In the 17th Aug 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Israeli hostage survivors stand with their daughter under her wedding canopy.
l Israeli researchers are training cells to destroy cancer-causing proteins.
l Religious sons of Israeli leaders join IDF combat units.
l Israeli scientists discover that plants talk and insects listen.
l See if your aircraft is being pulled by an Israeli tow-truck.
l More Israeli international sporting successes.
l Israeli missing for 27 years is reunited with his family.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
It must have been witchcraft! On social media. Abdollah Ganji, former editor of Iran’s state-controlled newspaper Javan, accused Israel of utilizing “Jewish witchcraft” and demonic forces during the recent war between the Jewish state and the Islamic Republic of Iran. How else can anyone explain the Israeli victory?
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-used-jewish-witchcraft-during-war-iranian-journalist/
Technion graduates celebrate. Among the 1,904 graduates who just received Technion diplomas, was Adi whose brother, Shlomi was in the audience, having survived kidnapping by Hamas. Also twin brothers Ofek and Shachaf (electrical and computer engineering graduates) who completed 500 days of reserve duty together.
Ex-hostages celebrate daughter’s wedding. Shir Siegel waited nearly 2 years for her wedding as Hamas held her parents hostage in Gaza. Mother Aviva was released after 51 days and Father Keith after 484 days. Fellow ex-hostages Emily Damari, Liri Albag, Agam Berger, and Amit Soussana joined them under the chuppah.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-keith-and-aviva-siegel-walk-daughter-down-aisle-as-six-freed-hostages-recite-heartfelt-shehecheyanu-prayer/ https://israfan.com/p/freed-hostages-join-siegel-wedding
Building Weizmann back better. A month after Iranian missiles struck the Weizmann Institute, demolishing cancer, heart research and environmental labs, repair work is fast underway. And a “miracle” prevented the mass of flammable materials on site from igniting.
https://www.jns.org/israels-symbol-of-science-will-build-back-better-after-iranian-attack/
Agricultural school near Lebanese border. Kibbutz Yiron – an Israeli farming community in the Upper Galilee adjacent to the border with Lebanon – is opening a new Israeli agricultural boarding school this fall. It merges education with agriculture, breathing new life into the region following the war with Hezbollah.
https://www.jns.org/new-israeli-agricultural-high-school-to-open-near-the-border-with-lebanon/
85,000+ foreign workers. More than 85,000 foreign workers have entered Israel since Oct 7 2023. In addition, 11,000 agricultural laborers who had fled the war have returned to Israel.
https://www.jns.org/more-than-85000-foreign-workers-have-arrived-in-israel-since-start-of-war/
“You are my friend”. This video shows an IDF soldier giving a Gazan child puddings to share with his brother, who later thanked the soldier by calling him a friend with a good heart.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-heartwarming-moment-as-idf-soldier-shares-food-with-gazan-child/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
Groundbreaking cancer research. One of European Research Council’s latest grants awarded to Israelis is for Bar-Ilan’s project targeting Protein Degradation, aiming to revolutionize how cancer and other diseases are treated at the molecular level. It specifically involves instructing cells to destroy harmful proteins.
