On the other hand
Independence Day festivities are behind us and Eurovision mania has taken over Tel Aviv if not the rest of the country. 
We still do not have a governing coalition but this does not seem to have hindered the daily dosage of innovative and pioneering advances in many fields.
FIGHTING CANCER
Once again Israeli researchers are at the forefront of finding cures and treatments for this disease.
NON INVASIVE TREATMENT FOR TREMORS
Ailments like Essential Tremor, a disease that causes involuntary trembling of head, hand, and voice, and Parkinson’s disease, which causes uncontrolled movements in different parts of the body, affect the everyday life of millions of people around the world, turning easy and yet fundamental actions into tasks that are difficult to achieve or to complete efficiently.
Now an Israeli startup says it has developed a non-invasive technology that helps alleviate the symptoms of these diseases.
To reduce these symptoms, the company has developed Exablate Neuro, a treatment that allows neurosurgeons to perform an incisionless brain surgery to alleviate tremor associated with Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s disease.
It has already received FDA approval.
ISRAEL TOPS THE LIST AGAIN
In the latest survey of innovative nations which took into account patents registered, funding for research and development and the number of researchers working, Israel was rated number two in the world.
Top of the list was the USA followed by Israel. The UK was rated as number fifteen, Australia number eighteen and New Zealand number twenty-five. Noticeably absent were all those countries who promote boycotts, divestment and sanctions against the Jewish State.
LEAVE YOUR CAR AT HOME AND EARN CASH
As anyone who’s ever tried to reach Tel Aviv in rush hour knows, the traffic is a real pain. And it’s not only Tel Aviv – try getting into town almost anywhere across the country during peak hours and you’re most likely going to calculate whether it would be quicker to reach your destination by foot.
The Israeli Transportation Ministry is now attempting to address this problem by giving out cash rewards to drivers who leave their cars behind during rush hour and to those carpooling with others.
The pilot program, now underway in its initial phase, is being tested on 500 drivers. The math is quite simple – each driver is awarded an annual 4,500 shekels and each time he or she drives during rush hour a sum is deducted from it. Whatever is left at the end of the year is awarded to the driver, with the maximum amount currently available standing at 2,000 NIS.
In addition, the drivers will receive more money if they take on carpoolers, and they’ll also receive returns on journeys taken with public transportation.
At the end of the initial phase, the pilot is set to be expanded to 5,000 drivers and is expected eventually to include up to 100,000 drivers.
SPECIAL TALENT
The Shalva band is made up of musicians with special needs whose talented performances have captivated Israelis from all backgrounds. They were firm favourites to represent the country at this year’s Eurovision contest but withdrew at the last moment because they refused to perform on Shabbat.
Listen as they sing & play one of their most loved songs:
