Israel Active

Ted Belman, editor of IsraPundit, has passed away at the age of 87. His relentless activism on behalf of the Jewish State will be sorely missed.  Thankfully Peloni is continuing his legacy as the new editor.

The Israel Forever Foundation hosted a gala celebration at the David Citadel Hotel in Jerusalem on Declaration Day, May 14, the 77th anniversary of Israel’s establishment.  18 foreign ambassadors were joined by dozens of Jewish organizational leaders, Israel activists, journalists and social media influencers.

Israel has begun renovation and maintenance work at the Little Western Wall, a lesser-known section of the Western Wall located in the (sensitive) Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City. The section of Herodian-era wall is just 190 yards north of the main plaza, adjacent to the Iron Gate.

Israeli startup Mentaily, founded in response to the aftermath of Oct 7 2023, has taken on the LIV AI mental health platform developed by Sheba Medical Center (see previously). LIV simulates clinical psychiatric assessment, addressing the acute lack of mental health professionals and services.

Another tale of resilience as the Tosha Bakery between Acre and Rosh Hanikra in Israel’s far north had to close due to Hezbollah rockets. The owners opened a pastry stand in Nahariya until they could return to Tosha, clean up and repair their equipment and recover. With help from JNF-USA.

On 28 May, Israel’s Technion Institute will receive the Defense Minister’s Shield for 2025 in recognition of its outstanding support for military reservists. The Shield is granted to organizations and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to reservists.

Israel has approved a benefits package totaling 3 billion shekels (some $800 million) for active IDF reservists. It includes tax credits, employer grants, subsidized housing, welfare expenses, support for small businesses, plus priority access to civil service jobs and other services.

On Memorial Day, Israel’s Olympic Committee changed its official logo to incorporate the handwriting of IDF Captain Eden Nimri, a professional swimmer. She fell while battling Hamas fighters at the Nahal Oz IDF base on 7 Oct 2023, allowing 11 female soldiers to escape.

An IDF soldier who was paralyzed after being wounded in Gaza is walking again with the help of ReWalk, the exoskeleton developed by Israel’s Lifeward (formerly ReWalk – see previously).

Reserve Major Professor Nahum Nesher (63) and his son, Koren, have clocked 250 cumulative days of reserve duty in the Hermon outposts. Nahum returns to Syria having been brutally treated as a PoW in 1984. Koren survived a car accident after mandatory IDF service, but he still re-enlisted.