Israel Active

Yasmin Chayach has become the first Christian woman to complete the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officer’s training course. Chayach, who is from Acre, follows in the footsteps of her brother, who also served in the IDF. Christian enlistment in the IDF tripled in 2013. http://archive.jns.org/news-briefs/2014/5/20/israel-welcomes-first-female-arab-christian-idf-officer

In a University of Haifa study, the percentage of Israeli Arabs who recognize Israel’s right to continue to exist as a Jewish and democratic state (53%) rose in 2013 compared to 2012 (47%). 64% (up 5%) thought Israel was a good place to live.

Israel allowed around 650 Christians from Hamas-controlled Gaza to travel to the PA-controlled city of Bethlehem during the pope's visit.

Professor Dan Engelhard of Jerusalem’s Hadassah Medical Center founded the Art Joy Love organization to help AIDS patients. In Uganda, his doctors, nurses, medicine, medical clowns, social workers and other volunteers in 18 months have reduced AIDS from 18% down to 16%.

Last week I reported that India’s new Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a friend of Israel. He has now appointed India’s first female Foreign Minister. Sushma Swara served as chairwoman of the Indo-Israel Parliamentary Friendship Group from 2006 to 2009.

StandWithUs brought nine photographers from Brazil, Spain, Austria, Russia, Britain, Italy and the U.S. to Israel for the first time. The nine have 4 million followers on the social media photo-sharing site Instagram.

Palestinian Arab farmers participated in a five-day course in post-harvest techniques held at the Volcani Institute, within the Israeli Agriculture Ministry complex in Beit Dagan. The farmers explored a variety of issues related to the packing and storage of fruits and vegetables.

Virginia State Sheriff Danny Diggs was one of 17 National Sheriff’s Association members visiting Israel for the first time. He said, "You saw people in traditional Muslim attire, traditional Jewish attire and in modern clothing walking along the street, working side-by-side and coexisting”.

Three Arab writers admired Israel for jailing ex-Israeli PM Ehud Olmert. No similar result would have occurred in Arab countries. One said, "Law is above all and this is real democracy. Israel is the only real democracy in the Middle East."

Pakistani Christians demonstrated in Karachi, demanding their right to pilgrimage to Christian holy sites in Israel. They held up placards, which included, "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem,” “Israel you are light to the nations,” and “Recognize the Jewish State of Israel".