Israel Active

A mystery seed dating from 993 C.E.-1202 C.E. that was uncovered four decades ago by archaeologists in a cave in the Judean Desert has been revived. It is believed to be the biblical healing balm  tsori (Genesis 37:25 & 43:11) as it contains high levels of medicinal compounds e.g., the antioxidant squalene.  

On the Jewish new year, Israel’s population is estimated to exceed 10 million. The Central Bureau of Statistics reported a total of 9,915,000 at the end of 2023, and a growth rate of 1.2% to 1.6% will by now have exceeded 10 million (77% Jews, 20.8% Arabs). And 183,000 babies were born.  

Israel has many supporters in Europe, "but they are in need of relevant information," says IDSF’s Brig-Gen Amir Avivi. Meetings between IDSF and Italian Chamber of Deputies officials resulted in the Italian Parliament’s lower house passing a multifaceted pro-Israel resolution in July.

Dozens of satellite internet stations from Elon Musk's Starlink have arrived in Israel's north for government offices, hospitals and emergency centers. Israel’s Communications Ministry approved Starlink’s use, enabling Israelis to access broadband services if ground-based communications are disrupted.

Reporter Canaan Lidor lives in the north of Israel. He was looking for ordinary brave people who are inspiring others. He found people eating outside bomb shelters; zoom-learning schools; sharing safe rooms with neighbors; plus ex-pats returning to Israel to defend the country.

Eitan Chitayat, creative director and founder of Tel Aviv-based international Natie Branding Agency, has dropped all his commercial work to focus on promoting Israel to the world. He created the slogan “I’m that Jew” and urges his 100,000+ followers, and all of us, to be advocates for Israel.

NGOs SASA Setton (see previously) and Alumot Or have partnered Israeli bank Hapoalim to set up early-years centers of educational excellence in areas most affected by Oct 7. The program will help hundreds of children aged 3 to 6 who have experienced trauma, along with their parents. Jo

Since Oct 7, some 400 doctors and 30 health professionals from the US and other countries have arrived in Israel to assist in treating the large number of injured or to fill in for Israeli medical staff who are called to military duty.  Read about five of them here.

Israeli volunteers have been restoring the tombs of Jesse and Ruth, the father and great-grandmother of King David, located in Hebron. See Isaiah (ch 11 v10) “In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his resting place will be glorious”.

Israeli minister of Aliyah Ofir Sofer discusses the increase in immigration to Israel following the outbreak of the war. It’s not just anti-Semitism, it’s the wish to show solidarity with Israel, in spite of the war.