Second Lt. Lee, distinguished American-born IDF officer

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Second Lt. Nira Lee was raised in Arizona. After immigrating to Israel, she enlisted in the IDF, where her outstanding service earned her the prestigious President's Citation of Excellence on Israel's 65th Independence Day. Watch her tell her story of immigration and success in the IDF.

http://www.idf.il/1283-18774-en/Dover...

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Israel economy grows 2.6% in Q4

In its third estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic product, Central Bureau of Statistics says economy grew faster than previously thought boosted by government spending, but exports remained weak while consumer spending grew marginally

Israel’s economy grew faster than previously thought in the fourth quarter of 2012 boosted by government spending, but exports remained weak while consumer spending grew marginally.

In its third estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic product, the Central Bureau of Statistics said on Wednesday the economy grew an annualized 2.6%, above a prior estimate of 2.4% growth. That was the slowest since the first quarter of 2012.

The bureau also revised growth for all of 2012 to 3.2% from 3.1%, still the slowest pace since 2009 but the best of Western countries.

Growth is projected at 2.8% this year, excluding the start of natural gas production at a large well off Israel’s Mediterranean coast, which is expected to add about 1 percentage point to GDP.

The Bank of Israel held its benchmark lending rate at 1.75% for a third straight month on March 24. It cited indications of improvement in economic activity in the first quarter of 2013, but that it was too early to tell whether the improvement would be sustained or whether it was a temporary correction after weak fourth-quarter growth.

In the fourth quarter, exports fell 7.3%. Exports account for about 40% of Israel’s economic activity.

Investment in fixed assets slid 9.1%, while imports sank 16%. Government spending rose 5.6% while private spending grew 1.3%, its slowest pace of the year.

The bureau revised third-quarter 2012 GDP growth to 2.9% from 2.7%.

Source: Ynetnews.com

WHO director-general praises Israeli healthcare

Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, opened her first visit to Israel by meeting with President Shimon Peres to discuss methods of improving world healthcare through research, development and wide availability of medical databases.

Chan said Israel spends less on healthcare than the average OEDC country does, while getting excellent results. She added she has come to learn from Israel’s healthcare system. (Dr. Itay Gal)

Source: Ynetnews.com

Israeli gymnast Alex Shatilov wins gold at European Championship

Shatilov tied for first place in the floor exercise competition receiving 15.333 points in the competition taking place in Moscow.

Israeli gymnast Alex Shatilov, 25, won the gold medal for floor exercise at the European Championship in Moscow.

Shatilov gave a tremendous performance in his exercise, rated with a difficulty level of 6.4, and was awarded an impressive 15.333 points, finishing in first place, paired with another athlete who received the same number of points, in a final consisting of 8 participants.

In the past Shatilov won two bronze medals (2009 and 2011) and one silver medal (2011) at the European championships, and this is the currently the crowning achievement of his career. The Israeli gymnast, who finished in sixth place in the last Olympic Games, is considered one of Israel’s best hopes for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio in 2016.

On Sunday, Shatilov will also compete in the horizontal bar event. Immediately after, Ophir Netzer, a 17-year-old Israeli girl will compete in the vault event. This will be her fourth ever international competition.

Source: Haaretz.com

From Sweden to Israel, by foot

Jorgen Nilsson. Walking for peace

Jorgen Nilsson, who left city of Lund in November, arrives in Jerusalem just in time for first international symposium on green and accessible pilgrimage held in Israeli capital

Six months ago, 39-year-old Jorgen Nilsson left his home in Sweden and embarked on a 4,500-kilometer (2,800-mile) pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

Jorgen, a knight in the Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus, left the city of Lund on November 18 and was expected to arrive in the Israeli capital just in time for the first International Jerusalem Symposium on Green and Accessible Pilgrimage, which begins Sunday.

On his way to Jerusalem, Nilsson passed through Denmark, Germany, France, Italy and Greece. Last weekend he arrived in the northern city of Haifa, and moved on to Zichron Yaakov, Hadera, Netanya, Raanana, Tel Aviv, Ramla, Ramat Raziel and Abu Gosh before heading to Jerusalem.

His journey comprised of a total of seven million steps.

