Israel Active

Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and other prominent leaders extended greetings to Israel’s Muslims in honor of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of the month of Ramadan. Knesset speaker Yariv Levin delivered his own Eid el-Fitr greeting, in fluent Arabic, from the Knesset podium.

Volunteers from Israeli NGO IsraAID are usually in far-flung countries such as Haiti, Nepal and even the USA. But the Covid-19 crisis meant many had to return to Israel. So, they now work as part of a coronavirus response project to help the children of refugees and migrants in Tel Aviv.

Many US states are expanding links with Israeli companies during the pandemic. Key drivers are the Florida Israel Business Accelerator, Tulsa Oklahoma’s hub for healthcare and cybersecurity; the Texas-Israel Alliance and the Arizona Israel Trade and Investment Office.  

Thousands of post-army or post-high school Israeli volunteers help underdeveloped countries by participating in the Jewish Agency’s Project T.E.N. (Tikkun Empowerment Network) – see . It now operates in Uganda, Mexico, Ghana, Greece, South Africa and Cambodia.  

In an interview on Lebanon-based TV station LBC TV, Lebanese Journalist Nadim Koteich said, “Israel is scientific, economic, cultural, and military power”. He reported that the per capita contribution of each citizen to GDP was $3600 in Israel whilst in Lebanon it was just $360.

Etihad Airways recently flew the first known direct commercial flight between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Israel. It brought 16 tons of coronavirus aid for Palestinian Arabs. Sadly, for the Palestinian Arabs, the Palestinian Authority refused to accept it.

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.