Israel Active

The Israeli Air Force hosted an international drone exercise for the first time. Aviation teams from the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy and France have joined the IAF for the drill, which will run for two weeks and see drones fly primarily over the Palmachim airbase in central Israel.

The non-profit Israeli Primate Sanctuary Foundation (IPSF) is a refuge for 850 primates rescued or retired from biomedical research, petting zoos and the exotic pet trade. Thousands more have been rescued over the years and given a second chance to live as monkeys amongst monkeys.

Israeli NGO Together&Beyond equips Jewish and Arab young adults with social entrepreneurial and professional tools. Its founder Ditsa Keren, also co-founded FoodChain with a Palestinian Arab partner, connecting businesses with surplus food to charities that are in need of food.

Ashdod city council has banned disposable products and bags from being brought onto its beaches. It is a continuation of Ashdod’s “green” vision, which includes being the first Israeli city, four years ago, to replace disposables with reusable dishes at schools, afternoon programs and daycares.

Druze epidemiologist Professor Salman Zarka is Israel’s new coronavirus commissioner. Previously Director-general of Ziv Medical Centre in Safed and IDF colonel, he established and commanded the IDF field hospital in the Golan to treat Syrians wounded in their civil war.

Israel’s Watergen (see previously) has installed a GEN-M water from the air generator in the Hard Rock community of the Navajo Nation. The pilot project, when extended, will help many of the 10,000 families across Navajo Nation who lack access to running water.

In preparation for an international drill set to take place in Israel, a Royal Moroccan Air Force C-130 arrived at the Israeli Air Force’s Hatzor base. This was the first time an air force plane belonging to the Northern African country landed in the Jewish state.

Israel’s Defense Ministry extended by a week the IDF’s Home Front Command mission helping rescue efforts at the Champlain Towers South apartment complex in Surfside Miami. Their presence has been a major comfort to the families of the victims. The IDF’s 3D-models also helped rescuers.

As announced in March (see previously) several young Emiratis, Bahrainis and Moroccans came to Israel on a weeklong “Leaders of Tomorrow mission to Israel”. They saw the hi-tech innovation ecosystem, diversity and integration, Israeli art, culture, history food, religious centers and more.

Amidst Lebanon’s economic crisis, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz declared that Israel is prepared to offer financial assistance to its northern neighbor. “As an Israeli, as a Jew and as a human being, my heart aches seeing the images of people going hungry on the streets of Lebanon”.