Nilsson explained last week why he chose to walk to Jerusalem: “First of all, the ancient and holy city was always a critical point both for peace and for conflict. The city serves as a symbol for the effort required to reach world peace.

“I am a member of the Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem. Last year, the Order returned to Jerusalem after hundreds of years of absence and exile in France. In light of that, as part of my desire to perpetuate our return to the holy city, I decided to do this historical walk to Jerusalem.”

After a short rest from his long journey, Nilsson was expected to receive the key to the city from Mayor Nir Barkat.

During his trip, Nilsson updated his blog and posted pictures of the different landscapes he saw on his way on Facebook.

The Order of St. Lazarus, which invited Nilsson to Israel, is known for its philanthropic activity for a green environment and is cooperating with the Jerusalem Municipality in the International Jerusalem Symposium on Green and Accessible Pilgrimage, which will be held this week as part of the Earth Day events.

Meanwhile, Australian adventure runner Richard Bowles launched the longest run ever along the Israel Trail last Wednesday, hoping to complete the entire 1,009-kilometer (627-mile) path within just 12 days.

Bowles, an ultra-marathon runner, arrived in Israel under the sponsorship of the Shoresh company to run on a track initiated by the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, which only recently was included on National Geographic magazine’s Epic Trails list.

Amir Ben-David and Lior El-Hai contributed to this report

Source: Ynetnews.com

Karma Police [Radiohead Cover] Middle-East stylz

Tel Aviv-based musicians Rotem Shefy (vocalist) and Leat Sabbah (cellist/arranger) collaborated to realize an arrangement of Karma Police, a major hit from the alternative rock band Radiohead, third album OK Computer (1997).

What seemed at first a satirical cover transformed into a full-blown multi-layered middle-eastern arrangement, recorded with oud player Yaniv Taichmann and percussionist Ori Dekel. we were so thrilled with the final result that we instantly knew we had to make a video clip out of it. so we did! thanks to the donations we got from kikstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/5…) we were able to make our dream come true. wish you good karma. enjoy!

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Our very own Middle-Eastern version by Radiohead - Karma Police, Based on Radiohead's Karma Police (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBH97...) and made with great respect and no intentions claming copyrights.

Tel Aviv-based musicians Rotem Shefy (vocalist) and Leat Sabbah (cellist/arranger) collaborated to realize an arrangement of Karma Police, a major hit from the alternative rock band Radiohead, third album OK Computer (1997).
What seemed at first a satirical cover transformed into a full-blown multi-layered middle-eastern arrangement, recorded with oud player Yaniv Taichmann and percussionist Ori Dekel. we were so thrilled with the final result that we instantly knew we had to make a video clip out of it. so we did! thanks to the donations we got from kikstarter (http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/5...) we were able to make our dream come true. wish you good karma. enjoy!

Vocals: Rotem Shefy
Cello: Leat Sabbah
Oud: Yaniv Taichman
Percussion: Ori Dekel
Recorded at: Bardo Studios, Israel
Mixed & Mastered: Avi Ein Zur

THE CREW:
Producer: Roi Kurland
Director & Editor: Amos Geva
Director of Photography: Shay Druyak
Assistant Camera: Orr Weiner
Concept: Nir Raizes
Color Grading: Oren Agami
Co-Producer: Yael Gal
Set Dressing: Danny Bar shay "HaKol Dvash"
Hair/Makeup: Elran Efargan
Cast: Idan Shefy, Erez Solow, Yogev Ben-Ami, Beata Garber, Einav Yaacoby, Snir Shefy-Shalev, Eitan Shalev

Executive Producers: Riki Cohen, Barbara Trommer, Paul Sabbah, Ilan Tamir, Nitzan Canetty, Guy & Einat Cohen, Eran Sisam, Erik Nielson, Yaron Shefi

