(Next Newsletter - 4th Aug - after the fast of Av)
In the 27th July 25 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
l Israel protects the Syrian Druze from genocide.
l Read the truth about Israeli humanitarian aid.
l New Israeli vaccine is even more effective against deadly bacteria.
l Israelis are combating drought in Ukraine and Uganda.
l Israel’s most advanced communications satellite has been launched.
l Huge investment in Israeli startups.
l There’s no stopping Israel’s national airline.
l Israelis win wheelchair tennis at Wimbledon and world poker tournament.
l Russian Jewish convert enlists in IDF unit for the ultra-orthodox.
· Click here to see the 13th July newsletter on (TY Steve) IsraelSeen, (TY Ruth) Ruthfully Yours, (TY Peloni) IsraPundit, (TY Aviva) United with Israel, and Joan Swirsky (email her to get daily news). Also (TY Sandra) for translating it into German here, and Hebrew here, and with (TY) Claude into French here. Also (TY Barbara) into Spanish here. (Please forward this newsletter to German-speaking, Spanish-speaking, French-speaking and Hebrew-speaking contacts. Also please visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/verygoodnewsIL.
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POSITIVE NEWS IN A WAR
Israel shields Syrian Druze. (TY Honest Reporting) The IDF has been busy protecting Druze families in Syria from genocidal attacks by Syrian militia. The Israeli Air Force destroyed weapons on route to be deployed against the Druze. It also warned the Syrian Government by attacking the regime’s military HQ in Damascus.
https://www.jns.org/after-damascus-strikes-idf-chief-vows-to-shield-syrian-druze/
https://www.jns.org/herzog-meets-druze-leader-after-massacre-in-syrias-sweida-region/
Arrow 3 – the star of the Iran war. (TY WIN & allIsraelnews) As Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles toward Israel, the operators of the Arrow missile defense system stood as the last line of defense. Each night, under immense pressure, they intercepted deadly threats aimed at civilian areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwuJzkNpuI8
Operation Rising Lion - Moments of Heroism from the Field. One personal story of heroism by a United Hatzalah EMT, during the Am Kalavi 12-day war with Iran. And another video showing many other examples.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_q1BRM1cd8I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nz4smzN3iLg
To Life. 20 months after his grandfather was murdered by Hamas on Oct 7 2023, Gal Pauker is expanding his grandfather’s work, transforming Pauker Winery into a commercial venture. He is helped by other Israeli boutique winemakers, and some 1,000 bottles of wine stored in the kibbutz’s underground bomb shelter.
$1 million to Bat Yam residents. US charity La’Aretz Foundation has donated $2,500 directly to each of the 500 families impacted in the Bat Yam missile attack by Iran. Some 2,000 people have moved into hotels, temporary apartments, or with family, while their homes are repaired.
Gal Gadot meets female ex-hostages. Israeli superstar actress Gal Gadot met Doron Steinbrecher, Liri Albag, Naama Levy, Moran Stella Yanai and Ilana Gritzewsky - five survivors of Hamas captivity in Gaza. Gadot told them, “You’re going on with your lives and fighting for others. You are strength. You are inspiration.”
https://www.jns.org/gal-gadot-meets-hostage-survivors-you-are-strength-and-inspiration/
Mother of murdered hostage enlists in the IDF. Einav Danino, whose son Ori was murdered in captivity by Hamas, has enlisted in the IDF, completed basic training and joined a special unit for Orthodox Jewish women. So has Michal Berkovich, widow of Eyal who fell in combat in Gaza.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/ultra-orthodox-mother-of-murdered-hostage-enlists-in-idf/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/410965
Mayor of Nice replaces flag with hostage photos. (TY Yanky) Mayor Christian Estrosi of Nice displayed Israeli flags on the Town Hall to support Israel but was told by an administrative court that he could only display French flags. So he replaced the Israeli flags with images of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
Campaign to support ex-hostage raises NIS 3 million. A crowdfunding campaign for former hostage Ofer Calderon raised over NIS 3 million in just one day. He has been left without a home or any means of earning a living due to psychological trauma and because his carpentry shop, built with his own hands, was destroyed.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/friends-of-abandoned-ex-hostage-ofer-calderon-raise-nis-3-million-in-a-day-to-help-him-rebuild-life/ https://yad.reachhands.com/oferpf
87 million meals distributed. The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) delivered some 1.5 million meals on July 8, making a total of 66 million meals distributed. By July 22 it was 87 million meals in total (2 million a day). See GHF website below for true details and ignore false UN & biased media reports.
