Israel Active

The Embassy of Israel in Yangon Myanmar has donated 320 50-kg. bags of rice to support for a month over 1,000 people in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps in Myanmar’s Paletwa district.

The Israel Allies Foundation (IAF) has achieved its goal of establishing 50 member countries by the end of 2020. The latest pro-Israel parliamentary caucuses were formed in Honduras, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan and Cameroon. The 50th caucus, Honduras, is moving its embassy to Jerusalem.

Religious NGO KamaTech brought 300+ tech professionals from Israel’s orthodox Jewish communities to participate in a 24-hour event to help in the fight against coronavirus. Several solutions attracted the attention of Google, Pitango, Poalim Hi-Tech and Science Minister Izhar Shay.

On Dec 24, Lt. O (name concealed), originally from Boston USA, became the first U.S.-born woman to complete the Israel Air Force’s prestigious pilot course.  She was one of just 39 participants (two of them women) who completed the course, that began with 500 entrants.

The Israel Council of Museums has held on-line the first National Forum on Accessibility and Inclusiveness in Museums. Its aim is to create a nationwide network for sharing best practices for those with special needs and disabilities at museums, galleries and heritage sites.

Israeli NGO Shai Asher has partnered Kibbutz Shluchot in Northern Israel to employ adults with special needs who work at its plant nursery and vegetable garden. They gain useful experience, independence and self-esteem, in a therapeutic environment while earning a regular salary.

For two years, Israeli award-winning reporter Dina Kraft has been producing her podcast “The Branch” about Jews and Arabs forging connections. Sponsored by Hadassah, 25 podcasts shine a light on the lives of the many Arabs and Jews who have developed deep bonds.

Israel has established full diplomatic ties with Bhutan, a small, majority-Buddhist landlocked kingdom in the Himalayas neighboring India and China. Bhutan has diplomatic relations with some 50 countries (not US or UK). Israel will help Bhutan with water management, agriculture and health.

Israel-based humanitarian organization SmartAID has launched a unique US initiative, “Millions of Masks for Children”. SmartAID (founded by IsraAID’s Shachar Zahavi) is distributing facemasks to kids on childcare and youth programs, beginning with those in Washington state.

The first global diplomatic-technology summit, DiploTech, looked at the world beyond COVID. Ambassador Nikki Haley praised Israel for its technology and innovation and highlighted the recognition from Arab countries of the importance of a partnership with Israel.