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PERCENT OF ISRAELI JEWS VOLUNTEER (3/9) Volunteerism in Israel remains among the highest in the world, with more than 18 percent of adult Israeli Jews engaging in volunteer work. According to a survey released by the MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY, TRADE AND LABOR, 650,000 Israelis take part in some regular volunteer work15.7% of Israels Jewish and Arab adults. According to the survey, 18% of Israels Jews engage in volunteer work, while half that proportional percentagejust 9.1%of the countrys Arabs do. Of Israel's volunteers, about half work with organizations such as Magen David Adom emergency medical services and the Yad Sarah medical equipment lending organization. The other half volunteer on a private basis or for smaller groups. Volunteers contributed an average of eleven hours a month. Among Jewish volunteers, the study demonstrated volunteerism increased with level of religious observance and was highest among the Hareidi-Religious sector. BUSINESS IS BLOOMING FOR
ISRAELI FLOWERS (2/24) "Flower export works nicely with the special characteristics of Israeli export and agriculture," says Zvi Alon, director general of the Ministry of Agriculture's Foreign Trade Center, himself from a farming family. "[Even] the small family farm model, a small area yielding a lot of produce; with superintensive farming and using technology, [about five acres] can be adequate." Israel's total agricultural yield, including agriculture-related technology and other nonedible products, is about 2 percent of the gross national product - or $3.5 billion - of which 30 percent are exports, mostly of fresh produce. Flowers, in particular, are heavily export-centric, with 90 percent of Israeli growers shipping their blooms out of the country. The picking, packing and distribution process is so streamlined that German and British direct-order clients receive flowers via temperature-controlled jet within two days of plucking. In the late 1970s, Israel was the first foreign country to enter the Netherlands' auctions and trade fairs; until then, only Dutch growers were allowed to participate. 2,000-YEAR-OLD
JUDEAN DATE SEED GROWING SUCCESSFULLY (1/31/06) The Judean date seed was found, together with a large number of other seeds, during archaeological excavations carried out close to Masada near the southern end of the Dead Sea. Masada was the last Jewish stronghold following the Roman destruction of the Holy Temple over 1,930 years ago. The age of the seeds was determined using carbon dating, but has a margin of error of 50 years-placing them either right before or right after the Masada revolt. The seeds sat in storage for thirty years until Elain Solowey of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies was asked to attempt to cultivate three of them. Solowey spoke with Israel National Radio's Yishai Fleisher and Alex Traiman about reviving the ancient date palm. As this year's Tu B'Shvat (the Jewish new year for trees, the 15th of the Jewish month of Shvat) approaches, the young tree that sprouted from one of the three seeds now has five leaves (one was removed for scientific testing) and is 14 inches tall [33.5 cm]. Solowey has named it Metushelah (Methuselah), after the 969-year-old grandfather of Noah, the oldest human being ever. ISRAELI
RESCUE TEAM Israel dispatched a similar team to Nairobi in 1998 after the terrorist bombing of the U.S. embassy. POPE WORRIED BY
GLOBAL UPSURGE IN ANTI-SEMITISM (1/17) Waves of anti-Semitic violence and vandalism have hit Europe in the past few years. Last week, worshippers in a Moscow synagogue were attacked by a man with a knife. According to THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Benedict did not mention specific occurrences of anti-Semitism in his speech welcoming Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni to an audience at the Vatican. The rabbi led a delegation from Rome's Jewish community, one of the oldest in the world. Benedict said Jews and Christians have the responsibility to cooperate to promote justice, love and freedom. "In the light of this common mission, we cannot not denounce and combat with decisiveness the hate and incomprehension, the injustices and the violence that continue to sow worry in the soul of men and women of good will," Benedict said. "In this context, how can one not be pained and worried about the fresh outbreaks of anti-Semitism that are occurring?" the pope said. Di Segni said Benedict was welcome to pay a call on Rome's main synagogue, noting the approaching 20th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's groundbreaking visit there. The visit by the late, Polish-born pope to the synagogue helped repair centuries of poor Vatican-Jewish relations and underlined his determination to use his papacy to improve ties. Benedict became the second pope in history to visit a Jewish house of worship when he went to the synagogue in Cologne, Germany, last summer during his first trip abroad since being elected pontiff in April. ISRAELI
JEWISH POPULATION MATCHS U.S. (1/17/06) SUICIDE
BOMB FILM WINS PRESTIGIOUS GOLDEN GLOBE (1/17) POLICE REPORT 5% DECREASE IN
CRIME (1/16/06) In an interview with Army Radio on Monday, Inspector-General Moshe Karadi said that dealing with violent crime is at the top of law enforcement priorities. "Organized crime activities are becoming more and more similar to those of terrorist organizations Their activity is ramping up, which undoubtedly shakes the public's feeling of security. Organized crime must be dealt with in the same way as terror." Other data released today by the police shows that violence among youth has further increased in the past year. In 2005, the number of youth caught in possession of knives went up 60%. "We have declared war on the stabbing phenomenon," Karadi said. "But the treatment of (violent) youth has to be multi-institutional. (This) includes the police as well as the home and the educational system." The Department of Traffic reported a 14% decrease in car accidents on Israeli roads. Likewise, there was a 10% decrease in the number of fatal accidents. 397 people were killed in car accidents in 2005 as opposed to 471 in 2004. Inspector-General Karadi added that in 2006, the police plan to fight governmental corruption and the penetration of organized crime into government offices. ISRAELIS
CONQUER BRAZILS COFFEE INDUSTRY (1/3/06) In the framework of the agreement, Strauss Elite's subsidiary, Tres Coracoes, will merge with Santa Clara, one of the largest coffee companies in Brazil, owned by the Lima brothers. The Israeli company and the Limas will equally own the new merger. Strauss Elite will funnel US$60 million to the new firm, and will jointly manage it with its partners. The merged company will manufacture roasted ground coffee, cappuccino, instant coffee and chocolate drinks powder, and handle the processing and storing of green coffee, an activity estimated at US$60 million annually. "This deal represents a breakthrough in Strauss Elite's way to become a leading factor in the ground coffee market, as well as in emerging markets," Ofra Strauss, the company's chairman said January 1. US
LEADERS CALL FOR AN END TOURISTS ARE
BACK; HOTEL OCCUPANCY UP (11/14) UN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY DESIGNATES Co-sponsored by some 90 other states, the resolution rejects Holocaust denial and encourages countries to develop educational programs about the horrors of genocide. It also condemns religious intolerance, incitement, harassment, or violence based on ethnic origin or religious belief. Assembly President Jan Eliasson said the memory of the Holocaust must be "a unifying historic warning around which we must rally; not only to recall the grievous crimes committed in human history, but also to reaffirm our unfaltering resolve to prevent the recurrence of such crimes." Israeli Ambassador Dan Gillerman said the Holocaust "brought us face to face with the full extent of man's capacity for inhumanity to his fellow man," and that it served as a "critical impetus" for the development of human rights, the drafting of landmark international conventions on genocide, and the founding of the UN itself. ISRAELI AND GREEK
NAVIES CONDUCT JOINT RESCUE EXERCISE (11/1) The exercise aims to strengthen the cooperation between the two countries and practice the immediate dispatch of forces in any crisis, disaster, or need for humanitarian aid and rescue. It is part of the IDF's policy of offering aid regardless of limits and borders. The exercise will be held over the course of several days and will take place in the Mediterranean Sea and in Greece. PM
SHARON AND BILL GATES ANNOUNCE "Israel is a superpower in the technology and computer fields and I believe that this stems from both Jewish tradition and the Jewish history of a small people whose only resource for many generations was human capital and brainpower. The absence of other physical resources both as the Jewish People was in the Diaspora and during its return to its homeland has caused the accelerated development of human capital as an alternative." The two men jointly announced a new national plan to reduce the digital gap in Israel, under the aegis of Prime Minister Sharon. The plan is the initiative of Microsoft and will be jointly undertaken by public sector companies and the private sector. The Prime Minister said: "Today, we are investing in an important project, the goal of which is to reach those children who have no access to computers and to give them the opportunity to become integrated into our modern life. We believe that the gap is opened at a young age and, therefore, we have chosen to deal with children. Our goal is to reach 250,000 underprivileged children - mainly on the periphery - by 2010, to utilize existing computer classrooms and give them full instruction that will prepare those children for the work market." Prime Ministers Office Director-General Ilan Cohen and Microsoft Israel Managing Director Danny Yamin will oversee the project. BUSINESS BEHIND BARS (8/10) "One of the big marketing firms has ordered 10,000 units," Dahan told MAARIV. "There is also interest abroad, and the bulk of the product is intended to be sold in the United States and Europe." The Prison Service plans to mass produce the pads and give all prisoners involved in the enterprise a share of the profits, Maariv reported. ANTIBIOTICS
AND FIRST AID The Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign Ministry, Mr. Amos
Nadai, commented on the response of Israeli companies: The total aid package, estimated at NIS220 thousand, includes tablets against nausea and vomiting, pain medication for children and adults, first aid kits, penicillin, and antibiotics. The aid is in answer to the appeal by the Maharashtra Government, following the floods that struck the region, claiming more than a thousand lives and leaving thousands more homeless. All of the medicines and equipment were flown by El-Al on August 8, directly to Bombay, capital of Maharashtra, and arrived at their destination that evening. ISRAEL
ELECTED DEPUTY The UNDC is a subsidiary body of the General Assembly and serves to recommend to it ways to solve problems on the global agenda of disarmament. The decisions taken by the UNDC form the basis for future international action in disarmament. Formed in 1978, the UNDC's mandate is to deal with both conventional and nuclear disarmament. Israel's election represents an impressive achievement at the UN and an expression of its effort to become substantively integrated in various UN activities. In addition, Israel's election to the sensitive task of nuclear disarmament is an expression of its professional capacity to contribute to a field that is itself problematic for Israel. NBA STARS TO PROMOTE
PEACE (7/12) Consul General of Israel in New York Aryeh Mekel met with NBA Commissioner David Stern who gave the initiative the green light. In a bid to promote the project, a meeting was held last week between a senior NBA vice president and Fran Oppenheim, a representative for The Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations that is sponsoring the trip. Consul for Media and Public Affairs at the Israeli Consulate in New York Ido Aharoni said the possibility of incorporating the visit with the Peres Center for Peace's sports project was also being weighed. ARAB ISRAELI WINS MACCABIAH GOLD (7/11) The Maccabiah, often called the "Jewish Olympics," are open to Jewish athletes from around the world, and to all Israeli citizens - regardless of their religion. Asala Shahada's gold medal is another accomplishment in a chain of Arab sporting successes in Israel. The Arab Israeli town of Sakhnin has known many sporting celebrations, but up until now all of them were connected with soccer. ISRAELS
JEWISH Today about 5.28 million Jews live in the United States, while 5.235 million live in Israel. Israel is the only country in the world expected to see significant growth in the size of its Jewish population, while all other communities in the world are expected to shrink or remain stable. The Jerusalem-based institute predicts that there will be 6.25 million Jews in Israel in 2020, compared to 5.25 million today. In North America the number of Jews is expected to remain stable, at about 5.5 million. The number of Jews in Europe is expected to drop from 1.25 million to 1 million. WORLD ATHLETES
ARRIVE IN ISRAEL FOR MACCADIAH GAMES (7/5) The Maccabiah Games have been a quadrennial event since 1957, and the games are now ranked among the five largest sports gatherings in the world. One of this year's top draws will be Olympic backstroke champion Lenny Krayzelburg. The triple-gold medallist from the 2000 Sydney Olympics has been named the honorary captain of the American team. The American delegation arrived in Israel just before July 4, and Lindsey Durlacher, 29, who won the U.S. national championship in Greco-Roman wrestling two weeks ago, had the honor to carry the flag off of the plane. Leading the Israeli delegation will be Olympian pole vaulter Alex Averbukh and judoka Arik Ze'evi. PROFESSIONAL
TENNIS TO RETURN TO ISRAEL (7/5) ANGLICAN
COUNCIL BACKS CAMPAIGN TO DIVEST FROM ISRAEL (6/27) ISRAELI
OFFICIALS SAY ISRAEL TO PARTICIPATE
IN NATO SUBMARINE DRILL (6/20) "The NATO exercise Sorbet Royal 2005 is the largest and most challenging live submarine escape and rescue exercise ever conducted," according to NATO reports. "It will test international submarine escape and rescue personnel, equipment and procedures to cope with the most extreme submarine rescue missions and will involve ships, aircraft and submarines from 10 nations." The Israeli contingent observing the drill, which is leaving for Italy this morning, will be headed by Brigadier General Noam Feig, head of naval operations, and submarine commander Colonel Yoni Vart. The Israeli team participating in the drill is headed by Lieutenant Colonel Oded Gur-Lavi. ISRAELI
PILOT SAVED Mayor Bloomberg later told reporters that Ben-Bassat was to be commended. "The pilot encountered a malfunction in the aircraft, and helped save the passengers," he said. "When the tourists return to their countries they'll have stories to tell." ISRAELS
UN AMBASSADOR GILLERMAN Gillerman was the candidate of the Western nations, a bloc containing some 30 states, including members of the European Union, Canada, Australia and the United States. "This is an important and historical moment for the State of Israel, both in essence and in timing," said Gillerman of his election Monday. The vice president is responsible for running General Assembly discussions in the president's absence, and he is a member of the committee that decides on the assembly's daily agenda. SYRIAN
ATHLETES REJECT CERTIFICATES CARRYING ISRAELI FLAG (6/14) In a statement to the press Tuesday, the head of the Syrian team said "the team refused those certificates since they carry the Israeli flag." The Syrian team was later given new certificates that carried only the Syrian and the Turkish flags. ISRAELI EXPORTS
TO IRAQ TO REACH ALMOST $1 MILLION (6/2) However, exports to most Arab countries are still much lower in comparison with pre-Palestinian violence levels. In 1998, Israel exported $108 million worth of clothes, chemicals and plastic materials, mechanical equipment, food and agricultural products to Arab countries from the United Arab Emirates to as far as Morocco. About a quarter of those exports - $26 million - went to Jordan. In the first quarter of 2005, Israel trucked $29 million of goods to Jordan. That amount accounts for a large portion of the total $42 million worth of goods bound for Arab countries in that period. ISRAEL JOINS NATO
PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY (5/31) The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the inter-parliamentary organization of legislators from 14 member countries of the North Atlantic Alliance, and is a forum for international parliamentary dialogue. ISRAEL NAMES
GALILEE PARK AFTER POPE JOHN PAUL II (5/24) LIFE
EXPECTANCY IN ISRAEL AMONG HIGHEST IN WORLD (5/16) The life expectancy rate of Israeli men is among the highest of all developed countries and stands just one year behind Japans, which holds the highest life expectancy rate in the world. However, the life expectancy rate for Israeli women remains four years lower than Japans and places Israel 18th in the world in that category. Also, the life expectancy rate among Jews is higher than that of the Arab population: Jewish males live an average of three years longer than Arab males, while Jewish women live four years longer than Arab women, on average. On the local front, statistics show that Bat Yam, Givatayim, Ramaat Gan and Haifa hold the highest percentage of elderly people in the country; all in all, some 670,000 elderly people lived in Israel in 2003, representing 9.9 percent of the population. Statistics show that 77 percent of the countrys elders have expressed general satisfaction with their lives. Elderly folks visit the doctor about 15 times a year on average, compared with only seven visits made by the general population, the data shows. ON
INDEPENDENCE DAY EVE, ISRAELS POPULATION IS 6.9 MILLION (5/10) Israel's population today is 8.5 times larger than it was at the time of the state's establishment when it included 806,000 people. Since last year, 149,000 babies were born in the country and about 26,000 new immigrants have arrived. About 9,500 newcomers came from Russia and former Soviet states, while 4,400 arrived from Ethiopia. MAACABI TEL
AVIV WINS PM
SHARON AT AUSCHWITZ: Addressing some 20 survivors and their grandchildren he brought with him - many of them in IDF uniforms - Sharon said: "Do not let them forget - remember the silence of the world." Joined on the podium by the Polish and Hungarian leaders, Sharon said: "I am certain that all my colleagues - world leaders - remember how the world stood by in silence. Remember the victims and remember the murderers. Remember how millions of Jews were led to their deaths and the world remained silent." Sharon arrived at Birkenau in the afternoon under heavy security, visited one of the barracks, and took part in the ceremony marking the end of the 18th annual March of the Living. "I arrived here today from Jerusalem, the capital of the State of Israel, the only place in the world where Jews have the right and capability to defend themselves by themselves," he said. SHARON
LEADS MARCH OF THE LIVING AT AUSCHWITZ (5/6) ANTISEMITISM HITS
15-YEAR HIGH (5/4) Physical attacks on Jews occurred mainly on streets and in educational institutions. About 180 people, including children and teenagers, reported such assaults, saying they were mainly attacked by Muslims. Antisemitic desecration and vandalism also rose, mainly of statues and monuments, cemeteries and private property. The report was conducted by Tel Aviv's Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Contemporary Anti-Semitism and Racism, the World Jewish Congress and the Anti-Defamation League. ISRAELI
SHORT FILM WINS PRIZE AT TRIBECA (5/3) Several Israeli films have won prizes at Tribeca, such as the documentary Arna's Children in 2004 and the feature Yossi & Jagger in 2003. The Tribeca Film Festival, which ended last Sunday, was founded in 2002 by actor Robert De Niro to help downtown Manhattan recover from the 9/11 attacks. POPE
BENEDICT XVI PROMISES "This was a pleasant surprise because of the speed with which the new Pope wanted to send such an important message of continuity," Rome's Chief Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni said today. "I think this will send a very powerful signal to Catholics around the world." JEWISH
LEADERS SAY ISRAEL
HOPES NEW POPE WILL FIGHT ANTISEMITISM (4/20) Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom welcomed the election of Ratzinger as the new leader of the world's Roman Catholics. A Foreign Ministry statement read: "The foreign minister expresses his hope that this pope, considering his historical experience, will be especially committed to an uncompromising fight against antisemitism." Ratzinger, born in Bavaria, Germany, on April 16th, 1927, was a boy when Nazi leader Adolf Hitler came to power. His predecessor, Pope John Paul II, was widely hailed in Israel for his millennium pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Vatican and Israel in 1994. Tel Aviv's chief rabbi, Israel Lau, a Holocaust survivor, met Ratzinger last year at a symposium on antisemitism held in New York, where the cardinal was the first to deliver a speech condemning the hatred of Jews. "He is known as a friend to the Jewish people," Lau said. "I hope, pray and wish him to follow the footsteps of John Paul II in his good approach and friendship to the Jewish people in the world and to state of Israel especially." ISRAELI
HOLOCAUST PM SHARON: JOHN
PAUL II WAS A FRIEND OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE (4/4) President Moshe Katsav offered a similar tribute, saying: "The pope bravely put an end to historic injustice by officially rejecting prejudices and accusations against Jews." Over the course of his papacy, John Paul II revolutionized the Vatican's relationship with both Israel and the Jewish people. Learn more about Pope John Paul II and Israel at http://www.israelfm.org/publicaffairs/FYI_2005/pope_israel.htm ISRAELI ART TAKES
OFF IN NEW YORK (3/19) This is the second year Sotheby's has included Israeli artwork in its international art auction. Meanwhile, Israeli art is slowly breaking new grounds in New York, with several pieces currently being presented in a contemporary exhibit at the Chelsea Art Museum and the Armory Show near the Hudson River. PRESIDENT
KATSAV CUTS RIBBON AT NEW HOLOCAUST MUSEUM (3/15) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, representing the United States, told reporters, "Freedom is something we constantly have to fight for and if we ever compromise our standards, we see just how far it goes." To give a human dimension to Holocaust statistics, some 90 personal stories are woven into the museum's displays, which also feature some 280 works of art. FM SHALOM
INAUGURATES BEN-GURION PARK IN MEXICO (3/14) "Under the leadership of David Ben-Gurion, and following his example, Israel has converted itself into a pioneer in the development of abilities and technologies necessary to convert the desert into gardens and sterile land into a source of wealth," said Shalom. "Having chosen his name for this park reflects the profound ties of friendship between Mexico and Israel." ISRAELIS
AND AMERICANS PUT IN LONGEST WORK HOURS (2/28) In comparison, Germans spend 20 percent less time than Israelis at their work place; the French 16 percent less; Norwegians, some 30 percent less. However, the TAU researchers also showed that productivity in Israel is far lower than that in other countries surveyed. Productivity - measured as output per hour of labor - in Germany is 26 percent higher than in Israel. In the United States, it is 20 percent higher. SIGNATURE AUTHENTICATION MADE
EASY (2/27) As ISRAEL 21c has pointed out, banks are primary users of this system. With it, an entire banking chain, rather than one branch, has access to a customer's legitimate signature. The customer signs on a signature tablet and the bank's central computer will verify that signature immediately. Government agencies, military industries, and communications companies also find the signature verification system of considerable value. DELIVERANCE FROM DRY MOUTH ON
THE WAY (2/27) According to ISRAEL21c, now a treatment has been developed that stimulates the salivary glands. A device called the GenNarino has been developed at Israel's Assuta Medical Centers in Tel Aviv as part of a project known as Saliwell. The device, which can be set comfortably into the mouth, applies gentle electronic stimulation to the nerves that lead to the salivary glands. Trials in three hospitals show that it indeed does work and that users are well satisfied with results. In fact, the nerve stimulation sometimes also reduces dry eyes, which accompany dry mouth in certain syndromes. BEST
INTERNET INVENTION IN YEARS (2/27) YAD
VASHEM HONORS Palatucci served as a commissioner for foreigners in the northern Italian town of Fiume - now part of Croatia - and worked to prevent implementation of Mussolini's racial laws. He foiled German plans to deport Jews in 1939 by issuing them permits to remain in Italy, and providing them with food, shelter and money. Giovanni Palatucci was arrested by the Gestapo and sent to Dachau where he died a month before his 36th birthday. GERMAN
PRESIDENT KOEHLER Koehler, speaking in Hebrew, said he was "grateful" and "deeply moved" to have been invited to address the Knesset in Jerusalem. He then continued his speech in German, detailing the ties between the countries. "Germany will always stand by Israel and its people," he said in a gentle voice that shook when he spoke about the victims of the Holocaust. He said Germany would ensure that Israel can "live within internationally recognized borders, free of fear and terror." Knesset Speaker Reuven Rivlin said the occasion was "not easy" for many members of Knesset. He termed the relations between the countries as "complicated, warm, and close." The German president noted that there could never be "normality" in ties between the two countries. The visit by Koehler comes only a week after the 60th anniversary commemoration of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, where Kohler took part in the ceremonies. CHANOCH
NISSANI The Israeli has had four tests with F1 teams - two with Jordan and two with Minardi - before landing the Minardi post. "This is a genuinely historic moment and we are immensely proud to be signing the first ever Israeli test driver in Formula One and we look forward to enhancing it as a sport in Israel," Minardi's Australian owner Paul Stoddart said. Nissani said he realized his signing was only the first small foray for Israel into F1. "From the Israeli viewpoint I hope this will be a breakthrough for the young generation who I'm sure will go much further than me in the sport," he said. ISRAEL EMBARKS ON
LONG TERM TSUNAMI AID CAMPAIGN (1/31) "We are obligated to fulfill this humanitarian mission and in doing so, demonstrate that we are indeed a light unto the nations," Katsav said. "We, the children of the Jewish people who have witnessed so many hardships in our own history, do not have the right to deny assistance when we see the recurring scenes of tragedy that are the outcome of the tsunami disaster," Katsav stressed. He expressed pride in the fact that so many Israeli institutions, organizations and individuals had instantly undertaken to help on the first day of the calamity, which has claimed close to 300,000 lives. "The government and people of Sri Lanka are grateful to the government and people of Israel for their spontaneous and generous assistance," declared Sri Lankan Ambassador Tissa Wijeratne at the ceremony. Acting Indian Ambassador Satish Mehta noted the "unprecedented international solidarity" in providing much-needed relief. This was a "manifestation of the international community's shared pain and responsibility," he said, adding that the work of Israeli volunteer organizations needed to be applauded. Thai Ambassador Kasivat Paruggamanont commented that in good times Thailand was a favorite destination for Israelis, "and in the darkest days," he said, "you stood beside [us] offering a helping hand." PRESIDENT
KATSAV DELIVERS AUSCHWITZ ADDRESS (1/27) Katsav stressed that, "At this place, the Nazis carried out their non-stop industry of genocide. The industry of killing the Jewish people in Europe. And then the Jewish people rose from the ashes and returned home [in Israel]." "We are a proud and determined people, looking forward in hope and faith. Our strong ties with nations whose leaders stand here today, provide some sort of comfort and security," Katsav concluded. WIESEL ADDRESSES UN SPECIAL
SESSION (1/25) Wiesel's speech was one of the highlights of the special session that was initiated by Israel, promoted by the United States and energetically undertaken by Secretary General Kofi Annan as an important event meant to remember "the Jews and others" who were murdered at Auschwitz and throughout Europe during the Nazi reign of terror. While UN protocol prohibits any prayer from being recited in the plenum, Annan decided that the unique nature of the event and its special character made it possible to break the rules and allow the chanting of El Maleh Rahamim, a traditional Jewish memorial prayer. UN
MARKS 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF AUSCHWITZ LIBERATION (1/24) The special all-day session was to be attended by the representatives of 30 senior UN members and leading intellectuals. Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom represented Israel, while U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was there on behalf of the United States. Among the speakers were U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos and Nobel Peace Prize winner Eli Wiesel, both Holocaust survivors. The climax of the session was a cantor chanting the Hebrew mourning prayer "El Malei Rachamim" - the first time a Jewish prayer was uttered in the General Assembly. The cantor also sang Israel's national anthem, "Hatikvah." In an extraordinary step, Annan called a special press conference together with General Assembly President Jean Ping from Gabon and Israel's UN ambassador, Dan Gillerman. The press conference was viewed as a special effort on Annan's part to stress the importance of the General Assembly session and the reason for holding it, "since the United Nations was founded as the world was learning the full horror of the camps." On Monday evening a special two-part exhibit entitled "Auschwitz - the Depth of the Abyss," sponsored by the Foreign Ministry and curated by Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Authority in Jerusalem, opened in the visitors' lobby of the UN headquarters. The first part of the exhibit, presents photos from the Auschwitz Album taken by SS personnel and representing the only surviving visual evidence of the process of the mass murders at the death camp. The other part of the exhibit is a series drawings by Ukrainian artist Zinovii Tolkatchev, who painted scenes from the Majdanek extermination camp in the fall of 1944 as the official artist of the Russian Army. ANTISEMITISM
INCREASED IN 2004 (1/24) ONLINE
COURSE TEACHES The curriculum offers a comprehensive overview of the current conflict in Israel, background information to understand Palestinian propaganda and media bias, and the means to explain Israel's policy. The initiative, which aims to train Israel's supporters to become effective advocates on behalf of the country, is geared towards students of all ages. Those who successfully complete the course will receive a joint certificate from the Education Department of the Jewish Agency and the Israeli Foreign Ministry. For more information, visit www.jacontact.org/courses/is-am/index.phtml TOURISM UP SIGNIFICANTLY (1/19) ISRAELI
AID ARRIVES IN SRI LANKS AND INDONESIA (1/12) The plane landed in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Monday, January 10, where equipment for emergency food kitchens donated by the National Council for Voluntarism, Koah Latet, and the United Kibbutz Movement. The kitchens will provide hot meals for some 5,000 people a day. In addition, these organizations and Magen David Adom contributed medical equipment to set up a clinic. From Colombo the plane continued to Indonesia, where 75 tons of equipment for the victims of the tsunami disaster were unloaded. The cargo included 16 tons of baby food donated by Remedia and Materna, 30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains donated by the National Council for Voluntarism, Koah Latet, as well as the Sugat and Osem Israeli food manufacturers, five tons of plastic sheeting donated by Hovav Plastica and Haogenplast, and 20 tons of medicines produced by Teva Pharmaceuticals, donated through the Latet organization. In addition, Israeli manufacturer Netafim donated a water purification system valued at $20,000. An additional system was funded through donations from the Ted Arison Family Foundation and the Shira Hadasha congregation in Jerusalem. WESTERN WALL IS
