwxZF8
https://www.jns.org/news/israel-news/colombia-becomes-10th-country-with-embassy-in-jerusalem
Walter dances and dives. At 102, Walter Bingham, the world’s oldest journalist, isn’t slowing down. On Simchat Torah he danced in Jerusalem with a child nearly a century younger. And on Oct 23rd he skydives to raise funds for The Michael Levin (lone soldiers) Base, and B’not Sherut (young women on national service).
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/434062
Find out what’s happening. Visit Israel.com to read the week's news from Israel in one short Friday email, free. https://www.israel.com/news
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/
