Israel Active

80-year-old released hostage Gadi Mozes was held for 483 days in isolation. He walked 7km a day up and down his tiny room. He solved mathematics problems in his head. He persuaded his captors to give him books in English, and he kept a daily diary which Hamas confiscated before his release.

Another article featuring released hostage Agam Berger. It features Agam at the IDF graduation ceremony for her younger sister Bar where Agam presented Bar with her graduation award ribbon.

The four female IDF soldiers released on Jan 25 had their hair braided by Agam Berger, who was released a week later. She had also braided the hair of some of the children released in Nov 2023. Many Israeli women, including El Al staff, have braided their hair as a sign of solidarity.

The five Thai hostages released on Jan 30 have been granted Israeli residency status. Thaenna Pongsak, Sathian Suwannakhan, Sriaoun Watchara, Saethao Bannawat and Rumnao Surasak can stay in Israel if they wish, after their recovery. See them reunited with their families.

Fans of UK soccer team Tottenham Hotspur celebrated the release of hostage and Spurs fan Emily Damari. One fan said, “I don’t know her, I’ve never met her, but there was something very personal about her not just being a British hostage but being a Spurs fan.”  (Ed - Something to think about!)

Hanan Ben Ari, one of Israel's favorite singers, gave a private performance for Liri, Karina, Daniela and Naama and their families in hospital. The unique 2-hour “welcome home” concert included his latest release, “Today I woke up happy.”

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is offering full scholarships for a three-year academic degree (both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs) to all released hostages. It will also establish a fund to pay the fees, when they reach adulthood, of children held hostage by Hamas.

Jews from overseas are rushing to buy Israeli apartments - 1,900 in 2024, 50% more that in 2023.  Jerusalem was the most popular city, at 100 purchases per month. The French are immigrating in large numbers, whereas Americans and the English are not in a hurry to move, yet.

Researchers from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have deciphered the Aramaic inscription on a pottery shard discovered in the 1980s at the Alexandrium Fortress (Sartaba) in the Jordan Valley. They used Israeli advanced imaging technology to read ““Eleazar bar Ger… from Beit Akiman.”

This month’s newsletter from JNF-USA’s CEO Russell F. Robinson highlights its work building a new medical center in Kiryat Shmona, disability support in northern Israel, a culinary school, the Alexander Muss High School, and Shabbat for Israel on May 2nd.