China’s Hainan Airlines has requested to begin direct flights between Shanghai and Ben Gurion Airport; Charlie Airlines is the latest addition to the seven airlines operating between Tel Aviv and Larnaca, Cyprus; Israeli-founded Waze now allows drivers to “order ahead” and purchase coffee and other items from Dunkin’ Donuts, and much more.

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

Direct flights from Shanghai to Tel Aviv

Chinese airline Hainan Airlines has requested to begin direct flights between Shanghai and Ben Gurion Airport. Hainan is seeking to begin three weekly direct Shanghai flights from September 12 using Boeing 787s and Airbus 330s.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-hainan-airlines-to-launch-tel-aviv-shanghai-flights-1001190212

Now it’s Charlie Airlines

The interestingly named Charlie Airlines is the latest addition to the seven airlines operating between Tel Aviv and Larnaca, Cyprus. The company’s air fleet consists of one Airbus 319-100 with a capacity of 144 passengers.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-charlie-airlines-to-operate-flights-to-cyprus-1001190213

Collect your donuts on the way

Israeli-founded Waze now allows drivers to “order ahead” and purchase coffee and other items from Dunkin’ Donuts. If all goes well, Waze plans to team up with other merchants to order pizza, reserve parking spaces, fill prescriptions and even buy groceries from the same phone app.
http://www.timesofisrael.com/waze-gets-into-the-order-ahead-business-with-dunkin-donuts/

The first Israeli single-malt

Israel’s Milk & Honey Distillery (M&H) unveiled Israel’s first-ever single-malt whisky on World Whisky Day (May 20). 391 bottles will be sold in select Israeli stores in late June, after aging 3 years in special oak casks (see Dec 2013 article). Note that Israel’s Golan Heights distillery already produces Golani Two-grain whiskey.
http://www.jns.org/news-briefs/2017/5/25/israels-first-ever-malt-whisky-to-go-on-sale-in-june
https://thewhiskeywash.com/reviews/whisky-review-golan-heights-golani-two-grain/

Porsche to invest in Israeli auto-tech

German carmaker Porsche, owned by Volkswagen, has announced that it would invest tens of millions of euros in smart car technologies startups in Israel. Porsche said, “Israel is a key main market for IT engineers and specialists.”
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-porsche-to-invest-in-israeli-auto-tech-1001190734

Frutarom’s second takeover of 2017

Israel’s flavors and natural specialty fine ingredients company Frutarom has signed an agreement for the purchase of René Laurent of France with activity also in Morocco for approximately $ 21.3 million (Euro 20 million). It gives Frutarom its first local French production site.
http://ir.frutarom.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=185607&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=2259554

Moving into Italian plastics

Israel’s Ginegar Plastic Products produces and markets polyethylene sheets and nets for use in agriculture and industry. Ginegar has just completed a 7 million Euro takeover of Italy’s Flextech, which manufactures and sells plastic products to customers, mainly in the industrial market.
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-ginegar-acquires-italian-co-flextech-for-%E2%82%AC7m-1001190868

http://www.ginegar.com/

Microsoft buys Israeli cybersecurity firm

Microsoft has acquired Israeli cyber security company Hexadite for $100 million. Hexadite’s solution rates the urgency of alerts identified by the anti-virus and firewall system, helping staff to investigate the most serious cyberattacks first.

http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-microsoft-acquires-cyber-security-co-hexadite-for-100m-1001189927

Syneron exits for $397 million

Israeli esthetic medical products company Syneron Medical is being acquired by private equity advisory firm Apax Partners for $397 million. Syneron has been featured previously many times in this newsletter. Its products are popular globally – even in Lebanon (see here).
http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-apax-confirms-syneron-acquisition-for-397m-1001183742

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Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!

We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.

Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.

Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!

CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!