MOST VISITED TOURIST SITE IN ISRAEL (1/12) The poll also reveals that 75 percent of tourists visited Israel independently, while 13 percent came on organized tours. Eighty percent of tourists said their trip to Israel was very good, or excellent. On a scale of 1 to 5, the average score for overall satisfaction from a trip to Israel stood at 4.2. Ninety-five percent of tourists said they would encourage their friends to visit Israel, and 73 percent said they had no security concerns during their visit there. IsraAID SETS UP RELIEF
CAMP IN SRI LANKA (1/11) The group's plan involves three main components: a field kitchen manned by local cooks, a field infirmary, and an area for orphaned and lost children to receive the care and attention they need. Lousky said the group's concept was unique in that no other organization in Sri Lanka was involved in covering every single aspect of the relief effort. IsraAID is collecting donations, sending people, and cooking food all by itself. She said that the efforts would focus mainly on the children's welfare, and getting 5,000 people fed per day. The funding for the campaign is being provided by Israelis, and European and American Jewish communities. TOURISTS RANK ISRAEL 4.2 OUT 0F 5 (1/9) Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra says the survey proves that Israel is an attractive destination for travelers and that tourism is the fastest growing sector of the economy. Interestingly, 80 per cent of visitors from Britain described their visit as "excellent" or "very good" according to a new survey conducted by the firm Geocartographia during the first half of 2004. This followed a recent survey by the UK Daily Telegraph that showed Britons have a largely negative opinion of Israel. Statistics were compiled from a sample of 1769 British visitors. Thirty-six per cent of British respondents stated their visit was "excellent", 44 per cent said it was "very good", 17 per cent described their experience as "good" and three per cent called it "reasonable" or "poor". In 2004, 140,000 tourists arrived from the United Kingdom, a 44 per cent rise over 2003. In total, 14,000 tourists from around the world participated in the survey. Eight per cent of all tourists also described their visit to Israel as either "excellent" or "very good" and on average, assigned their satisfaction a value of 4.2 out of 5. The survey reveals that 73 per cent of all tourists were not concerned about traveling to Israel and 95 per cent of them would encourage their friends to also visit the country. ISRAELIS SEND TONS OF
FOOD TO DISASTER ZONE (1/5) The mobilization, which began on Monday [January 3], was organized by Magen David Adom (MDA) with backing by MDA's American support organization ARMDI (American Red Magen David for Israel). At the end of the first day, MDA reported that the Israeli public in both Jewish and Arab sectors donated 2.5 tons of flour, 4 tons of rice, 920 liters [about 972 quarts] of oil, 2.5 tons of sugar, 1.5 tons of plain pasta, 39,000 liters [about 41, 211 quarts] of mineral water, 900 kilograms [about 1,984 pounds] of dried beans, and 700 kilograms [about 1,543 pounds] of jams and conserves. "We had initially chosen just two days for the food drive, but the response has been so incredible that we've decided to extend it for another two days and ship the goods on Friday [January 7] from Ashdod port", said Israeli Magen David Adom's international director, Yoni Yagodovsky. Working closely with the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent, more than 4,000 MDA workers and volunteers stood outside the supermarkets and shopping malls collecting the food. "MDA is known to every Israeli for being there to save lives during times of emergency," said an ARMDI representative in New York City. "The impulse to provide some relief to the victims of this horrible tragedy gripped the Israeli public, and MDA was able to translate those feelings into instant tangible assistance." 1,200
PARTICIPATE IN STUDIES FAIR AT TEL AVIV UNIVERSITY (1/3) Aaron Goldberg, the associate director of the Hillel Jewish campus organization's Israel department, said many American universities made it hard for Jewish students who wanted to study here. He said universities were concerned about providing insurance coverage for students living in Israel, but that pressure from Jewish student groups had helped several universities revise such policies. PROPOSED
ISRAELI LAW ISRAEL SENDS AID TO
THAILAND, SRI LANKA (12/28) Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom said an immediate decision to send $100,000 worth of food and medical supplies had been made. Israel will ship10 tons of relief aid to Sri Lanka. The Health Ministry dispatched an Israeli medical mission to Thailand on Monday. Headed by associate director-general Boaz Lev, it includes five physicians and four nurses from Ichilov, Ha'emek, Beilinson and Kaplan hospitals. Israel dispatched a 15-person medical team, including nine army doctors, to Phuket, Thailand, Monday night to assist rescue operations. HUNDREDS
OF ISRAELIS MISSING Foreign Ministry officials and doctors flew to Southeast Asia today to search for missing Israeli tourists and provide assistance to countries struck by the massive earthquake and tidal waves. Israeli army doctors are to offer medical assistance in Thailand and Sri Lanka, and army teams will look for missing Israelis in southern India. Foreign Ministry Director-General Ron Prosor said that Israel would dispatch $100,000 worth of medicine and food to Thailand and India. In addition, a Foreign Ministry delegation including three top doctors from the Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem and an officer from the Home Front Command departed for the area to provide emergency assistance. Minister of Foreign Affairs Shalom said Israel would assist its citizens in every way possible and also offered Israel's assistance to the nations struck by the natural disaster. ISRAELIS
TO RECEIVE NOBEL PRIZE TONIGHT IN STOCKHOLM (12/10) Ciechanover, 57, Hershko, 67 - the first Israelis to win the prestigious chemistry prize - along with Irwin Rose, 78, were honored by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for their work in the 1980s that discovered one of the cell's most important cyclical processes, regulated protein degradation. The three scientists will share the prize of $1.25 million. Ciechanover, Hershko and Rose found that proteins that could cause disease are "labeled" for destruction with a molecule called ubiquitin that dispatches them to the body's "waste disposal" units, called proteasomes. The marked proteins are then chopped to pieces. When such degradation fails to work correctly, the result can be diseases like cervical cancer and cystic fibrosis. Lars Thelander of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry said the trio's work was highly relevant for cancer research. Ciechanover said it had already "led to development of numerous drugs for degenerative diseases and malignancies that big pharmaceutical companies are busy working on." ISRAEL MAY BE PART OF WIDER
EUROPE (12/10) Israel has been negotiating its terms of entrance for months, with the talks stuck for weeks on one section dealing with weapons of mass destruction. A Foreign Minister spokesman said that Israel would have to decide on whether to accept the plan before Minister of Foreign Silvan Shalom attends the Israel-EU Association Council meeting next Monday where the plan will be brought for approval. UN RECOGNIZES ANTI-SEMITISM (11/23) NATO INVITES ISRAEL FOR
JOINT EXERCISES (11/17) Meanwhile, while on an official visit to Poland, Minister of Defense Shaul Mofaz invited today Poland's Minister of Interior Ryszard Klisz to send a delegation to Israel to study the steps and technologies used by the Israel Defense Forces to secure Israel's borders, including the security fence separating the West Bank from Israel. Mofaz's offer came during a meeting with Klisz who stressed the importance of securing his country's eastern border and setting up border control checkpoints and 30 control centers, which he described as necessary steps Poland must take in light of its recent acceptance as a member of the European Union. Earlier today, Mofaz signed a memorandum with Jerzy Hausner the Polish Minister of Finance, to enhance industrial ties between the two countries. At an official ceremony in Warsaw on Tuesday, Mofaz handed over to his Polish counterpart the first of 2765 Israeli-made Spike LR antitank rockets Poland has purchased for its army over a 10-year period. ISRAEL HAS HIGHEST BIRTH
RATE IN WEST (11/17) Women represent 50.7 percent of Israel's population, meaning that for every 100 men there are 103 women, whereas in the world at large there are 99 women for every 100 men. The average marrying age for Jewish women is 24.5, and for Muslim women 20.5. In Europe the average marrying age for women is 27. PALESTINIAN CONFLICT
IS COSTLY (11/15) In the comparative study conducted by BDI, the company compared the Israeli monetary loss to the Palestinian Authority's over the same period. It showed that the economic damage to the PA came to approximately US $4.5 billion. BDI explained that relative to the per capita gross domestic product, damage to the Palestinians was three times that of the average Israeli. The statistics revealed that the Palestinian GDP per capita dropped by some 30 percent. However, when taking into account the respective economies' potential growth over the four-year period, it was the Israelis who took the harder knock with the current per capita GDP of US $16,700 11 percent lower than the previously forecast level of US $18,500. The loss of potential growth incurred by the Palestinians was US $1,200. Besides the monetary loss, BDI said the Palestinian violence has had a further marked effect on Israeli business. The business-risk rating is 33 percent higher in October 2004 than it was before the outbreak of terror in 2000, when the country's rating was in line with the global average. NEW ULTRA-MODERN
AIRPORT TERMINAL INAUGURATED (10/29) Full operation will begin Tuesday afternoon when an El Al flight departs the facility for New York. An hour later, a Swiss Airlines flight will be the first foreign carrier to arrive at the terminal. At a cost of $1 billion, Terminal 3 is for all purposes a new airport. The old terminal will cease to function and all non-domestic activities will be relocated to the new terminal's concourses. Encompassing 270,000 square meters, Terminal 3 offers 133 check-in counters, three concourses, 22 moving sidewalks, all in one of the world's most advanced airport facilities. ISRAEL REMEMBERS YITZHAK RABIN (10/27) Dalia Rabin-Pelosoff, Rabin's daughter, called out to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon: "Today we are with you and are concerned for your welfare." Referring to the Knesset decision on Tuesday to approve the Gaza Strip disengagement plan, Rabin-Pelosoff noted that, "again we hear the bitter sounds of incitement and threats and curses. The rabbis have not changed their ways, and again Pulsa Dnura curses are in the air. The horror is still lurking out there with the handwriting in blood written on the wall." Sharon recalled his memories from the night of the assassination and paid respect to Rabin's devotion and unwavering loyalty to the State of Israel. "We walked a long path together, Yitzhak and I, dedicated and loyal to the protection of the State of Israel," Sharon said. "The darkness of that night has not left us and will never expire since the most unbelievable and unimaginable has happened." In his speech, standing over Rabin's grave, Sharon admitted that he and Rabin were constantly at odds but that their friendship was deeper than any of their arguments. "We had many arguments but they never took away from our deep friendship and were never personal," he said. "If however in the heat of the arguments, I said things that should not have been said, I am sorry." 10
YEARS SINCE PEACE TREATY BETWEEN ISRAEL AND JORDAN (10/26) Yishai Shorek, head of the Israel-Jordan chambers of commerce, said, "There is no doubt the economic ties between the countries are very beneficial to both. These are stable ties that are constantly being developed." One of the most notable achievements of the peace accord is the development of the industrial park where several dozen Israeli and Jordanian companies cooperate and export to the United States without tariffs. These companies are said to be a great boost to the Jordanian economy. The major obstacle to bilateral ties remains the Palestinian question. Many Jordanians fear that Palestinians might be tempted to cross the border to settle in Jordan. A mass demonstration by those opposed to normalization took place in Amman today, reflecting the extent of the opposition to a rapprochement with Israel. ISRAEL SENDS
EQUIPMENT TO HAITI (10/25) A few weeks ago, thousands of Haitians died or were declared missing in Gunayev, the country's third largest city, which was completely destroyed. The social and economic situation in Haiti in the wake of the hurricane has been declared a disaster. MDA Board Chairman Yohanan Gur said this donation is part of MDA's humanitarian activities around the world. RUSSIAN
TERROR VICTIMS ARRIVE IN ISRAEL FOR TREATMENT (9/20) Igor Leib of Moscow underwent tests and assessment at Hadassah's trauma and surgical departments after being flown to Israel. Leib and his mother, Zoya Budman, were five meters from the terrorist when the bomb exploded. Hadassah Medical Organization deputy director-general Prof. Shmuel Shapira said Hadassah was happy to respond positively to the request by the Moscow Jewish community to help the family, and it was willing to treat other victims of Chechen terror from the attack on the school in Beslan. MADONNA FEELS SAFE AND
WELCOME IN ISRAEL (9/20) Madonna arrived in Israel on Wednesday to take part in the 2,000-person conference coinciding with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Madonna said the people she met during her trip "have one thing in common - we want to create peace in the world." "We want to put an end to chaos and suffering," she said, "but most of all we want to put an end to hatred with no reason." Madonna, who recently adopted the Hebrew name Esther and wears a trademark Kabbalah red string on her wrist, has said she is serious about her belief in Jewish mysticism and is irritated by accusations her faith is nothing more than a celebrity fad. Early Sunday, Madonna and her husband, Guy Ritchie, went to the Kiryat Shaul cemetery outside Tel Aviv to visit the grave of the kabbalist sage Rabbi Yehuda Ashlag. ISRAELI FILMS WIN
AT MONTREAL, VENICE FESTIVALS (9/14) The brother-sister directing team Shlomi and Ronit Elkabetz took home two prizes from Venice for their film 'To Take a Wife', in which Ronit plays the lead. The pair received the Gan Award of the Public for a film from the International Critics' Week, and the Isvema Award for a film also from the International Critics' Week. Also in Venice, Amos Gitai's 'Promised Land' won the Emblem of Peace Award. Montreal and Venice are two of the most prestigious and influential film festivals in the world. POPULATION OF ISRAEL IS 6.8
MILLION (9/14) According to CBS data, the population's growth rate has dropped and stands at 1.6 percent only, in comparison with 1.8 percent recorded in 5763. During the past year, Israel's population increased by 110,000 people. The reason for the decline is the lower rate of immigration. Only 22,000 olim chose Israel as their new home in the past year, in comparison with 27,000 during 5763. About half arrived from the CIS, 15 percent from Ethiopia and 9 percent from France. ISRAEL
BEATS CYPRUS 2-1 Playing in front of 20,000 fans at the Ramat Gan national stadium, the Cypriots took the lead with a 58th minute strike by Michael Konstantinou. But they conceded an equalizer five minutes later when Israeli forward Yossi Benayoun made an impressive individual run through the defense before putting the ball in the net. Midfielder Walid Badir scored the victory goal in the 71st minute. Israel's victory comes after a 0-0 draw Saturday against the Group 4 favorites, France. BESLAN
SIEGE VICTIMS TO BE FLOWN TO ISRAEL FOR TREATMENT (9/8) Terrorists seized the Beslan school on September 1st, a day after a suicide bombing in Moscow killed 10 people and just over a week after two Russian passenger planes exploded killing all 90 people aboard - two attacks authorities suspect were linked to the war in Chechnya. The official death toll of the three-day siege, which ended in deadly explosions and gunfire, stood at 335 - 156 of whom children - plus 30 attackers. EXODUS OF ARABS (9/7) In a related item, some 45,000 Arabs from "the territories" - Judea and Samaria - have moved to within pre-1967 Israeli borders in the past four years. This is the conclusion of a study carried out by an Israeli Arab student who is "close" to the situation. The Telegraph reports that parents in cities such as Hebron, a center of Hamas recruitment for recent "martyrdom" operations, are increasingly fearful of losing their children to the terrorists. For instance, the Al-Jama neighborhood - described in the paper as featuring "large spacious houses, smart cars, and vineyards spread out over undulating hills...a pocket of relative prosperity" - has seen no fewer than 11 of its young men die while carrying out suicide bombings and other attacks against Israelis. Among them were the two who murdered 16 Israelis last week in Beersheva. The Telegraph reports that dozens of young men are choosing to leave for the United States and France, rather than remain in Hebron and face being "brainwashed" by Hamas. ISRAELI