Special thanks to Kickstarter Donators:
Erez Keynan, Rotem Tamir, Anyssa Neumann, Mark Kuzmack, Aviv Pressburger, Jessica Schutzman, Dana, Sarah Aroeste, Noam Liebeskind, Noah Temple, Martyna, Michal Weiner, Daniel Shahar, Asaf Meidan, Hagar Levy, Ella Joy Meir, Jechiel Herschensen, Ryan Frank, Michael Fridman, Daniel Koren, Marta Bagratuni, Yemi Gonzales, Laurence Cohen, Dor Shemer, Nitzan Tzifroni, Laura Kegeles, Daniel Allen, Gillian Berkowitz, Neta Doppelt, Jechiel Evers, Nehemia Shefy, Ron Dotan, Roby Fayer, Daya Tolkatzir, Ayelet Shabani, Jonathan Maimon, Itamar Feitlovich, Dorit Shefy, Alicia Horwitz, Shai Bachar, Gil Epstein, Hana Rosen, Jonathan Meister, David Meister, Roy Niederhoffer, Hari Bernstein, Tsfania Sangauker, Idan Shefy, Anastasia Lekatsas

General Electric seeks Israeli edge

Vice president of GE’s software and analytics center, visits the company’s Herzliya office. Photo: Courtesy GE Israel

GE is scouting Israel for talent, technology and, of course, start-ups as it sets its sights on “industrial Internet.”

General Electric (GE), one of the world’s largest companies, is scouting Israel for talent, technology and, of course, start-ups as it sets its sights on what it calls “industrial Internet.”

“We’re trying to create a start-up within a big company, a group to innovate and identify the kinds of things we might build to take things out globally,” vice president of GE’s software and analytics center William Ruh told The Jerusalem Post Thursday. “I’ve been here for two days and I’m enormously impressed both with the venture-capital firms we’ve met with as well as the start-ups, and I fully expect that in the coming months we’ll be able to talk to you about some interesting things.”

According to Ruh, the world of industry is on the brink of an Internet revolution that will transform it in much the way Internet has transformed the world of retail, music and social networking. Industries from rail to aviation are moving from “unintelligent” machines to “brilliant” machines, which are able to harness massive efficiencies by taking in real-time information and adjust accordingly, he said.

“We think that’s a trillion dollar opportunity,” Ruh said.

In rail, a 1 percent improvement in efficiency can save $27 billion, he said.

New, wired infrastructure offers countless opportunities to find those kinds of improvements, Ruh said.

And that’s where Israel comes in.

To wring out inefficiencies, GE needs software to gather, process and analyze huge amounts of data that will go into its systems. Then it needs to safeguard those systems from outside interference.

“This is probably the best place in the world to do cyber security,” Ruh said. With very real threats from foreign governments and terrorist groups, “only the companies that take cyber security seriously and have products that support them are going to be credible.”

Using space left empty from a spate of recent layoffs in its health-care operations in Herzliya, GE has assembled a team of seven people to, first and foremost, hire Israeli minds for its operations.

“It’s a talent game,” Ruh said. “You’ve got to go where there’s talent because these are really hard problems to solve.”

Beyond that, he also sees GE working with start-ups and technology firms to develop the technologies it will need.

“I’ve just been amazed by how inventive these start-ups are and how they develop mind-blowing technology,” Ruh said. “I came here not knowing what to expect, and I walk away knowing this is the place I’ve got to be.”

Source: Jpost.com

Israel: Next Generation of "Best & Brightest" Graduates from the Microsoft Accelerator

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http://www.israelnationalnews.com

PM Netanyahu and Knesset Speaker Edelstein dim Knesset lights for Earth Day

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and Speaker of the Knesset Yuli Edelstein dimmed the lights of the Knesset at 8:04 pm Monday in solidarity with International Earth Day 2013.

The switch that Netanyahu and Edelstein symbolically flipped for this day of conserving energy is located near the entrance of the Knesset, beside Edelstein’s office.

Earth Day encourages people around the world to switch off lights for one hour beginning at 8 pm to stress awareness of conserving the planet.

Source: Jpost.com

Statement my Canadian PM Stephen Harper on the 65th anniversary of Israel’s independence

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement to mark Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel’s Independence Day:

“I would like to extend my warmest greetings to everyone celebrating the 65th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.

“Israel, like Canada, is a great nation, and like Canada, Israel serves as a beacon of hope in an uncertain world. That is because it has as its foundation the universal values that our two countries share; freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

“However, unlike Canada, Israel remains threatened by groups and regimes that deny its very right to exist. And yet, through centuries of struggle, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have endured. And endure they must, for the consequences of failure are great and far reaching. If one free and democratic society is threatened, all are at risk.

