On the other hand
Between the growing threats from a nuclear cheating Iran, rockets from Hamas controlled Gaza and increasing terror plots from Hezbollah one can be forgiven for believing that good news has been banished from the Israeli scene.
However, hard as it may be to believe, good news continues to flourish albeit not always reported by the international media.
Here are some of this week’s examples.
THE IDF HELPS TO SAVE LIVES
This August, the Ezer Mizion Bone Marrow Registry reached an amazing milestone: 2,000 IDF soldiers have donated their stem cells to 2,000 patients around the world!
These incredible heroes not only protect the State of Israel but have also answered the call to save the lives of people from around the world whose sole chance of survival had been a stem cell transplant.
To promote the growth of the Registry, Ezer Mizion in Israel signed an agreement with the IDF (Israel Defense Force) in 2005 where Ezer Mizion’s Registry will tissue type army recruits upon their induction into the Israeli army at age 18 and includes them in its Donor Registry. Due to the wide range of ethnic groups found in the IDF and to the young age and good health of the recruits, this collaboration has brought about a vast increase in matches between potential bone marrow donors and cancer patients in need of a transplant.
ELECTRIC BUSES IN JERUSALEM
The light rail has already reduced pollution on central city streets. Now electric buses are set to follow.
Ten electric buses began operating on the streets of Jerusalem as part of the implementation of a Government initiative to reduce air pollution in Israel’s capital city. The Ministry of Environmental Protection gave Egged a NIS 4 million subsidy to purchase the electric buses, which have zero pollution emissions, less than half of the greenhouse gas emissions than diesel buses, and quieter operation.
The drivers of the electric buses have been specially trained for their operation and will be the only ones permitted to drive them. A designated parking lot with charging stations was established. The electric buses are charged for about five hours and can travel for 200 kilometers (124 miles) between charges,” the Ministry of Environmental Protection said.
The buses were imported from China, where most of the world’s electric buses are manufactured.
“Jerusalem is leading the public transportation revolution in Israel,” said Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Leon. “For 8 years, the city has been enjoying the benefits of the light rail, which has changed the public transportation habits of Jerusalemites and made the city cleaner, healthier, and more beautiful. The electric buses are another significant pillar in the creation of a preference for public transport, and this time, the benefit is for everyone – passengers, private car drivers, and the environment.”
“The residents of Jerusalem deserve to breathe clean air,” said Environmental Protection Minister MK Zeev Elkin. “For the first time in Jerusalem, we are proud to add electric buses to Egged’s travel system, which will significantly reduce the level of pollutant emissions as well as the noise caused by old diesel engines. This is news for Jerusalemites, and in the future, dozens of other electric buses will operate in the capital. This move is joined by a number of other moves we are making at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, such as the creation of a low-emissions zone in Jerusalem, funding shuttles to industrial zones, and subsidizing bicycle-sharing services – so that Jerusalem residents can enjoy both clean air and a better quality of life.”
MORE SPORTING SUCCESSES
The ER at Galilee Medical Center was cheering as one of its staff nurses, Ruthy Weiner, racked up six medals in swimming at the recent European Masters Games in Torino, Italy.
Held every four years like the Olympics, the EMG is open to athletes over age 25 in 27 different summer sports.
Weiner, a Master Swimmer in the 40-44 age group, brought home four gold medals, a silver and a bronze. She also broke the Israeli record for her age group in the 100-meter butterfly.
Israeli distance runner Lonah Chemtai-Salpeter continues to smash records – she clocked a time of 30:04 in the Tilburg Ten Miles race in the Dutch city of Tilburg, cutting a jaw-dropping 17 seconds off the European women’s record for the 10K, set by legendary runner Paula Radcliffe in 2003.
Chemtai-Salpeter’s result of 30:04 also became a new Israeli women’s record for the distance, as well as a course record for the Tilburg Ten Miles race.
ASPIRING BASEBALL CHAMPIONS
Baseball is not a sport usually associated with Israel. However, with talented American Olim now making their home here Israel has suddenly become potential world and Olympic champions. Who would have believed this 71 years ago?