LIONS FIND NEW HOME IN PALESTINIAN ZOO (9/7) The lions came to the zoo in Qalqiliya with an ibex desert goat and two zebras to replace animals that died of tear gas inhalation during a violent demonstration near the zoo years ago. Only two days before the hostilities broke out in September 2000, veterinarians from the two sides completed a deal including the transfer of animals. On Sunday, four years later, they were finally able to carry it out. NEW FIND FUELS
ISRAEL'S ECONOMY (9/6) In other Israeli fuel news, the director general of the Prime Minister's Office, Ilan Cohen, decided on August 5 to advance the construction of a 28-kilometer (17-mile) sea transport system to link the Tethys sea partnership's gas platform to the desalination plant south of Ashkelon, currently in advanced stages of construction. The desalination plant will thus be able to operate by means of natural gas as soon as next year. The use of natural gas is expected to minimize damage to the environment caused by power plants, and will also lead to a reduction in electricity costs. The Prime Minister's Office reports that in 2002, a natural gas field was discovered off the Ashkelon coast; in 2003, a production platform and natural-gas sea pipeline were built off the Ashkelon coast to transport the gas to Ashdod; and in January 2004, Ashdod's Eshkol gas-fired power plant - which produces approximately 10 percent of Israel's electricity - began operations. The introduction of natural gas for use in Israel has led to savings of approximately US $15 million per annum. The Israeli electricity sector is expected to complete the transition to natural gas by 2012, when approximately 50 percent of Israel's electricity will be produced by natural gas. ISRAELI
OLYMPIC DELEGATION RETURNS HOME (8/31) WINDSURFER
FRIEDMAN WINS ISRAELS FIRST EVER GOLD MEDAL (8/25) Also today, Roei Yellin qualified for the Men's K1 1,000-meter final, after finishing third in the semifinal. The final will take place next Tuesday. KNESSET
COMMITTEE APPROVES FIVE-DAY SCHOOL WEEK (8/25) EILAT JAZZ FESTIVAL OPENS (8/23) The non-mainstream end of the festival program also features French trumpeter Erik Truffaz, who mixes modern dance rhythms with drum 'n' bass, hip hop as well as rock 'n' roll, and American trumpeter Russell Gunn, who weaves Cuban, Brazilian and African sentiments with rap and progressive jazz, liberally laced with urban noise. The festival also provides some homegrown artists a chance to play in front of big audiences, as well as rub shoulders with their better-known counterparts. Musicians such as trombonist Avi Lebovich, guitarist Yottam Silberstein and saxophonist Tevet Sela will be among the Israeli musicians to play during the festival. DIPLOMAT PRAISES
MOVE BY TWO TIME WORLD JUDO CHAMPION (8/20) In a message to Mir-Esmaeili, Mehdi Mohtashami said, "On behalf of all institutions and Iran`s embassy staff in Greece, I congratulate you on your courageous move to refuse to compete with a judoka from the Zionist regime. Certainly, the Iranian nation considers Mir-Esmaeili as the real champion of 2004 Olympic Games." Mir-Esmaeili, Iran`s under-66 kg judoka was scheduled to meet a representative from Israel in the opening round on August 15. Talking to an IRNA reporter, Mir-Esmaeili said, "Although I have trained for months and now enjoy an in-form build, I refused to face my Israeli rival in sympathy with the oppressed Palestinian people." ISRAELI
JUDOKA ZEEVI WINS OLYMPIC BRONZE MEDAL (8/19) In other Olympic news, tennis pair Andy Ram and Yoni Erlich's quest for an Olympic medal came to an end on Wednesday after losing 2-6, 6-2, 6-2 to German pair Nicolas Kiefer and Rainer Schuettler. ISRAELI TENNIS
PAIR REACHES OLYMPIC QUARTERFINALS (8/18) Also today, Israel's Pavel Gofman will be among the 24 gymnasts competing in the men's all-round gymnastics final. Gofman reached the 12th place in the qualifying rounds, and is hoping for a similar placing in the finals. IRANIAN
REFUSES TO COMPETE AGAINST ISRAELI AT OLYMPICS (8/16) In an attempt to evade punishment to athletes who opt out for political considerations, Mir-Esmaeili weighed on Sunday morning two kilos over the 66-kg weight limit in his class. The International Olympics Committee declined to comment on the incident. Olympic judo officials are investigating the issue but have reached no conclusions so far. 36 ISRAELI
ATHLETES WILL COMPETE IN 2004 OLYMPICS (8/13) Judoka Arik Ze'evi will carry the Israeli flag at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympics tonight. Ze'evi, a three-time European champion in the under-100 kilo category, will march at the head of an Israeli delegation that is widely considered the best the country has ever sent to the Games. Windsurfer Gal Friedman is expected to compete for a gold medal, along with Ze'evi, Greco-Roman wrestler Gocha Tsitsiashvili and pole-vaulter Alex Averbukh. Since it first competed at the Games in Helsinki in 1952, Israel has won a total of four medals. ISRAELI
COMPANIES Israeli companies that specialize in the construction of warning fences and security systems will participate in tenders to build hundreds of kilometers of fences along the EU's new eastern border. Magal Security Systems is expected to sign a cooperation agreement with a major Western company for building fences as well as command and control systems in Eastern Europe. El-Far Electronics also plans to participate in the tender through a large international partner. Defense industry sources estimate the potential business at several hundred million dollars. Based on the experience of building Israel's fence, each kilometer of fence costs $1 million to build. Bases, sophisticated transit points, and observation and command and control systems cost $2 million per kilometer. ISRAEL RANKS
3RD IN THE WORLD FOR U.S. PATENT FILINGS (8/13) The number of U.S. patents filed from Israel rose by 20 percent in 2003, compared with 2002, despite the recession. 1,265 patents were filed in 2003, compared with 1.042 in 2002, 1,023 in 2001, and 748 in 1999. EU TO DISCUSS
INCLUSION OF ISRAEL INTO WIDER EUROPE (8/10) Before admission to the Wider Europe is granted, a country's political and economic issues must be assessed and approved. Israeli officials have admitted that the Wider Europe initiative would open many doors currently closed to Israel and would further improve Israeli-EU relations. The EU has openly made clear that one of the goals of the initiative is to offer deeper economic ties in return for political dialogue and democratic reform with countries that have little chance of full EU membership. ACCORDING
TO NEW PA TEXTBOOKS, ISRAEL IS PALESTINE (7/22) The PA history books state that the Palestinian people have rights to the "country" [Israel] as they settled in it before the Jews. Some texts claim that Palestinians have resided in the area since the Stone Age while others express the "injustice in the establishment of the Jewish State" and state that Palestine gained independence in 1948, after the British Mandate ended. Zionists are also defined as "settlers" who emigrate from a strong country to a weaker country and take control of its land. The PA does not teach pupils about co-existence or peace and the overall policy "appears to be one of de-legitimization of the State of Israel and Zionism." ISRAEL
RANKS 22ND ON The first 20 spots include the European states, North America, Australia and Japan. The last 23 spots are African states. The Arab states are located towards the lower end of the list. Lebanon was ranked 80, Jordan was in the 90th spot, the Palestinian Authority came in at 102, Syria was at 106 and Egypt at 120. Sierra Leone was ranked 177th and last. ISRAEL WINS COMPUTER CHESS
CHAMPIONSHIP (7/14) In this tournament, which has been held in many cities across the world for the past 30 years, the best computerized chess programs from various countries compete for the title of World Computer Chess Champion. The Israeli teams program, called Deep Junior, previously won the tournament several times, including two consecutive times in 2001 and 2002. Deep Junior is most famous for its man vs. machine match against the highest rated human chess player, Garry Kasparov, which was held last year in New York. That match finished with the result of 3-3. Deep Junior and Kasparov each won one game, and for games ended in a draw. CATHOLIC
CHURCH EQUATES ANTI-ZIONISM WITH ANTISEMITISM (7/9) This is the first time that the Catholic Church has equated anti-Zionism and antisemitism. The statement also includes a stern condemnation of terrorism, particularly terror in the name of faith. Ilan Steinberg, director of the World Jewish Congress, one of the forum's organizers, described the joint statement as "an historic moment." "For the first time, the Catholic Church recognizes in anti-Zionism an attack not only against Jews, but against the whole Jewish people." Senior Jewish figures called the announcement a significant, public statement of support by the Catholic Church in the face of anti-Zionism. ISRAELI YOUTH GO TO CAMP (7/1) ISRAEL TO TRAIN JAPANESE
SECURITY GUARDS (6/30) The initial contract, signed with executives from the Japanese corporation on a visit to Israel a few days ago, amounts to several hundred thousand dollars. Israel Military Industries sources said, however, that the initial contract is expected to pave the way to future contracts with the corporation, and with other Asian companies, since the Japanese corporation is a leader in the security industry. Teikei includes twelve companies specializing in various security sub-sectors. It employs 5,000 security personnel, and has a business turnover of $350 million. The Japanese security guards will arrive for training at the academy in the coming months. LEGENDARY
ISRAELI SONGWRITER NAOMI SHEMER PASSES AWAY (6/28) Shemer, who was born on Kibbutz Kinneret 74 years ago, died at Ichilov Hospital after a long illness. Her husband, two children and four grandchildren survive her. Shemer was given the Israel Prize for her work in 1987, and awarded an honorary doctorate by Tel Aviv University three years ago. Israeli leaders paid tribute to her and Kol Yisrael played her songs on the radio throughout Saturday. ISRAEL
AMONG 7 COUNTRIES OFFERED NATO MEMBERSHIP (6/28) UNION OF
EUROPEAN Maccabi Haifa, which has won eight championships in the last 20 years and is Israel's most successful club in European competition, was selected as part of the jubilee's "Team Focus." DESALINATION
PLANT OPENS AT KIBBUTZ MAAGAN MICHAEL (6/9) This was the first desalination project in which private investors are selling desalinated water to the National Water Carrier. Minister of National Infrastructure Joseph Paritzky said that the plant was part of a policy to encourage competition in water production, while strengthening Mekorot as a provider of water transportation and reservoir services. The desalination plant is a partnership between Ionics and Kibbutz Maagan Michael. YAD VASHEM MARKS FIFTY YEARS (6/9) ISRAELIS
READ AVERAGE OF 7.8 BOOKS PER YEAR (6/4) HAIFA
BAKES WORLDS LARGEST CHEESECAKE FOR SHAVUOT (5/25) ARAB ISRAELI
SOCCER CLUB MAKES HISTORY (5/19) CRIPPLED VULTURES MATE (5/18) ISRAELI ARAB
SOCCER TEAM WINS STATE CUP CHAMPIONSHIP (5/18) ISRAELI WINS EUROPEAN JUDO
CHAMPIONSHIP (5/17) On Saturday, Yoel Razvozov won a silver medal in the under-73 kg division. In recent years, Israel has developed into a European power in judo. The Israeli delegation to the Olympics will consist of five judokas, the highest number in Israel's history. In addition to Ze'evi and Razvozov, Udi Vaks, Gal Yekutiel, and Michal Feinblatt will all compete in Athens. JERUSALEM
TOURIST CENTER "Every time I return from Israel I tell people this is not the same place you see on the news," said Vappu Selonen, a former volunteer at the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem. "The media in Finland have always portrayed Israel in a bad light," he added emphasizing he had been to Israel more than 30 times. In the first three months of 2004, 82 percent more tourists entered Israel than during the same period in 2003. These figures represent an increase of tourists from the United States (82 percent), Britain (97 percent), Russia (61 percent), France (102 percent) and Germany (122 percent). MACCABI
TEL AVIV WINS HISTORIC EUROLEAGUE TITLE (5/4) Anthony Parker, the hero of Thursday's semi-final victory over CSKA Moscow, again led the way for Maccabi with 21 points and was voted the game's MVP. David Bluthenthal contributed 20 points, Jasikevicius 18 and Tal Burstein who had the game's only double-double, 17 points and 10 rebounds in 36 minutes. OIL VALUED AT $6
BILLION DISCOVERED NEAR KFAR SAVA (5/4) Givot said the analysis indicated reservoirs of oil at depths of 4,800 meters in rocks dating to the Lower Cretaceous Period (50 million years ago). However, just 20 percent of the reserve is reportedly extricable. Some three years ago, Givot Olam announced that drilling in the Meged-2 well to the depth of 5,200 meters in the Rosh Ha'ayin region near Tel Aviv had indicated the presence of an oil accumulation with gas. SCHWARZENEGGER: "AM
YISRAEL HAI" (5/3) LYBIA
INVITES ISRAEL TO INTERNATIONAL CHESS COMPETITION (4/28) Gadhafi issued his statement following extensive talks with the heads of the World Chess Federation. Entry permits will be issued to anyone wishing to participate in the world championships. Israel is considered particularly strong is chess, and thus the FIDE chiefs insisted that its team be allowed to participate in the games in Tripoli. Spokesman for the Israel Chess Federation, Yerech Tal, said in response that "the association is in constant contact with the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the decision on whether to accept the Libyan invitation will be made following consultations with Israeli security bodies and the players themselves." ISRAEL'S
POPULATION STANDS AT 6.78 MILLION (4/26) Israel's population on the eve of Independence Day stands at 6,780,000, according to official government figures released Sunday by the Central Bureau of Statistics. Eighty one percent of the population - or some 5,180,000 people - is Jewish, and the remaining 19 percent of the population is Arab. Jerusalem is Israel's largest and most populated city, with 692,000 residents, of which 464,000 are Jewish and 228,000 are Arab. Haifa is Israel's third largest city with a population of 270,500. The city had a population of less than 100,000 in 1948. Among the 14 largest cities in the country are several of the first communities built by Jews who immigrated in the 1880s. Rishon Letzion, the first such community, is Israel's fourth largest city today with over 200,000 residents. In 1948 it had a population of 11,000 residents. Sixty-six percent of Israel's Jews were born in Israel, and 34 percent were born abroad. In contrast, in 1948, the figures were just the opposite, when just 35 percent of the Jewish population was native born. ISRAEL VOWS TO BECOME OECD
MEMBER (4/15) Recently Israel asked to take part in the OECD's committees for insurance and commerce. Every year Israel's delegates take part in various meetings of the OECD on key issues. Shalom and Netanyahu write that in fact, Israel is carrying out far reaching economic reforms based on the OECD's recommendations in taxes, labor, competition, capital markets, pension funds, energy, infrastructures, communications and transport. The ministers say they believe the OECD members will also benefit from Israel's membership in the fields of science, technology and high-tech industries. BASKETBALL:
HAPOEL JERUSALEM WINS HISTORIC ULEB CUP (4/14) Throngs embraced and kissed the players on their arrival at Ben-Gurion airport, and larger celebrations were expected later during the day in the capital. After the win, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Channel One television from the United States to congratulate the team, which he said represented the capital of the Jewish people. "This is the happiest day of my career," Kelly McCarty, the game's MVP, said after the game. "We have achieved the unbelievable." "The victory is for Jerusalem and for the whole of Israel," Hapoel chairman Danny Klein said. "We have worked for this moment for 10 years. The triumph makes up for all the difficult times we have suffered." MACCABI