https://www.biu.ac.il/en/article/583680
Swallowing your tongue? No need to worry. (TY Hazel) A new study led by a Tel Aviv Ichilov (Sourasky) Medical Center cardiologist reveals that it is wrong (and dangerous) to check if heart attack victims risk swallowing their tongue before commencing CPR. Delays can cause death or severe anoxic brain damage
https://www.ynetnews.com/health_science/article/hjblh11avxg
https://onlinecjc.ca/article/S0828-282X(25)00384-8/fulltext
Cross-border operations. Two critically ill Israelis were saved thanks to the heart and lungs donated by a newly deceased patient in Cyprus. Despite a car breakdown, the organs was transported to Israel within 4 hours. In addition, in cross-donations from living donors, five Israelis and three Cypriots received a new kidney.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israeli-doctors-transplant-cypriot-heart-and-lungs-in-race-against-time/
How to spot those at risk of genetic diseases. Researchers at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa have rewritten the book on prenatal testing for genetic diseases. The “old” method checks for identical segments (ROH) in the DNA inherited from mother and father. The new algorithm recognizes that ethnic minorities have more ROH.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/israels-rabin-medical-center-reports-genetic-disease-breakthrough/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Yeshiva boys enlist in combat units. Hundreds of young men from hesder yeshivas across the country have reported for duty, to begin their service in the IDF as part of the hesder combat track. They included the sons of two government ministers, and the son of the head of the hesder yeshiva in Holon.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412884 https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/413025
Help for distressed young people. ELEM/Youth in Distress in Israel is Israel’s leading non-profit serving at-risk youth, handling some 13,000 young people across the country’s vast demographic spectrum. With 380 employees and more than 1,200 volunteers, it has established new programs in the aftermath of Oct 7 2023.
Israel saved us. Speaking on the Israeli Arabic-language radio program Voice of the Druze, a Syrian Druze woman, identifying herself as Rama Rida, said her people would have been “completely destroyed” without the intervention of the IDF.
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-military-action-saved-us-says-druze-massacre-survivor/
Jewish mothers unite in Israel. Almost 280 women from 15 countries gathered in Israel for an 8-day journey focused on Jewish identity and connection to Israel. The Momentum Journey of Growth project included participants from India, Venezuela, France, Canada, the United States, and Spain.
The Isaac Accords. Argentine President Javier Milei used his $1 million Genesis Prize to launch the American Friends of the Isaac Accords (AFOIA), aimed at deepening diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between Israel and Latin American countries. Milei’s effort is modeled after the Abraham Accords.
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
Technion graduate sparks AI research center. Technion graduate Dr Dean Leitersdorf is CEO of Israeli startup Decart (see here previously). He is now helping advance AI in Israel by funding millions of shekels for a joint Technion–Decart Excellence Program. They will also establish a joint AI research center.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sjca2dfrll
Moths listen to plants. Israeli scientists previously proved that plants emit sounds and listen to bees (see here). Further studies show that female moths decide whether to lay their eggs on specific plants depending on the sounds that they emit. https://english.tau.ac.il/research/moths-plants
https://www.timesofisrael.com/groundbreaking-israeli-study-first-ever-to-show-insects-listening-in-on-plants-talking/ https://elifesciences.org/reviewed-preprints/104700/figures#tab-content
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrL87LcZ9-4
Millionaire inventor. Tel Aviv University Professor Michael Belkin, at 83, received the "Visionary Award" from the American Glaucoma Research Foundation and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the MIXiii conference. He invented the Belkin Eagle (glaucoma treatment) and sold Belkin Vision for $330 million.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/gj5wj9i8g https://israelactive.com/?s=Alcon+Belkin+vision
Jewish women innovate. The 8th annual Hack.Her.It competition, organized by the Schreiber LevTech Entrepreneurship Center at JCT, brought together 136 Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox Jewish women to create Tech solutions to challenges. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-863956
Israeli preschoolers outperform their peers. (TY David F) Israeli preschoolers who start early outperform peers, especially in religious schools. The researchers suggest that these differences might stem from Israel’s larger socio-economic and cultural-linguistic gaps compared to the leading nations.
https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-863926
Need more protein, eat Israeli fries. (TY UWI & I24 News) Israel’s PoLoPo (see here previously) has tripled the protein content of potatoes. But the taste is just as good – as this video test shows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kxu8e2GCCGc
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
Egypt needs Israeli gas. In the largest export deal in Israel’s history, NewMed Energy and its Leviathan gas partners have signed a $35 billion agreement to supply some 130 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Egypt by 2040. NewMed, described the deal as “the most significant move since the discovery of gas reserves in Israel.”
