This Week’s Sanity Report from Israel April 26,2020
In Israel, as Israel’s 72nd birthday approaches, the first shoots of recovery are now starting to blossom. Schools and businesses are re-opening and airlines are renewing services to Israel. On the coronavirus front, more Israelis are recovering than being infected. Israel is sowing the seeds for future health with new vaccines and treatments. Meanwhile, Israeli innovations to test, detect and prevent the spread of the virus are already bearing fruit.
To mark World Earth Day, I have included a photo of one of the many floral displays on Netanya’s main streets. Yom Ha’atzmaut – Israel’s Independence Day – is on Wednesday and I wish everyone a healthy year.
The highlights include:
- Another Israeli COVID-19 vaccine and a life-saving treatment are in development.
- An Israeli has co-developed the first entirely new antibiotic for 3 decades.
- Israeli-Arab support for Israel has surged during the pandemic.
- Two Israeli innovations to filter virus-contaminated air.
- Israelis use radar and thermal cameras to detect coronavirus infection.
- Economy gets A+ rating as Israel emerges from lockdown.
- Israel’s vaccine development gets a $12 million investment boost.
- Israel marks Yom HaShoah, Earth Day, San Remo and looks forward to Independence Day.
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Another potential coronavirus treatment. Israeli biotech Redhill has announced that another of its pipeline medicines RHB-107 (upamostat) is to be tested by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) against SARS-CoV2, the virus that causes COVID-19. (Redhill’s Opaganib is already saving lives.)
US patent for coronavirus vaccine. (TY Richard) Tel Aviv University Professor Jonathan Gershoni has been granted a US patent for technology to develop a vaccine for COVID-19. The vaccine targets the coronavirus’s Achilles’ heel, its Receptor Binding Motif (RBM), which the virus uses to bind to and infect a target cell.
https://english.tau.ac.il/news/covid19-Jonathan-Gershoni
Giving coronavirus patients a LIFT. Scientists from Israel’s Technion Institute have developed Liquid Foam Therapy (LIFT). It improves the distribution across the lungs of surfactant, the liquid that coats the surface of alveoli in the lungs,. COVID-19 kills the cells that secrete surfactant, making it harder to breathe.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3807833,00.html
Protecting intubated patients. (TY Hazel) Israel’s Hospitech produces the AnapnoGuard (reported here previously) which seals the trachea of intubated patients and protects them against Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. It was in use in China before the coronavirus outbreak and is now in use in 5 Israeli hospitals.
Recovered from Covid-19. A 45-year-old coronavirus patient at Jerusalem’s Wolfson hospital woke up from a 29-day coma. A 22-year-old regained consciousness after a three-week coma. A 94-year-old Jerusalem woman has recovered from Covid-19. And Eli Beer, CEO of United Hatzalah returned home to Israel after his recovery.
https://worldisraelnews.com/45-year-old-israeli-wakes-up-from-coronavirus-coma/
https://www.jewishpress.com/news/us-news/florida/eli-beer-recovered-from-coronavirus-coming-back-to-israel/2020/04/21/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnD3FtoGeiw
Successful caesarian birth. A seriously ill corona patient, 32-week’s pregnant and on ventilation, gave birth to a healthy 5.2lb baby via cesarean section in the isolation ward at Ziv Medical Center in Tzfat (Safed).
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-israeli-hospital-drama-as-corona-patient-gives-birth-via-cesarean/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-yhawq-8WM
The first new antibiotic in 3 decades. Israel’s Regina Barzilay co-led an MIT team that used artificial intelligence to discover Halicin – the first entirely new antibiotic molecule in 30 years. It kills two of the most dangerous and durable bacteria which (unlike with other antibiotics) were unable to develop resistance to it.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3808712,00.html
The meaning of life. As the cell’s protein factory, the ribosome is the only natural machine that manufactures its own parts and is key to explaining how life develops. Researchers at Israel’s Weizmann Institute are now able to demonstrate the self-synthesis and assembly of the small subunit of a ribosome on a surface of a chip.
https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/life-sciences/self-synthesizing-ribosome
https://advances.sciencemag.org/content/6/16/eaaz6020/
National breastmilk bank saves preemie. A premature infant at Haifa’s Carmel Medical Center became the first baby to receive donated milk from Magen David Adom’s new national milk bank. The baby was unable to digest formula milk and his mother was unable to nurse him. The baby is now doing well and gaining weight.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278984
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
4 faiths combine for prayer. The leaders of the four leading religions in Israel – Judaism, Islam, Christianity and the Druze faith – convened in Jerusalem for an unprecedented communal interfaith prayer for the end of the corona epidemic. Following the prayer, the leaders each offered their personal thoughts.