TEL AVIV Montepaschi Siena also secured a place in the Final Four Thursday night by defeating Panathinaikos 86-77 in Athens. Previous qualifiers CSKA Moscow and Skipper Bologna will join Siena and Tel Aviv. According to Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, the Tourism Ministry and Maccabi Tel Aviv reached an agreement today enabling the ministry to promote Israeli tourism during the Final Four Euroleague cup games to be held in Tel Aviv's Nokia Arena late April. Commercials promoting sites of interest will be aired during the breaks in the games that will be broadcast to 41 countries. The Tourism Ministry is also paying for signboards that will be placed around the court. CHRISTIANS
SHOW INTEREST IN ISRAEL'S "HOLY VIRGIN" LILY (4/1) ARCHBISHOP
OF CANTERBURY Expressing their "abhorrence" of anti-Semitism, they noted that "Britain has been less affected [by anti-Semitism] than many other countries, but has certainly not been immune." While acknowledging the legitimacy of criticizing Israel, the clergymen warned that such criticism should not be used to deny Israel's right to exist or to justify attacks against Jews throughout the world. The letter is considered to be unprecedented in its strength. It is also regarded as an indication of the growing concern over the increasing incidence of attacks on Jewish people and property, allied to the phenomenon of anti-Semitism expressed as anti-Israel sentiment. "We recognize that many in the Jewish community feel vulnerable and afraid," the letter said. "As presidents of CCJ, we agree that anti-Semitism is abhorrent. It is an attempt to dehumanize a part of humanity by making it a scapegoat for shared ills." SEA OF
GALILEE CONTINUES TO RISE (1/27/04) FOUR NEW NATURE
RESERVES CREATED (1/15) The largest of the four new reserves is Susita, south west of the Golan Heights. Susita covers an area of 5,400 dunams and touts a large variety of flora and fauna, including wolves and deer. Another large reserve is situated along the Sorek River, close to Moshav Ramat Raziel and near the city of Rehovot in the middle of Israel's coastline. Ramat Raziel and the reserve carried out a limited land exchange, in which the moshav received land from the reserve for residential purposes and, in return, surrendered 70 dunams to the reserve. The Avuka reserve in the Beit She'an valley is particularly unique as it contains a salt marsh: soil that becomes saline when the water running through it evaporates or permeates into the earth. Salt marsh plants, indigenous to the salty environment, flourish on the reserve. Unfortunately, many of the salt marshes along the Beit She'an valley and the Arava have been damaged over the past few years as a result of construction and agriculture projects. The last of the four new reserves is the Adulam forest in the Lachish region in Israel's south, close to the communities of Zafririm, Nehusha and Aderet. FM
SHALOM LAYS WREATH AT NEVE SHALOM IN ISTANBUL (11/16) FIRST
ISRAELI ELECTED TO SENIOR UN LEGAL PANEL IN 40 YEARS (10/1) Among other matters, the committee is to discuss international terrorism, jurisdictional immunity and human cloning. The vote came at a General Assembly meeting Monday. "I think that this is another step towards Israel's acceptance in the United Nations as a full and equal member," Becker said. "It shows that Israel is committed to improving the work of the United Nations and playing a positive role. The United Nations is not just about the Arab-Israeli conflict." "Tal's election is another significant step in the acceptance of Israel as a full-fledged member of the United Nations on an equal basis, one that is elected to important UN positions and allowed to make its contributions in many meaningful areas," Israel's UN ambassador Dan Gillerman said. Becker's election to the Sixth Committee marks Israel's sixth, and most prestigious posting to a UN body this year. Over the past year, Israel has been elected to the General Assembly Working Group on Disarmament, the UN Environmental Program and UN-HABITAT (UN Human Settlement Program). ISRAELI
WOMAN WINS GOLD AT WINDSURFING CHAMPIONSHIP (9/22) At just under 19 and a half years of age, she is the youngest woman to ever win a Mistral windsurfing championship. Korsitz's mentor, Gal Friedman, who had won the Mistral World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, in December, took the bronze medal in the men's event. "I knew she could do it," he said of Korsitz's surprise victory. "I have been training with the defending world champion in the men's event, Gal Friedman. He has taught me everything," Korsitz said at a press conference following one of the races. Korsitz, from Moshav Michmoret, has only been sailing at the senior level for just over one year, and came into the event ranked No. 29 in the world. ISRAELI
AIR FORCE PILOTS The three jets - piloted by descendants of Holocaust survivors - were to fly over the former death camp accompanied by two Polish MiG-29 jets. More than one million people perished at Auschwitz-Birkenau - the vast majority of them Jews - from 1940 until January 27, 1945. A total of six million Jews were killed during the Holocaust. "It's a joint Israeli-Polish initiative and for a noble cause," Foreign Ministry spokesman Jonathan Peled said. "We share a tragic history, and obviously it's being done in full cooperation." FIRST ISRAELITE METEORITE
DISCOVERED (8/28) The small meteorite-weighing about 40 grams and measuring 4 centimeters in length-is a chondrite, a fairly common type that that has been discovered worldwide. "It's not a scientific sensation; it's just nice that Shaked opened his eyes, searched and found," Prof. Yehoshua Kolodny, a Hebrew University geologist, said. "There are lots of chondrites in the world, and some weighing more than a ton also have been discovered. It's just the first chondrite that has been found here," he added. Shaked sent the sample to be tested at the University of California Geophysics Institute, and on Friday received a response confirming it was indeed a meteorite, approximately 4.5 billion years old. According to Dr. Shmulik Marco of Tel Aviv University's Geophysics Department, chondrite is important because "it is a substance that has not been melted, unlike all the compounds found on planets. The meteorite is the initial component from the beginning of the formation of the solar system, and has not undergone melting processes on the planets." KIDNAPPED
ISRAELI ELHANAN TENNENBAUM SAID TO BE ALIVE (8/28) Retired IDF General Ilan Biran, who heads the Israeli team in the negotiations, is due to return from Germany in the coming days to give a full report on Tennenbaum's condition. A security source said the return by Israel of the bodies on Monday came in response to the Hizbullah's letting the German mediator visit Tennenbaum earlier this week. The mediator was the first intermediary to see Tennenbaum alive since he was captured. The security source said "proof of Tennenbaum's well-being was an important step in negotiations" for a possible prisoner exchange between Lebanon and Israel. No further details about the visit were provided. In January, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Hizbullah, had said that Tennenbaum was alive. STORKS BEGIN MIGRATION
SEASON (8/12) CUBAN
JEWS ARRIVE IN ISRAEL FOR FIRST MEETING (8/8) "This is just wonderful, and very emotional," Yohandi Crespo, 25, said. Crespo came from the town of Camaguey, which has a small community of 80 Jews. The Taglit-birthright Israel program, an Israeli government-backed plan that sponsors trips to Israel for Jewish youth, organized the 10-day educational visit. It is the first such group to visit, though some Cuban Jews have come to Israel on their own. Organizers said that it took more than a year of work to persuade the Cuban government to allow the group to participate in the project which brings about 15,000 young Jewish adults from around the world to Israel each year. Originally just eight young Jews were due to come, but Cuban authorities insisted that two of the leaders of the Jewish community accompany them to ensure that all returned, Harriet Gimpel of Birthright said. David Tacher, 52, from Santa Clara, who was appointed to accompany the group, said if all return home, it would ensure that future visits would be allowed. "We just had to explain to the government why it was important for us as Jews to come to Israel," William Miller, a Jewish community leader from Havana said. "They understood our reasons," Miller said. The 10 had to fly to Israel via Canada, and the Canadian Jewish community also partly funded the journey. For the group, many of whom had never been out of Cuba before, the trip to Israel was an emotional religious experience. "I feel like I am walking in the Bible," Miller said. "You read about all these places and now we are here," he said, pointing at the Western Wall. "I want to see the customs, the history, the people," said Victoria Delgado Farzin, 23, a telecommunications worker from Santiago de Cuba. "These are the things that unite all the Jewish people in the world," she said. WITH
ROAD MAP AND CHRISTOPHER
REEVE: "I'm here to learn," Reeve explained. "I'm here to listen. I'm here to observe not only the progression of science that is going on but also to see patients and rehabilitation who are struggling to make progress in their lives. I feel that progress both in rehabilitation, recovery and in medical research is a global effort. No single effort can accomplish it by itself but Israel is one of the leaders in the world. I come to pay tribute to the work that is being done here. It has always been a dream of mine to come to Israel." Now that his dream has been realized, Reeve is hardly disappointed. He described the country as "warm, welcoming, friendly and surprisingly relaxed." Reeve expressed no feelings of apprehension about the journey. He criticized the media for only relaying negative images of Israel to the public rather than focusing on the positive. "The images that we see in the press every day tend to be about the worst things that happen in the country," he said. "The bombings and terrorist attacks make headlines, but what we don't see is the wonderful color and normalcy of daily life," Reeve added. The Weizmann Institute, which Reeve described as a "symbol of the best in research," leads the way in medical advances, particularly for diseases and conditions which affect the central nervous system. "Israelis are famous for their curiosity and their intellect. Their desire for knowledge, their desire to know. And that is very evident here at the campus of the Weizmann Institute," Reeve said. ISRAELI
SWIMMER Two other Israeli swimmers, Inbal Levavi and Anna Gostomelsky, both failed to progress in the heats of 200 meters backstroke, finishing respectively in 26th and 21st place. On Thursday, Israeli swimmer Yoav Gath set a new national record for the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 1:59.22 minutes in the semifinal. Gath also set a personal record in the 100-meter backstroke Tuesday, earning a spot for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens in the process. Other Israeli swimmers in the competition included Shilo Ayalon, who finished 10th in qualifying heats for the 800-meter freestyle, Shai Livnat, who finished 21st in the qualifying heats of the 800-meter freestyle, and Miki Halika, who finished 37th in the 200-meter individual medley qualifier. ISRAEL STROLLS TO EASY WIN
OVER ZIMBABWE (7/13) Zimbabwe were missing their two leading players, Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyet, but 2,500 fans turned up at the Ramat Hasharon arena of Friday for the singles and 3,000 turned up yesterday to watch Wimbledon men's doubles semi-finalists Yonni Erlich and Andy Ram. The cheers yesterday were mainly for Andy Ram, who on top of his semi-final appearance with Erlich also made it the finals at Wimbledon in the mixed doubles before going down to the indefatigable Martina Navratilova. "It's the first time that I have played in front of a home crowd in the Davis Cup and the fans response gave me the shivers," Ram said after the game in which he and Erlich eased past Genius Chidzikwe and Gwinyai Tongoona 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. EU
CONSIDERS INCLUDING ISRAEL IN ITS WIDER EUROPE SCHEME (7/10) EU representatives, who met with a Foreign Ministry delegation in Brussels on Wednesday as part of the annual meeting of the Israeli-EU Association Agreement Committee, said that as of now, EU-Israeli relations would no longer be conditional on the progress of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. A large part of the talks focused on energy and the environment, and the Europeans asked Israel to finish ratifying the Kyoto Protocol on environmental protection. A positive answer from Israel would considerably improve Israel's status in the EU as Israel's signature on the document would bring the number of ratifying states up to the minimum required by the treaty for it to come into effect. Israeli Ambassador to the EU Oded Eran said that considerable progress had been made during the meeting, and that the Europeans were surprisingly positive on many issues. Among others, he said, Europe proposed formalizing contacts to bring an Israeli work group into the European satellite project Galileo. HUNDREDS
OF NORTH AMERICAN JEWS MAKE ALIYAH TO ISRAEL (7/9) In New York on Tuesday, before her flight took off, Tali Berman said she was born in America but was flying home to Israel with her husband and 15-month-old daughter. "Now, as things are becoming more intense, it's an important time to make a claim that the Jewish state has a right to exist," she said. Nefesh B' Nefesh is sponsoring the moves of about 940 North American Jews this year, spokesman George Birnbaum said. About 300 are set to come July 22, with the rest in groups of 30 or so over the following six weeks. "In terms of immigrants moving en masse, there haven't been these numbers in 25 or 30 years," Birnbaum said. The privately funded organization helped with 519 moves last year, aiding prospective immigrants with bureaucratic issues and providing financial assistance. Prior to the immigrants' arrival, Minister of Finance Benjamin Netanyahu said he was pleased they were moving to Israel without special government assistance. He described the importance of Aliyah, "particularly during this difficult time." About 2,040 North American Jews moved to Israel last year, and the numbers are up more than 20 percent this year, according to the Jewish Agency. "It's the feeling of the community that this time Israel is really needing them," Michael Landsberg, executive director of the agency's North American Aliyah movement, said. ISRAELI
TENNIS PAIR Pairing up only at the last moment, the two defeated the sixth and the second seeds on their way to the semifinals. "We both have good serves and volleys and we kept it all together today, it simply didn't fall apart for us," Erlich said. "We have been playing our best, we both have the right game for doubles," Ram added. The Israelis out-aced their opponents 20 to seven. Up next for them are the Australian Tod Woodbridge - considered one of the strongest
doubles players in the world - and the Swede Jonas Bjorkman, who is ranked fourth in the
tournament. "We will go on court and, sure at the beginning, our legs will tremble a
little, but this has been the case in all the matches, now we will go out there feeling we
have a chance, we can beat anybody if we play as we have been during the tournament,"
Ram declared. ISRAEL TOURISM SOARS 36% IN MAY (6/25) "This news is very exciting," stressed Levi, "because it builds on a 17% increase in April, and double-digit increases in the first three months of 2003." Tourism from North America makes up approximately 25% of the total number of tourists to Israel, says Levi, a 20% growth in share since 2000. "There is a new optimism taking root in our part of the world," Levi observed, "and one of the immediate results of this optimism is the decision by Americans not to delay further their planned visits to Israel." NEW
