Staying Real in Israel
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Once again, the “Yiddishe Kopf”, Jewish “smarts” prevails. The Scientists at Hebrew University are using the “make love, not war” philosophy to reduce pesticide toxicity to the environment.
The UN will probably be setting up an investigative commission against Israel…War crimes? Cruelty to bugs?

Scientists Use Sex-Crazed Bugs as Alternative to Toxic Pesticides


As an alternative to toxic pesticides, scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created “super-sexed” sterilized male leafhoppers to knock bug boots with females in the wild.

Reprinted from Inhabitat.com

In today’s “gross news” category, some female insects might be getting lucky. As an alternative to toxic pesticides, scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have created “super-sexed” sterilized male leafhoppers to knock bug boots with females in the wild. Yes, that means that the female bugs will miss out on the joys of motherhood, but if the research proves successful, we may be able to eliminate a lot of the harmful and very ungreen chemicals that we currently use to keep food crops pest free.

The sterile insect technique that Professor Boaz Yuval of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Robert H. Smith Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment and his team are working on is not exactly new. Basically, the method is to rear millions of specimens of a pest species, separate the sexes, sterilize the males and release them into the wild. If all goes as planned, the sterile lab-raised males will copulate with females who will then be unable to lay fertile eggs.

So what makes the “super sexed” males so, well, sexy and irresistible to the females? Yuval and his team are using a high-protein, bacteria enhanced “stud” breakfast to feed to the males before they’re released. The formula should significantly improve their sexual performance.

Is all this talk about bug sex grossing you out yet? We admit that it’s not the most appropriate topic of convo (especially if you’re eating lunch), but it’s pretty cool to think that this could be a new way to keep all those yucky pesticides off of our food. Plus, the idea that the insects will be having some fun instead of being gassed to death by poisons is pretty cool.

Oh, yeah…Dubai is a country that I REALLY want to visit, quite the vacation destination, it seems.
Not that they would even let me in, anyway, being Jewish and a citizen of Israel and all. I COULD always use my US passport. Those ads on CNN make it look Oh, so inviting…
I think that I could abstain from having sex in public for the duration of my visit, but I don’t know about not drinking any alcohol. One month in jail for the public kiss, but I guess the moonshine is a lesser charge.
I wonder if it was really the Israeli Mossad kissing in public…in disguise, of course…

British kissing couple awaits jail verdict in Dubai


A British couple accused of kissing in public in the Muslim emirate of Dubai will find out next month if an appeals court will uphold their one-month prison sentence, their lawyer said on Sunday.

Reprinted from Google.com News

The couple is accused of “committing a sexual act (by) kissing on the lips and touching,” lawyer Khalaf al-Hosani told AFP. “A final verdict will be reached on April 4,” by the Misdemeanours Appeals Court, he said.

The two, named by the press as Ayman Najafi, 24, a British expat in Dubai, and British tourist Charlotte Lewis, 25, were arrested in November, after an Emirati woman accused them of kissing in a restaurant in the trendy Jumeirah Beach Residence neighbourhood.

They are also accused of consuming alcohol, a charge to which they pleaded guilty, but said they only kissed on the cheek.

They were convicted in January and sentenced to one month in prison. But they have been on bail since their arrest, with their passports held by the authorities, Hosani said.

The lawyer said he told court that the only witness, a 38-year-old Emirati woman, has presented different statements.

“She told the police that she saw them kissing, while she told the prosecution that her children saw them,” he said, adding that the defence is arguing that the couple only kissed on the cheek “as a greeting” which is allowed.

British embassy spokesman, Simon Goldsmith, said the UK mission was “aware of the arrest of a British national on November 27,” and that “consular assistance was provided at the time,” but declined to provide further details.

Dubai is a popular destination for British tourists. Around 1.1 million British nationals visited the United Arab Emirates in 2009, but the city state still adheres to certain strict Islamic rules, and bans sex outside marriage.

More than 100,000 British nationals live in the UAE.

More good news that the Israeli economic recovery is right on track..getting stronger and stronger.
And, the best news of all, looks like immigrant-from-America Bank of Israel Head, Stanley Fischer, will be staying on for another term…One of the best things that can happen to the Israeli economy, promising an even stronger recovery…Good things for the future…

Fischer hopes for return to ‘normalcy’


“The Bank of Israel is trying to bring interest rates back to a ‘normal’ level, which would bring inflation back down into the target range, and to support the recovery of the economy and financial stability,” Bank of Israel Governor Stanley Fischer told a central bank conference in Tel Aviv yesterday.

Reprinted from Haaretz.com Eytan Avriel

“All the while we will follow what’s going on in the world and take into consideration the shekel exchange rates,” Fischer told the conference, entitled “Challenges for the Future.”