Israeli-Arab doctor makes coronavirus educational cartoons. Dr. Momen Abbasi, a resident of internal medicine at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital, illustrates the fight against corona using his skills as a cartoon artist. The cartoons serve as a useful educational tool and producing them helps reduce Dr Abbasi’s stress level.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-arab-israeli-doctor-educates-about-corona-through-cartoons/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8MEPpABNkk
Israeli-Arab praise for Israeli pandemic support. Professor Fahed Hakim, medical director of Nazareth Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Arab sector, praised Israel’s Health Ministry for funding 3 coronavirus wards. He also thanked The IDF for providing ventilators and other equipment.
Huge change in Arab-Israeli perception. The Jewish People Policy Institute’s (JPPI) 2020 survey of Israel’s minorities finds that 23% define themselves as primarily “Israeli” (5% in 2019). 65% agreed with the phrase “I feel like a real Israeli” and 33% somewhat agreed. https://www.jpost.com/arab-israeli-conflict/only-7-percent-of-israeli-arabs-define-themselves-as-palestinian-625285
Arab-Israeli MK honors Holocaust victims. History was made on Yom HaShoah when Member of Knesset Mansour Abbas, who heads the religious United Arab List party eulogized victims of the Holocaust at the Knesset. He also recited a prayer from the Quran in memory of those killed in the Holocaust.
Advanced testing machine for Gaza hospital. The IDF has delivered an advanced PCR medical device used for the detection of Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the Gaza strip. It will be used at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, doubling the current rate of Corona tests in Gaza.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/idf-delivers-advanced-coronavirus-testing-machine-to-gaza-strip/
Free training in lung ultrasounds. Israel-based Simbionix has launched a special project to train medical staff worldwide for free in performing and analyzing lung ultrasounds. Lung-ultrasound has proven to be one of the key factors in the effective diagnosis of people infected with the coronavirus. https://simbionix.com/
https://www.jpost.com/HEALTH-SCIENCE/Coronavirus-Israeli-tech-helps-doctors-train-in-crucial-lung-ultrasound-625136 https://simbionix.com/simulators/us-mentor/us-library-of-modules/u-s-covid-19/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChRh_7MmFEk
An Earth Day like no other. Some of the wildest scenes have been circulating on the Internet on World Earth Day 22nd Apr 2020. They include wild boar roaming the streets of Haifa, jackals in Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park, foxes in Ashkelon and on Highway 1. And ibex still wander around Eilat.
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/148061/wild-animals-conquer-israels-empty-streets-watch/
Italian startups complete Eilat accelerator. The first seven Italian startups in Eilat’s Acceleration program (see here) have just graduated. They are now negotiating deals valued at NIS 40 million, mostly with Israeli institutions and companies, including health institutions, industrial and real estate companies.
World English Language Day. Although Israel is proud to have resurrected the Hebrew language, there are many English words that are used by Israelis in everyday speech. This video gives a few examples.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evKi9DeMLsY
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
COVID-19 decision support for doctors. Israeli startup Kahun uses Artificial Intelligence to retrieve vital data for medical professionals on the coronavirus. Kahun’s algorithm mimics the diagnosis process in searching over 2,500 research papers to help physicians make fast vital decisions. Also open to the public. https://kahun.com/
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3806600,00.html https://coronavirus.kahun.com/
Glass chamber to see coronavirus patients. (TY UWI) Steve Walz, international spokesperson, Sheba Medical Center spoke on ILTV about Sheba’s solution for enabling interaction between covid-19 victims and their families. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRo9Pc4KxbU
Filtering out the virus. Israel’s Aura Smart Air (reported here previously) has launched a test of its air purification system at Israel’s Sheba Medical Center. Aura Air is in the final approval stage for European Union funding. The EU is seeking solutions for closed-space infections, with a special emphasis on the coronavirus.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3809121,00.html https://www.auraair.io/
Self-sterilizing air filters. Scientists at Ben-Gurion University are developing a new type of air-filter that self-sterilizes and decontaminates. The nanotechnology is based on laser-induced graphene (LIG) water filters that eliminate viruses and bacteria in water. Potential applications include face masks and ventilation systems.