YORK CITY JEWISH The study reveals that were it not for the influx of Jews from the former Soviet Union during the 1990's, the decline in the city's Jewish population would have been even greater. Overall, the Jewish population in the eight-county region covered by UJA-Federation - comprised of the five counties of the city as well as Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties - has remained stable at about 1.4 million. According to the study, the proportion of Jews who call themselves Orthodox has increased sharply over the decade, reaching today 19 percent. The proportion of Reform and Conservative Jews has accordingly decreased. The rate of interfaith marriage, which rose sharply in the 1970's, has stabilized, with 13 percent of Jews marrying someone of another faith. The study, which was reportedly based on telephone interviews conducted between March and September 2002 on 4,533 randomly selected households, has a margin of error of 1.8 to 2.7 percent. WORLD RENOWNED ISRAELI
CHEMIST HONORED (6/12) MAGEN
DAVID ADOM AND AWARD
WINNING ISRAELI FILM SCHEDULED FOR U.S. RELEASE (5/29) ALMOST 50
PERCENT According to the research findings, one-fifth of the surveyed children had a relative who was a victim of terror, and more than 300 children lost a loved one in terror attacks. In addition, 42.7 percent of the respondents said that they were suffering from shock symptoms, such as flashbacks of events, nightmares, panic and troubling thoughts. Other negative symptoms included feelings of detachment, inability to concentrate and a general feeling of uneasiness. A surprising discovery showed that in places such as Rehovot and Ariel, which are less exposed to terror, the rate of shell shock in children is higher than in places like Kiryat Arba and Karnei Shomron, which experience terror attacks more frequently. ISRAEL
CELEBRATES 55TH INDEPENDENCE DAY (5/8) The ceremony also included the traditional lighting of twelve torches - representing the twelve tribes of Israel - by fifteen individuals working in the field of security and rescue, and featured a massive fireworks display. Cities throughout the country were decorated with streamers and lights and organized various performances and dancing events. According to YEDIOT AHARONOT, more than two million Israelis flooded national parks and Jewish National Fund forests to make picnics and barbecues. By midday, Israel Police had to turn people away from some popular locations due to the overcrowding. The JNF registered a 25-percent increase in turnout compared to last year. Israelis also flooded the Israel Defense Forces bases that were opened to the public for Independence Day. Meanwhile, Moran Gomeri, 16, won the annual World Jewish Bible Quiz for youth, which was held on Wednesday at the Jerusalem Theater in the presence of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Gomeri, an excellent student and the daughter of a bible teacher, is an eleventh grader at Amit girls' yeshiva in Be'er Sheva. She competed in the finals against 15 other teens from eight countries. Gomeri's prize is a scholarship for Tel Aviv University. Yom Ha'atzmaut celebrations ended on Wednesday evening with the Israel Prize ceremony at the Jerusalem Theater. ISRAELI MUSICIANS JAZZ UP
NEW YORK MUSIC (5/5) Kim Smith, publicist of New York's renowned Blue Note jazz club, feels Israeli musicians have the sort of streetwise-earned experience that makes them particularly accommodating and able to go with the flow, whatever their circumstances. "The Israelis have a sort of "sababa" (laid-back) thing," she says. "Very rarely do they complain or say negative things and I think this comes from growing up in a war torn country. As children, they have seen many things and have had to deal with issues we know nothing about here. They are taught to 'eat' life and never take anything for granted - this is ingrained and it comes out in the music." Smith was suitably impressed with Cohen's cross-cultural efforts, and those of his compatriots, and today believes Israeli artists are getting their cultural mix message across to American jazz musicians and fans alike. "The instrumentation Avishai has used, especially in the beginning - with Amos Hoffman on oud (Arabic lute)- was a direct link to his heritage," she says. "I think people relate to any music which comes from the heart - these sounds and rhythms are very real for these musicians and the honesty comes through." With other Israelis, like former Herbie Hancock band member saxophonist Eli Dejibri, trumpeter Avishai E. Cohen and pianist Anat Fort continuing to make waves in the Big Apple, it has become clear that musicians from the Land of Milk and Honey have found their place and voice in the New York jazz community. ISRAEL
HELPING ASIAN COUNTRIES IN ITS BATTLE WITH SARS (5/2) ISRAEL WINS
SECOND UN POST AFTER FOUR-DECADE LAPSE (4/30) Most UN posts are selected through regional groups. Until 2000, Israel was the only UN member barred from any of the organization's five regional groupings, mainly due to a boycott by Islamic nations. With strong backing from the United States, Israel was allowed in May 2000 to join the "Western European and Others Group," which endorsed Israel's candidacy for the disarmament post in February and for the narcotics commission seat this month. "The process that began in February to incorporate Israel into as much of the UN's work as possible is continuing," Israeli Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Arye Mekel said. "We must demonstrate to the world what we already know - that Israel is far greater than the Arab-Israeli conflict." US REQUESTS
ISRAELS HELP IN TREATING IRAQI CHILD (4/28) WARSAW GHETTO HEROES HONORED
BY POLAND (4/25) AFGHANISTAN
INTERESTED IN NORMALIZING TIES WITH ISRAEL (4/15) Officials said on Monday that the letter opens the door to direct or indirect relations between the two countries that have never enjoyed diplomatic relations. In informal talks held in Kazakhstan last June, interim Afghan President Hamid Karzai told then-Israeli Housing Minister Natan Sharansky that a formal dialogue could get under way after Afghan elections, which the international community wants to see held next year. In the past, Israel offered to help restore the war-torn country. Afghan officials have asked for Israeli agricultural aid as well as for educational material on modern irrigation systems, but cooperation has not been established as yet. Israel donated $100,000 to the UN Afghanistan relief fund and offered to send medicines and medical equipment to Afghanistan. Israel has diplomatic ties with three of Afghanistan's Islamic neighbors, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. ASHKENAZI, SHEPHARDI
CHIEF RABBIS ELECTED (4/15) Attorney General Elyakim Rubinstein forwarded a request a few hours before the vote to disqualify Metzger over three complaints that had been filed against him. However, the committee, which is not authorized to disqualify candidates and can only postpone the vote, decided to hold the vote as scheduled. After hearing the result of the vote, Metzger said that, "the people of Israel will get a more open, loved, admired and considerate Rabbinate, which will unite everyone." Amar said that he would do everything he could to bring people together. MORE
ISRAELI FOOD PRODUCTS The company 'Ethnic Delights' which distributes the sauces produced by the Olivia company, owned by Tnuva, took first place in the category of the best spreads and sauces in Europe. Tnuva is now about to enter the US market by acquiring 50 percent of a US fresh foods importer. Its US subsidiary will be based in New York and Los Angeles and the company plans to focus on the ethnic foods market at first. Tivol, which makes meat substitute products such as vegetable and soy patties, is also successful overseas, due to its appeal to the health food sector. Israeli wines continue to sell well overseas and have won prizes in Japan, France, the United States and Italy. The veteran company Wissotsky tea is sold in the US, Russia and England. Tsabar Salads has managed to penetrate major chains in Belgium, England, Holland and France, with its Humus Middle Eastern spreads. The Elite conglomerate is actively promoting the boutique Israeli chocolate company, Max Brenner, it acquired a year ago. Its overseas market has been broadened and Elite is moving into Singapore and Australia, and the company is even contemplating a move onto the turf of the top chocolate-makers in the world: Belgium and Switzerland. For those who like to eat out, successful Israeli restaurants are looking overseas as well. The kosher gourmet Bruno restaurant in Tel Aviv's Azrieli Towers will soon open a sister branch in Manhattan. And Arcaffee, whose popularity contributed to the downfall of Starbucks in Israel, is also planning to move into the Big Apple. ITALIAN
POLICE REQUESTED France, the defending European champion won the match 2-1, with goals by David Trezeguet and Zinedine Zidane. Omri Afek scored Israel's goal at the second minute. France's coach Jacques Santini praised the game of the Israeli team. "It was difficult," he said. "The Israeli team which stood opposite us was great and dangerous and I think it should have been a tie, which would have reflected the real situation on the field. Israel's collective game was excellent and we were surprised by the team's ability, especially moving the ball around the field." TIGHT
SECURITY FOR ISRAEL-FRANCE SOCCER MATCH IN SICILY (4/2) As part of the security measures taken by the local organizer, about 1,000 local police officers, together with Israeli security officials, were involved in the operation. In addition, bomb-sniffing dogs and metal detectors will be on hand at the stadium. The hotel that is hosing the Israeli team is also under tight security. The team's spokesman Shaul Aizenberg said that the squad's main focus is on the sporting aspect. "The players are thinking only about the game," he said. Another team official, Sagit Levy, explained that the situation in Italy was not very different from the one at home. "We have a really tough situation in Israel and there is a lot of security, but we try not to think about it." SABBATH UPHELD IN ISRAEL
(3/23) HOMICIDE
BOMBING "Russian, Christian, Druze and Arab, we're all one people," Birokov said during her visit to the hospital where her son had been treated, to meet with two of the families of patients who had received her son's organs. "We're all people," she said. "The main thing is that Anatali saved lives." The Hassan family from Shfar'am and the Asli family of Kfar Arava, whose ailing loved ones received Birokov's organs, ran towards her to embrace her. "We thank you with all our heart," said one member, "This is real peace and only with deeds like these is peace possible." They told her that they would never forget her. "We are one family," one said. Anatoli Birokov will be buried at a cemetery in Haifa. ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS TV IN U.S.
(3/11) Moshe Maeir, Vice President of Distribution for INN, notes that Israel as a whole gains from this development: "Americans currently typically receive their television news from national news networks that are both limited in coverage and are often biased." The daily INN program includes a four-minute headlines segment, feature stories, and interviews. ISRAEL IS GLOBAL WINNER IN
CRICKET (3/11) Israel was declared the overall global winner. Apart from the prestige and honor of winning the top prize, the material value is worth over $6,000, which includes a Flicx Coaching Pitch, portable nets and a bowling machine with 50 balls and wickets. Israel's cricket has mainly developed in the tough conditions of the Negev, where cricket is played despite the high summer temperatures and the fact that the fields on which games are played are nothing more than sand and rocks. ISRAELI
TEENS PREPARE FOR HUMANITARIAN MISSION TO INDIA (3/10) "My goal for the trip is to expose them to Israeli culture and people, so maybe when they're older, they'll visit us. They'll realize that there are good things happening in Israel", Tahel Ben-Yehuda, a member of the group, said. Like Ben-Yehuda, most of the participants in the program are active in volunteer work during the year in different Israeli medical aid organizations and various health care facilities. The members of the team were chosen after a process of strict screening, and are trained for specific tasks. In its organization of the trip, the Israeli Medical Cadet organization collaborated with Magen David Adom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel's Department of Education, India's Ministry and local Indian authorities. MAKUYA
MOVEMENT: Waving Japanese and Israeli flags and dressed in traditional kimonos for women and blue jackets with menorah and Star of David prints over their suits for men, the group sang as Katsav and his wife entered the reception hall. A member of the delegation told Katsav "even though many people warned us of the hazards of traveling to this part of the world, nothing would stop us from visiting the Holy Land." HEAVY SNOW
SHUTS DOWN MUNICIPALITIES (2/25) ISRAELI
ARABS TAKE LESSONS ILAN RAMON BURIED IN NAHALAL (2/11) "We could not have had a better and more fitting representative" than Ramon, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said at the ceremony, which took place at the Lod Air Force base and was attended by political leaders, and top officials from the Israel Defense Forces and Israel's Space Agency. "His image, projected from above, was the reflection of Israel at its best - Israel as we would have liked to see it - the Israel we love." The items that Ramon brought into the shuttle instilled pride in Jews throughout the world, Sharon said. "The Torah scroll brought by a Jewish boy from a concentration camp, the [Jewish ritual] Kiddush cup, the Israeli flag and the Air Force badge touched and excited all Jews," he said. President Moshe Katsav said that Ramon knew, even before his death "how to unite all parts of the Jewish people with the blink of an eyelid." "He was a representative and symbol of our people... I thank you, Ilan, in the name of the Israeli nation, for your mission on behalf of humanity, for the honor you brought to the State of Israel, for standing at the frontline of scientific research in space," Katsav added. ISRAELI,
PAKISTANI TENNIS PLAYERS "During a summer when fear and hatred garnered much of the headlines, Amir and Aisam-ul-Haq provided much needed relief with their simple message about tolerance through tennis," ATP Chief Mark Miles said. "It's fitting that we present the Arthur Ashe Award to these two players on the 10th anniversary of Arthur's death, as Arthur remains the model for all of us on how athletes and sport can make a big difference in the lives of others." Commenting on the pair's unique relationship, Hadad said: "Quite a lot people come up to me and ask me when I was going to play with the Pakistani player again. I never heard anybody say, 'Don't play with him' or something like that. In Israel everybody is pretty supportive about it." His colleague Qureshi said: "I was lucky to have my parents with me when I played with Amir. They also helped me and gave me confidence that I was doing the right thing. It's good for the game. All my family and everybody back home were proud of me." Arthur Ashe was the first African-American man to win the U.S. Open in 1968; Ashe captured 33 titles in his career, including Wimbledon in 1975. Off the court, Ashe worked tirelessly to eliminate racism and poverty around the world, particularly in segregated South Africa. RONA RAMON: ILAN WILL STAY AN
ANGEL (2/3) "He was happy in space, with the people he loved, in the place he loved. Sixteen days he floated in a dream. He didn't only dream - he made his dream come true. Ilan was the best of the best, and it is not a coincidence that he was chosen to become the first Israeli astronaut." "He was a happy and an optimistic person. When he left for space, he left us this wonderful feeling that we are also part of this amazing thing. He had to write a will but at the end didn't because he thought it was unnecessary. He always had a smile and he wanted us to keep on smiling. We are not falling apart. We are strong for Ilan's sake. We will keep his spiritual will alive and he would want us to be happy, calm and smiling." Ramon, wearing a shirt with the NASA symbol and accompanied by her sister from Israel, said that she was not afraid during the days her husband was in space: "I knew that if the launching went well, there would be nothing to worry about because usually the malfunctions are during the launch and not during the landing. The only thing that tears me apart now is that during the liftoff, when we were all in high spirits, my youngest daughter, Noa, looked at the sky and said, 'I lost my daddy.' She felt what we didn't allow ourselves to think about, as if she knew this was the last time." "We stood and waited at the end of runway for the landing. It was a beautiful day and the clock was ticking. When it got down to 10 seconds, we started a countdown, just like in the liftoff, to hear the sonic booms. But they didn't come. We started to worry, and then they took us to the side and told us that they didn't know what had happened, but we already knew. I didn't even have to tell the kids, they knew immediately." Ramon explained that when they returned to their home there were several e-mails from Ilan awaiting them: "Ilan sent the e-mails in the last minutes before the landing. One of them was a thank-you letter to Shimon Peres for helping him fulfill his dream of becoming an astronaut. Peres and President Clinton started the project of sending an Israeli to space. The rests were personal letters to the family. He wanted us to read them together." "We and the families of the other astronauts are a one big supporting family. We are bound in a magnificent way. The other crewmembers were close friends of Ilan's. The only thing that gives me any comfort is that they had such a good time [in space] and loved one another. They were simply a group of angels and that's how they will stay." "I know that Ilan would want the space program to continue and I also support it. It's a great mission for humanity and despite the tragedy it should go on." Family members and close friends, including Ilan's father and brother, arrived on Sunday in Houston to be with Rona and her four children. A team headed by Israel's Ambassador to the U.S. Danny Ayalon is also in Houston to help and give support to the family. The family, as well as official Israeli representatives, is slated to attend NASA's official memorial service for the seven astronauts killed aboard the Columbia on Tuesday. ISRAEL