“The central bank of a small, open economy cannot be indifferent to the exchange rate,” he said. When things start going back to normal, the bank will probably intervene less in the foreign currency market.

“We can reduce in stages the frequency of our interventions in the foreign exchange market, but it’s dependent on other considerations such as the interest rate, as well as the international and Israeli economy,” he said.

Fischer also addressed the challenges facing him at the beginning of a second term as bank governor. The first challenge involves the internal management of the bank.

Fischer also mentioned that discussions on the new Bank of Israel Law had just finished in the Knesset Finance Committee; next week the bill is expected to pass its second and third readings in the full Knesset to become law. The bill has been one of Fischer’s conditions for accepting a second term. Soon the bank will face the challenge of implementing it – “building a modern Bank of Israel, which the Israeli economy needs for the 21st century,” Fischer said.

The second challenge is fiscal and monetary policy as the world recovers from the financial crisis, he said. “There are countries that are managing to recover better … and there are countries that are having more difficulties…. During the crisis, the European nations handled it better, but now they’re having trouble,” he said.

Some countries would call this treason, like, for instance, any Arab country in the Middle East that Mr. Copti might choose to live in.(but he doesn’t…he chooses Israel) He is, in fact, a citizen of the State of Israel. Israel, by the way, helped fund this film which is giving Copti his 15 minutes of fame. He had no problem accepting the money and all the benefits of Israeli citizenship. He chooses to live in Israel, not anywhere else, as do all of the Arab citizens of the Jewish State. No one is keeping them here against their will.
How about a little grace? How about a little thankfulness for all the good you have received from your country?
You seem to be taking your freedom and human rights in Israel a bit for granted…
Copti says he doesn’t represent his home country,,the country that facilitated his advance in the movie industry and helped finance his film. I wonder just exactly who he DOES represent?…I guess just old selfish himself…

‘Ajami’ director: I don’t represent Israel


‘I cannot represent a state that does not represent me,’ Scandar Copti says just hours before Academy Awards ceremony

Reprinted from YNet News

“Ajami” co-director Scandar Copti said Sunday that he is not representing Israel at the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood, just hours before his film competes in the best foreign film category.

“I am not the Israeli team and I am not representing Israel,” Copti told Channel 2. “It’s a very technical thing. This is how it works at the Oscars. It says Israel because the money comes from Israel. You have an Israeli director, you have a Palestinian director, you have Palestinian actors and Israeli actors.

International Success
‘Ajami’ gets real, aims for Oscar / Reuters
None of Israeli film’s actors imagined low-budget drama would earn nomination for best foreign language film at Academy Awards. Directors’ strategy was to find first-time actors who shared similar backgrounds with characters and who would infuse roles with real-life experience
Full story

“The film represents Israel technically, but I don’t represent Israel. I cannot represent a country that does not represent me.”

Yaron Shani, the film’s other co-director, does not agree with Copti. “It’s an Israeli film. It represents Israel, it speaks in the Israeli language and it deals with Israeli problems. The representation question refers to problems of perspectives and political problems which need to be solved,” Shani said in the same interview.

Following the remarks, Science and Technology Minister Daniel Herkowitz (Habayit Hayehudi) called on Culture and Sports Minister Limor Livnat to launch an inquiry into the film’s funding by the State of Israel.

“The person who directed the film with Israeli funding may cover himself with Hamas flags tonight. If the film wins an Oscar, this may be a Pyrrhic victory for the State of Israel,” the minister said.

In response to Copti’s remairs, Minister Livnat said, “The film ‘Ajami’ was produced and received an Oscar nomination thanks to funds from the State of Israel, which Scandar Copti now tries to renounce. Without the State’s support, Copti would not be walking on the red carpet tonight.”

She added, “It’s sad that a director who was supported by the State is renouncing those that made it possible for him to create and express himself. Fortunately, all the others who had a part in the film’s creation consider themselves part of the State of Israel and are proud to represent it.”

The film’s directors and stars attended several Hollywood events over the weekend ahead of Sunday night’s ceremony. Copti told Ynet earlier that winning was not the most important thing for him.

“It would be nice to get the prize, but we don’t need it. It’s not a must,” he said.

“Ajami” will be competing in the best foreign-language film category against “El Secreto de Sus Ojos” from Argentina, “The Milk of Sorrow” from Peru, “Un Prophete” from France, and “The White Ribbon” from Germany. It is the ninth Israeli movie to be nominated for an Oscar in this category.

