Israel Active

Israel and Nepal have just signed a cooperation agreement in which Israel will help Nepal develop its agricultural sector to overcome the food crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. It includes an Israel-Nepal agricultural excellence center with advanced Israeli technologies specific for Nepal.

Israel’s Ministry of Defense has delivered the first of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries to the U.S. Army. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said the system had saved many Israeli civilian lives and “I am proud that this advanced system will also protect U.S. Army troops.”

Four Israeli universities are listed in PitchBook’s 2020 ranking of 50 leading global undergraduate programs that produce the most entrepreneurs who go on to obtain venture funding. They are Tel Aviv Uni (8), Technion Institute (12), Hebrew U (32) and Ben Gurion (42).

Senior media professionals, journalists and academics from the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Algeria took part in an unprecedented 2-hour online forum to discuss with Israeli journalists and senior government officials the role of the media in forging peace in the Middle East. See great I24 video. (I24 video)

Israel recently joined the Council of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) with Israel’s Yael Rubinstein immediately heading the FAO’s European group. Here also is a UN list of Israel’s contribution to the UN’s Sustainable Development program, especially with “less developed” countries.

Instead of accepting an exemption from the IDF because of his Asperger’s condition, Itai joined Special in Uniform. His “disability” helped him crack complex codes in a specialized top-secret IDF cyber unit, for which he has received a special award.

Just one example of Israelis concern for the disadvantaged. Tal’s 30 years in a wheelchair were wearing down his upper limbs. Supporters of Israeli NGO ALEH bought him a modern electric wheelchair and he is already zipping around the halls of ALEH, his smile bigger than ever.

Israel-Druze Arab Lt. Col. Ayoub Kyuff - currently a commander in the Golani Brigade - has been appointed as the new head of the IDF’s elite Shaldag unit.

Israeli NGO Israeli Flying Aid (IFA) and the AJC have donated PPE, tents, sprayers and more, to help Chad fight floods, Covid-19, malaria, and to absorb refugees fleeing Boko Haram. IFA also sent supplies and medical aid to Chad in December (reported previously).

Israeli humanitarian aid NGO IsraAID has helped the South Pacific country of Vanuatu install water-filtration systems, taps and pipes in Latano, South Tongoa and Central Pentecost. The previous system broke down some 40 years ago and residents have been walking over a kilometer to the nearest source.