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By: Michael Ordman
POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
IDF soldier’s Righteous great-grandparents
Noah’s great-grandparents hid a Jewish woman in their attic in the Netherlands during WWII. Her great-grandmother’s brother hid a Jewish couple and their three children, earning recognition as “Righteous of the Nations”. Today, Noah is proud to serve as a soldier in the IDF.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-how-an-idf-soldiers-great-grandparents-saved-jews-during-the-holocaust/
Saving the Syrian Druze
The Ziv Medical Center in Safed has admitted 32 injured Druze, victims of fighting in Syria during the past week. They include two pregnant women. The IDF has also has established a forward mobile medical triage facility near the Syrian village of Hader and is also protecting the Druze from massacres.
https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/levant-turkey/artc-32-syrian-druze-so-far-treated-in-israeli-hospital
https://www.jns.org/idf-sets-up-field-triage-facility-for-syrian-druze-civilians/
https://www.jns.org/idf-strikes-in-syria-amid-violence-against-druze-community/
A French exoskeleton in Israel
An IDF soldier, severely wounded in Gaza, took his first steps in recovery at Sheba Medical Center. Sheba is one of the few places in the world that offers the Atalante X robotic exoskeleton developed by the French-American company Wandercraft.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/severely-injured-idf-soldier-walks-again-thanks-to-robotic-exoskeleton/
Chai. In celebration of Israel’s 77th Independence Day, internationally acclaimed singer Netta Barzilai has partnered with the Jewish Agency for Israel to release a new rendition of the iconic Israeli anthem “Chai.” The 1983 Eurovision Song has been reimagined to reflect Israel’s resilience in the face of current challenges.
https://www.jns.org/netta-barzilai-teams-up-with-jewish-agency-to-drop-independence-day-tune/
Look! How marvelous our people are
Great article by Arlene Kushner highlighting Israeli resilience.
https://arlenefromisrael.info/look-how-marvelous-our-people-are/
Chance Gaza border encounter leads to new VC. “Only in Israel” story where a meeting between two IDF reservists resulted in the founding of Venture Capital organization TBC VC that has raised $35 million in three months for investment in Israeli startups. It will also donate money to non-profit Gav Lalohem to help others.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/35-million-vc-fund-launches-thanks-to-reservists-chance-encounter-on-the-gaza-border/
https://www.gavla.org.il/gav-lalohem-ngo-2024/
Help support therapy for Israeli soldiers
Beit Binyamin, near the spiritual town of Tzfat, is a therapeutic respite center for IDF soldiers and their families, displaced families and struggling spouses and parents.
https://causematch.com/beitbinyamin25/igno/
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEKpADkRdfV/?igsh=a3pucm90NW91dGd1
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Successful life-support treatment
Israel’s Inspira Technologies (see here previously) used its INSPIRA ART100 system at Westchester Medical Center, New York to circulate and oxygenate a patient’s blood. It marked the first real-world implementation of Inspira’s innovative life-support technology.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/inspira-technologies-announces-successful-treatment-123000786.html
Safer cardiac treatment
Israel’s CardioVia has just received U.S. FDA clearance for its ViaOne system. It provides safe (no needle) access to the pericardium – the thin sac protecting the heart where new minimally invasive treatments are having much success over conventional, risky, heart surgery.
https://www.cardiovia.com/
Breakthrough treatment for massive blood loss
Researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the IDF’s Medical Corps have discovered a peptide to activate Protein Kinase C-epsilon (PKC-ε) and significantly improve survival rates of patients (including wounded soldiers) who suffer massive blood loss.
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/bkler7vgxg
Monitoring vital signs from a distance
During the Covid-19 epidemic, Professor Yonina Eldar of Israel’s Weizmann Institute led the development of radar technology to remotely check health. Her lab has unveiled BRAHMS, the Bio-Radar Health Monitoring System which uses AI to analyze subtle chest movements.
https://www.israel21c.org/noncontact-radar-unit-monitors-patients-vitals-remotely/
https://www.weizmann.ac.il/math/yonina/manya-igel-center-biomedical-engineering-and-signal-processing
Live long and prosper
Researchers from Israel’s Bar-Ilan University have analyzed the differences in protein sequences across mammals with varying lifespans. They discovered that long-lived whales and humans have specific post-translational modifications (PTMs) that may protect against age-related diseases (e.g. cancer).
