Israel Active

In their European 2020 Cup soccer qualifying round, Israel beat Austria 4-2 in Haifa. It was their first victory over Austria in 20 years and it took them to second place in Group G.  Israel’s Eran Zahavi scored a hat-trick (3 goals) in a game hailed as one of Israel’s best in recent years.

700 Israeli soldiers badly wounded defending their country formed a self-help group to promote the healing process.  Jerusalem U has produced a film about these brave soldiers, which is available on amazon or for a small charge or free to Amazon Prime customers.  See the youtube trailer for more details.

50 years ago, Israel started building a pipeline on an Eilat beach to take Iranian oil to Europe. When the Shah of Iran was deposed, the pipeline was abandoned. Nature took over and a new coral reef began to form. Now Israel is working hard to remove the pipeline debris, whilst preserving the coral.

Israel’s 25-member team won 22 medals at the 2019 Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi. They won 4 Gold medals:  in the women’s 100-meter individual medley; women’s 25-meter backstroke, men’s 1,500-meter Open Water Swimming and doubles bowling (Unified) competition

The annual Jerusalem Marathon attracted a record 40,000 participants including some 4,600 from 80 countries. The route passed the Old City walls, Sultan’s Pool, Mount Zion, the German Colony, Ammunition Hill, Mount Scopus and the Mount of Olives.

Israeli judokas won two gold medals and a bronze at the Grand Slam in Ekaterinburg, Russia. Gili Cohen won the women’s under-52kg category. Meanwhile, Sagi Muki won the men’s under-81kg category, beating former world champion Nagase Takanori of Japan.  Overall, Israel finished second to Russia.  

The fancy dress outfits for the Purim festival in Israel keep getting more sophisticated every year.

Time Out Magazine surveyed 34,000 city-dwellers and ranked Tel Aviv as the best city in the Middle East and the 21st best in the world. City gradings included food, drink, culture, nightlife, community, neighborhoods, overall happiness, beauty, affordability and convenience.

On receiving his official Israel identity card in a ceremony at Israel’s Interior Ministry, former NBA star Amare Stoudemire said, “It’s a very exciting moment for me … my love for Israel has been with me for many years and being part of Israel is something very special”.

Kobi Marimi will sing the ballad “Home” in the Eurovision Song Contest finals in Tel Aviv on 18th May. 2,000 tickets for the show sold out online in 10 minutes. Volunteers are being trained to welcome 10,000 expected visitors.