Israel Active

The inside story of the unprecedented successful development timescale of Israel’s new laser defense system. Already operational for several months, the rapidly deployed system’s success rates surpassed all projections.

During the Swords of Iron War, the IDF successfully intercepted dozens of drones using new laser interception systems operated by air defense personnel. Israel is the first country in the world to field high-powered, operational laser systems at scale. Rafael’s Iron Beam should be ready end-2025.

The Flag March on Jerusalem Day 2025 is a festive procession from the City Center to the Western Wall to mark the 58th anniversary of the liberation of Jerusalem. As Avi Abelow describes it, “Jerusalem – we are living the dream of our ancestors.” See the giant Israeli flag unfurled in the Kotel Plaza.

Finally, we may one day see all Israeli children growing up knowing their historical connection to the Land.  Reforms placing Jewish and Zionist studies at the heart of the core curriculum in all publicly-funded state schools will start in 2026.

NGOs and have partnered to take thousands of Jewish teens from Israel this summer to Hungary, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Spain and France. In each locale, the students will study issues related to local Jewish history and strengthen the spirit of solidarity with Israel.

Birthright Israel has launched its summer session, welcoming the first groups of U.S. participants to Israel. Running from mid-May through Sept, the program expects to bring more than 20,000 young Jewish adults from across the United States, Canada, and 30 additional countries.

Eliezer Meir Seidel, an expert baker and owner of the Showbread Institute in the Samaria community of Karnei Shomron, is proud that he has perfected the recipe for the special 12 loaves of “wonder bread” that were displayed continually in the Temple 2000 -3000 years ago.

Surgeons at Hadassah Medical Center saved a young Israeli whose heart artery was torn by terrorist shrapnel. The surgeons used Israel’s unique HemaShock tourniquet (see previously) to squeeze his blood just to his vital organs. His heart restarted while surgeons repaired the artery.

Flying Production, a subsidiary of Israel’s Elbit Systems, has begun serial production of its new X-Intra combat drone that can carry loads up to 30kg. Stored disassembled, it fits into a padded bag that one soldier can carry, and can be deployed and operational within just two minutes.

Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems has raised $512 million on Nasdaq to help expand its production of military systems. On 31st March, Elbit had a record $23.1 billion backlog of orders. The new cash will be used to establish more infrastructure and invest more in R&D.