Israel Active

In 1970, only 10% of Arab women had jobs in Israel. Today it is around 20%. However, whilst the Jewish State has given opportunities to Arab women, cultural difficulties in their families prevent job numbers reaching the levels common in Jewish families. An interesting Bank of Israel study and highlights the further improvements (and expenditure) that the Israeli government is making.

Please read these articles in the Malaysian Insider - by Abdul Haleem Abdul Rahiman and Farish A. Noor. I cannot comment further, as my last praise for the Malaysian opposition party leader got him into trouble (Search on Google for “Michael Ordman Malaysia”)

Israel was chosen by top European police officials to host the annual International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) conference in May, marking a historical first for the country. The three-day conference will take place in Tel Aviv and will include 200 representatives from 50 countries.

Some 20 foreign diplomats to Israel joined KKL-JNF on Wednesday for a tour of several different Negev research sites. They were very keen to get hold of some of the drought-resistant seeds being developed by the organisation.

Over the last 12 months, China has changed its official approach to the Jewish State. The Arab “spring” caught the Chinese government off-guard politically. Also, the country wants to change industrially from “factory” to “innovator”. Israel has become important to solving both issues.

The Chabad movement arranged a mass barmitzvah celebration for boys who have lost one or more parents. After the ceremony at the Western Wall, the boys and their families enjoyed a festive party at the Jerusalem International Convention Centre attended by Israel’s Chief Rabbis and ten government ministers.

Haifa born Nissren Kader has won the reality TV song contest “Eyal Golan is Calling You,” a popular television show. She sang Arabic and Hebrew songs, including a song commemorating fallen IDF soldiers.

Prior to Passover, the Jewish Agency and the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews sponsored events to help new Ethiopian Jews prepare for their first Seder in the Jewish State. All participants were encouraged to share their personal stories of Exodus and renewal— to retell the details of their immigration to Israel and their renewed life free of religious persecution.

(thanks to NoCamels) Technology from Tel Aviv-based startup “Rounds has connected 100,000 Israeli with 10,000 Iranians. It is part of the “Israel Loves Iran” facebook campaign that highlights Israel has nothing against ordinary Iranians – just their mad leaders.

A group of Harvard students are organizing that university’s first-ever Israel Conference tell the story of Israel’s contributions to the world. Speakers will include Bank of Israel Governor Prof Stanley Fisher and Start-up Nation co-author Dan Senor.