This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel Nov. 17, 2024
This week’s newsletter sees Israel valiantly advancing in its war to topple Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and its terror proxies. Meanwhile, Israel’s citizens have been awarded top national and international honors including as “Lions of Zion”, rocket scientists, sports champions, and religious leaders. These achievements are just some of the highlights of Israel’s continuing efforts to produce top innovations that benefit humanity.
The photo is of a Netanya school awards ceremony, illuminated by solar powered lighting on top of the playground.
The highlights include:
- Volunteers at a Gaza border refreshment tent have served half a million IDF soldiers.
- Israeli innovations combat cancer, heart disease, PTSD, brain diseases, and aging.
- A Druze-Israeli spoke Arabic to save Israeli soccer fans in Amsterdam.
- The war certainly doesn’t scare off visitors to Israel from the animal kingdom.
- Israeli startups can save the planet from plastic pollution.
- Israel’s economic indicators are increasingly healthy.
- Israeli technology protects more American soldiers.
- Two new Israeli Chief Rabbis have been inaugurated.
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
What to do with captured weapons? The IDF is examining the possibility of establishing anti-tank units using the huge number of weapons and missiles seized from the Hezbollah terrorist organization, including tens of thousands of Russian Kornet and Iranian Almas anti-tank missiles.
https://www.jns.org/idf-may-
IDF’s veteran unit. The IDF’s Har Zion 0710 Unit represents a unique phenomenon in modern military history: hundreds of Israelis aged over 45 years old, many decades past their military service, have voluntarily returned to uniform to defend their nation. The unit was spontaneously established overnight after Oct 7 2023.
https://www.jns.org/how-
Doing good on the Gaza border. For the past year, volunteers from all over the world have been running a 24×7 refreshment station for IDF soldiers entering and leaving the Gaza strip. The Shuva brothers’ refreshment stand has served half a million IDF soldiers. It also stocks all the supplies that soldiers need.
https://video.i24news.tv/en/
Jewish Federations help Israeli nonprofits. (TY Nevet / ADL) Amitim is a pro bono mentoring program, which links former Jewish federation CEOs to the needs of the leadership of nonprofits in Israel and kibbutzim affected by Oct 7. It recognizes that US Jewish retired executives have skills and experience to benefit Israelis.
https://ejewishphilanthropy.
28 Lions of Zion. 28 altruistic individuals and partnering organizations were honored in Gush Etzion at the Ari Fuld Project’s annual “Lion of Zion” awards ceremony, for their tireless support of Israeli soldiers during Israel’s current multifront military campaign. The awards are in memory of Ari Fuld z”l (see here previously).
https://www.jns.org/ari-fuld-
Another amazing escape. One of many near misses, as a Hezbollah rocket landed between cars on an Israeli highway. https://unitedwithisrael.org/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Alpha radiation to treat lung cancer. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Alpha Tau Medical (see here previously) has treated its first patient with recurrent lung cancer using its innovative Alpha DaRT® alpha-radiation cancer therapy. The WHO reports 2.5 million new lung cancer cases annually and the most cancer-related deaths.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/
https://www.clinicaltrials.
US approval for heart repair device. (TY Atid-EDI) Israel’s Pi-Cardia (see here previously) has received US-FDA approval for its ShortCut heart valve decalcification device. ShortCut is used to remove calcium from heart valves, making them more flexible, prior to heart valve replacement (e.g. TAVR or TMVR) procedures.
https://www.businesswire.com/
Alternative to heart valve replacement. Israel’s Innoventric has developed Trillium – a device to fix a leak in the tricuspid valve, one of four valves that regulate blood flow through the heart. But instead of replacing the valve, the prosthetic device is inserted into a large vein in a 10-minute procedure under conscious sedation.
https://www.israel21c.org/
https://innoventric.com/wp-
HBOT treatment for PTSD. (TY Nevet & UWI) Researchers from Tel Aviv University and Shamir Medical Center in Beer Yaakov found that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can significantly alleviate PTSD symptoms, particularly for patients unresponsive to traditional therapies or medications.
https://tps.co.il/articles/
New target for Parkinson’s treatment. Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered a mutation of the TMEM16F protein secretes α-synuclein to enhance the spread of Parkinson’s pathology through nerve cells in the brain. Blocking or modulating TMEM16F activity may reduce α-synuclein and cure Parkinson’s disease.
