Israel Active

Israel’s Foreign Ministry is appointing Ishmael Khaldi (reported previously) to head its Eritrea embassy. Once ratified, it will make him Israel’s first-ever Bedouin (Arab Muslim) Ambassador.

Israel has been accepted to the board of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and begins a 3-year term in the organization. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it wanted to share Israel’s unique knowledge and improve global living conditions.

EIT Food is Europe’s leading food innovation initiative, working to make food healthier and more sustainable. Israel’s Technion Institute is a core consortium member and Israel’s Amai Proteins (reported previously) is a member of the “Rising Food Stars” startup club.

OECD deputy secretary general Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen praised Israel at an online conference marking 10 years since Israel joined the OECD. “The Israeli level of development and digitization is twice that of other OECD countries.” He said many other good things too.

Israel’s President Rivlin received diplomatic credentials from the new ambassadors of Colombia, Greece, Denmark, Romania and Argentina to the State of Israel. There were several differences to previous ceremonies, due to Covid-19 – with masks, social distancing, a smaller IDF honor guard and audience.

Bar-Ilan University has appointed Prof. Elinor Saiegh-Haddad as their first Arab female full professor. Her work focuses on linguistics and also language acquisition by children. She additionally serves as a senior adviser to various organizations in Israel and around the world.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, Israeli charity ALEH takes utmost care of its 750 vulnerable babies, infants, children and adult residents at its 4 Israeli sites. Staff are covered in protective clothing and self-quarantine when necessary. Parents and volunteers stay in contact by phone.

There are several clubs in Israel where people with disabilities can enjoy the opportunity of surfing in the sea. There are even special adaptive surfboards, including a surfboard and walker combination designed by Israel’s Adi Klang, 2017 ISA World Adaptive Surfing champion.

Two private companies in the United Arab Emirates have signed an agreement with two Israeli companies, to develop research technology to fight COVID-19. Announcements were made both by the Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Health and a UAE spokesperson.

Dr. Rafat Qubaja lives in Tarqumiyah under the Palestinian Authority but works at Israel’s Weizmann Institute. His research on trees in arid regions found they can absorb vast amounts of carbon. Meanwhile he praises the opportunities he has in the Jewish State.