Israel Active

Levi Eshkol was Israel’s fourth Prime Minister, from 1964-1969. His former official Jerusalem residence at 46 Ben Maimon Street has been renovated and should be fully open to the public shortly.  From these humble surroundings, the Six Day War was commanded.

The Hula Valley in northern Israel is where ornithologists and “twitters” watch hundreds of bird species rest during their winter migration. Scientists estimate that some 42,500 Gray cranes stayed this winter in the Agamon Hula Lake. To protect crops they are fed with corn.

Israeli soccer team Hapoel Beersheba drew 1-1 with UK’s Southampton FC to win a place in UEFA’s Europa League knockout competition stages.  Beersheba finished second in the group stage with two wins and two draws - enough to clinch a spot in the next round.

Israel’s Yoav Omer won gold in the boys’ RS:X race of the Youth Sailing World Championships, held in Auckland, New Zealand.  In addition, Israel’s Ido Blik and Ofek Shalgi won silver in the 420 boys class race and Katy Spychakov won silver in the RS:X girls class race. (includes Hatikvah – Israel’s national anthem)

February in Jerusalem sees the annual Shaon Horef (Winter Noise) cultural festival. On each of the four Monday evenings, Jerusalem’s streets are transformed into art and music venues. Events include street theatre, night tours, dance classes and videos screened on buildings.

Israeli tennis prodigy Yshai Oliel reached the final of the boy’s singles at the Australian Open, beating the number one seed.  Oliel won the junior Orange bowl twice and last year won the boys doubles at the French Open. At last year’s US Open, he reached the semi-finals of the boys singles.

Israeli actress Gal Gadot, of Wonder Woman fame, is starring in this year’s Super Bowl advert for Israel’s Wix.  The ad, cost NIS 13 million to produce and over $10 million per minute to broadcast.

Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler, famous for “Total Eclipse of the Heart”, is performing at three concerts in Israel – Feb 4, 6 and 7.

The Darom Adom Festival, throughout February, follows the rainy season, when the ordinarily green landscape of the northern Negev is covered with a magnificent carpet of scarlet red anemones.  This year the festival features mountain bike marathons, poetry readings, concerts by Israeli artists every Thursday, and much more.

17-year-old Israeli motorcyclist Gev Teddy Sella won the 12-day, 6,500km Africa Eco Race.  He beat experienced drivers racing motorcycles, SUVS and trucks through Morocco, Mauritania and Senegal, plus the harsh Sahara Desert, whilst navigating by guidebook.