Israel Active

Israel’s Consul General for the Southeastern United States, via Chabad Kentucky, joined in relief efforts for Kentucky flood victims, providing clothing, shoes, and household goods. Last year Israeli NGOs helped victims of Kentucky’s deadly tornados (see previously).

Israel’s Civil Administration has approved plans to build a 30km pipeline for carrying some 3 million cubic meters of treated wastewater from Ramallah to Palestinian Arab farmers in the Jericho valley. The rare cooperation between the PA and Israel will halt pollution of the Nahal Prat Nature Reserve.

A new education program has been launched in 30 Jerusalem schools where Jewish students will be taught Arabic. The program seeks to reduce language and social barriers between Jerusalem Arabs and the Hebrew-speaking Jewish population of Israel’s capital.

Tel Aviv’s Municipality, with help from the charity La’sova, has inaugurated a NIS 36 million shelter for 144 homeless male residents. From 3pm to 9am it will provide a place to sleep, shower, eat, receive counseling, medical referrals and more. La’sova has 13 temporary shelters in the city.

Israel’s Intelligence Agency, Mossad, has appointed a woman, known as “A” as Director of the Intelligence Authority. She joins “K”, another woman, who serves as head of the Iran Desk, the chief concern of the organization. It is the first-time women have held two senior positions in the agency.

Students from Tel Aviv University won first place in the International Mathematics Competition for University Students (IMC) in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. The TAU students beat prestigious teams including from Cambridge UK and University College London.

The United Nations awarded NGO Special Consultative Status to the American Zionist Movement (AZM). The AZM can participate in UN events and debates, plus hold events within the framework of the UN. Israel’s UN Ambassador and AZM’s President hailed it as a great day for Zionism.

To mark World Humanitarian Day on Aug 19th, the Society for International Development (SID)-Israel compiled images to show the faces behind some of Israel’s humanitarian organizations. See the many NGOs featured previously in this newsletter.

An Israeli delegation of tech professionals, investors, and trade officials recently returned from a trip to Indonesia to foster connections through technology ventures, social impact initiatives, and investments. The most populous Muslim country has no diplomatic relations with Israel.

The National Food Security Initiative, funded by the Israel Ministry of Welfare and Social Affairs and Colel Chabad, is to deliver baby formula to the homes of families in need. Beginning with 3,500 families, it will grow to 36,000 families who will receive 3.5 kg of formula per month.