Israel Active

There are huge numbers of pelicans migrating through Israel on the way to their nesting grounds in Romania.  Meanwhile, strong winds blew Shulman the flamingo out of Ramat Gan safari.  He then ran along Israel’s busy Route 4 before being rescued and returned to his enclosure.

An exhibit entitled “The Mount: A Photographic Journey to Temple Mount,” has opened at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem. It incorporates images from the beginning of photography in 1836 all the way through to the virtual reality (VR) of today.

This video by Chana and Shmuel Veffer shows one of the many sites to visit, when staying at Villa Romana zimmers in Yavne’el.

English pop band Tears for Fears will return to Israel on 23rd July as part of their “Rule the World Tour,” playing Tel Aviv’s Menorah Mivtachim Arena.  The band’s founding members, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, were last here in 2017 (see video), when their show was a sell-out.

Israel’s basketball champions Hapoel Jerusalem beat Spain’s CEZ Nymburk 75-73 to finish second in their Euro Basketball Champions League qualifying table. Their 12 wins are joint-best for BCL newcomers. They play 2017 champions Iberostar Tenerife in the quarter-finals.

This year’s butterfly migration from Arabia to Europe via Israel is probably the largest ever seen in Israel. The unusually wet winter has promoted the growth of plants that feed billions of new “painted lady” butterflies, also known as the “plain tiger” or “African Queen”. Viewing until mid-May.

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