Israel Active

About time!  The IDF drone interception tests included Elbit (Iron Hawk), IAI (Precise Falcon), Rafael (Typhoon), Aerobotics, Xtend, General Robotics (Pitbull), Smart Shooter, Fortem (US) + Elbit. See for most of these and many other Israeli systems previously reported in this newsletter.

IDF Sgt. Omer Ginzburg may have fallen in battle, but his bone grafts will repair orthopedic injuries; his corneas will give sight to the blind; his skin will treat burns injuries, and his heart valves will also be used. Omer’s parents said, "He always thought of others before thinking of himself.”

Ellay Golan’s recovery from 8-weeks in a coma to graduating medical school was reported previously. This article describes how, despite being burned, she bravely fought off Hamas terrorists on Oct 7 to save her 18-month-old baby daughter.

Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) has established a scholarship fund for students in southern border communities. Many are evacuees and still in shock. Returning to studies is a form of rehabilitation. So far, some 1,670 students have received NIS 4,000 each. See also .

Two articles describing wounded IDF soldiers who are bravely walking again after extensive hospital treatment and rehabilitation.  Major Rotem Shaked Aharon is fortunate to have his original legs, whereas Elisha Madan has two prostheses.

Havat Rom (Rom Farm) some 30 miles from the Lebanese border, contains a farm-to-table restaurant and a glamping site. It also hosts a government rehabilitation program helping people with mental illnesses and disorders, including soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Israel has the highest percentage of youth in the OECD. It spends 6.1% of GDP on education (4.9% OECD average). Most Israeli 3-5 year-olds are enrolled in a preschool and over half of under-3s attend a daycare facility (e.g. kindergarten) – one of the highest rates in OECD.

Fawzia Amin Sido, a Yazidi girl abducted by ISIS in Iraq at age 11 and later sold to a Gazan and held captive by Hamas, has been freed by Israeli forces. And after a complex, months-long operation involving the US and others, she was reunited with her family in Iraq.

A Torah scroll, written in part by families who lost loved ones on Oct 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza, was dedicated at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, where it will be housed. It conveys and strengthens the message and spiritual symbol of Jewish unity and shared values.

Positive recent events in Jerusalem include KKL-JNF’s “Uniting for the Future” solidarity mission, Jerusalem Design Week “The Ark”, fairs to support Israeli businesses, the book launch for “Az Nashir – We Will Sing Again”, and late night Selichot prayers.