Dispatch from Jerusalem

No Need For the Needle

{image_1} A portable device, developed in Israel, which uses ultrasound to deliver medications painlessly, including local anesthesia, through microscopic pores in the skin, has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration and put on the market.

The device—developed by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology—also offers future applications for continuous and painless testing of blood sugar in diabetics, speedy administration of pain medications to cancer patients, and providing influenza vaccines to the general public.

Highest Terror Toll Since 1947

{image_1} The number of Israeli civilians killed in terror attacks in the last four years is nearly equal to the number killed by terrorists in the preceding 53 years, Shin Bet (Israeli internal security organization) head Avi Dichter told the Cabinet recently.

The Vine Shall Give Its Fruit

{image_1} “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.” (Ps. 130:7).

God is moving in the earth to call His people to renewed commitment to Him. Many respected clergy members and intercessors are calling the people of God to a time of consecration and holiness. We feel the Spirit of God stirring our hearts to spend more time with Him, worship Him in holiness, and allow Him to work in our lives.

Israel Trade With Arab Countries Up

{image_1} The first three quarters of 2004 have seen almost a 50 percent increase in Israel’s trade with Arab countries. Despite the Oslo War, Israel’s economic relations with Arab states are apparently warming up. Israel’s trade with the Arab world rose a total of 47.4 percent so far in 2004 to US $169.7 million, according to Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.

Viable Oil Strike in Israel

{image_1} For the first time in many years, a new, commercially viable oil well has been discovered in Israel. The Lapidot Oil Company recently concluded a drilling in Heletz, northeast of Sderot, and found a deposit of some 750,000 barrels of oil.

Israelis and U.S. Scientist Share Nobel Chemistry Prize

{image_1} Two Israelis and an American won the 2004 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their work related to how the human body singles out unwanted proteins for destruction to defend itself from disease.

Sea of Galilee in Good Shape

{image_1} The Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Israel’s largest reservoir, stands fuller and higher than it has been in previous years at this time. The level of the lake is now 210.5 meters (689.6 feet) below sea level—approximately 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) higher than it was last year at this time, and almost four meters (13 feet) higher than two years ago.

Israeli Pen Enables E-handwriting

{image_1} A new Israeli-developed electronic pen enables writing on ordinary paper to be saved to a computer instantly. It also allows handwriting to be entered directly into a computer, cell phone, or personal digital assistant (PDA), facilitating handwritten data to be sent via e-mail.

DVD of American’s Beheading Is Hot Item in Gaza

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Video shops in Gaza were selling in September a new DVD featuring the recent beheading of an American in Iraq. The gruesome video, priced at NIS 15 (about US $3), was apparently selling like hotcakes.

Terror Killings Down 84% Due to Fence

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There has been an 84 percent decrease in Israelis killed in terror attacks since the completion in August 2003 of the first portion of the security fence: 134 kilometers (83 miles) between Salem and Elkana.