RANKS THIRD IN THE WORLD IN WORKAHOLICS (1/8) ISRAELI
VETERINARIAN CREATES SURVIVAL KITS FOR PETS (12/26) "I first became concerned back in 1991 during the Gulf War when Snoopy (Kishon's dog) would rush to our sealed room whenever there were air-raid sirens and I began to wonder what we could do about pets," Kishon said. Kishon said a number of patients have bought the kit and he is also giving colleagues instructions for making their own. ISRAELI
AID GIVEN TO FAMILIES The delegation handed out 15 tons (approximately 33,600 lbs.) of food, which is supposed to last a few months. In addition, they purchased backpacks, notebooks and pencils for 1,500 children from the village of Kikmabala, near the scene of the attack," delegate Ra'anan Amir said and added, "in most of the families, the people who were killed or wounded were the providers. Most of the residents here in the area make a living out of tourism. The number of tourists has dropped after the terror attack and they are struggling to make ends meet." CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATIONS PROCEED IN BETHLEHEM (12/24) According to Israel Radio, KOL YISRAEL, Military officials said they would allow Israeli Arabs to travel to Bethlehem as well as foreign tourists, pilgrims and Palestinian Christians with special permits. "We will make every effort to facilitate the celebrations," IDF officers said. "There is now no curfew on Bethlehem and we hope to keep it that way. We shall facilitate efforts to allow anybody to enter who wants to worship." Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's adviser Ra'anan Gissin said that although Israel would like to allow greater freedom in the area, Bethlehem is the "origin of 15 attacks on Israelis in the last year, including a homicide bombing that killed 11 last month." Gissin added that we are doing everything possible to provide for normalcy in that city, which has been a center for worship by Christians and a tourist attraction, but unfortunately we have not seen any cooperation from the Palestinian side." ILAN
RAMON, ISRAELI ASTRONAUT, WILL EAT KOSHER (12/19) ISRAELI
WINS GOLD MEDAL MISTRAL SAILBOARD CHAMPIONSHIP (12/16) Friedman said "I didn't try to go just for a medal, I went for the gold." He added, "this was a long and tough event, but I stayed close to the title all the way through. I have done it, and I have proved that I am part of the leading group in the world." Friedman's title places him as a leading contender for an Olympic medal in the 2004 Athens Games alongside pole vaulter Alex Averbukh and kayaker Mikhail Kalganov. Friedman won the bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. ISRAELI PRESIDENT
KATSAV VISITS VATICAN (12/12) During the meeting, the pope made an appeal for free access to Bethlehem, the town where tradition holds is Christ's birthplace, on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas celebrations. President Katsav said that Israel "will do everything possible to enable pilgrims to celebrate the festivities as appropriate." He promised that if there are no warnings of terrorist attacks during Christmas, the Israel Defense Forces would redeploy outside the city of Bethlehem, where in recent months Israeli troops have been searching for wanted Palestinian terrorists. FIRST
WOMAN ASSIGNED By a single vote, the National Council of the Israel Bar Association chose attorney Sharon Shenhav as one of its two representatives on the committee. A coalition of some 25 women's organizations working for the rights of women who are refused divorces or who are agunot [women whose husbands are not confirmed dead by the Rabbinate], advocated for the selection of Shenhav. The Chairman of the Bar Association, Shlomo Cohen, said he decided to support Shenhav because of her record of protecting women. Shenhav holds a doctorate in law and has served in the past as the Director of the legal section of the Na'amat Women's Organization. Shenhav says that she will seek the appointment of dayanim who are both well versed in Jewish law as well as in aspects of civil law associated with divorce, such as child developmental psychology and property rights. MEDALS AND RECORDS
FOR ISRAELI HANDICAPPED SWIMMERS (12/12) In other sporting news, Israeli athlete Gal Friedman is in 1st place in the week-long world championship windsurfing competition, currently taking place in Thailand. In four meets involving a total of 110 surfers from around the world, Friedman twice finished first, and in second place once. The competition now moves into the finals, and is expected to conclude on Sunday. INTERFAITH
PATROL UNIT ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT HOLY SITES (12/11) In the last few months, criminals have damaged gravestones, stole Tzdaka (charity) money and hidden weapons and drugs in the area. Following these incidents Boker then decided to meet with community leaders of all three faiths and explained to them the severity of the situation. Moshe Goldfarb, a volunteer in the unit said, "our presence at the scene deters the criminals and prevents them from approaching our holy places. Our joint patrols show the success of co-existence in the city." PATCH ADAMS VISITS ISRAEL (12/9) Patch Adams is also a professional clown and performer who has written, produced, and acted in numerous plays. He is a moviemaker and a citizen diplomat, making many trips to the Commonwealth of Independent States to explore the possibilities of peace among nations and to learn more about the world's diverse cultures. ISRAELS DEBATE TEAM
WINS IN EUROPE (12/9) GIL SHWED
NAMED ONE OF 100 GLOBAL LEADERS OF TOMORROW (12/5) According to the Geneva-based forum, "the GLT Community represents the new generation of global leaders, nearly 500 individuals from business, politics, public interest groups, the media, the arts and the sciences, who have demonstrated responsible leadership vis-a-vis society, business developments, the environment and socially responsible initiatives." The criteria for making the list includes being under the age of 37, displaying a commitment to public affairs and demonstrating leadership in addressing issues beyond an immediate professional interest. Check Point had achieved the highest market valuation ever reached by an Israeli company - $30 billion. Shwed holds about 10 percent of the company's equity and his holding is worth today about $480 million. NEW
STUDY SHOWS ISRAEL AS THE According to the Institute, which convened an emergency session to deal with what it called the "demographic crisis," there are now some 12.9 million Jews in the world. Earlier this year, estimates put the number at 13.2 million. The main reason for the decline appears in the data from the census of Jewish communities in the U.S., which shows a decline of 300,000 in the American Jewish population, from 5.5 million in 1990 to 5.2 million in 2002. Experts say that some 300,000 Jews emigrated to the U.S. during the 1990s, but nonetheless, the community lost some 50,000 Jews a year, mostly to natural attrition. The Institute, jointly headed by former U.S. Middle East Peace Envoy Dennis Ross and Prof. Yehezkel Dror, a specialist in strategic government policy planning, is supposed to form general and long-term strategic plans for the Jewish people. Studies published at the conference, which opened on Saturday night and ends today, said the decline is apparent in other major Jewish communities around the world. The French Jewish community has declined from 535,000 in 1980 to some 500,000 now, while the number of Jews in the former Soviet Union has fallen from 1.45 million in 1989, to some 437,000 now. Most of those Jews moved to Israel during the 1990s. GOLD MEDAL TO ISRAELI CHEFS (12/2) The Israeli team used Israeli fruits, dishes and ingredients native to the region such as dates, pomegranates, Sabra fruit (cactus fruit), Humus, Falafel and different herbs. ISRAEL TO
ESTABLISH WORLD-CLASS SCHOOL OF MUSIC (11/29) "Our students will have a most difficult curriculum and be under close supervision," Sheriff said. "Entrance exams will be held next summer. Studies will continue for three years, and the diploma we grant will be an excellent entree to any musical institution in the world." ISRAELS
FIRST ASTRONAUT MAY CAST HIS VOTE FROM SPACE (11/22) David Leffler, Director-General of the Culture, Science, and Sport Ministry, called Knesset Member Efi Oshaya and asked him to ask the central elections committee to look into the possibility of Ramon voting from space. The committee responded by saying that "in principle," Ramon may vote from space. Leffler is now looking into the logistical and technical problems and is seeking permission from NASA. Ministry Deputy Director-General for Information Moshe Fogel said the astronauts can send e-mail from the shuttle. The elections committee would establish a Web site and, by using a secret code, his vote from space would be registered. If the shuttle's blastoff should be postponed and Ramon is in Houston, Texas, he can vote more conventionally by double envelope, like other emissaries abroad. SURGE
OF VOLUNTEERS REPORTED, DESPITE FALL IN TOURISM (11/15) According to analysts, the discrepancies of the figures illustrate a very positive message: an awakening desire of Diaspora Jews to stand by their people in time of trouble despite potential harm. Brig. Gen. Roni Moreno, Chief Logistics Officer of the Israel Defense Forces, is responsible for volunteers in the army and reports a 30 percent increase in volunteers this year. So far, these volunteers have saved reserve soldiers from serving a total of 1,700 days. INTERNATIONAL
CHRISTIAN CHAMBER While companies from any country can take part, Israeli companies will have an advantage. The Israeli companies will be registered on the site for free and will be listed first when search results are displayed. Organizers expect millions of Christian companies from all over the world to register and search on the site. The website, which already is operating at Internet address www.marketsunlocked.com, is to be officially launched next week. Markets Unlocked is the latest effort by the ICCC to build business relationships with the Israeli business community. In June it held an international business conference in Jerusalem in which 400 businessmen from 40 nations met with representatives of Israeli companies. Also participating were the Manufacturers Association, the Israeli Export Institute and the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce. According to the ICCC more than 1,000 matchmaking appointments were conducted during the two days of the congress. GERMAN
CERTIFICATE "We, as Germans are indebted to Chana Zemer," Dressler said in a speech at the ceremony. "She, and people like her, made the German-Israeli dialogue possible after 1945." He added that people like Zemer have helped build bridges between Israel and Germany though honest and evenhanded reporting. "If the Israeli press portrays Germany objectively today, than it was Chana Zemer who paved the way twenty years ago." ISRAEL
DIRECTOR TAKES FIRST PRIZE AT TOKYO FILM FESTIVAL (11/4) The Tokyo International Film Festival, considered one of the 10 most important festivals in the cinema world, is open to directors who have not made more than three films. Bergman's 87-minute film, which tells the story of a middle-class Israeli family as it comes to terms - both emotionally and financially - with the death of their father, stars Orly Zilbershatz-Banai, Maya Maron and Nitai Gvirtz, was awarded the Tokyo Grand Prix / The Governor of Tokyo Award, which includes $5000 in prize money. WAITRESS
RECEIVES FULL UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP AS TIP (10/23) Although the woman doubted the truth of the offer, she arrived at Ben-Gurion the next day to find that she had been registered. "It's the biggest tip I've ever received in my whole life," she said. "The scholarship has shown me that miracles do happen." She said that she had taken the men's email addresses and that they planned to stay in touch. "I want to thank these two men from the bottom of my heart for making my dream come true." The two philanthropists, who prefer to remain anonymous, said that there was no ulterior motive behind the story. "We saw a young woman who excelled at her work and we wanted to make her happy." ISRAEL SHARES
EXPERTISE IN MASS CASUALTY RESPONSE (10/21) The program aims to facilitate the development and management of comprehensive disaster response systems that rapidly react to emergency situations. During the course, participants will have a chance to hear presentations from top Israeli medical and home-front security experts, tour state-of-the art Israeli trauma and intensive care facilities, as well as participate in simulation exercises. Participants in this course are medical personal from: Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Hungary, India, Kenya, Latvia, Marshall Islands, Myanmar, Nepal, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Sri Lanka. MASHAV - Israel's Center for International Cooperation trains over 8,000 professionals from the around the world annually in courses in Israel and abroad as well as managing development demonstration projects worldwide. EMERGENCY
HELP NEEDED FOR MAGEN DAVID ADOM (10/15) The irony in the Arab stand is poignant in that MDA's application for membership in the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) has been consistently rejected because its emblem is a star, not a cross. This first occurred in 1949; since that time some 25 Red Crescent Societies in the Muslim world have been admitted to the IFRC. The cross is the symbol of Christianity. The crescent is the symbol of the Muslim world. The Star of David is the symbol of the Jewish people as well as of Israel. There is no reason on earth that the Red Star of David should not be accorded the same international recognition as the other two symbols. ISRAELI
WOMAN RANKED According to the magazine, "Maor, who had spent 26 years at the Bank of Israel, took the reins of Israel's second-largest bank in 1995. Last year, when the economy hit the skids, Bank Leumi had assets of $53 billion, $5 billion in revenues, and net income of $200 million." ISRAEL
REMEMBERS THE SOLDIER President Moshe Katsav and Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon will attend a ceremony this evening in Tiberias where the Avitan family lives. Earlier this year, the IDF declared that the three soldiers were dead after receiving reliable intelligence information regarding the soldiers. According to Israel Radio, Israel is continuing its efforts to have the bodies of the three soldiers returned the families. Civilian businessman Elhanan Tannenbaum, who was also kidnapped by Hizbullah immediately after the soldiers' abduction, is still presumed alive. FIRST PARK FOR
BLIND IS INAUGURATED (10/2) A raised map of the 800 meter (approximately 2625 feet) round pathway, situated at the entrance to the park, helps visitors find their way through the park's forest. The forest, which will contain wooden statues as well as fruit and herb gardens, is meant to enhance the nature experience for blind visitors through touching and smelling. The sitting and picnic areas are also equipped for the disabled. FIRST-EVER
