Israel Active

Seventy public health professionals from over 20 countries in Africa and across the globe return to Jerusalem to participate in the 2nd Pears International Master's in Public Health (IMPH) Alumni Reunion. They will learn cutting-edge research and exchange professional experiences. Over 750 professionals from 90 countries have graduated from Israel’s IMPH program since its inception in 1971.

A unique cooking workshop for the blind and the visually impaired took place this week, for the first time in Israel. The workshop was organized by the Lions volunteer organization and was held in the “Cooking Experience” centre.

The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Charles Bolden, participated in the launching of the Moona science, environment and space center in Sakhnin (an Israeli Arab town).

The Wadi Attir Project celebrated the completion of its “preparation phase” as the Arab Beduin village of Hura in the northeast Negev desert gradually grows into an eco-village full of flora and fauna, as well as renewable energy. One of the village’s main sponsors is KKL-JNF.

This week, 1,138 truckloads of supplies entered Gaza from Israel. An average pickup truck is 25 feet long. That means if you put all the trucks that entered Gaza this week in a straight line, you would need more than 79 football fields to fit them all in. Think Gaza is under siege? Think again.

Nira Lee made Aliya from Arizona and became an officer in the IDF. She joined COGAT and provided support to Gaza civilians during Operation Pillar of Defense. She writes about the work she did and the amazing efforts the IDF made to avoid civilian casualties.

The Faculty of Law at Bar-Ilan University has established eight legal clinics, providing legal assistance and counseling to the general public; all free of charge. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8eOK20-iypk

The Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee of the Indian Armed Forces, Air Chief Marshal Norman Anil Kumar Browne, made his first visit to Israel in his current position. He previously served as the first Defense Attaché of India to Israel, from 1997 to 2000.

Israel has become only the second Middle East country (after Cyprus) to agree to the UN’s Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer Registers (PRTR). The international environmental treaty demands that governments exercise freedom of information and transparency regarding emissions data.

Israel’s Ministry of Science sponsored a conference on “The Role of Research & Development in Economic Development in the Arab Community”. The conference was organized by the NGO Triangle Research & Development Center, which addresses topics affecting the Arab community in Israel.