“As you celebrate the first 65 years of the State of Israel, know this: Canada is your partner, Canada is your friend, and Canada stands with you.

“Happy 65th anniversary!

“Shalom!”

Source: CJPAC.ca

Israel celebrates 65th anniversary

Israel wraps up Memorial Day events, turns to celebrating Independence Day with traditional ceremony at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl. Twelve Israelis to light torches

On Monday evening Israel concluded its Memorial Day events and turned to celebrating its 65th anniversary. Celebrations kick off with the traditional lighting of the torches ceremony in Mount Herzl.

This year’s ceremony pays special tribute to national heritage. Among the 12 chosen to light torches this year are an Air Force pilot, literature lecturer and a member of a youth movement.

Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein spoke at the ceremony and called for national unity.

“I wasn’t born on this land, and did not know its landscapes as a child,” he said. “As a boy I never dreamed the time would come when I would stand here, as the representative of Israel’s Knesset.

“I never dreamed, not because I did not dare or because I was scared. As a boy I hardly knew the State of Israel and never dreamed of being part of it. And so, I did not think it possible to dream a dream so distant, so deep, so different.”

Edelstein further added, “We must continue to argue but when we argue about equal share of the burden, or about the budget, we must never aim to crush the opponent,” he said.

“We must strive for a society with opponents. A society where a haredi Jew can fully realize the way of life which he believes while taking responsibility for the state’s security and future as his secular brother does.”

Continue reading via Ynetnews.com

Guided Tour through Mount Herzl - Final Resting Place for IDF Fallen Soldiers

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Aviv Vishkovski guides tours through Mount Herzl, Israel's national cemetery. Buried there is Theodor Herzl, dreamer of the Zionist dream, and thousands of IDF soldiers who fell in battle while bringing his dream to life, defending the State of Israel.

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Yohan Zerbib - Died While Defending Israel

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Yohan Zerbib left France to serve in the ranks of the IDF. He died in battle during the Second Lebanon War. "Tell my parents that I regret nothing and that I am proud of what I did," he said. These were his last words.

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Israel prepares to mourn its fallen soldiers

Source: Jdate.com

A minute-long siren will ring out across the country at 8 p.m. on Sunday to mark the beginning of Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israel’s Wars; more than 1.5 million Israelis expected to visit military cemeteries.

Millions of Israelis will mark Remembrance Day on Sunday evening, and pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for the country’s defense.

A minute-long siren will ring out across the country at 8 p.m. on Sunday, and a two minute siren will be heard on Monday at 11 a.m.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz will join President Shimon Peres for a candle-lighting ceremony at the Western Wall on Sunday evening.

On Monday, the official state memorial ceremony will commence at 11 a.m. at the Mount Herzl military cemetery in Jerusalem. Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Peres and Gantz will be in attendance.

At the same time, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon will attend a memorial ceremony at the military cemetery at Kiryat Shaul.

Israel, including the pre-state yishuv, has lost 25,578 casualties to war and terrorism since 1860, according to figures released by the Defense Ministry.

Over the past year, 43 disabled IDF veterans died of their disabilities, and have been recognized as fallen soldiers.

Also on Monday, more than 1.5 million Israelis are expected to visit military cemeteries, and the Defense Ministry has organized hundreds of buses to transport people.

The ministry has also prepared 1 million water bottles to hand out to bereaved families and the general public at the entrance to cemeteries. It expects some 23,000 candles to be lit at grave sites.

There are 10,245 bereaved parents, 4,964 widows, and 2,324 people orphaned by war or terrorist attacks – a total of 17,533.

On Thursday night, Ya’alon emphasized the IDF’s role in keeping Israelis safe.

“Despite everything, despite so many elements that wanted to prevent this country’s founding, and who continue to invest so much everyday to destroy us – they arise here in our intelligence assessments, Iran, Hezbollah – nevertheless, there is no doubt, that what stands between independence and a lack of independence is the shield of the IDF.”

Source: Jpost.com