https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-egypts-el-sisi-needs-israeli-gas-to-survive-1001518389
https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-signs-record-35b-gas-export-deal-with-egypt/
The $250 million ARR club. Calling an Israeli startup a Unicorn (with a billion-dollar value) is not the best indicator of its success. But if it achieves an Annual Revenue Rate (ARR) of $250 million, then it on the right track. Most Israeli ARR club members were founded around 2015 and have survived a decade of volatility.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/rk00dqrmdee
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/sytgjsbwxx
Financial support to small businesses. Since 2024, the Koret Israel Economic Development Fund (see here previously) has been providing emergency low-interest loans to war-ravaged Israeli small businesses.
Defense companies aim to go public. Both Israel Aerospace Industries and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems are currently owned by the State, but are looking to make public offerings. IAI hopes to float a minority stake for $30 billion. No sensitive data will be made public, and the State will net the proceeds.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/hkmgb0r00lg
Jerusalem reaches new heights. Jerusalem unveiled its first-ever skyscraper, marking a bold shift toward modern urban development while preserving its historic identity.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-jerusalem-reaches-new-heights-with-construction-of-skyscraper/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvyvAcoMfCU
Greener airports. The TaxiBot, (see here previously) a hybrid-electric tug designed to move aircraft without firing up their engines, is now undergoing expanded trials across major international hubs, including Amsterdam Schiphol, New York JFK, Paris Charles de Gaulle, and New Delhi.
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 17th Aug 25: US Advent International is to acquire Israel’s Sapiens for $2.5 billion. Israel’s NICE Systems acquired German AI company Cognity for $955 million. US Diginex acquired Israeli cyber firm Findings (IDRRA) for $305 million. Global giant KPMG is acquiring the operations of Israel’s Q.V.Technologies.
Startup investment – to 17th Aug 25: Appcharge raised $58 million; ACT-Security raised $20 million; NeoLogic raised $10 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
Knesset museum opens. For the first time, the public can step inside Israel’s original Knesset building in the heart of Jerusalem — now transformed into a museum. Visitors can take a selfie with David Ben-Gurion, browse declassified protocols and walk through the halls where Israel’s early leaders shaped the nation.
https://worldisraelnews.com/watch-historic-knesset-museum-showcases-israels-founding-era/
Flamingos fail to migrate. Flocks of pink flamingos have chosen to remain at Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael–Jewish National Fund’s Hula Lake, They abandoned their preference for salty water sources. See great photos.
https://www.jns.org/breaking-migration-mold-flamingos-spend-first-ever-summer-at-hula-lake/
The Jewish music event of the year. Israel’s Ishay Ribo took the stage at Woodstock, New York, with more than 14,000 people from near and far. It was the largest Jewish music event of the year and the first of its kind at this iconic venue. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/flashes/664299
European junior downhill cycling champion. (TY Hazel) Israel’s Omri Danon won the men’s junior gold medal at the 2025 UEC Mountain Bike Downhill European Championships in La Molina, Spain. The Israeli national anthem in Spain! https://www.uec.ch/resources/2025%20Events/downhill/liste/res.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dov-lipman_israeli-national-anthem-blasts-in-spain-congratulations-activity-7358820755813416961-fONw/ https://x.com/marilynnefriedm/status/1953095204904345741
Consecutive World jiu-jitsu gold. Israel’s Nimrod Ryeder defeated UAE rival to retain his under-77kg jiu-jitsu title at the 12th World Games in Chengdu, China. The World Games features 34 sports. Israel’s delegation has already earned seven medals at this year’s event: two golds, two silvers, and three bronzes.
