Israel Active

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.

Orr Shalom (“light of peace) cares for 1,400 children who have been removed from their homes following severe abuse and neglect. In 40 years, Orr Shalom has provided some 56,000 children with professional help, warm and loving homes, and an opportunity for a better future.

Eden Amare Yitbarek is one of two Israelis selected for the Rhodes scholarship program that offers exceptional international candidates the opportunity to study at Oxford University in England. Eden was raised in Ethiopia and completed her BA at the IDC Herzliya.

The State of Israel has been accepted into the International Energy Agency (IEA) after members of the agency voted unanimously in favor of the move. It recognizes Israel’s role in regional and international energy and gives it access to important sources of industry research.

Israel has begun Beresheet 2, the country’s second lunar project. In 2024, SpaceIL, the Israel Space Agency and others plan to launch a mission to put a spacecraft in lunar orbit and two landing craft on the Moon’s surface. Seven countries including the UAE want to participate in the project.

Last year, the IDF dispatched a humanitarian aid delegation to Muslim-majority Albania after a 6.4-magnitude quake devastated the capital city of Tirana.  See and hear one of the IDF soldiers describe how the operation helped some 1,600 Albanian families return to their homes and saved many lives.

Israel and Britain have signed an agreement for further cooperation between the IDF and the British Armed Forces that will see the two militaries cooperate in a variety of fields, including training and defense education. Cooperation will include defense-oriented medical training