Israel Active

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.

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.