- Neurologists at Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital are the first in the world to help people suffering the awful and invariably fatal illnesses, multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gherig’s disease, by injecting adult stem cells which have been grown in cultures in the laboratory into the spine of the patient. While results are encouraging there is still a long road ahead, but the important thing is that a start has been made. We’ve mentioned before that both Israeli and Jewish religious law deal with the use of stem cell treatment in a remarkably liberal way.
- American Israeli Paper Mills are investing NIS 700m in plant that will enable Israel to recycle 45% of its wastepaper and cardboard, turning it into packaging materials. This will bring the country’s recycling rate into line with the best in the world. The Company is also embarking on an education campaign aimed at all age groups, highlighting the importance of reusing materials.
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 The Israeli National Football XI has ended its season with a bang. Playing without their captain and superstar Yossi Benayoun who was injured, they humbled the mighty Russians 2-1, and then later in the week they went on to beat Macedonia 1- 0 in conditions that were more suited to water polo than soccer, with Israel enjoying its first real downpour this winter (and that’s pretty GN in and of itself). Despite the two impressive wins the Blue and Whites have ended their challenge for Euro 2008, but the GN is that the future looks encouraging with a number of outstanding young players making their mark in the team. - GN for diabetics, and there are 400,000 of them in Israel with an estimated further 200,000 who have not yet been diagnosed, who carry a special gene, haptoglobin 2-2 that predisposes them to heart attacks and strokes. Researchers at the Technion have discovered that a daily dose of vitamin E considerably reduces the risk.
- At the risk of repeating ourselves we are happy to inform you that Israel ’s index of leading economic indicators rose 0.6% in October. What can we say; it’s the fastest upswing since June and it will bring economic growth in 2007 to its highest level since 2000. The Bank of Israel says that the October figure, and we quote, “testifies to the continued expansion of economic activity” unquote. We would add, quote “it’s little short of a miracle and really GN” unquote.
- When you mix Israeli chutzpa with Jewish genius you’re likely to get a pretty potent brew. One of Israel ’s top entrepreneurs, Amir Gal-Or, who has plenty of both, is spearheading a concept that will turn the kibbutz movement on its head. No more cows, no more bananas but instead, high powered technology whizzes with all the state of the art electronic paraphernalia that makes them tick. Pooling their synergetic skills and living the idyllic communal kibbutz life at the same time. The site of the first hi-tech kibbutz will be ‘somewhere in the Negev ’. The shape of things to come?
- We reported last week on the $4bn backlog of orders built up by Elbit Systems. Impressive! Indeed, but not quite as overwhelming as Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd, which has just published a record-breaking $7.3bn in its order book and 83% of that is destined for export. IAI’s CEO Itzhak Nissan said that orders include 60 of the company’s business jets as well as the large quantities of materiel which is the firms’ core business. To add to it all, this amazing enterprise increased its operating profit by 170%, Quarter on Quarter.
- We at GN have rejoiced in the fact that French Jews are coming on Aliyah at an ever increasing rate. We are also sure that you’ve heard that the French don’t particularly like us. Well we’re happy to report that this has become a rumor and President Sarkozy has made a point of expressing his fondness for the Jewish State. But it’s not only that, take a look at these facts:
- Israeli novelists and poets are in. At a book fair scheduled for March ’08, French translations of forty Modern Hebrew authors, including Amos Oz, Aharon Appelfeld, Batya Gur whose fictional detective, Michael Ohayon has won his way into French hearts, and David Grossman, will be on display.
- Israeli movies, and there are a number of those, are filling the cinemas.
- Israeli dance ensembles are wildly popular and are playing to full houses.
- Prominent weeklies and monthlies are devoting a great deal of space to ‘ Israel at 60’ . Some of them are even dedicating complete issues to the young state. Interesting to note that all the advertising space available has been sold.
We could ask ourselves, “What happened?” but we won’t, we’ll simply sit back and enjoy the Gallic GN. -
 While fertilizer might not be an appropriate topic of conversation for the dinner table it has certainly helped Israel Chemicals to break all financial records. The Company announced revenues of $1.04bn for Q3 of this year and that includes a gross profit of $384m. Yes, and most of it is from the sale of potash and fertilizers. - Mention the words ‘brain drain’ and you’re likely to hear all about our local version that is supposedly sapping the country of its intellectual energy. The question that remains is; how do we achieve what we do despite all this? The answer is probably that many of our best and brightest choose to remain here and to work at our top universities and research establishments. It also helps when philanthropists like David Azrieli make a lot of money available for scholarships and research grants, and this is precisely what he has done, granting fellowships worth on an average of $25,000 to eleven top graduates in a wide variety of fields of study, GN indeed.
- Are Israelis getting healthier, well if they aren’t it’s not for want of trying. Not a day goes by when we don’t read about waste recycling projects [see above], healthier foodstuffs exercising, and everything that is designed to keep you fit and well. Let’s have a look at some of the examples:
- Fact: Smoking is a health hazard. Fact: The Knesset has passed laws to prohibit the habit virtually in all places where people meet. Fact: Ten percent of Israeli smokers kicked the habit and became non-smokers during the past year. Fact: The percentage of Israelis who smoke is at its lowest level ever. A good start.
- The number of people using the trains rises every month. Less cars on the road (hopefully). Less pollution (hopefully).
- One of Israel ’s largest food companies, Osem, is investing millions of shekel in the production of various soups and cooked foods containing natural products only.
- The Hebrew University has announced that it has developed a technique for producing plastic materials that are bio-degradable. That means that unlike ordinary plastic, the new material will decay if discarded. Non-bio- degradable plastic is known to be a significant source of pollution.
- The Israel Bike Trail is ready to roll. 1200km of cycle track, running north to south, containing some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country; it will be built in sections and completed by 2010. Good healthy stuff, reflecting Israel ’s new found love affair with the bicycle. We’ve just heard that a cross country horse-riding trail is on the drawing boards. Spectacular!
And so it goes. |
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