Israel Active

An impressive webinar last week featured three top female scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem - Professor Nathalie Q. Balaban (biological physics), Assistant Professor Dr. Naomi Habib (brain Sciences) and Assistant Professor Dr. Maayan Salton (molecular biology).

Israeli NGO Yazamiyot (reported previously) now has 5,500+ Israeli female entrepreneur members in its community. At its first 2021 event, Yasamiyot gave out awards to the founders of Israeli companies Leo, MAO FoodTech and Peech.

Israel’s Aura Smart Air (reported previously) is being widely used to protect UK buses, including the transport of key workers to their places of employment. The system kills the virus and replaces the air on the bus five times an hour. Sensors also monitor air quality and can alert the driver.

Israel’s Hybrid Accelerator (reported previously) was set-up by IDF veterans to help budding Israeli-Arab entrepreneurs develop their startups and their products. Its latest graduates include Petwork (ecosystem for pets), GemSight (jewelry & watches try on) and Flare (videogame streaming).

The office of Sudan’s prime minister has confirmed that Justice Minister Nasredeen Abdulbari signed the “Abraham Accords” with visiting U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Besides everything reported in this newsletter, this article lists some highlights from last year. The relevant Israeli ones are: - new Middle East peace agreements, fast vaccine development, telemedicine (remote treatment), computers for underprivileged children and progress with solar energy plans.

The UAE's leading telecom group Etisalat has included the Israel-based network i24NEWS in the basic packages of its eLife and Switch TV services at no extra cost. This means that i24NEWS is the first channel broadcast from Israel to be officially available in the United Arab Emirates.

The consulate-general of Israel to South India, in Bengaluru, donated tablet computers to 100 underprivileged children in rural Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The tablets included educational software to help children study at home during the pandemic.

Israel has delivered a second Iron Dome defense system to the United States. The first was delivered in September (see previously). Both were delivered on time. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the system would help defend American soldiers against ballistic and air threats.

In another first for Israeli women, deputy commander of the IDF's 9900th Unit, Lt. Col. R., has been appointed head of the Military Intelligence unit monitoring Iran, becoming the first woman to hold the position.