Israel Active

The latest JNF newsletter contains many great features on JNF’s latest activities not only in the fields of water technology, but also in coexistence and diversity projects like support for Bedouin Arabs and “Baseball for All”.

Jerusalem’s municipality has given season tickets to all lone soldiers for the Kiryat Yovel sports center. Free pool, gym and studio classes like yoga and Pilates.

I featured the story about Hadassah doctors saving Palestinian Arab student Sara al Qassriwy (Katzroy) who collapsed whilst jogging.  Now her father has shown his gratitude by hosting a Hadassah interfaith mission to a festive meal in his Bethlehem home.

The Tanzanian government has said it has decided to open an embassy in Israel in a move aimed to promote economic diplomacy and “following the economic development Israel has made in agriculture, science and technology”.

During the visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta said Israel is a critical partner in the battle against terrorism, the most serious challenge facing the world today.  President Kenyatta vowed to work to upgrade Israel's status in the African Union.

Yossi Gal, the Vice President for Advancement and External Relations at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has been named a Commander of France’s Legion of Honor.  Prior to joining the Hebrew University, he served as Israel’s Ambassador to France.

Israel’s latest political reshuffle has brought the number of women lawmakers to a 33 – an all-time high. Yulia Malinovsky was sworn in as a Yisrael Beytenu Member of the Knesset on 7 June.  She plans to focus on issues of welfare, education, housing, and the cost of living.

Israeli architect Haim Dotan designed the world’s highest and longest transparent glass bridge spanning China’s Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, one of the most popular scenic spots in China.  It is 430m long and 300m high and took only 18 months to complete at a cost of approximately £48 million.  

Presidents and chancellors from top US universities and colleges have been visiting Israel to learn about innovation and opportunities for bilateral academic partnerships.

The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture in the Philippines is to train the street dwellers in the capital Manila to work in agricultural projects supported by Greenhouse Israeli Agro-Innovative Technology.