There are now 700,001 members of Christians United for Israel. A long speech, but please skip to the 30-minute point to hear an important highlight that will astound many sceptics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ElKTcCWCOEk&feature=share

The word Reuth means friendship. This summer, eight young American women selected to intern at Reuth Medical Centre in Tel Aviv and formed unforgettable relationships with the patients. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4107309,00.html

Some 100 young Jewish adults from US, Canada to join the Israel Defence Forces immediately after arriving in Israel on Aliya this week; nearly all of them want to be combat soldiers. http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4107650,00.html

94% of Israel’s beaches received 2 or 3 flags denoting excellent cleanliness and facilities. http://www.sviva.gov.il/Enviroment/bin/en.jsp?enPage=e_BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Object&enDispWho=News^l5725&enZone=e_news

So said Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan as he presented environmental awards to soldiers and army units for outstanding environmental projects. http://www.sviva.gov.il/Enviroment/bin/en.jsp?enPage=e_BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=Object&enDispWho=News^l5720&enZone=e_news

A special Tisha B’Av program brought together secular and religious Israelis in Petah Tikva to talk about Jewish unity. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/146527

This is the sound of the recently discovered 2000 year-old garment bell. http://youtu.be/xjx9tP3yTRI http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=53365

A Roman sword and a menorah scratched on a stone were discovered in an ancient drainage tunnel under Jerusalem. The artefacts were from the period of 2nd Temple destruction 2,000 years ago. http://www.antiquities.org.il/about_eng.asp?Modul_id=14

About 20 percent of the US House of Representatives will visit Israel over the next three weeks during Congress’s summer recess. So who’s minding the store? http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?ID=232876&R=R1