You did great
This newsletter editor signed up to be a “champion” in the MyIsrael campaign to raise funds for desperate Israeli families adversely impacted by the war. The campaign raised over £1.1 million, of which over £12,000 was thanks to generous VeryGoodNewsIsrael readers. If you still wish to donate, see link below.
(info about MyIsrael)
(personal plea from MyIsrael CEO Danni Franks)
Thanks
Secular Boaz Golan is the lead presenter on Israel’s Channel 14. Viewers were in for an unexpected surprise when on live TV, Golan announced that the Jewish nation must give thanks to the Lord for the miracles we are witnessing. Donning a big kippah, he recited the gratitude Psalm 100 - Mizmor L’Todah.
From wedding to war
Not sure if this is good news, but it includes examples of how Israelis are accustomed to major changes of circumstances from one day to another.
Iranian state financial systems hacked
A cybersecurity attack has disabled Iran’s Sepah Bank, closely tied to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Also, Iran’s cryptocurrency exchange, Nobitex, which reportedly has been used to bypass Iranian sanctions, has been hacked, with reported losses estimated at $80 million.
Resilience domes
The Municipality of Sderot in southern Israel has launched a Resilience Accelerator to invest in resilience technologies and mental health. It comprises entrepreneurs working from within the crisis who are addressing trauma capacity issues, lack of accessibility, and waiting times.
Haredi woman captains first repatriation flight
El Al operated the first repatriation flight from Larnaca to Israel, led by the haredi captain Nechama Spiegel from Beit Shemesh. Spiegel, a mother of seven and the first haredi captain in El Al, made the flight as part of a series of flights approved by the government.
Repatriating Israelis
El Al, Arkia, Israir and Air Haifa are working to bring home thousands of Israelis each day who have been stranded abroad by the closure of Ben Gurion International airport. Israel is unique in that its citizens are desperate to travel from a relatively safe place to a country in the middle of a war.
New Barak Magen destroys Iranian drones
For the first time, the Israeli Navy used its new "Barak Magen" air defense system to shoot down eight Iranian drones. In addition, it can intercept cruise missiles and high-trajectory missiles, thus protecting key infrastructure e.g. offshore gas platforms and cities along Israel’s coast.
Puppies rescued
Israeli rescue forces retrieved two puppies from a Bat Yam home damaged by an Iranian missile strike. The Bat Yam Municipality took custody of the two mixed breed Labrador retrievers, and evacuated them for initial medical treatment while trying to locate the owners.
Advanced tech helps rescue Israelis
Police officers rescued a family from the rubble while searching the scene of a projectile impact in central Israel. The police stated that the rescue was conducted using special technological means, which allowed safe entry to the damaged area and removal of obstacles.