https://israfan.com/p/nimrod-ryeder-jiu-jitsu-gold-world-games
https://israfan.com/p/israel-gold-bronze-world-games-2025
World Para table tennis champion. (TY Hazel) Israel’s Caroline Tabib won the US Open para table tennis title. https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dov-lipman_israel-wins-again-congratulations-to-israeli-activity-7360287078946922496-Oz0z/ https://www.facebook.com/FollowTeamIsrael/posts/congrats-to-table-tennis-player-caroline-tabib-on-winning-the-us-open-so-proud-o/1287831539597608/
THE JEWISH STATE
The roads to Jerusalem. Israel is to invest $138m to improve road safety in Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley. https://www.jns.org/israel-to-invest-138m-in-judea-and-samaria-roads/
The largest cities in Judea & Samaria. I failed the question on “what is the largest Jewish city in Judea & Sameria?” I thought it was Ariel. Apparently it’s Modi’in Illit. Second is Beitar Illit with 70,000, which is soon set to double in size. In total, some 530,000 Jews live in J&S and are projected to total 1 million by 2050.
https://www.jns.org/judeas-largest-city-set-to-double-in-size/
Partners in Torah. The Partners in Torah initiative pairs individuals for one-on-one Jewish learning via phone, internet video calls or in person in Israel and globally. Founded in 1993, it has facilitated over 110,000 learning partnerships worldwide and revolutionized Jewish learning through its pioneering one-on-one learning model.
https://www.jns.org/wire/across-generations-and-continents-an-unlikely-torah-partnership-flourishes/
Rabbi locates Israeli missing for 27 years. In 1996, Slava left Israel for Samara, Russia, to care for his sick father. His wife and daughters never heard from him again, despite police searches and media appeals. Then a social media post about a homeless man, prompted a local Rabbi to find him and reunite him with his family.
https://collive.com/after-27-years-missing-rabbi-finds-missing-israeli-man/
Talmudic Rabbis in the Land of Israel’s wine business. A new study from the University of Haifa reveals Jewish religious scholars in Late Antiquity were not only spiritual leaders, but also active participants in the booming Mediterranean wine industry of the Roman and Byzantine eras.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412843
How to help Israel. Here are some sites where newsletter readers can donate to Israeli organizations that provide vital help to Israelis at this difficult time. Many thanks to those who have already contributed and to those who are helping by donating their own valuable time and resources.
IDF Soldiers Fund in Israel: https://www.ufis.org.il/en/donation-en/ (Select the English speakers’ option)
American Friends of Magen David Adom (US donors): https://afmda.org/
or Magen David Adom (Israel): https://www.mdais.org/en/donation
Zaka (US donors): https://donate.zakatelaviv.org/give/525578/ or (Israeli donors): https://charidy.com/zaka
or (Canadian donors): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/bellevue-foundation/
United Hatzalah: https://israelrescue.org/campaign/israel-at-war-2/ or Canada https://www.uhcanada.org/
Donate a medic bag, save a life https://israelrescue.org/campaign/medicbag/
Leket Food Israel: https://www.leket.org/en/
JNF USA - https://my.jnf.org/gaza-emergency/Donate or Canada https://jnf.ca/
Orthodox Union - https://www.charidy.com/ouisraelcrisis
Help rebuild Soroka: https://www.soroka.org/
And Weizmann: https://weizmann-usa.org/
Schneider Children’s Hospital: https://www.fos.org.il/en/donate (Israelis)
https://system.smartgiving.org.uk/charities/8530/make-donation (UK)
https://chaischneider.org/donate/ (USA)
Rambam Medical Center (Haifa) https://aforam.org/ways-to-give/ (US)
https://www.rambam.org.il/en/support_rambam/donate_now/ (Rest of the World)
Hadassah Hospital Israel: https://www.hadassah.org/
Laniado Hospital (Netanya) https://my.israelgives.org/en/fundme/EmergencyLaniado
Buy Israel Bonds to support the Jewish State. (TY Larry B)
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/state-of-israel-bonds
USA - https://www.israelbonds.com/
Europe - https://israelbondsintl.com/
Canada - https://www.israelbonds.ca/