https://www.newswise.com/articles/new-research-reveals-nature-s-secret-to-healthy-longevity
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58762-x.epdf
How bacteria take control of infected cell
Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have discovered that the protein CsrA in bacteria creates a “control center” inside a cell that manages the activation of disease-causing genes. Future treatments that disable the control center should stop infections before they take hold.
https://www.afhu.org/2025/04/29/a-hidden-control-center-how-bacteria-regulate-their-attack-strategies/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-58829-9#Sec2
$125 million donation to Tel Aviv University
Blackstone Investment firm president Jonathan Gray and his wife Mindy are donating $125 million to Tel Aviv University’s Faculty of Medicine – the largest donation in the university’s history – to increase the number of doctors in Israel. The faculty will now bear the couple’s name.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/blackstone-president-to-donate-125-million-to-tel-aviv-universitys-medical-school-nyt/
https://israfan.com/p/blackstone-gray-donation-tel-aviv-university
Celebrating Life
US ambassador Mike Huckabee received a United Hatzalah Defender of Israel Award at a special celebration for the Israel’s emergency response organization at the Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem. He recounted the time when a UH responder saved the life of one of the delegates of a mission he was leading.
https://www.jns.org/huckabee-united-hatzalah-is-an-organization-worth-celebrating/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
It’s raining toys
Fans of top Israeli basketball team Hapoel Jerusalem turned their team’s court into a sea of stuffed animals during a “Doll Toss” event. These toys will soon bring joy to children in hospitals, shelters, and schools across Jerusalem.
https://simchaspot.com/blog/2025/05/06/hapoel-jerusalem-fans-turned-the-court-into-a-sea-of-stuffed-animals-during-the-doll-toss-these-toys-will-soon-bring-joy-to-children-in-hospitals-shelters-and-schools-across-yerushalaim/
From Ethiopia to Jerusalem
To mark the forthcoming Jerusalem Day, this article celebrates those Ethiopians (now Israelis) who could only dream of reaching Jerusalem, until rescued by Israel.
https://jewishwebsite.com/featured/yom-yerushalayim-from-ethiopia-to-jerusalem/106044/
First Ireland, now Spain
Following the revelation (see here previously) of Ireland’s broken promise not to buy arms from Israel, now Spain has been caught out with a similar promise. The Spanish government has in fact granted 46 contracts worth over 1.2 billion Euros with Israeli defense firms since 7 Oct 2023.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/spain-gave-israeli-defense-firms-46-contracts-since-gaza-war-despite-govt-pledge-report/
Drones for Germany
Israel’s UVision (see here previously) and Israel Aerospace Industries have partnered German companies to produce loitering drones for the German army. UVision and Rheinmetall are to produce the Hero series of drones. IAI and MBDA are to promote the Harop drone.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-firms-to-supply-german-military-with-armed-drones/
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-firms-to-arm-germany-with-suicide-drones-1001508356
Capital events
The first JNS International Policy summit had an impressive line-up of speakers. Other events included Yom HaZikaron, International Bible Quiz, and Independence Day President’s reception.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/05/04/in-jerusalem-new-conference-annual-memorial-and-independence-day/
Ecuador opens diplomatic tech office in Jerusalem
President Isaac Herzog welcomed Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa to Jerusalem – the South American leader’s first official visit to Israel. He also opened Ecuador’s Innovation Research and Development Center in Jerusalem, with diplomatic status.
https://www.jns.org/ecuador-opens-diplomatic-tech-office-in-jerusalem/
How to boycott Israel
Some 14 years ago I wrote a series of blogs about all the vital products and services you must avoid if you want to completely boycott Israel (see Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 and consolidated). Now here is a recent, more up-to-date, more extensive “15-steps” article by Joshua Hoffman.
https://www.futureofjewish.com/p/how-to-boycott-israel-a-guide
10 Israeli inventions that are changing the world
Readers of this newsletter will already know these. PillCam, flexible solar panels, desert hydroponics, eco-friendly packaging, ReWalk exoskeleton, Watergen water from air, emergency bandage, AI medical imaging, lab-grown meat, and space technology.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
The most AI skills in the world
In the LinkedIn AI Talent Index, Israel has the highest proportions of workers with AI-related skills (1.98%). Israel is first in education, financial services, manufacturing, and technology, information & media. Israel’s women score 2.95% – nearly three times the average of the 87 countries listed.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-tops-list-of-countries-with-highest-self-reported-ai-skills/
Prestigious scientists
The three young Israeli scientists awarded 2025 Bavatnik awards (and $100,000 each) are Weizmann’s Yonatan Steizer (epigenetics), BGU’s Benjamin Palmer (organic biomineralization), and Hebrew University’s Chaim Garfinkel (weather forecasting).