https://www.jns.org/ghf-updates-total-distributed-meals-to-66m-decries-false-media-reports/
https://worldisraelnews.com/idf-no-famine-in-gaza-as-950-un-aid-trucks-sit-idle-due-to-bureaucracy-not-israeli-policy/ https://ghf.org/ghf-operational-update-tuesday-july-8-2025/
ISRAEL’S MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS
ZAKA to open resilience centers. Israeli NGO ZAKA, plans to open resilience centers around Israel. They will provide healing therapies to first responders as well as cater to Israelis who are struggling with mental health. ZAKA’s 3,000 volunteers provide the most holy of services - recovering bodies at scenes of tragedies.
https://www.jns.org/zaka-set-to-open-resilience-centers-in-israel/
Born from grief, built for life. After his brother was murdered by Hamas on Oct 7, Omri Stav, CEO of Israel’s Era, is transforming fertility care. Era provides clarity, guidance, and support for the 1in 6 people struggling with fertility. Era is developing an AI-driven system to optimize time to pregnancy for parents and clinics.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/bjd6arllgx https://eraborn.co/
Home ultrasound for fetal monitoring. Israel’s IMMA Health has developed a patient-operated robotic ultrasound device, It pushes fertility care into the digital era by making IVF smarter, more scalable, and more humane. It should give women more control over their care and help fertility centers operate more efficiently.
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/s1fm1ooixg https://www.imma.health/
mRNA vaccine upgraded. Tel Aviv University and Israel Institute for Biological Research scientists have enhanced their 2023 creation (see here) of the world’s first mRNA-based vaccine against bubonic plague which is spread through the skin (flea bites). The new vaccine protects against pneumonic plague (spread via the air).
https://english.tau.ac.il/research/mrna-vaccine-stops-deadly-plague
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/advs.202501286
Boosting the metabolism. More information about the GlP-1 Edge treatment from Israel’s Lembas (see here previously). https://unitedwithisrael.org/israeli-startup-develops-a-pill-to-boost-the-metabolism/
ISRAEL IS INCLUSIVE AND GLOBAL
Druze and Jews together in good times and bad. (TY Sharon) Sharon reminds us of previous joint events with Israeli Druze. And recently, Milhem Asaad was awarded the “Presidential Medal for Civil Valor” having saved Maccabi Tel Aviv fans in Amsterdam. See also photos of Independence Day and Jerusalem Marathon.
https://rjstreets.com/2025/07/20/israelis-and-druze-coming-together-in-good-times-and-bad/
Israelis replant Catholic vineyard. The monks at the French abbey in Israel’s Judean Foothills, lost their vineyards and olive trees in the Spring wildfires, started by Arab arson. Israeli volunteers have begun replanting vines and revitalizing the olive trees. https://www.timesofisrael.com/after-catholic-monks-vineyard-was-burned-in-wildfires-israelis-dig-in-to-help-replant/
Christians unite for Israel. Christians United for Israel, with over 10 million members, held its annual conference in Washington. Speakers told the audience that we’re living in a time of revealed miracles. Who could have predicted Israel would neutralize Hamas, incapacitate Hezbollah and broke the yoke of Iran.
Clean water for Ukraine. Israel has approved a new humanitarian aid package for Ukraine. It includes water systems, each with the capacity to provide clean drinking water to tens of thousands of people. Eastern Ukraine no longer has functioning water infrastructure, as a result of more than three years of Russian bombardment.
Dancing for change (and clean water). This isn’t just a dance. It’s a celebration of survival. In partnership with the world-famous Ghetto Kids, Israel’s Innovation Africa shares the transformation of Karamoja - a village in Uganda - that has clean water for the first time. No more long walks. No more sickness from dirty water.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OKT3zSv78A
Taiwan donates to new medical center. Taiwan’s representative in Israel, Abby Ya-Ping Lee, has presented a significant financial donation to the Nanasi Medical Center, currently under construction in Sha’ar Binyamin. It is the first time a foreign country has donated to the development of Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411231
https://www.jns.org/taiwan-donates-to-new-medical-center-in-samarias-binyamin/
“Brazil-Israel Friendship Day”. Brazil’s Federal Senate has passed a law establishing on Apr 12 as “Brazil–Israel Friendship Day”. It signals growing pushback against President Lula da Silva’s increasingly hostile stance toward Jerusalem. Apr 12 is the anniversary of Brazil’s opening of its embassy in Israel in 1951.