When I talk about our sons AND our daughters fighting for the Land of Israel, I really mean it!!
Check out this ultra-hi-tech defense operation…being run by female soldiers in the Israeli Army…

The newly named Combat Intelligence Collection Corps is comprised of 60% female soldiers, who serve as scouts or fighters and watch every move made in the field

Reprinted from Israel Defense Forces Website

A decade ago in April 2000, the body known as Field Intelligence was born. Slowly but surely it took its first baby steps in building itself up with the formation of the Field Intelligence School, the establishment of the comprehensive information gathering battalions, the growth of the body to almost a third its original size, and the development of weapons that are to this day thought of as the best in the world. Half a year ago, in September 2009, the Corps decided that it had outgrown its nest, and went off on its own, separating from the Intelligence Corps.

And thus the Field Intelligence Corps was born anew. Within half a year it has received a new name, the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps, a new unit identification tag, a new pin and soon, a new beret whose color is shrouded and mystery and a point of curiosity all throughout the IDF. Aside for all that, the changes are minimal. The Corps will have the same officers, the same soldiers, 60% of which are female.

Lt. Col. Barak Cohen, the Nitzan Battalion Commander, says that the work done here proves itself. As an example he discussed the work of the scout soldiers in ports, during which the soldiers collected information on a suspect from Nablus over the course of two weeks. Day after day, for many hours at a time, these female soldiers followed him and learned his routine; when he leaves, who he spends his time with, and where. They understood how he dressed and which foods he preferred. They also identified all his acquaintances and created profiles for each of them as well. All of this scouting work was done in the open field, across from the crowded city, and therefore the girls had to camouflage themselves with the utmost success and do their job with speed and efficiency. After two weeks of gathering intelligence which led the scouts to an understanding of the suspect’s detailed behavior, the information was passed on to the unit of soldiers who were able to arrest the suspect within 20 seconds. The operation was deemed a success, as it was done with a minimum of struggle or damage, and all this is thanks to the scouting soldiers.

At the Push of a Button

The Military Operations Room in the Kissufim Base is of the most advanced in the Corps, and constitutes the integration of intelligence gathering and attack. It contains systems for both investigation and detection. And, of course, it also has many resourceful female scouts with nerves of steel, who succeed 24 hours a day in operating the Military Operations Room, and who watch the field all day long on their screens. Practically none of these girls have ever actually been in the field, but they spend all of their time “inside”. They remember it by heart, and know every bush, tree and stone, as they know how to identify even the smallest possible nuances that change in the field.

These female scouts recently simulated a cooperative joint operation with the “See-Shoot” system, which enables the scouts in the Military Operations Room to carry out gunfire from far away. “Identify the suspects!” shouted one scout to another, and quickly the girls began to thwart an incident and pass on information about two suspects to the forces in the field. They homed in on the suspects and followed them from afar the entire way. The forces began to arrive in the field, but they didn’t arrive quickly enough. “Permission to fire” the Military Operations Room Officer told a commander, who seated herself behind the See-Shoot System. The scout who identified the suspects directed the commander to the specific point, and the suspects were shot. Although this was all just a military exercise, it simulates many activities which have been carried out successfully without injuring any IDF soldiers. The identification and direct hits succeed all because of these alert female scouting soldiers, who sit behind the screens and guide the forces in the field.

The Girls Whose Eyes Don’t Shut

Lt. Col. Eran Gabai, Commander of the Nesher Battalion, placed a challenge before his soldiers. “Before you… are binoculars and the open field. Try to find the scouting stations of the fighters who are spread out in the field.” All of the soldiers squint their eyes, search and begin to sweat a little. “I have identified!” someone yells. Everyone goes over to one small modest hill under a tree. After three knocks, an entire staff of female fighters exits a place that only seconds before looked entirely sterile. At the end of an exhaustive 8 months of training during which the girls learn to be scouting or disguised fighters, they are divided up into teams that quickly become like families.

“We eat together, drink together, laugh, sleep and speak together, and most importantly, we work together,” says Cpl. Shir Eidelman, who one minute earlier seemed to be part of a hill. She is dressed in special disguise uniform, her face is painted the colors of the sand and even her weapon is colored that way as she describes her satisfaction with her job. “Not many people are familiar with our Company and I try to speak about it with everyone. And still, everyone understands the responsibility we have.” She says that often combat soldiers will be doubtful, but end up giving her respect and recognizing the significance of what she does. “Over the past few years it has become slightly more in the norm for there to be female combat soldiers, and they see that we have high motivation to defend our country and our soldiers.”

Nobody Knows the Field Better than These Girls

While other combat brigades move every few months to new territories, the female fighters in the Combat Intelligence Collection Corps, including the scouts, always remain in the same place. This instills in them vast knowledge, expertise and recognition of the depths of the field. “Because we are professionally trained in one region, there is no one who knows it better than we do.” Shir continues, “Therefore, we direct the soldiers and help them to know the field. We precede the strike.” And the need to spend days at a time together in a concealed place created a special bond. “Because we are together all of the time, we are each others’ best friends and know everything about each other. Strong friendship like this, built on spending many days together in a small place, cannot be made outside of the army.”

