Israel Active

The Society of Foreign Consuls in New York, celebrating its 100th year, stated that it is “thrilled” to welcome Israel as a new member and offered the Jewish state “heartfelt congratulations.” Ofir Akunis, consul general of Israel in NY, said it was an important diplomatic achievement.

A warm chance encounter took place at the World Travel Markets fair in London. Pakistan’s Advisor & National Coordinator on Tourism to the Pakistan Prime Minister, Sardar Yasir Ilyas Khan, greeted Israeli Tourism Ministry Director General Michael Izhakov, at the Pakistani booth.

Though anti-Israel BBC reports from Bethlehem are expected, the residents are much more positive this year and hotels in the city were at 70% occupancy. Less than 10% of Bethlehem (under the Palestinian Authority) are Christians (2017 census) compared to 86% in 1950.

Druze conscription has climbed to around 85% since 7 Oct 2023, with Bedouin service remaining high and Arab Christian enlistment tripling in the past year. They now realize that Israel’s existential enemies do not distinguish between Israeli Jews, Bedouin, Christians, or foreign workers.

Some 300 Jewish teenagers from Israel and the Diaspora convened in Budapest - birthplace of Zionist visionary Theodor Herzl - for the first World Jewish-Zionist Youth Congress. a state-backed initiative linking Israel’s Ministry of Education with international partners. They wrote a Global Jewish-Zionist Youth Charter and elected a council to connect young Jewish leaders.

A giant lion-shaped playground, the largest of its kind in Israel and worldwide, has opened at Ashkelon’s Eco Park. The 13-meter high installation, covering 0.4 acres, was built by Israeli company Elu Et Nitzan. It has a central tower, tunnels, slides, swings, sensory sections, and much more.

King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo of South Africa’s AbaThembu Kingdom led a delegation to Israel including Princess Ntando, Prince Sinethemba, and other Chiefs and royal family members. They will meet ex-hostages & visit communities invaded by Gaza terrorists.

IAC Summit. Jan 15-17 is the date for the 10th IAC National Summit – the biggest pro-Israel summit in the US. Nearly 100 speakers include Dr Miriam Adelson, Haim Saban, Rabbi Doron Perez, Prof․ Eugene Kontorovich, Tony Gelbart (Nefesh b’Nefesh), and Gen Amir Avivi (IDSF).

Israel rose 2 places to 23rd in the 2025 Global Talent Competitive Index from the INSEAD business school and Portulans Institute for Research.  It scored high for R&D, retaining talent, and leadership. Political instability prevented a higher rating, as surprisingly did tolerance to immigrants!

At the opening of Ecuador’s new Center of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Jerusalem, Foreign Minister Sa’ar said that the South American country, under President Daniel Noboa’s leadership, “is among Israel’s greatest friends in Latin America and the world.” (see also in Science & Tech) .