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-04-self-sterilizing-air-filtration-technologies-masks.html
Disinfectant from tap water kills coronavirus. (TY UWI) Researchers at Bar-Ilan University have developed powerful and environmentally friendly disinfectants using just tap water. They used electrolysis to bind chlorine hydrogen and oxygen – producing hypo chloric acid. In tests it killed microbes, fungi and corona-type viruses.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-researchers-say-they-can-make-disinfectant-from-tap-water/
Radar to detect coronavirus carriers. (TY Hazel) Israel Aerospace Industries and Israel’s Elbit Systems have converted radar and electro-optic (camera) sensors into high-sensitivity sensors. These can measure pulse, temperature, and respiratory rate, to indicate a likely coronavirus infection.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-defense-companies-are-turning-radars-into-coronavirus-symptom-detectors/
Thermal cameras check for infection. Israeli startup Iron-Drone has developed ThermoGate to test the temperature of people entering shops and workplaces as per Israeli government regulations. Meanwhile Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has built and installed its own temperature checkers at two Israeli hospitals.
Home coronavirus test. Researchers from Israel’s Technion Institute have developed a process that they say can be made into a simple, inexpensive, fast and accurate home test for the coronavirus. Dip a swab of saliva into a test tube of chemical reagents and then into hot water. If the reagent color changes, the saliva is infected.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-researchers-home-test-kit-a-corona-game-changer/
Millions of 3D-printed swabs for US. In response to the pressing need for more COVID-19 testing, Israel’s Stratasys and Origin of the US have signed an agreement in which Stratasys will market and promote Origin 3D-printed nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs to healthcare providers and other testing centers in the U.S.
https://www.origin.io/news/stratasys-and-origin-partner-to-bring-swabs-to-healthcare-providers
Rapid Response. Israel’s Tikkun Olam (“Healing the World”) Makers or TOM (see previous) has built a platform called Rapid Response Makers (RRM). Medical professionals and developers all over the world are encouraged to design and build medical infrastructure, products, and software to help fight the pandemic.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-created-movement-harnesses-tech-brains-worldwide-to-fight-coronavirus/ https://tomglobal.org/community?id=5e73198894711e10b13ebe3b
Drones pollinate date plantations. The coronavirus pandemic put Israel’s date industry at risk due to shortage of labor to pollinate trees between February and April. Israel’s Blue White Robotics (see here) is now deploying drones to pollinate date plantations in Israel’s Arava region and the Jordan Valley.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-drones-pollinate-date-plantations-as-coronavirus-cuts-manpower/
An Artificial Reality studio in your pocket. Israeli startup Arti provides simple, inexpensive software for media professionals to develop Augmented Reality videos. With just a smartphone, a laptop and an internet they can make AR videos containing 2D and 3D objects, movies etc. Arti has just raised $4 million of funds.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3809616,00.html https://www.arti.tv/
Waze rolls out new features. With a 70% decline in road traffic, Israeli-founded mobile navigation app developer Waze has turned to building new features that help users during the coronavirus pandemic. One can identify locations with “drive-thru” and “curbside pickup”, for safe access to food and essentials.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3809113,00.html
New Digital Health Tech Innovation Lab. The Israel Innovation Authority is launching a new tech innovation lab with NIS 32 million of funding to promote investments in the field of digital health. Companies have been invited to help operate the lab and assist Israel in the diagnosis and treatment of the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3809090,00.html
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Fitch gives Israel an A+. Amazingly, Fitch Ratings has affirmed Israel’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at ‘A+’ with a stable outlook. It highlights strong external finances, a diversified high value-added economy and solid institutional strength. It projects a rebound in 2021, with GDP growing by 5%.
https://www.fitchratings.com/research/sovereigns/fitch-affirms-israel-at-a-outlook-stable-23-04-2020
BA & Air Canada renew Israel flights. Good news for Israeli nationals. British Airways is to recommence its London-Tel Aviv service from 1st May. Air Canada is restarting Toronto-Tel Aviv flights from 1st Jun and from Montreal on 24th Jun. United Airlines is upgrading its New York service and restarting San Francisco.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-british-airways-air-canada-renewing-tel-aviv-flights-1001325940
IKEA re-opens 3 Israeli stores. Multinational retailer IKEA has re-opened its stores in Netanya, Tel Aviv Port and Rishon LeZion as part of Israel’s slow return to normality. IKEA will observe the latest Ministry of Health regulations, including social distancing, wearing of masks, maintaining hygiene and frequent cleaning.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/279023
Israeli schools to re-open. Israeli school admin staff are returning to work in advance of schools reopening. They will be subject to Health Ministry guidelines. It is a major step towards allowing parents to return to work. Special education classes have already reopened.
A thousand ventilators for Europe. (TY Hazel) Israel’s BATM is already busy producing COVID-19 testing kits (reported here previously). Now, it has received a $31 million order from an unnamed European country, for 1000 ventilators to be delivered between June and September.
