No politics between beauty queens
Adar Gandelsman (Miss Israel) and Sarah Idan (Miss Iraq) publicized their friendship ahead of November’s Miss Universe competition. Gandelsman posted on Instagram, “Get to know, this is Miss Iraq and she’s amazing.” Idan posted “peace and love from Miss Iraq and Miss Israel.”
Security for Central African Republic
I reported previously that Israel was providing observation balloons and unmanned aerial vehicles to protect UN peacekeepers in the Central African Republic. The UN Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, Atul Khare, has now agreed to expand and upgrade the systems.
The largest ever aerial drill
1,000 pilots and crews from India, the US, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland and Israel took part in the 11-day exercise “Blue Flag” launched from Israeli Air Force’s Ovda base. The goal was to simulate extreme scenarios and fly in coalition as realistically as possible.
Science and tech center for South Sudan
Israeli humanitarian organization IsraAID has helped build a center for the study of science and technology in South Sudan. 10,000 youth will train at the center in the next 3 years to become engineers, technicians etc. and contribute to the country’s economic and social development.
Electricity for Africa
The Israeli government is now partnering with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in order to continue providing Africa with electricity.
Dozens of Arabs come to Judean mayor’s succah
Over 30 Palestinian Arabs joined dozens of Israelis as guests at the sukkah of Efrat mayor Oded Revivi in Judea. The event included music from a joint Muslim-Jewish group, and was attended by Efrat’s Chief Rabbi Shlomo Riskin.
Pakistani and Afghani students attend on-line course
Students from Muslim-majority nations such as Pakistan and Afghanistan are among those signed up for “The Bible in Light of the Ancient Near East” - an innovative online program offered by Israel’s Bar-Ilan University commencing 25th Oct.
The first Druze IAF navigator
Major A joined the Israel Air Force Flight Academy whilst studying at Israel’s Technion Institute. On completion, he became the first Druze navigator in the IDF. Two other Druze men are now following in his footsteps.
Israel is important to NATO
Israel’s Liaison Officer, Lt.-Cmdr. Ortal represents Israel’s naval forces at NATO ’s Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) in London, the central command of all NATO maritime forces. She describes Israel’s role in NATO.
Mexican President thanks Israel
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto thanked Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu for the Israeli search and rescue team sent to Mexico City following the 7.1 magnitude earthquake. The Israeli team was the first foreign group on the scene, arriving just two days later.