Israel climbs up the passport rankings. The Israeli passport has risen one place to 18th in the latest Henley & Partners Global passport index based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Israelis can now travel visa-free, or obtain visa-on-arrival access, to 168 destinations. (See here previously)
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/412064
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
“Gateway to the Future”. Baltimore’s Haron Dahan Foundation has donated $20 million to Israel’s Bar-Ilan University. It will expand the Dahan Youth Program, which currently provides or improves STEM education for 8,000+ children across Israel. Its two tracks support both under-resourced schools and also gifted students.
https://ejewishphilanthropy.com/haron-dahan-foundation-donates-20-million-to-bar-ilan-university-to-boost-stem-for-israeli-teens/ https://www.jewishtimes.com/baltimore-based-haron-dahan-foundation-donates-20-million-to-bar-ilan-university/
AI tools for schools. Israel has launched a NIS 10 million first-of-its-kind project to allow tech companies to develop, test and deploy personalized AI-powered learning tools directly in Israeli schools. Part of Israel’s National Artificial Intelligence Program, it seeks to promote student-centered tech in overcrowded classrooms.
https://www.jns.org/israel-launches-first-of-its-kind-ai-sandbox-for-public-education/
AI goes underground. (TY Hazel) The AI-powered underground intelligence platform from Israel’s Exodigo (see here previously) is becoming a potential game-changer for defense technology. Its multi-sensing technology with cloud-based AI, produces high-fidelity 3D underground maps without physical intrusion.
https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-861333
Israeli world record cow. (TY Hazel) “Kharta”, a cow from Kibbutz Sa’ad in Southern Israel produced 18,208 liters of milk in a year and holds the world record for milk production. Israeli cows (see here previously) average nearly 14,000 liters of milk a year, far ahead of Denmark and Estonia.
https://www.jpost.com/environment-and-climate-change/article-860783
Israel’s most advanced satellite. (TY Hazel) Israel’s most advanced communications satellite, Dror-1 made by Israel Aerospace Industries, was successfully launched into space from Cape Canaveral, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. It is set to serve Israel’s communication needs for the next 15 years. Plus detailed articles about it.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-most-advanced-communications-satellite-successfully-launched-by-spacex/ https://www.jns.org/dror-1-satellite-signals-shift-toward-home-cooking-in-israels-space-strategy/
https://www.calcalistech.com/ctechnews/article/ad0ms8vww
Decades of technology tested. From drones to missile defense, Israel’s multi-domain military capabilities reshaped the battlefield against growing threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
https://www.timesofisrael.com/israels-12-day-war-with-iran-was-a-test-of-technological-dominance/
https://ats.org/our-impact/the-breakthrough-technology-that-blocked-irans-assault-on-israel/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=556UbLBjbPw
Farming sushi-quality fish without the sea. (TY I24 News) Israeli startup Pure Blue Fish in Binyamina (see here previously) uses cutting-edge technology to provide clean, yellowtail and red rum fish direct to sushi bars. It uses tap water plus a unique continuous pump system, recycling and cleaning the water of impurities.
https://unitedwithisrael.org/watch-israeli-startup-grows-ocean-quality-fish-without-the-ocean/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDizQZ4gkAs
Combating harmful algal blooms globally. Israel’s BlueGreen Water Technologies has partnered with Winrock International to combat harmful algal blooms (HABs) across the globe. It combines advanced technology, comprehensive stakeholder engagement, and long-term sustainable water management strategies.
An app to blast out pro-Israel content. The mobile app Emissary, and its AI tool AskEmissary have been designed to give a voice to Israel supporters who wish to spread the truth about Israel and Judaism on social media. https://www.jns.org/app-aims-to-be-one-stop-shop-for-curating-blasting-out-pro-israel-jewish-content-online/ https://www.emissary4all.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQm1aPDDteM
ECONOMY & BUSINESS
$9.3 billion raised. Despite the ongoing war, investments in Israeli startups has hit three-year high - $9.3 billion for the first half of 2025. There were 365 funding rounds in the first six months of the year, up 54 percent from the $6 billion secured during the second half of 2024.
Spain relies on Israeli tech. Despite Madrid's public commitment to halt military technology purchases from Israel, the Spanish government authorizes the acquisition of 11,000 tactical radio communication systems from Israel’s Elbit Systems, with an initial funding of 350 million euros. 1,500 units have already been delivered.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/08/despite-boycott-threats-spain-buys-israeli-tech/
Drone delivery in North Texas. (TY OurCrowd) US DoorDash and Israel’s Flytrex (see here previously) have launched their drone delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth. Meanwhile, customers in North Texas can download the Flytrex app and order from some three dozen restaurants.
https://www.dallasobserver.com/restaurants/north-texas-could-see-widespread-drone-food-delivery-by-end-of-2024-20211064 https://about.doordash.com/en-us/news/doordash-flytrex-launch-drone-delivery
New Israeli factory to produce eVTOLs. Israel’s Air EV (see here previously) has unveiled its new 32,000 sq ft production facility to accelerate eVTOL deliveries. The new 32,000 sq. ft. site can manufacture up to six electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) simultaneously.