El Al transports medical equipment from China to Italy. El Al’s cargo department has signed a deal to operate 150 cargo flights from China to Italy, carrying medical equipment to help battle coronavirus. El Al will operate two flights daily between April and October using converted 777 planes and Dreamliners.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/279031
Israel’s response to COVID-19. Israeli global investment platform Ourcrowd held a webinar on how Israel’s Government, healthcare and technology startups are combating the coronavirus. It featured PulmOne, SightDX and MigVax. Some 1000 medical, media and investment professionals attended. And me. See the slides here.
Israeli vaccine gains support. Israel’s Migal Galilee Research Institute is now MigVax Corp and has just received $12 million of funds, led by Ourcrowd. MigVax is developing a safe, oral vaccine with 3 levels of protection. It will be easy to scale up and can be adjusted for other coronavirus strains.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200421005579/en/OurCrowd-Leads-12-Million-Investment-Israeli-COVID-19 https://medium.com/@CEOOURCROWD/six-reasons-why-ourcrowd-is-investing-in-this-israeli-covid-19-vaccine-570f109f1eff
Emergency funds for cash-strapped startups. The Israeli Innovation Authority (IIA), the government’s tech investment arm, is making available NIS 500 million for Israeli startups that have a good chance of succeeding in the long run, but are currently suffering from a shortage in funding and need immediate investment.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctech/articles/0,7340,L-3809995,00.html
More investment in Israeli startups. This week Israeli startups InnovoPro raised $15 million, Granulate raised $12 million, Orchestra raised $7.5 million, MyndYou raised $4 million, Arti raised $4 million, and Gauzy raised some $10 million.
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT`
Independence Day – Technion. Even in our homes, we can still celebrate Israel’s Independence Day (Yom Haatzmaut) on Weds 29th April. The Technion UK’s event (1pm UK time) includes live top musicians and the musical comedy movie “West Bank Story”. All proceeds will support research into a coronavirus vaccine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcjJluqwRM8 (promotion video).
https://technionuk.org/event/israel-72-celebration-lunch/ (registration)
Independence Day – JNF. For those in the USA for whom the Technion UK’s event is too early, the JNF’s celebration event for Yom Haatzmaut is at 2pm Eastern Time. It is in partnership with Jewish Federations of North America.
https://www.facebook.com/events/609280006321567/
THE JEWISH STATE
Young Israelis volunteer in droves. Lev Echad (One Heart) is an Israeli NGO that activates whenever there’s a crisis. It currently has thousands of young adults providing childcare for staff at 16 medical centers, shopping for quarantined and elderly citizens and standing in for charities that have had to close their services.
https://www.israel21c.org/israeli-18-25s-volunteer-in-droves-to-help-during-corona/
Innovating Holocaust education. To mark Yom HaShoah, the University of Haifa’s Weiss-Livnat Innovation Hub for Holocaust Education and Commemoration has launched a one-year post-graduate program. Its aim is to encourage students to create an innovative project that educates the public about the Holocaust.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-university-launches-innovation-hub-to-pay-tribute-to-holocaust-victims/
IDF protects Holocaust survivors. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi said on Yom HaShoah, “The current reality (corona) does not allow us to meet with the survivors, to support them and be inspired by them. At this time, our mission is to protect them.”
https://www.israelhayom.com/2020/04/20/idf-chief-our-mission-is-to-protect-holocaust-survivors/
A coronavirus lab wedding. Israeli laboratory workers Orit Zamir and Peter Katchker were going to postpone their wedding because of the coronavirus. However, the health of Orit’s mother deteriorated, and they contacted MDA’s “wishing ambulance” who brought her mother to attend a small but happy wedding ceremony.
http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/278420
Volunteers 3D-print visors for medics. (TY Hazel) Hundreds of Israeli volunteers from an online community called COVID-19 Open Source are using their own 3D printers to produce protective visors for healthcare workers. Other volunteers take the equipment direct to needy hospital departments across the country.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/HkVLQmMOI
100th anniversary of San Remo. On 25th Apr 1920, the San Remo Conference of the Supreme Council of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers signed the treaty that established the international right of the Jewish people to a national home. It was enshrined in the 1922 League of Nations Mandate and the 1945 UN Charter.
– live broadcast from Jerusalem on Sunday 26 April at 15.00 CET 14:00 GMT www.sanremo100.org
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/100-years-since-the-san-remo-conference-which-shaped-the-middle-east-625721 https://www.ec4i.org/resources/san-remo/ https://www.ec4i.org/
