Israel Active

Israelis have won another three gold medals, a silver and two bronze at the Paris Paralympic Games. Swimmer Ami Dadaon (watch ) won three medals (gold 100m freestyle, silver 150m medley, gold 200m freestyle). Moran Samuel won the women’s 2,000-meter PR1 rowing gold.

Amit Elor, born to Israeli parents, won the gold medal in the Women’s freestyle wrestling 68 kg category at the Paris Olympics. Her mother tongue is Hebrew and all her five siblings live in Israel. She expressed her hope that her victory represented a small ray of light for Israelis.

Israel’s President Herzog hosted the Israeli athletes returning from Paris after Israel’s most successful ever Olympic Games.

A team of international researchers, led by University of Haifa’s Dr. Aviad Scheinin, has documented the longest journey of a sperm whale to date. The researchers provided evidence of at least one immature male whale swimming eastward, some 2,800km (1,740 miles) of the Mediterranean Sea.

The KKL-JNF Hula Valley Reserve is currently aflutter with the arrival of thousands of swallowtail butterflies, one of a number of migratory species that graces the area each summer (see previously).

Two ancient tombs dating back at least 1,700 years ago featuring restored wall paintings of Greek mythological characters, people, plants and animals are to go on display in the Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon. The Roman-era site has been turned into a public garden.

Israel’s capital hosts several end of summer festivals. They include Hutzot Hayotzer Arts and Crafts (Mitchell Park), kosher food stalls (Old City walls); concerts (Sultan Pool) Cocktail festival (First Station); and Shakespeare (Bloomfield Garden).

Israel’s Asaf Yasur (see previously) beat Turkey’s Ali Can Ozcan 18-12, to win the gold medal in the men’s taekwondo under-58kg class at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

Netanya’s Polina Grossman (age 25) won the gold medal in the under 70kg women’s kickboxing World Cup in Budapest Hungary.

186,000+ of the readers of prestigious American tourism magazine "Travel + Leisure" voted Jerusalem 3rd of the top ten cities in the Middle East and Africa. Tel Aviv was 8th. The cities were selected on the basis of sites, culture, food, friendliness, shopping and value for money.