Israel Active

Israel’s right-wing Likud party introduced Dima Tayeh as its first Muslim Arab-Israeli candidate in the 9th April Knesset elections. It provides a strong reminder that Israel is a diverse, inclusive, and democratic society.

I reported previously on Project Rozana which raises funds to help Israeli hospitals treat sick Palestinian Arab children. Here is Rozana’s latest report on its work using Israeli excellence in healthcare, to benefit the Palestinian Arab community.

The Israeli Arab-Jewish non-profit organization AJEEC-NISPED works with the Arab-Bedouins of Hura in the Negev. One of its projects is the Al Sanabel catering business. 20 Bedouin women prepare 8,000 school lunches, transforming these women into proud family breadwinners.

Israel’s “Daycare of Dreams,” is known as the “world’s first sterile educational and recovery center” for children with cancer. For its 35 children, it’s the first time they can play with other kids. And, for the 80% that heal, it prepares them to re-integrate into society.

As soon as Jair Bolsonaro was sworn in as Brazil’s President, he went over to hug Benjamin Netanyahu, making the first visit to Brazil by an Israeli Prime Minister. He also awarded him the National Order of the Southern Cross – Brazil’s most prestigious medal for foreign dignitaries.

On Israel’s Feb 2019 moon mission, the landing vehicle will carry Israel’s Declaration of Independence and national anthem; the Bible; the memories of a Holocaust survivor; children’s drawings of space and the moon; art, science, tech and literature; and the Traveler’s Prayer.

The IsraAID team is working to restore access to safe water for an entire community of more than 300 families - over 1,400 people. It also led hygiene promotion training at elementary schools, and distributed education and household supply kits to many families who lost their homes.

Israel's ambassador to South Africa unveiled a luxurious community center in Johannesburg. The community center will benefit 400 children in one of the toughest neighborhoods - in the town of Soweto, on the outskirts of South Africa's biggest city.

Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, President Rabbi Marc Schneier, describes his work bringing understanding and normalization between Israel and the Arab Gulf states: "We're living in extraordinary times," and “you cannot separate out Israel from Judaism”, he states.

The employment rate of Israeli Arab women rose by 3.8% in 2018, following a 2.5% increase in 2017. Almost 40% of Arab women are employed, two years ahead of the Israeli government’s target for 2020. The Taub report attributes the increase to higher education levels.