Israel Active

Israeli archaeologists have discovered the earliest evidence of cotton in the ancient Near East during excavations at Tel Tsaf, a 7,000-year-old town in the Jordan Valley. The site has provided a wealth of discoveries, including the earliest example of social beer drinking and ritual food storage.

The Second Annual Ancient Roots Israel (ARI) International Herbal Conference (Jan. 22 – 24) at the Ana Poriya Resort near Tiberias.

The heads of Israel’s four major religions attended a conference on breastmilk for newborns in need. Chief Rabbi David Lau, Qadi Eiad Zahalka (head of Sharia Courts), Archbishop Dr. Yousef Matta (Greek Catholic Church), and Qadi Abu Ayash (Druze) all supported the use of donated milk for premature babies.

Yoseph Haddad, founder of Israeli Arab changemaker group Together Vouch for Each Other, has just won the Menachem Begin Heritage Center’s 2022 Begin Prize, recognizing people or organizations making an extraordinary contribution to Israeli society.

Israel participated in the inaugural Arab International Cybersecurity Exhibition and Conference in Manama, Bahrain (Dec 6 - 8). It joined the UAE, Morocco, Kuwait, Oman, and other countries. Israel’s National Cyber Directorate head Gabi Portnoy also led a joint workshop.

97 autistic new recruits completed their basic training last year. Three more have just begun officer’s training. And as their recent meeting with the IDF Chief of Staff shows, they won’t be the last.

Israel has donated 17 generators to Ukraine for use in the electricity-starved Kherson region of southeastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, Oren Milstein, co-founder of Israel’s StemRad travelled to Kyiv to donate 20 StemRad radiation protection suits to first responders.

The Israeli Foreign Affairs mission in Qatar celebrated Hanukkah with Israelis who had attended the Soccer World Cup, plus many Qatar Jews. Qatar does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, so the Israeli Ministry team lit Hanukkah candles at the United States Embassy in Doha.

The fourth Jerusalem Leaders Summit (Dec 28) brings together leaders from America, Britain, Europe, and India. It will focus on law, economic freedom, free trade, cyber security, energy, innovation, and technology.

Some important facts in this opinion piece. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where the Christian population is growing (by 1.4% in 2020) and satisfied with life (84% in Dec 2021 survey). Not so in Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, Gaza, the PA, etc., etc.