Israel Active

The number of Iranians seeking help from Israel has significantly increased, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Many also want to emigrate to the Jewish State. (See for previous newsletter articles featuring good relations between Israelis and the Iranian people.)

On World Biodiversity Day (22nd May) it is important to highlight that Israel is home to diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. It has over 400 nature reserves and urban parks that help protect 2800+ plant species and 650+ animal species. It has rehabilitated rivers and reintroduced rare plants.

The pandemic has delayed the next semester of many overseas universities, but not in Israel. There is now an increased demand for international graduate degrees and other courses in Israel. E.g. see the on-line Open House (24th May) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HUJ).

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu held a virtual toast from Jerusalem by video conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, to mark 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Israel in Greece. They discussed efforts to resume flights between the two nations.

Yisrael Otmazgin, a paramedic with the United Hatzalah organization in Israel and a reservist in the IDF, donated bone marrow to save a Muslim boy in Michigan USA. The boy’s brothers were only a 50% match, but of 44 million registered donors, only Yisrael was a 100%.

The Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality is adding 11 pedestrian-only areas to key streets around the city as part of an urban policy to prioritize pedestrians and cyclists and restrict car access. It will also allow re-opening restaurants, bars and cafes to place more tables and chairs outside on the streets.

The WomenTech Network, a global movement to promote gender diversity in the technology sector, has set up an Israel chapter. It will officially launch at the organization’s 24-hour virtual conference themed “Women Taking Up Space” on 27th May. It features over 150 speakers.

Twin Arab Muslims Fares and Firas Muhammad spent much of their youth in courts for thefts and violence. Then two separate incidents persuaded them to make new starts. They enlisted in the IDF and are elite troopers in the Golani brigade. Fares is training to become a squad commander.

Israel and Ghana are the new heads of the United Nations Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Forum. Although the UN cancelled all forums due to the pandemic, Israel's UN ambassador, Danny Danon, has initiated a digital conference on innovation to combat the coronavirus.

In Jerusalem, veterans of World War II, Jewish leaders and diplomats marked the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day. They laid wreaths at the Memorial Candle Monument in Jerusalem to commemorate the Allies’ victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.