Israel Active

The Israeli embassy in Senegal has inaugurated a drip-irrigated vegetable farm in the city of Fatick. It is being managed by a group of Senegalese women.  The innovative Israeli program has been vital for fighting poverty in the drought-prone Sub-Saharan African country.

Israel’s Kobi Lichtenstein is South America’s guru of 10,000 students of the Israeli self-defense art of Krav Maga.  There are over 150 Krav Maga centers in the continent.  Kobi has brought two Krav Maga missions from Brazil to train at Masada, in Tiberias and Netanya.

(Thanks to Israel21c)  Former Israeli paratrooper Lior Vaknin founded Israeli Startups NYC, which now has a 2000 membership.  200 attended its recent startup pitch night and panel discussion entitled “How to Build a $100 Million Business.”    

More than 200 hair salons across Israel took part in the annual nationwide drive to collect hair for Zichron Menachem Cancer Support in Israel, in partnership with Pantene Products Israel. Hair salons provided free haircuts during the three-day marathon from November 24-26.

(Thanks to UnitedWithIsrael) 130 Arab teenagers attend the Al-Sayed Technological School in the Northern Negev.  It is one of eight high schools operating for Bedouin students by the Israel Sci-Tech Schools Network.  “This school is excellent for us,” local tribe elder Alsyal Saleem said. “It gives the next generation of our tribe a chance to work thanks to the vocational studies in the school.”

Magen David Adom and IDF paramedics resuscitated a six-month-old Palestinian Arab baby after he collapsed at a Jordanian border crossing.  The baby was evacuated by IDF helicopter to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Ein Kerem hospital, to the delight of the parents.   

Israel has allowed Gaza to import machinery to equip its first Coca Cola factory.  Israel allowed nine truckloads from Jordan to reach Gaza for an enterprise it hoped would provide jobs, by the end of 2015, for hundreds of people in the coastal territory.  Gaza already has a Pepsi plant.

IDF paratroopers' hearts went out to two Palestinian Arab children who approached their post asking for food.  After seeing the kids searching dumpsters, the paratroopers decided to give them bread, meatballs, fruit, vegetables, hummus and snacks that they had bought for their own lunch.

(Thanks to Hazel) Evidence-based analysis concludes that Israeli policies have brought about measurable improvements in Palestinian health and welfare. See the facts on death rates, life expectancy, mortality (infant, maternal, perinatal), immunization coverage, nutrition etc.

This may seem an old headline, but it relates to the recent Philippines typhoon Hagupit (Ruby).  An emergency response team of IsraAID and IsraAID Philippines (the local partner agency) has been providing medical, psychological, social and material relief goods in the Can-Avid municipality.