No construction problems in Gaza
Israel approved the delivery of $100 million of materials needed to build 1,200 new homes and 18 new schools in Gaza. “I welcome this significant step,” said UN Envoy Robert Serry.
Lt-General of Israel’s police is a Muslim
Jamal Hakroush, will be promoted to the post of deputy head of Traffic Police this week. He is the first Muslim policeman to be promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Library for refugees
Lewinsky Park in South Tel Aviv has been revolutionised by a library designed for migrants. It has no walls or doors and its huge bookcases resemble a pair of open arms.
Israeli-Arabs proud to serve in the IDF
Many Israeli Arabs want to contribute toward Israeli society by serving in the Israel Defense Forces and integrating into their home country. Bedouin and Druze Israeli communities actively encourage IDF service. Christian and non-Bedouin Muslim Israeli Arabs volunteer to proudly serve in the IDF, often in units comprised entirely of Israeli Arab citizens. Here are some testimonials.
Honouring the Druze
The Druze minority in Israel has always been proud to serve in the Israel Defence Forces. Now the Israeli government is building a national heritage site to commemorate fallen Druze soldiers.
Sheikh Peres
Israeli President Shimon Peres visited the Bedouin village of Hura in the Negev. He was made an honorary sheikh - an Arabic term of respect reserved for village elders and religious leaders.
Gaza has plenty
Israel transfers 15,000 tons of supplies to Gaza every week. In two months Israel transferred 133 million litres of fuel to Gaza – enough to power every car and truck in Israel! Read this about medical aid.
Now you see it, now you don’t
The longest total lunar eclipse for eleven years was best seen from Israel, of course, on Wednesday night. Now we just need a blue moon or two for world peace to break out.
Read all about it
Please welcome Lola and Norman Cohen to the Israel blogging world and I hope you enjoy reading about their experiences with Israel’s minorities in this month’s stories.
Proud to serve
A new IDF poll reveals positive attitudes toward service among hareidi (ultra-orthodox) Jewish soldiers. 90% of respondents said it is important to them that they excel in their role in the IDF. 85% said they are proud to serve in the IDF. 400 hareidi soldiers enlisted last week. Most chose combat units.