Good News

Camp for Sderot “Heroes”

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At a time when the south of Israel has again come under renewed rocket attacks, some 200 Sderot teenagers enjoyed a summer camp experience in August thanks to the Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Committee for a Secure Sderot. The two organizations created “Lend a Hand to Heal,” a program in which the teenagers enjoy a stimulating, week-long program on the Hebrew University campus. They were introduced to educational and scientific programs as well as sports activities and tours of Jerusalem and its surroundings.

A New Wind Blowing for Peace

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A path toward peace may be blowing in the wind, if a new wind energy project between a Palestinian and an Israeli company succeeds. The two companies, Israel Wind Power based in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv, and Brothers Engineering Group from Bethlehem in the West Bank [Judea and Samaria], have just announced their intention to cooperate in the building and selling of wind turbines in the West Bank region and beyond. Most significant, they are undeterred by the latest tensions between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and world powers in the wake of the recent Turkish-led flotilla incident that occurred near Gaza.

Oil Spill Cleanup Solution

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A natural “bioremediation” technique developed by Israeli biologists may hold the key to the final, difficult steps of the billion dollar oil spill cleanup in the wake of the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Professors Eugene Rosenberg and Eliora Ron from Tel Aviv University (TAU) use naturally occurring oil-munching bacteria, grown at the TAU lab, to clean hard-to-reach oil pockets that are produced when oil mixes with sand and organic matter on beaches and forms a thin layer on precious waterways.

Large Natural Gas Source Discovered

{image_1}After a seismic survey, the new gas find, named Leviathan, is estimated to be nearly double the next largest gas find in Israel. According to a press release from Israel’s Delek Group, a partner with the American-based Noble Energy in the discovery, the recoverable natural gas in the Leviathan find is estimated to be about 16 trillion cubic feet (tcf), with a 50% probability of geologic success.

Tourism Spikes

{image_1}In June, the Tourism Ministry announced an all-time record high of tourists visiting Israel for the month of May—an increase of 33% over May 2009. It was the sixth consecutive record-breaking month this year! Tourism since the beginning of the year increased by 42% over last year and over 11% in 2008, which was Israel’s record year to date.

Israel Joins Exclusive Economic Group

{image_1}Earlier this year, Israel was invited, along with Slovenia and Estonia, to join the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an exclusive economic group now set to consist of 34 members ranging from Sweden to Mexico.

Exports Grow 11,250-fold in 62 Years

Israel's exports have grown 11,250 times since 1948—from US $6 million to US $67.5 billion in 2009—according to the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute. The data suggest that Israeli exports have doubled in the last 12 years—from US $33 billion in 1998 to some US $67.5 billion last year.

Israel, Egypt May Unite on Solar Project

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At the recent Eilat-Eilot International Renewable Energy Conference, it was announced that Israel and Egypt may collaborate on a mega solar project. Israel's Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer revealed at the conference that during a visit to Egypt with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he launched discussions with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak about the possibility of establishing a huge joint solar project in Egypt's Sinai Desert—a prime location for such a project with its clear skies, flat topography, and high annual solar concentration.

New “Gospel Trail” Inaugurated

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Now Christian pilgrims can bike where Jesus walked. Along the 40-kilometer (25-mile) trail from Nazareth to Capernaum, bikers can stop at several sites mentioned in the Bible during Jesus’ Galilean ministry. As anyone knows, one gets a much better feel for the country when biking and walking instead of speeding along in a car or tour bus on a heavily-trafficked paved roadway, and, of course, Jesus walked at a much slower pace.
 

Birds and Legislators Share Jerusalem Hill

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It may be the seat of power in Israel and located in the middle of a busy city, but Jerusalem Hill—the site of Israel's parliament—is also home to a significant bird observatory. When it comes to birds, Israel is one of the busiest thoroughfares in the world. Every spring and fall [or autumn], without fail, half a billion birds cross the country on their long migration from Africa to Europe and back. As the first green habitat they encounter on their long and perilous journey, it's no surprise that Israel takes its birds seriously—so seriously, in fact, that even in the heart of Jerusalem, just a stone's throw from the Supreme Court and the Knesset, you can find a bird observatory.