Al Schwimmer smuggled planes to Israel in 1948. He subsequently founded and ran Israel Aircraft Industries for 30 years. The Israel Prize winner passed away on 11th June on his 94th birthday. http://www.jpost.com/NationalNews/Article.aspx?id=224569

Good news? Hear President Shimon Peres’ comment following the incident on El Al’s Milan to Tel Aviv flight. “What do have I to fear? I’m in the hands of the world’s best pilots.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=BvXXCuo2lQE

This video features Gan Hashlosha – a beautiful nature reserve in the North of our tiny country. http://www.youtube.com/villageisrael#p/u/13/cCb2r8stBuM

This video highlights spectacular scenery, history and agricultural innovation in this apparent desert. Here they produce cherry tomatoes that can last over a month without refrigeration. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwHx__oedts&feature=player_embedded

The report following the Carmel disaster highlights valuable lessons to avoid a future tragedy. http://www.sviva.gov.il/Enviroment/bin/en.jsp?enPage=e_BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Object&enDispWho=News^l5643&enZone=e_news

Personally, we never really appreciated the controversial comedian’s frequently bizarre style, but in these crazy times somehow his irony strikes a chord on this occasion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWySuXNQqFY&feature=player_embedded

Israel will spend $135 million preserving its Mediterranean coastline from erosion. The work will focus on protecting archaeological treasures such as Caesarea, Apollonia and Tel Ashkelon. http://www.israel21c.org/201106059108/environment/shoring-up-israels-treasure-rich-coastline

The cherry-picking season is upon us and due to the late rains, the crop is a good one. http://lifeinisrael.blogspot.com/2011/06/bumper-crop-of-cherries-cherry-picking.html