Israel Active

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.

Here is a new video featuring Israel’s work to protect the endangered Griffon vulture and increase its numbers in the wild.  The Hebrew word for vulture is “nesher”, mistranslated as “eagle” in some Biblical sources.

The Embassy of Israel donated aid to the Nepalese government to help front-line workers contain Covid-19. It comprised Personal Protective Equipment, masks, infrared digital thermometers, surgical gloves, hand sanitizers, hand sprayers and disinfectant solutions.

Israeli NGO NALA was helping Ethiopia fight snail fever in 2018 (see ). It is now working to combat Covid-19 and has implemented a 5-point plan – information to rural areas, enlisting religious leaders, distributing PPE, building handwashing stations, and training health workers.

Israeli-founded global non-profit Faces Behind Masks aims to provide medical staff in every hospital worldwide with sets of free personalized Smiling Face stickers. A photograph of each staff member’s face can be worn over protective clothing, so that patients see faces instead of just masks.