WIN FOR ISRAELI SOCCER TEAM IN CHAMP SERIES (9/25) Yitzhak Shum, the manager of Maccabi Haifa, said he was proud that his players "performed like lions." Last night's game was played in Nicosia, Cyprus, but was considered a home game for Maccabi Haifa because the team is playing its "home" matches in the Nicosia GSP stadium due to a ban on international matches in Israel by European soccer's governing body, the UEFA. The league has banned matches from taking place in Israel due to the security situation. This was the fourth such Israeli game played in Cyprus, and all of them ended in shutout victories for the Israeli teams. Five thousand loyal Israeli fans arrived in Cyprus to cheer their team, giving Maccabi Haifa an "at home" feeling. ANNA
SMASHNOVA AND NOAH OKUN BOOTH OUT OF US OPEN (8/31) Okun's defeat to the worlds number one ranked male tennis player and reigning U.S. Open champion, Lleyton Hewitt, (7-6, 6-4, 6-1) was generally expected, but Smashnova's defeat came as something of a shock. Smashnova, seeded 17th at the tournament, was beaten by out-of-shape South African, Amanda Coetzer, also in straight sets (6-2, 6-4). In a game that was halted because of rain, Israel's Harel Levy currently trails Paraguay's Ramon Delgado by two sets to one, and is down 4-3 in the fourth set. ISRAELI
YOUTH The Germans, a team of mostly Pakistani players far bigger than the young Israelis, were on the receiving end of another stunning Israel performance. While the whole squad can be commended, the two spin bowlers, Ronen Wasker and Raz Ben-Zakan again stood out. They not only have prodigious talent, but this tournament has highlighted a fine temperament, so crucial for any aspiring sportsman. ISRAEL MAKES SOCCER
HISTORY (8/29) Meanwhile, Israel's cricket team also made history on Wednesday, defeating Gibraltar at the European "B" Championships in Italy and securing the gold medal at the six-nation tournament. Although Israel still has one more game against France today, the team's fourth straight win means that the outcome of today's match is irrelevant to the final standings and the Israelis will bring home the gold medal. HAREL LEVY REACHES
SECOND ROUND AT US OPEN (8/27) "There is no more professional a sportsman than Harel," Levy's father, Yoel, said on Monday. "He has been working tirelessly for the past three months with a fitness trainer named Paul Dorchenko, who has also worked with several top-ten players in the past few years." Levy will faces Ramon Delgado of Paraguay, ranked 136, in his next match. Anna Smashnova and Noam Okrun will also play today. FIRST
WOMAN ELECTED Gamliel told reporters that she is proud to be the first woman in this role and promised to keep fighting for students' rights and lower tuition at universities and colleges. She also said that under her leadership, the NSU will fight to remedy social struggles that plague society. ISRAEL SENDS
HUMANITARIAN AID TO CZECH REPUBLIC (8/19) Israel is also considering contributing to the restoration of Prague's historic Jewish Quarter and the city's ancient Jewish cemetery, both of which have been damaged by the floods. ISRAEL PAYS TRIBUTE
TO MAN'S BEST FRIEND (8/15) The cemetery will have 80 plots and each dog laid to rest will have a tombstone designed by its soldier or handler. An American millionaire who is fond of animals is donating funds for the cemetery. Meanwhile, according to a study in MA'ARIV, animals present at the scene of a terror attack tend to suffer from sleeping problems and anxiety reactions just like humans. "Daphne," a three-year-old golden retriever guide dog was severely injured when a homicide bomber blew himself up while sitting in a taxi in Wadi Ara 18 months ago. Her trainer, Cloud Knap, 29, was killed in the attack. After recovering from an extensive medical treatment she was put in the custody of Cloud's brother Ricardo, who lives in Kiryat Shmona, on the northern border. "She hides in a corner and shakes and trembles. No matter how much love and nurturing she receives, the dog finds it difficult to overcome the attack's experience," Ricardo said. ISRAEL
LAUNCHES "FINE FOODS FROM ISRAEL" CAMPAIGN (8/15) "The campaign will increase visibility and the introduction of new brands to American consumers," Itzik said. The campaign, scheduled for display in supermarkets across the country in October, is expected to increase Israel's annual $55 million in food exports by 50 percent within two years. ISRAELI POLE
VAULTER CAPTURES ISRAELS FIRST GOLD MEDAL (8/12) Averbukh immigrated to Israel in 1999 and since his arrival, the former decathlon specialist has chosen to concentrate on the pole vault, becoming one of the world's best. He finished third in the world championships in Seville, just a month after immigrating to Israel. Two years later he won the silver in the world championships in Edmonton. At the Sydney Olympics two years ago, he finished 10th. Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, a memorial ceremony marking the thirtieth anniversary of the Olympic massacre was held at the Munich stadium. Attending the service were members of the current delegation, as well as survivors and family members of the '72 delegation. JEWISH
MOROCCAN TEENS VOLUNTEER IN IDF (8/7) The Nahal Soreq base commander Lt.-Col. Yossi Ifargan greeted the teens, briefed them on the IDF and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For four days, the teens filled sandbags, which are used to protect the soldiers in the Gaza Strip, did kitchen and cleaning duties and armed rifle magazines. One of the teens said that he would like to return to Israel and serve in the IDF next year. About twenty of his friends expressed the same wishes. "We love Israel very much and due to the situation with the Palestinians we decided to come in a large delegation and to donate to the IDF," he said. A military official said that this visit is a very important one, due to the fact that Morocco is a Muslim country with many connections to the Arab world. The official added that the fact that the Moroccan leadership agreed to let a large group of Jewish teens volunteer in Israel shows its "vast openness." STUDENTS CONTINUE TO STUDY
IN ISRAEL (8/7) ISRAEL BAKERY BREAKS THREE
WORLD RECORDS (8/2) The food stall owners broke two other Guinness world records yesterday when they exhibited the largest kubeh in the world, 130 centimeters in diameter, and the largest Jerusalem kugel in the world, weighing 250 kilograms. Dozens of police officers and security guards were stationed at the entrances to the mall, enabling the thousands of Jerusalemites and visitors to the city to enjoy the food and musical performances on display in the mall. ISRAELI
SWIMMERS Borochovski, 18, who qualified for the finals of the 50-meter butterfly event on Tuesday, swam her best time of the competition, touching the wall in 27.36 seconds while former silver medallist Halika competed in the 200-meter individual medley. Halika finished 5th with a time of 2:04.77, qualifying him for the 16th, and final, berth in the semifinals. Halika will compete again today, representing Israel in the 200-meter butterfly and Borochovski will swim in the women's 200-meter individual medley along with Inbal Levavi. Also competing for Israel, Anna Rabinovich will make her competitive debut in the 800-meter freestyle and Yoav Gat will race the 50-meter backstroke. ISRAEL ADVISORY
TEAM HELPS FIGHT RURAL POVERTY IN BRAZIL (7/19) According to Bar-El, the root of the economic problem in Ceara, which is similar to problems Israel faced in the past, is that agriculture is now more advanced and requires less manpower to produce more. As a result, farms in Ceara are now supporting fewer workers. Large industries are also declining and the migration of unemployed workers to the cities in search of work is exacerbating rural poverty and leading to urban overcrowding. Ceara is located on the northeast coast of Brazil and has a population of about 7.5 million. Although the state's economy has developed rapidly in the last few years, poverty in rural areas has not been subsequently reduced. ISRAEL WINS
GOLD AT WORLD SAILING GAMES (7/10) Gidi Kliger and Udi Gal, the other Israeli couple in the event, finished in sixth place. In the women's competitions in the same series, Linor Kliger and Anat Fabrikant finished in fifth place, while Nika Kornitzky and Vered Buskila followed in seventh. FAMILIES
OF ISRAELI MIAS The parents of Benny Avraham, Adi Avitan and Omar Sawaid, who were ambushed by Hizbullah on October 7, 2000 near the United Nations-delineated border with Lebanon and the son and wife of Elhanan Tenenboim, an Israeli businessman kidnapped in Europe eight days later, urged the Jewish community to put pressure on world leaders and human rights groups to find the missing Israelis and to unite behind Israel as it fights terrorism. "We need to be united, to support Israel. Any kind of support - aliyah, money, visiting Israel, coming to see what's happened to the families that suffered," said Avraham's father, Haim, at a meeting Monday with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations. "If my father can be abducted from Europe, then every American citizen can be abducted from Europe," said Tanenbaum's son Ori, 20. "If this crime goes unpunished, I'm afraid he won't be the last hostage." The families are scheduled to meet with members of Congress and Senators today and Wednesday in Washington. According to IDF Radio, Hizbullah is holding Elhanan Tenenboim in Lebanon and is ready to trade him for 200 prisoners. Among those demanded in a potential swap would be West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, who has been in Israeli custody since April. EILAT DOLPHIN RESCUE NO FISH
STORY (7/5) Acting like navy patrolmen on a mission, six dolphins swam toward the sharp-toothed enemy and formed a circle around it. They pummeled the shark with their noses and tails until the shark realized it had no chance and quickly retreated out to sea. The dolphins are being hailed in the media as heroes of the hour. But Maya Zilber, the main trainer at Eilats Dolphin Reef, does not believe the dolphins acted aggressively to protect bathers on the beach. Although dolphins do seem to enjoy the company of humans and even have been known to save children from drowning, in this case Zilber believes they acted to protect baby dolphins in the area. "The sharks could have killed and eaten a baby dolphin, but probably not an adult," she said. "The dolphins are very sensitive and clearly aimed to protect their own." "MADE IN ISRAEL"
LABEL LAUNCHED (7/1) "Blue and White" Chairman David Artzi said, starting today, 1,600 industrial factory members could use the label in their advertising. Artzi also said that hundreds of plants have already applied to the Manufacturers Association for permission to use the label. NASA DELAYS
ISRAELI ASTRONAUT'S FLIGHT (6/25) Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon is scheduled to fly on Space Shuttle "Columbia's" 16-day mission, dedicated to life and physical science experiments. The flight, NASA said, will be delayed at least a few weeks to give NASA managers time to better understand the cracks. FIRST
ISRAELI ASTRONAUT TO Ramon said that as a son of a Holocaust survivor, as a Jew and an Israeli, he felt obliged to commemorate the Holocaust in some way and so he contacted Yad Vashem and asked to bring the painting with him. "I feel that my voyage is the fulfillment of Peter's dream," Ramon said. The fact that he died in Auschwitz is a testimony to our physical being, while the fact that his work made its way out of the ghetto and all the way to Jerusalem shows the victory of his spirit." ISRAEL AND
EAST TIMOR ESTABLISH DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS (5/20) INTERFAITH PEACE RALLY
HELD NEAR GILO (5/15) Rev. Terasawa Junsei, the leader of the Buddhist delegation, said during the visit that "religion has become the hostage of violence and conflict. We must help it regain its original purpose - to unite people in one spirit." Emunah Witt, a Hassidic woman, brought her children to the rally and said, "I want them to know that human beings can get together, and I want Muslims, too, to teach their children that we can live together." ZIMBABWE, KIBBUTZ
BEIT ALFA FORM PARTNERSHIP (5/14) The deal to buy the equipment was first raised and considered last year, when Zimbabwe police sought authority to make a $105 million down payment to Israel's Beit Alfa Trailer Company (BAT) for the purchase of arms for $1 billion. BAT is one of the world's leading manufacturers of riot control vehicles. ISRAEL SENDS AID TO GEORGIA (5/13) ISRAELI
ROBOTICS TEAM Each competing robot was required to traverse a partitioned ring without bumping into walls, locate a burning candle and extinguish it. The Israeli robot succeeded in completing all tasks in the shortest period of time. The team's manager, Michel Lusky, said that despite the situation in the Middle East, the Israeli team was very well received, and added that the Israeli and the Iranian delegations became friendly during the championship. BLIND ISRAELI
YOUTH CO-WINS INTERNATIONAL BIBLE QUIZ (4/18) Sheli, 18, tried to reach the finals of the Bible Quiz for four years. Two months ago,
he was crowned the national champion, again sharing the honors with Ben Admon. Sheli was
born with normal vision, but lost his sight at age Sheli's mother Irit and father Issachar insisted from kindergarten that he attend regular classes in normal classrooms. His success in first grade convinced the school authorities to comply with this request. Sheli is now a student at a yeshiva high school in Kfar Maimon. ISRAEL COMMEMORATES YOM HAZIKARON
(4/16) A special ceremony was also held on Mount Herzl this afternoon for the 1,550 Israelis killed in terror attacks since the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Sharon and Katsav also participated in that ceremony. At this ceremony, Sharon said, "It is our duty to the bereaved families to do everything to end the war in our country and to establish security and peace." Since the beginning of the Zionist settlement in Israel in 1860, the country has lost 21,182 people in wars and in terror attacks. According to Secretary General of the National Insurance Institute, Professor Yohanan Stassman, since the beginning of the current Palestinian uprising in October 2000, 319 citizens have been killed and 3,133 have been injured. In the month of March alone, 104 citizens were killed and 833 were injured. Today's Remembrance Day ceremonies were reinforced with more security than usual due to reports of possible terror attacks at cemeteries and other memorial sites. POPULATION
AT 6.5 MILLION Last year the population grew by 2.4 percent, with around 152,000 new residents. According to the CBS, the amount is lower than in past years, however much higher than other developed nations, whose populations grow 1% annually. According to the CBS the Jewish population rose by 100,000 to 5.3 million, accounting for 81% of the total number of citizens in Israel. CBS analysts noted that this is a similar percentage to that recorded in 1948 when the Jewish population totaled 650,000. The Arab population totals 1.2 million, similar to last year, and accounting for 19% of the population. ISRAELI SWIMMER WINS BRONZE MEDAL
(4/5) Borochovsky, 17, is the first-ever female Israeli swimmer to win the distinguished honor. She competed against some of the top swimmers in the world, such as Swedish swimmers Teresa Eshsheimer and Anna Karin Kimerling. Israeli swimmer Mickey Halika also participated in the championship, competing in the 400-meter individual medley. Despite having achieved one of his best personal times, he just missed the cut for the final round. ISRAELI ICE DANCERS
PLACE SIXTH IN OLYMPICS (2/22) Demonstrating their national pride with the Star of David boldly emblazoned on their costumes and skating to a medley of Hebrew and Yiddish songs. Chait and Sakhnovski became the first Israelis to reach such a high level at the Winter Olympics, a significant improvement over their 14th-place finish at the Nagano Winter Olympics. "We came to skate and feel we did really well, and were pleased to have finished where we did," Chait told reporters. "Our goal and desire is to bring a medal to Israel, and were looking forward to the day, hopefully soon, when well be able to do just that," she added. CZECHS SEEK DEEPER
DEFENSE TIES WITH ISRAEL (2/21) A number of projects were discussed, including a Polish-Czech-Israeli-Hungarian consortium to upgrade their Mi-25 Soviet-made helicopters in which Israel will provide the technological know-how, the Czech Republic will purchase the license rights from Russia, and Poland, Hungary and the Czechs will build the factory. The Czechs also want Israel to purchase their LR-159 training aircraft and special vehicles suited to tough terrain. |
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