Israel Active

The Institute for the Advancement of Deaf Persons in Israel has launched the first online sign language 3000-word lexicon. Users enter a word in Hebrew, English, Arabic, or Russian, and immediately, a 5-second video clip opens in which a presenter demonstrates the word in Israeli Sign Language.  

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee addressed the Israeli Knesset (Parliament) during his historic 3-day trip. Talks with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu focused on bilateral ties in security, technology, innovation, and agriculture. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem also awarded President Mukherjee an honorary doctorate.  

Hana Rado, Tel Aviv COO of global ad agency McCann, has developed a database called “Persona” of 700 women who are qualified to speak on conference panels. Rado has also launched a national campaign to increase the representation of women speakers to 50%.     

Israel's Environment Ministry told European regulators two years ago that local testers had been unable to test Volkswagen diesel vehicles at higher speeds because of a component placed in engines by the company. The EU committee said then that no changes were needed.  

During President Mukherjee's state visit to Israel, India and Israel signed ten Memoranda of Understanding. They covered fairer taxation, cultural exchange and stronger university ties.  

As promised, the second man to ever walk on the moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 85, talked to an enthusiastic audience at the International Astronautical Conference in Jerusalem. Buzz recounted his personal history and technical issues in space.  

Amir, Sunny and Muhammad Riad Hamed from the Arab-Israeli village of Muqeible found a pelican with a broken wing and other injuries in their yard. They contacted the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the bird is now receiving treatment at its wildlife hospital.  

Ahmed El Hady is a 31-year-old Egyptian postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University’s Neuroscience Institute. His decision to co-chair the NeuroBridges 2015 Conference - a scientific meeting of the minds between Arabs and Israelis - was a no-brainer.  

UK TV station Sky News reports that the Gulf Cooperation Council, made up of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Oman, wishes to buy Israel’s Iron Dome system for its six members. The purchase will be through Raytheon, the US partner of Israeli developer Rafael.  

Mayors from nearly 40 cities around the world have converged on Jerusalem for the 30th annual Mayors Conference. The delegation will get a taste of the "Start-Up Nation" when they meet with Jewish and Arab leaders of successful Israeli tech hubs.