https://blavatnikawards.org/news/items/2025-laureates-prestigious-blavatnik-awards-young-scientists-israel-announced/
$3 million Math Breakthrough Prize
Israeli-American mathematician Dennis Gaitsgory has been awarded the $3 million 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Mathematics for his role in the proof of the geometric Langlands conjecture – often called a “grand unified theory of mathematics.”
https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/article-850057
Two golds at girls Euro Math Olympiad
The Israeli team won two gold medals and two honorable mentions at the 2025 European Girls’ Mathematical Olympiad (EGMO) in Pristina, Kosovo. Gold medalists Neta Ilani and Olga Basov were 5th and 11th overall of the 219 participants representing 56 countries.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-851094
Let’s hear it for Israeli technology
Israel’s Bettear (see here previously) is a leader in assistive listening and audio streaming. Its system is available in concert halls, museums, theaters, cultural centers, university campuses and senior residences in 60 countries. 4,000 venues and institutions use it in Israel alone.
https://www.israel21c.org/assistive-listening-updated-for-the-digital-age/
Painting by robot
The EG7 robot produced by Israel’s Okibo autonomously finishes dry walls – sanding and spray-painting, guided by Okibo’s patented AI-guided 3D scanning and real-time modeling algorithm. No preparations, measurement tools, or special marking. Okibo has just launched its US HQ.
https://okibo.com/
Eliminating construction delays
More information about Israel’s Buildots (see here previously) which says it can cut construction project delays by 50% and reduce timelines by an average of three months. Buildots works with 50+ construction firms globally. One of its case studies is UK Royal Bournemouth’s hospital project.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sm24gdi85
https://pages.buildots.com/hubfs/Bournemouth%20Hospital-case%20study-9.pdf?hsLang=en
Use Israeli AI to create mobile games
Israel’s Sett offers a suite of tools that automates the creation of ads and content for mobile games. But unlike traditional AI content generators, Sett’s platform learns from live campaign data, competitor behavior, and consumer interaction patterns to generate content that performs well.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkeiua00geg
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
National debt reduces
Israel’s fiscal deficit narrowed in the twelve months to the end of March 2025, for the sixth consecutive month, to 5.2% of GDP, or NIS 105.5 billion. Israel had a fiscal surplus of NIS 3.7 billion in Q1 2025, compared with a fiscal deficit of NIS 26.4 billion in Q1/24.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israels-fiscal-deficit-continued-to-narrow-in-march-1001507309
$1 billion raised in March. Israeli startups raised over $1 billion in March 2025 – more than 20% higher than in March 2024. Total raised in Quarter 1, 2025 was $2.1 billion, 24% higher than Q1 24.
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israeli-startups-raised-over-1b-in-march-1001506631
“Win-Win” investment
The rebranding of US aid to Israel as “Investment” is gathering steam (see here previously). MK Amit Halevi is spearheading the initiative to phase out a longstanding U.S. foreign aid model for a new framework based on joint investments, innovation and equal partnership.
https://tps.co.il/articles/israel-moving-to-replace-u-s-aid-with-win-win-investment-model/
Bonus for first Israeli passengers to Tirana
Sundor Airlines, a subsidiary of El Al, inaugurated its new direct route from Tel Aviv to Tirana, the capital of Albania, with a ceremonial flight. Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama welcomed the inaugural passengers with a festive dinner at the presidential palace.
https://passport.news/article/483
Supporting criminal rehabilitation in the US
Israel’s SuperCom (see here previously) has won recent contracts in Arizona, and Utah, making eight US States in total. It also has signed a new Electronic Monitoring contract with a government agency in Kentucky to expand its business in that State.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/supercom-secures-new-electronic-monitoring-contract-in-utah-expanding-us-presence-into-8th-new-state-in-less-than-a-year-302441245.html
$49 million of hi-tech orders
In under three weeks, Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks has won orders worth nearly $50 million. They include a $23 million five-year contract to supply Satellite Transportable Terminal (STT) units worldwide in support of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customers.
https://www.gilat.com/pressreleases/gilat-awarded-up-to-23-million-multi-year-contract-to-service-satellite-transportable-terminal-units-for-us-dod-customers/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 11th May 25
Elastic has acquired Israel’s Keep (AIOps). Israeli-founded UK-based Tripledot Studios has acquired the mobile games studio portfolio of US-based AppLovin for around $800 million.