https://tps.co.il/articles/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
Brain stabilizer discovered. The brain’s NMDA receptor (NMDAR) is known to be vital for learning and memory. Now Tel Aviv University researchers have discovered that it also maintains stable brain function during environment and physiological changes. The discovery may lead to new treatments for brain diseases.
https://www.aftau.org/news_
https://www.cell.com/neuron/
An antibody against aging. (TY UWI) Scientists at Israel’s Weizmann Institute have uncovered how aging cells evade the immune system. The protein PD-L1 stops the immune system from recognizing and destroying aging (senescent / “zombie”) cells. Antibodies to PD-L1 reduced inflammation and numbers of senescent cells.
https://tps.co.il/articles/
An Israeli genetic database. Psifas is the Israeli Genome project. With a budget of NIS 250 million, it aims to create a genetic database of 100,000 Israel’s citizens. The information collected from patients of the Clalit health company, already provides information that will make it possible to treat life-threatening diseases.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Israelis with disabilities display art in Houston. (TY Nevet / ADL) The Shalva Art Exhibit highlights the experiences, hardships, and resilience of Israeli individuals with disabilities. The exhibit is currently in Houston at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, having previously been in Korea, Hong Kong, Sweden, England, and Israel.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-
Druze saves Israeli fans in Amsterdam. (TY Hazel) Quick-thinking by a Druze-Israeli fan of Maccabi Tel Aviv saved fellow Israeli fans from being beaten by Arabs in Amsterdam. Malham Asaad shouted in Arabic to distract the attackers. He then urged the Israelis to hide all identifying symbols.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Samaria governor saves PA Arab’s life. Binyamin Regional Council Governor Yisrael Ganz came upon the scene of a car accident involving a Palestinian Arab vehicle and an Israeli vehicle. Just before the Arab vehicle caught fire, Ganz pulled the Palestinian Arab passenger out of the vehicle and saved his life.
https://www.
Screening baggage at Las Vegas airport. (TY OurCrowd) The AI-based baggage security screening system from Israel’s SeeTrue (see here previously) has been undergoing trials at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid airport. These were managed by the Department of Homeland Security together with the Transport Security Administration.
https://www.ourcrowd.com/
Exposing disinformation. (TY OurCrowd) Israel’s Cyabra (see here previously) has exposed a fake video campaign in Japan that advocates the independence of Okinawa, Japan’s southernmost region that hosts several US military bases. Cyabra’s tools revealed that protest videos were compilations of unrelated events.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/
25,000 cranes fly to Israel. At the beginning of the annual bird migration season, 25,000 cranes arrived at the Agmon reserve in the Hula Valley in the Upper Galilee. Serving as a critical migration stopover, the park hosts more than 390 bird species twice a year. Amazing video at 2nd link.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/
Rare monk seal returns to Israel. Despite the war, Maya – a rare Mediterranean monk seal – has returned to Israel’s shore at Rosh Hanikra near the Lebanon border. It is Maya’s 6th visit since 2010. In 2023 another monk seal, affectionately named Yulia, made two long visits to Tel Aviv’s beach in 2023 (see here previously).
https://www.jns.org/amid-war-
Where spinning technology began. 12,000-year-old spindle whorls have been unearthed at Nahal Ein Gev in the Upper Jordan Valley. They provides the earliest known evidence of fast-spinning technology in the Levant, predating previously known textile tools by 4,000 years.
https://www.jns.org/12000-
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The universe is really big. (TY Sandra T) A team of international researchers including from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem has created an updated map of the local universe by analyzing the motions of 56,000 galaxies. It suggests that our cosmic neighborhood may be 10 times larger than previously thought.
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/news/
Plastic alternative that dissolves. Israel’s Solutum has developed plastic that biodegrades completely in water. It recently won awards, raised $11.5 million in finance, partnered Germany’s Pester, and won major orders.
https://www.israel21c.org/the-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Compostable packaging from rice waste. Israel’s TIPA (see here previously) has introduced a groundbreaking fully compostable and recyclable tray crafted from waste product of rice. The trays be disposed of in compost bins in homes, and also in the recycling bin too, alongside paper.
https://www.waste360.com/
https://www.israel21c.org/6-
Avoiding heavy water. In most products 85% of the ingredients is water, which wastes fuel transporting it from place to place. Israel’s Capsule Minimal has developed 3D-printed smart capsules containing the active ingredients. Insert the capsule into the reusable metal bottle, add tap water, and the product is ready to use.
https://www.capsuleminimal.
