Rules of Engagement

In the past months, the State of Israel has come under fire regarding the Israel Defense Force’s (IDF’s) Rules of Engagement (ROE). ROE are simply the internal rules or directives afforded military forces that define the circumstances, conditions, degree and manner in which the use of force may be applied. Open-fire policies determine those instances

Meet My Israelis

“What are the Israelis like?” It’s a question I get asked often. Friends and family who have never visited Israel are naturally a bit curious about the people who call the Promised Land home. It’s a difficult question to answer though. How do you summarize an infinitely diverse melting pot of a nation with some

One Way to Remember

When mailing letters I often ask the postal clerk, “I’d like some pretty stamps, please.” With the advent of email and free video calls via WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, handwritten letters are becoming things of the past, with less and less need for postage stamps—never mind pretty ones. But in Israel, more than any other

The Spectacular Caves of Beit Guvrin

Beneath the picturesque rolling countryside of central Israel, south of Bet Shemesh, lies an impressive underground system of caves and quarries. This unique area of the Judean lowlands stretches out over 1,250-acres in the Beit Guvrin–Maresha National Park. While in the early spring the national park is a feast of flowers, the best-kept secrets are

Europe for Israel

Europe presents Israel with a distinct paradox. There’s fierce support and equally fierce opposition; endless prospects alongside endless trials and great opportunities offset by great challenges. Harnessing the potential, promises and pitfalls emanating from the 44 countries comprising the world’s second smallest continent to side with Israel is no small feat. Yet the Israel Allies

The Quirks of Israel—Gastronomic Delights

From the pen of Peter Fast, national director of Bridges for Peace Canada and the future CEO of Bridges for Peace International, comes the fifth installment of the Quirks of Israel. Join Peter on a journey through the wonderfully peculiar culture, traditions, heritage and daily life of this singular nation as he unpacks, introduces and

Bouncing Back

As the sun set on 2021, Israel—along with the rest of the world—was eager to return to a sense of normalcy after nearly two years of lockdown, social distancing and isolation. There were, however, a few nagging questions. Was the fallout of COVID-19 so severe that the repercussions would paralyze us for years to come?

A Snapshot of Blessing

November 7, 2022

The Volcani Center is the largest institution devoted to agricultural research and development in Israel, advancing agriculture in the Jewish state and abroad through innovation and problem solving. Headquartered in Rishon Lezion with experimental research stations in the north and south, the Volcani Center is responsible for many of Israel’s groundbreaking developments in plant and

Putin: Don’t Ask me to Choose

My how times have changed. It was only two short years ago that we saw Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu chatting with the regularity of old buddies dropping by for coffee. Putin and his Russian entourage were warmly welcomed in Israel as important guests in 2020, really only his third

Battlefield Cyberspace

In the not-so-distant past, Israel and Iran were firm friends. So close was the bond that the Jewish state and the Islamic Republic were well on their way planning a grand joint venture to coproduce military equipment—Jerusalem’s biggest ever partnership at that point—when the 1978 Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah, put a swift end to

Masters of Defense

The modern State of Israel has been in a constant state of combat since the day after declaring its independence in 1948. The need to survive, outsmart and outgun their enemies has pushed the Jewish state to create some of the most innovative weapons systems in the world. Iron Beam The highly successful Iron Dome

Healthcare Cooperation Opens Doors To Peace

The Palestinian medical system has been in the news a lot lately. When US President Joe Biden visited east Jerusalem’s Augusta Victoria Hospital in July, he announced a US $100 million boost to six hospitals that he called the backbone of healthcare for the Palestinian people. Access to quality medical care, opined the US head

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