El Al to increase US routes. El Al has announced it will be enhancing and adding new routes to the USA this winter. There will be 27 weekly flights to and from New York, six weekly flights to and from Florida, six weekly flights to and from Los Angeles and three flights per week to and from Boston.
https://www.jns.org/el-al-announces-expanded-flights-into-four-american-markets/
Exits, takeovers, and mergers to 27th July 25: AT&T bought a $650 million stake in Israel’s DriveNets. Israel’s Top Systems acquired Israel’s Nipendo for $2 million in Feb 2024. US WeSure is merging with Israel’s Hourly.io.
Startup investment – to 27th July 25: Island.io raised $250 million (value $4.8 billion); Aidoc raised $150 million; Xtend raised $100 million; Exodigo raised $96 million; April raised $38 million; Heka raised $14 million; Octup raised $12 million; Daylight Security raised $7 million;
CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT & SPORT
First female concertmaster for IPO. The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) has appointed the Jerusalem-born violinist Nitzan Bartana as its incoming and first female concertmaster. Currently second concertmaster with the Sinfonieorchester Basel, Bartana has also played with the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra since 2008.
https://theviolinchannel.com/israel-philharmonic-orchestra-hires-new-concertmaster/
Ozzy’s love for Judaism & Israel. Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osborne, who recently passed away at the age of 76, played two packed-out concerts in Israel, in 2010 and 2018. He, and his Jewish wife Sharon, visited key religious and historical sites including Yad Vashem. He recently condemned the BBC’s anti-Israel bias.
Flamingos vacation in Israel. This summer in the Upper Galilee brought an unexpected surprise: flocks of pink flamingos have arrived from Iran and Turkey and chosen to remain at KKL-JNF’s Hula Lake, even during the hottest days of summer. For the first time, the flamingos have skipped their usual migration north.
https://www.kkl-jnf.org/about-kkl-jnf/green-israel-news/green-israel-news-2025/July15_item1.aspx
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=911bshoon6w
Keep cool in Jerusalem. (TY Yanky) The City of Jerusalem’s ice-skating rink is back at The First Station. You can now bring all the family to cool off from the blazing summer sun. It’s one of the most advanced ice skating facilities in Israel, using real ice, with an area of about 1000 sq meters. Open (not Shabbat) until Oct 22, 2025.
https://www.funinjerusalem.com/events/ice-skating/
Israeli wins Wimbledon. (TY Hazel) For the first time, Israel’s Guy Sasson with Netherland’s Niels Vink won the Wimbledon quad (wheelchair) doubles tournament, adding to their success at the French Open in June. Sasson said “As the lion roars and as the young lion rises. The people of Israel live.” (Num 23 v24 Am Kalavi)
Israeli American wins world poker championship. History was made at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), as Israeli-American Michael Mizrachi clinched the world championship title and walked away with a staggering $10 million prize. The son of an Israeli father, Mizrachi proudly displayed a tattoo of the Israeli flag on his arm.
https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/07/17/israeli-american-wins-world-poker-championship/
Norway plays Israel’s National Anthem. Israel’s Blessing Akwasi Afrifah won the 200-meters gold at the 2025 U-23 European Athletics Championships in Bergen, Norway. He was defending the title he won in 2024.
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/411968
THE JEWISH STATE
Evangelical Christians sponsor French Aliyah flight. A group of 60 French Jewish immigrants arrived in Israel on a flight sponsored by a Jerusalem-based evangelical Christian organization. Peter Fast, International CEO of Bridges for Peace, said, “This is more than just a flight, it’s prophecy in motion.”
https://www.jns.org/christian-group-sponsors-french-aliyah-flight/
UJIA: Israel tours WILL go ahead. The UK’s largest Israel charity, UJIA, has announced that 800 teenagers can now look forward to their summer educational trip to Israel. The youth movements include BBYO, Bnei Akiva, Ezra, FZY, Habonim Dror, JLGB, LJY-Netzer, Noam, RSY-Netzer, Sinai Youth and Tribe.
https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/ujia-israel-tours-will-go-ahead/?utm_source=cio
UK Sephardi chief to make Aliyah. Rabbi Joseph Dweck is Senior Rabbi of the Spanish and Portuguese Jewish community – the oldest Jewish community in the UK. After 12 years, he is moving to Jerusalem.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFPwOkhcxPk
Russian convert joins Haredi combat unit. Joseph, a Russian-born convert, father, and new immigrant, has enlisted in the IDF’s Hashmonaim Brigade for Orthodox and ultra-Orthodox men wishing to serve while upholding their religious observance. Joseph reveals what it's like to defend Israel as a religious soldier.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L31B9UyI4SY
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/