Israeli AI partnership to maximize crop yields. Israel’s Fermata (see here previously) is partnering Israel’s yieldsApp to give farmers “personalized, real-time insights that ensure crops get the right nutrients and treatments…”. Feremata’s cameras and AI detect problems and yieldsApp offers solutions to increase yields.
https://www.israel21c.org/
Integrated cybersecurity. Two Israeli cyber megastars, CyberArk and Wiz have announced a strategic partnership to improve multi-cloud security for enterprises. It will help companies meet audit and compliance requirements while reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
It is rocket science. Technion Prof Alon Gany was awarded the 2025 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Wyld Propulsion Award for outstanding achievements in rocket propulsion systems. It recognizes his research on metalized propellants, energetic materials, hybrid rockets, ramjets, and scramjets.
https://ats.org/ats-news/
Defense system innovator visits London. Israel Technion graduate Dr Irit Idan was the Executive Vice President for Research and Development at RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems and is now CEO of Idan Technology Insights. UK readers can hear her speak on Dec 9 in London.
https://technionuk.org/event/
Iron Beam will be a game-changer. Israel’s Brigadier General Ran Kochav, former commander of the Israeli Air Missile Defense Forces, believes that the introduction (next year) of the Iron Beam laser interception system will herald a profound change in the IDF. An excellent summary of its capabilities and limitations.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Foreign currency reserves reach new heights. Israel’s foreign exchange reserves at the end of September 2024 stood at a record $220,377 million – an increase of nearly $3 billion from their level at the end of the previous month. The increase was due to a revaluation that shows confidence in Israel’s currency and economy.
https://www.boi.org.il/en/
Average wage rises more than inflation. In Aug 2024, Israel’s average monthly wage was NIS 13,138, up 5.3% from Aug 2023. Over the same period, inflation rose by 3%, making the average Israeli worker better off. Meanwhile, unemployment is at a 50 year low of 2.7%.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/
Tech startups raise nearly $1 billion in Oct. (TY UWI) Israeli privately-held hi-tech companies and start-ups raised nearly $1 billion in October. The total raised in the first 10 months of 2024 was over $8 billion, surpassing the $6.9 billion raised in all of 2023.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-
Israel’s AI sector outpaces global rivals. (TY UWI) Startup Nation Central reports that Israeli AI startups have grown 173% since 2014, far more than the 12% increase of non-AI startups. Also, Since 2018, Israel’s AI investment share has typically been 3-4 times higher than Europe and the U.S.
https://tps.co.il/articles/
Israir ends El Al’s USA monopoly. Israeli low-cost airline Israir plans to launch direct flights between Israel and New York this winter. Subject to US regulatory approval, it will operate four flights a week to Newark and will end El Al’s temporary monopoly on direct flights between the two countries.
https://www.jns.org/israir-to-
Successful drone safety trial. Israel’s ParaZero Technologies has received a $187,000 order for its UAV safety systems from a US-based Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company in the aerial vehicle industry. The order is the end of a long-term project with the client and now large-scale manufacturing and deployment can begin.
https://parazero.com/2024/09/
Defense system for US tanks. (TY Hazel) The US has awarded Israel’s Elbit Systems a $127-million follow-on contract to supply Iron Fist Active Protection Systems (APS) for its Bradley infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs). General Dynamics will upgrade the US Army’s Bradley M2A4E1 IFVs over a period of 34 months.
https://thedefensepost.com/
A biodegradable partnership. Israeli biodegradable packaging startup W-Cycle (see here previously) has partnered with Brazil’s Melhoramentos. W-Cycle will help find new sustainable applications for the high-yield pulp fiber that Melhoramentos manufactures. The contract is estimated to be worth $370K.
https://spnews.com/wcycle-
Saving costs for self-insured employers. The cost reduction solution from Israel’s Bluespine helps self-insured employers to lower annual healthcare spending while mitigating financial and legal risks around plan administration. Bluespine’s AI helps identify, recover, and prevent overbilled medical claims.
