Israel Active

Just next to Tel Aviv’s Carmel Market is a store that provides a top quality facility that we all need at some stage – a public toilet. 400 customers per day each pay three shekels for a choice of décor and music with the equivalent standard of service, hygiene and atmosphere of a five star hotel.

The collapse of Italian budget airline Wind-jet ruined the holiday plans of 300,000 customers. However, the Israeli government organised planes to fly 200 stranded Israeli tourists home from Rome. Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman said, “The fact that all of Israel is responsible for one other is something which makes us unique and of which we should be proud”.

China's University of International Business Economics is opening an Israeli economics and Judaism department. Meanwhile, at the University for Foreign Affairs 56 students are either studying or just completed studies in Hebrew language and culture.

Israel is to build 12 new skyscrapers in a business park containing 1 million square meters of office space at the entrance to Jerusalem. The area will contain the terminus for the new high-speed train linking Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Venture Partner's Erel Margalit explains why Israel is known as a "start-up nation." What can the USA learn from Israel in order to “re-start” its economy?

Long article about Israel’s massive new natural gas deposits and the political changes that they are likely to make.

Israel’s Leadcom was one of the largest integrators of mobile technology in developing countries, but 2008 recession brought near bankruptcy. Now its deal with South Korea’s RF Window to distribute its cellphone signal enhancement products should bring financial security.

Four months after Israel joined the EU aviation zone, Israel and the EU signed an "open skies" agreement. Each year each European destination will have seven additional weekly flights to and from Israel, which should mean reduced prices.

The Bird Foundation has been one of the reasons for Israel’s start-up successes. It helps finance joint Israeli and USA projects and since 2009 has focussed on clean energy. Bird approves around 4 projects a year, has invested nearly $300 million and generated $8 billion of sales.

(Thanks to Israel21c) Before setting up your new start-up, try your hand at this new Israeli board game. FreshBiz players move through various business stages, from starting a new company to trading on the stock market. Unlike typical board games, there can be more than one winner if individuals help each other.