We are not alone
Michael Freund writes a positive article detailing Israel’s International friends and recent state visits.
Nigerian President and 30,000 pilgrims in Israel
President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit is the first time in the history of Nigeria that a sitting President went on pilgrimage to Israel. The president was accompanied by ministers and state governors and signed the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between Nigeria and Israel.
What would the UN do without Israel?
The United Nations regularly turns to the Jewish state to solve issues of international concern. The UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has granted 13 Israeli NGOs ‘Special Consulative Status’ and is currently considering granting this status to a further two.
Tucson firefighters in Israel
(Thanks to Hazel) A team of seven Tucson Arizona area firefighters is working for two weeks with Israel Fire and Rescue Services. Tucson Fire Capt. Kris Blume said that they wanted to “see what's not just common practice but the best practice."
Signing the National Anthem
All the volunteer IDF soldiers with disabilities who performed in the closing ceremony for their special basic training used the deaf sign language to accompany the Israeli National Anthem – “Hatikvah”. The sign-language tutor and conductor is Yahala Lachmish, daughter of my friend Leonie.
Science brings Iran and Israel closer
When ex-Bar-Ilan President Professor Eugene Kogan spotted that an Iranian study had omitted mentioning his work, he contacted the Iranians. Their response was "We thank you for bringing the study to our attention. In the next issue we will gladly mention your research. We believe that scientists are messengers of peace, and scientists' way of thinking is different from politicians' way of thinking,"
reThink Israel
A new campaign has been launched to change opinions about Israel among 18-24 year-olds Americans. reThink Israel wants to spread a positive buzz about Israel’s culture, diversity, humanitarian efforts and innovations. Please ask reThink Israel’s CEO Gerald Ostrov to get in touch with me!
Czech president checks out the Dead Sea
Nice to see a head of state willing to take his shoes off and enjoy one of Israel’s most popular tourist attractions.
First visit for two Prime Ministers
As if to illustrate Michael Freund’s message, both Joseph Muscat, the Prime Minister of Malta and Peter O'Neill, the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea are the first sitting prime ministers of their respective countries to visit Israel. Both came with large delegations and cooperation plans.
“They all will come to Jerusalem”
The Knesset – Israel’s parliament – has optimistically invited lawmakers from all countries (even Iran) to Jerusalem. Israel is a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Knesset speaker invited IPU President Abdelwahed Radi to hold an IPU meeting in Israel’s capital.