Good News

Special Delight

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The Land of Milk and Honey

For thousands of years, the Land of Israel has flowed with milk and honey, but now it is official: Israeli cows are the biggest producers in the world. How now, proud cow? But sheep and goats can take a bow as well.

A report released this week by the Central Bureau of Statistics [CBS] says that Israeli cows are the number one milk producers in the world. According to the CBS report, last year Israeli dairies produced some 1,221 million liters [323 million gallons] of the white liquid for public consumption, providing 185 liters [49 gallons] per person per year.

Cow’s milk comprised the bulk of production at 94% of the total volume. Sheep produced 3.6%, with goat’s milk at the lowest percentage of volume, 2.3%.

Kanafim – wings of protection

“How priceless is Your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of Your wings.” Psalm 36:7.

Often in the Scriptures, we hear references to physical attributes of God. We hear about the “arm of the Lord,” and we pray that “His face will shine upon us.” We should understand that Israelites were not imagining that God literally had a physical body, but because the Hebrew language does not contain many abstractions, they were using physical imagery to express ideas about God’s nature.

Israel Allies Caucus In U.S.A.

On July 27, the United States Congress announced the establishment of an Israel Allies Caucus, meant to mobilize Christian support for Israel around the world.

The American congressional lobby, which is modeled on the Knesset’s [Parliament’s] Christian Allies Caucus created two and half years ago, debuted with a membership of four congressmen: two Republicans––Dave Weldon of Florida and Trent Franks of Arizona, and two Democrats––Eliot Engel of New York and Gene Green of Texas.

The new caucus plans to advocate Israel’s right to live in peace within safe and secure borders, on the basis of shared Judeo-Christian values.

Israel’s First Mass Wedding

Despite the war, a mass wedding for 50 couples from the war-torn Galilee area, with 5,000 guests, took place in Tel Aviv’s old port Hangar 11 on August 14, the day the cease-fire began.

“This is the first time in Jewish history an event like this has happened,” said Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yona Metzger, who supervised the event.

Israeli Water Know-How in China

China and Israel will work together to introduce Israeli water technology into the world’s most populous nation under a cooperation agreement reached with China’s Ministry of Water Resources during the recent Water Expo in Beijing.

Indonesia to Play Tennis in Israel

In a major diplomatic milestone, Indonesia’s government says it will allow its women’s Fed Cup tennis team to compete in Israel. Indonesia is the most populous Muslim nation and has been a vocal critic of Israel, which is scheduled to host the World Group II playoff in July. The Indonesian tennis federation had originally asked for a change of venue, but Israel would not yield its right to host the event.

Tourism Jumps 30%

In January-April 2006, 695,000 tourists entered Israel, a 30% rise over the same period last year. Tourist traffic from North America surged 34% compared to the first four months of 2005. Arrivals from the United States came to 174,000 (up 42%), making that country the largest source of tourism to Israel.

Israel First in Strategy Games

Israel may not be taking part in the World Cup, but in thinking games, its students are world champions. In June, four Israelis won first place in the first Olympics for thinking games, which took place in the University of Oxford in Britain.

Unusual Trade: Israel Exports Surplus Apples To Syria

For the second straight year, Israeli apple growers expanded their customer base
to include an unlikely, but eager purchaser of their surplus produce–Syria.