Startup investment – to 11th May 25: Orca AI raised $72.5 million; Ox Security raised $60 million; Onebeat raised $15 million; Sett.ai raised $15 million; LeakZon raised $5 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
The longest scenic route in Judea & Samaria
Israel recently inaugurated the Gvaot Forest Scenic Route (Derech Nof Gvaot) in Gush Etzion. The 4.3 mile trail, Judea and Samaria’s longest scenic route to date, “offers breathtaking views, forest serenity, and the options of hiking, cycling, or driving”.
https://www.jns.org/israel-opens-longest-scenic-route-in-judea-and-samaria/
Wonder Woman at 40
Few Hollywood actresses can be like Gal Gadot. She can identify a weapon from any distance, lift a car in one scene, close multi-million dollar real estate deals, and still be home in time for dinner with her four daughters and husband. Her films have grossed over $2 billion. She is Israel’s No. 1 ambassador.
https://www.jns.org/gal-gadot-turns-40-a-look-at-her-life/
Chess Champion
Israel’s Noam Sasson, an 11-and-a-half-year-old chess prodigy, won two medals at the World Youth Chess Championship in Rhodes. Competing in the 10-12 age category, Sasson earned world runner-up titles in both rapid and blitz chess.
https://www.ynetnews.com/culture/article/r1cf3wzkxx
Israeli scores goal to win UK soccer championship
Israeli soccer international Manor Solomon fired Leeds United to the English Championship title with a stoppage-time winner in a 2–1 victory over Plymouth Argyle. Just watch the video of Solomon’s superb goal and the celebrations of him and the Leeds fans.
https://www.jns.org/israeli-soccer-star-strikes-to-seal-crown-for-englands-leeds-united/
London Marathon runners for hostages
During the annual London Marathon, 59 runners donned yellow hats and pinned photographs of the 59 remaining Gaza hostages to their shirts, taking the 26.2-mile run as an opportunity to spread awareness about their plight after 570 days in captivity.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/london-marathon-runners-dedicate-races-to-the-59-remaining-gaza-hostages/
THE JEWISH STATE
Only in Israel
Yanky Fachler writes that he sat in the Yael Synagogue (Emek Refaim) in Jerusalem next to a Nobel prizewinner, a former Israeli ambassador, and an Israel Prize laureate. The Torah scroll had been rescued by Yanky’s great uncle Gershon in Berlin on the morning after Kristallnacht in 1938.
https://www.yael.org.il/2019/02/ (click on link and see last paragraph on page 1)
US Ambassador’s mezuzah
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee affixed a mezuzah to the entrance of his Jerusalem office. The mezuzah holds a profound connection to Israel’s biblical past. crafted from stones taken from Mount Ebal, the site traditionally identified as Joshua’s Altar.
https://israfan.com/p/huckabee-mezuzah-joshuas-altar
US Ambassador prays at ancient Shilo
US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee continued his post-appointment tour with a visit to ancient Shiloh, the historic site of the Jewish Tabernacle. He recited Hannah’s prayer that celebrated the birth of the prophet Samuel. He also prayed personally for the release of the hostages.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-ambassador-huckabee-recites-prayer-upon-visiting-ancient-shiloh/
Biblical archaeology is being covered up
In Judea & Samaria, archaeologists have uncovered much Biblical evidence. E.g. Sebastia National Park, Sartaba (Alexandrium); Shiloh; Herodion; and Joshua’s altar. International academics blacklist these archaeologists, and their findings need to be publicized.
https://tps.co.il/articles/boycotting-the-bible-israeli-archaeologists-punished-for-uncovering-biblical-sites/
More important than winning
The Trigon team from Modiin’s AMIT religious public high school withdrew from the final day of the FIRST robotics competition in Houston, Texas rather than compete on Shabbat. They were 15th overall of the 600 competitors. Seven other Israeli teams were finalists in their specific categories.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-ranked-israeli-robotics-team-gives-up-championship-bid-over-shabbat-observance/
Israel’s Jews
On Israel’s Independence Day, of Israel’s 10.1 million residents, the Jewish State’s Jewish population was roughly 7.7 million, comprising around 45% of world Jewry. 80% of Jewish Israelis are “sabras” – born in Israel.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-population-tops-10-million-for-1st-time/
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/donation-en/ (select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA – https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union – https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State.
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA – https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe – https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada – https://www.israelbonds.ca/
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Antisemitism, anti-Israel bias and boycotts are out of control. Israel's enemies are inciting terror and violence against innocent Israelis and Jews around the world. Help us fight back!
