Israel Active

IsraAID has been providing medical, psychological and educational support to some 12,000 Syrian, Afghan and Iraqi refugees on the Greek island of Lesbos for the last five years. Even after devastation by arson and coronavirus outbreaks, IsraAID’s volunteers are staying to help with recovery.

The African island country of Madagascar has initiated the formation of an Israel Allies Caucus for the country parliament. The new caucus will be joining the Israel Allies Foundation’s (IAF) international network of 44 pro-Israel caucuses.

Inspira is a bi-weekly Israeli educational podcast that will be launched in November to promote female entrepreneurship and creativity. It aims to highlight the success of women in the tech world as well as other areas such as space, science, sport, and politics.

Significantly, on the anniversary of 9/11, the Kingdom of Bahrain became the 4th Arab country to agree to a peace deal with Israel. Like the agreement with the United Arab Emirates, the Bahrain-Israel deal will normalize diplomatic, commercial, security and other relations between the countries.

Endangered Mediterranean green and loggerhead sea turtles lay their eggs on Israeli beaches in May and they hatch Aug to Oct. Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority protects nests from predators and brings hatchlings to safety, even digging in the sand to find babies left behind. Beautiful video.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates will sign their historic deal normalizing relations at a White House ceremony on 15 Sep. The delegations will be led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Emirati Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayad, brother of the Abu Dhabi crown prince.

Israel’s OrCam Technologies (reported previously) has engaged soccer legend Lionel Messi to help promote its AI-based wearable devices to help the blind and visually impaired read texts. Messi will give free MyEye devices to the visually impaired and increase awareness of the plight of the blind.

Four of this year’s 12 winners of Israel’s Presidential Awards for Volunteerism were recognized especially for their Covid-19-related work. President Rivlin said “Volunteerism is part of Israel’s DNA- a bit of chutzpah, a bit of warmth and always, always happy to help.”

Israel was third on Chef’s Pencil’s top countries for vegans in 2020 and the only Asian country listed. “Unique to this newly formed country is the mix of the traditional Mediterranean diet of the area and the strict dietary laws of kosher food” Chef’s Pencil said. Tel Aviv was the 12th best vegan city.

When Israeli artist Bracha Fischel became paralyzed from rheumatoid arthritis, Sheba Medical center taught her how to use her mouth to write and hold objects. Bracha was able to continue her hobby painting. She now paints with 14 others in Israel’s branch of MFPA - Mouth and Foot Painting Artists.