· Elections in Israel took place on 22nd January and 65% of the population turned out to cast their votes. In this truly democratic country, even the four-legged ones had their opportunity, judging from this picture received from the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo.
Suzan an Asian elephant from the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo votes during the Israeli general election day. Jan. 22, 2013. (Credit: Flash90)
· The World Health Organisation (WHO) details the extensive efforts Israel has gone to in order to facilitate the transfer of Palestinian patients to Israeli medical facilities, despite the ongoing rocket fire from terror groups in the Gaza Strip. The data shows that 16,553 Palestinians entered Israel from the Strip to receive medical treatment in hospitals situated both in Israel and the West bank in 2012. “We will continue to assist the Palestinian population to the extent required in the transportation of the Palestinian patients for medical treatment in Israel, as well as holding workshops and practical and theoretical seminars in Israel, in order to provide the Palestinian doctors with better tools and improve the health system in the Judea and Samaria region and in the Gaza Strip,” conclude COGAT officials.
(ICEJ NEWS)
· Israelis often joke that if Moses had turned right instead of left, Israel would have been rich in oil and therefore energy, instead of oranges. Maybe it was only a matter of patience, however, as mega gas fields, named Tamar and Leviathan, have been discovered off the coast off-shore from Haifa. These massive discoveries will soon transform Israel as they will adequately look after Israel’s domestic needs forever as well as supplying foreign markets which are already showing interest. In addition to these finds, geologists are currently working on the best methods for extracting the oil which is trapped in large amounts in the shale which exists in rock layers under about 15% of the State of Israel.
· Israel’s Fourth International Conference on Drylands, Deserts and desertification drew more than 500 participants from 60 countries. Papers delivered at the conference covered topics ranging from reforestation of croplands to satellite remote sensing research on soil, to ecologically appropriate desert architecture. There was even a session with Jordanian, Palestinian and Israeli researchers on conflict resolution through the creation of environmental “peace parks.”
· Tourists and visitors to Jerusalem’s Old City can now download a free app that offers 16 self-guided audio walking tours in English, Russian or Hebrew, complete with maps, photos and written explanations to enrich their experience as they stroll through the Old City’s ancient historical, religious and cultural sites and its enchanting alleyways.
(Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
· Despite strained relations between Israel and the Hamas run government of the Gaza Strip, some 30 Gazan farmers recently participated in an agricultural expo held in the Eshkol region of Israel. The farmers say they have no problem in doing business with their Israeli colleagues, “We want to keep coordinating exports with Israel and even export to Israel,” said one of the participants. Israel used to be Gaza’s best and biggest market and even if Egypt opens the Rafah Crossing to exports from Gaza they would still prefer to export their goods through Israel as they trust Israel’s facilities more. Since Operation Pillar of Fire ended Gaza has exported over 200 tons of strawberries, 130 tons of tomatoes 5 tons of herbs and spices and a million tons of flowers.
(YNet)
· During the Lebanon War in 2006, when the northern half of Israel was under bombardment from Hizbullah in Lebanon, many Jewish residents in southern Israel opened their homes to beleaguered families from the north, many of whom were Druze. This kindness was not forgotten by Mofied Amar, chairman of a Druze communal organization in Horfesh who, with financial help provided by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem’s Crisis Fund, took the initiative to offer refuge to needy Jewish families who came under relentless rocket fire from Gaza at the end of last year. Druze leaders contacted officials from the hard-hit city of Ashdod and offered assistance to poorer families who lacked safe rooms or shelters. As a result 70 individuals were taken by bus to the beautiful Galilee village of Peqiin where they were shown great kindness and hospitality by their Druze hosts who housed them in a pleasant hotel, provided them with kosher food and took them on tours of the area.
(International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem)
