First US Navy ship in Ashdod in decades
USS Ross docked at the Ashdod port – the first US Navy ship to do so in 20 years. Commander Kyle Raines of the U.S. Sixth Fleet said that the port visit “reinforces the strong and enduring partnership between our two nations”. US Navy ships to Israel usually dock at the port of Haifa.
200 Israelis join European disaster drill
A 200-strong Israeli team, including over 90 medics, took part in the Seism 2018 (Earthquake 2018) exercise in Bucharest, Romania, in cooperation with the European Union. They simulated the scenario of a 7.5 magnitude earthquake with thousands of casualties.
Maternity center in Uganda
Israeli midwife, Ilana Shemesh, was shocked by the conditions of the centers treating pregnant women in Uganda. So, she raised $12,000 to help build the Shifra and Puah maternity center in Abayudaya. The center has already assisted in two births - the first during the night after its opening.
Rare white rhino born in Israel on Yom Kippur
Israel is a major contributor to world efforts to save vanishing species. On Yom Kippur, a fifth baby white rhino was born to Tanda and Atari at Israel’s Ramat Gan Safari. Israel’s 13-rhino herd is the largest in Europe’s program to breed the endangered species.
Israel enforces OECD anti-bribery laws
Israel is one of only 7 countries to strictly enforce the OECD’s 1997 Anti-Bribery Convention. In just 3 years, Israel has gone from the bottom of the enforcement league to the top with several high-profile cases brought to justice.
Israel stands with the USA to remember 9/11
Many nations appear to have forgotten the terrorist attacks of 11th Sept 2001 but not Israel. This year’s memorial was held early, as 11th Sept fell on the Jewish New Year.
Country club for Bedouin Arabs
The Israeli government has built a country club in the Bedouin city of Rahat in Southern Israel. It includes a fitness center, saunas, sports facilities and the first swimming pool in a Bedouin settlement in Israel. The club will serve many thousands of Bedouin Arabs from the Negev area.
Saving lives in Myanmar
Two top gynecologists from Tel Aviv’s Sourasky (Ichilov) hospital spent two weeks in Pindaya, Myanmar, helping train local doctors. On their first day they saved two lives. Infant mortality in Myanmar is 40.1 deaths per 1000 live births. The OECD average is 5.9; In Israel it is 2.9.
CPR training for Kenya
A team from Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center conducted an advanced resuscitation skills course for local medical and nursing staff in Nakuru, Kenya. The course was conducted with cooperation of Israel’s Technion and included lectures, simulations and individual training.
First ever visit by a Philippines President
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte and his 400-person delegation to Jerusalem. The two countries signed agreements, in trade, science and caregiving. Mr Duterte praised the work conditions of the 30,000 Filipino care workers in Israel.