Brig. Gen. Eli Pollack, the head Combat Intelligence Collection Officer, explains the renewed branding. “We decided to place the responsibility of Intelligence back in the hands of the Corps, and to busy ourselves with proper collection. We established our own Corps because collection is a professional thing which demands training and instruction, and today we are advancing the training of the fighters and the female scouts. The task of this structure is extremely important, and it gathers information in all shapes and sizes all year long.” When asked about documentation about the joint operations, he says “The Corps has placed an emphasis on bringing evidence and proof, and constitutes one of the information centers. The threats have not finished, and it is on us to be prepared and organized for anything. We watch from the fence to inside the enemies’ territory and we respond to every incident which occurs in the operational zone.”

It’s a part of life here, in Israel. You don’t really think about what it means, until you think about what it means! Looking at your kids or grandkids, not to mention your wife, trying on a gas mask is bizarre and scary…Welcome to Israel…

IDF to distribute gas masks today

Amid growing tensions, Home Front Command begins pilot program in Or Yehuda

Jerusalem Post online Yaakov Katz

Amid growing tension in the north, the IDF Home Front Command will begin a pilot program to redistribute gas masks in Or Yehuda on Sunday.

Under the plan – drawn up by Col. Yossi Sagiv, head of the Home Front Command’s Gas Mask and Protection Kits Department – the masks will be returned to private homes by the Israel Postal Company, which beat out seven other companies in a Defense Ministry-issued tender in late 2009. Gas masks were collected from private homes starting in 2007 by a private delivery company.

The distribution is slated to take three years. Officials said that after the distribution is completed in Or Yehuda, the IDF will review the operation, implement corrections and improvements and then start distributing the kits in other parts of the country, based on operational considerations of which area is under a more immediate threat.

The public will receive the same rubber gas mask that it had in the past with an improved filter – more effective against chemical and biological threats Israel faces – but without the syringe of Atropine that was in past kits.

Under the plan, Postal Company representatives will contact homeowners and schedule a time to visit and deliver the gas masks required by the family. Each family will be asked to pay a nominal sum of less than NIS 20. The courier will also help fit the gas masks to the family members and explain how to use them. People that prefer not to pay the fee can travel to a distribution center, that will be located in each city, to pick up their gas masks.

Housing one of the top 25 banks in the world is no small feat for a tiny country of 7 million in a perpetual state of war with its neighbors. More evidence that someone is doing something right running the State of Israel. More reasons for you to “come home”, my fellow Jews…

Israel gets representation on list of best banks

Mizrahi-Tefahot on list of 25 best banks in 2010 in developed markets put out by Global Finance magazine. Israeli bank ranked among financial heavy-hitters J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse, and HSBC

Y-Net

The international magazine Global Finance chose Mizrahi Tefahot as the “Bank of the Year in Israel.” An article published over the weekend highlighted a list of 25 banks chosen as the best for 2010 in developed markets.

The list included leading banks in the world from North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

According to Global Finance, the banks chosen were the ones who attended to their customers’ needs with caution and responsibility during a period of “difficult markets,” and who reached the highest results while laying the foundations for their future success.

The magazine’s editors noted that the banks were chosen both by objective, quantitative criteria – such as growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development, innovation and the banks’ ability to conduct and fund themselves in the current environment – and by subjective criteria – such as extensive consultations with bankers, corporatists and equity and credit analysts.

The magazine report noted: “The mix of these factors yields leading banks that may not be the largest, the oldest or the most diversified in a given country, but rather the best — the banks with which corporations around the world would most likely want to do business.”

“We recognize these banks for their outstanding accomplishments,” said Global Finance’s publisher, Joseph D. Giarraputo. “Global financial markets are extremely difficult and conditions in each market may have differed but the winning banks were all noteworthy in their dedication to satisfying their customers’ needs.”

Other banks recognized on the 2010 list include J.P. Morgan, HSBC, Royal Bank of Canada, and Credit Suisse.

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Israeli Pride

Do You Want to Know Why?…For such a tiny part of the population, we Jews sure are high achievers, and I can prove it!…The numbers don’t lie…And Israel’s achievements are nothing short of mind-boggling…What’s the deal?…What’s going on here?…Some theories, old and new…Plus…A new kind of Bar Mitzvah…For do-gooders only!…And…National Service in Israel is granting wishes…But only if you pay it forward…Also…New finds from the period of King David prove it…Jews have ALWAYS been good people…All this and more on “The Marty Roberts Show”…