https://www.calcalistech.com/
Exits, mergers & acquisitions – to 17/11/24: Israeli-founded Plarium was acquired by Sweden’s Modern Times Group for up to $820 million from Australia’s Aristocrat which bought Plarium in 2017 for around $500 million. Finland’s Nokia has acquired Israel’s RapidAPI for an undisclosed sum. Israel’s Silverfort has acquired Israel’s Rezonate for several tens of millions of dollars. US-based BitSight has acquired Israel’s Cybersixgill for around $115 million. US-based Cloudera has acquired Israel’s Octopai.
Startup investment – to 17/11/24: Upwind Security raised $100 million; ScaleOps raised $58 million; PointFive raised $20 million; Bluespine has raised $7.2 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Digitizing Beta Israel manuscripts. Israel’s National Library is to launch a project to digitize dozens of sacred texts of Beta Israel – the Ethiopian Jewish community. High-resolution digital scans of the documents (written in Ge’ez, the ancient language used in Ethiopia) will be generated and made accessible on the NLI website.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
US Ambassador displays Israeli resilience art. (TY Nevet / ADL) Outgoing US Ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, has filled his Jerusalem home and office with the works of artists who have been affected by the Oct 7 Hamas terrorist invasion. “This artwork shows that dreams come true if people work hard at it,’” said Lew.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Jiu-jitsu gold. Israel’s Daniel Boaron, 13, won the 2024 Ju-Jitsu World Championship (under-14, under-48 kg) in Crete after his final opponent from the UAE was disqualified for an offensive gesture at the end of the match.
https://worldisraelnews.com/
THE JEWISH STATE
The last Afghan Jew comes home. Zablon Simantov, 65, one of the last Jews to leave Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, arrived in Israel from Turkey where he had been living for the last 3 years. His rescue in 2021, was led by Moti Kahana, a well-known activist specializing in evacuations from conflict zones.
https://www.jpost.com/aliyah/
4,000-year-old children’s pots. A team led Tel Aviv University archaeologists analyzed fingerprints on 450 pottery vessels made in Tel Hama in Syria around 2,000 to 2,400 BCE. They found that two-thirds of the vessels were made by children, some only 7 or 8 years old. The children also made figurines for themselves.
https://www.tandfonline.com/
Kabbalat Shabbat concerts in Jerusalem. Jerusalem’s Zappa Club features a series of special Friday afternoon concerts. Next event is on Nov 29. https://www.zappa-club.co.il/
https://www.nbn.org.il/events/
$3.2 million to improve Rachel’s Tomb. Israel has allocated NIS 12 million for improving the Rachel’s Tomb complex near Bethlehem. It will make the site more accessible, particularly for people with disabilities, and includes a new bus station plus better security. The site has hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
https://www.jns.org/3-2m-
All chiefs together. (TY Sharon) Israel’s Chief Rabbis for the next 10 years, Dovid Yosef (Sephardi) and Kalman Ber (Ashkenazi) were officially installed at President Herzog’s residence in Jerusalem. Chief Rabbi Yosef concluded his remarks, “Let’s make the rabbanut great again.” (It was the day before the US elections).
https://rjstreets.com/2024/11/
Aliyah and lone soldier support center. Nefesh b’Nefesh has opened an Aliyah center in Tel Aviv, aimed to facilitate the absorption of new immigrants. It will also support the 3,500 “lone soldiers” – those in Israel without close family – from more than 70 countries who are serving in the IDF.
https://www.jns.org/nefesh-
150th birthday of Chaim Weizmann. (TY Sandra) The first President of Israel, Chaim Weizmann was born on Nov 27 1874. His discovery of synthetic acetone helped the Allies win WW1. His friendship with British Prime Minister Arthur Balfour influenced the publication of the Balfour Declaration (see here previously).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
How to help Israel. Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
Friends of the IDF (US donors): https://www.fidf.org/
or IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA – https://my.jnf.org/gaza-
Orthodox Union – https://www.charidy.com/
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/
https://system.smartgiving.
https://chaischneider.org/
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.
USA – https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe – https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada – https://www.israelbonds.ca/
