Israel Supplement

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Israel - 4 November 2011

POST BOX President and Publisher: Ejvind Sandal Chief Executive: Jesper Nymark

I am afforded a special opportunity to invite you to have a glimpse at one of the most spectacular countries in the world: the State of Israel.

Editor: Ben Hamilton

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Production & Layout: Lyndsay Jensen Journalists: Daniel Van der Noon, Valerie Mathis, Dominique Barir Jensen, Eva Korte Sales Director Supplements: Hans Hermansen Sales and Advertising: Jeanne Thames, Mark Millen, Lyndsay Jensen If you would like to contact us or leave a comment: info@cphpost.dk This supplement is published by The Copenhagen Post in co-operation with the Israeli Embassy in Denmark, please refer to our disclaimer on page 2 of the newspaper.

ISRAEL

Arthur and Dinah Avnon in central Copenhagen

srael was re-established in 1948 in the very location where the Jewish commonwealths thrived thousands of years ago, forming and exercising a unique cultural identity. Both the principles of democracy that originated from the political ideals of ancient Israel, and the universal human values prescribed in the Bible, can be found to this day in the ethical foundation of enlightened and modern societies. With the destruction of the Jewish kingdom by the Romans, and the exile of most of our people into slavery and dispersal, came centuries during which the land was repeatedly taken over by various foreign powers, none of which ever regarded it as more than a remote province.

The scant Jewish communities which were not taken into exile by the Romans continued to live on their land under foreign rule. At the same time, throughout nearly two millennia, Jewish people in dispersion never considered themselves as a people without a homeland. Having been deprived of their national liberty, Jews never ceased to give expression to their anguish at their dispossession and to yearn for return.

Throughout the years, Israel has tried to reach peace and reconciliation with our Arab neighbours.

We signed peace agreements with Egypt and Jordan, and we deeply hope to achieve an agreement that will put an end to the long conflict with the Palestinians. Danish governments have made, for more than a decade, significant efforts to assist Israel and its neighbours in trying to reach a peace agreement.

Since its re-establishment Israel has had to fight for its existence, while at the same time absorbing Jews from around the world, to provide them with a safe haven and a secure home.

Being Israeli The people of modern Israel pride themselves on having a vibrant parliamentary democracy that is based on free elections, and an independent judiciary founded on a progressive legal system that has earned international respect for its integrity.

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Israelis have turned arid areas green, built prosperous cities, towns and villages, while setting globally high standards in the spheres of science, technology and culture.

Israeli society is a mosaic of Jews, Arabs, Muslims and Christians, Druze and Cherkessk. Israelis are said to possess a combination of human warmth and curiosity – important attributes when it comes to finding creative solutions to the challenges we face. The photos printed in this supplement, by Pamela Juhl and Hasse Ferold, bring a personal angle of their own intimate perspective of the people and the country. Both photographers have stated that it was the people they met who made their work in Israel special.

Denmark and Israel We will never forget the brave rescue of most of the Danish Jews during the holocaust. The risk taken by Danes to facilitate their escape to Sweden is a story that lives on in Israel.

Over the years, tens of thousands of Danes have had a personal experience of Israel, working as volunteers on Israeli collective farms (kibbutzim). Many hold fond memories from those times.

Travel...

The fact that Israel is a small country, half the size of Denmark, with limited natural resources has brought Israel to specialise, just like Denmark, in the life sciences and in high-tech. It constantly searches for renewable energy solutions and attempts to find answers to the water deficit that Israel along with other Middle Eastern countries experience. If peace is reached, Israeli technologies could help overcome some of the Middle East’s most severe human development problems, just as Israeli water and agricultural innovations help feed the hungry in underdeveloped countries worldwide. You will be able to read in this supplement about the upcoming Tel Aviv Watec Conference scheduled for mid-November, highlighting water technologies and renewable energy. This annual event is the second largest of its kind in the world, in which leading Danish companies regularly participate.

One of the most spoken-about joint projects in the renewable energy field is the Better Place electric car project, created in co-operation by companies in Denmark, France and Israel.

Danish companies also take an active part in the life sciences Bio-Med conference, usually held in May, as well as in renewable energy conferences that are held in Israel periodically. Israel’s innovations in medicine, science and technology have affected the daily lives of many people internationally.

A special scientific project of co-operation in the field of bio-chemistry took place in Copenhagen recently when three Israeli Nobel Prize laureates visited Copenhagen for a joint scientific conference with Danish and other international scientists. The discoveries made by two of them, Professor Hershko and Professor Chechanover, led to the development of life-saving medications for brain diseases. Professor Ada Yonath, the first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize, is best known for her pioneering work on the structure of the ribosome. Shortly before this article was submitted for print, yet another Israeli scientist received a Nobel Prize - Professor Daniel Shechtman from the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa. He is the winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in chemistry. He was before awarded the prize for his discovery of quasicrystal patterns in atoms.

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Culture While serving in Copenhagen I have had the opportunity to greet a few of Israel’s most famous authors of international literary stature. During the past few months Amos Oz and David Grossman visited Denmark on the occasion of the publication of their books in Danish. Israeli designers, filmmakers, dancers, media and visual artists have participated prominently in almost every important Danish cultural event in the past few years.

To see and experience More than 3.5 million tourists visited Israel in 2010. Many tourists head for Jerusalem, sacred to the three monotheistic religions, or for Tel Aviv, the city that literally never sleeps, with its plethora of beaches, restaurants, bars and many cultural attractions. The Lonely Planet travel guide has put Tel Aviv in third place on its list of ‘Top 10 Cities for 2011’. Other tourists travel to Eilat, the southern resort on the Red Sea coast devoted first and foremost to sun, fun, diving, partying and desertbased activities. Others search out the archeological sites and historical locations of the Holy Land, or look for the exciting meeting between cultures.

In this supplement we offer just a quick look at what is considered by many as one of the most amazing countries in the world. I encourage you to go to the State of Israel, and I am sure that just like Danish photographers Pamela Juhl and Hasse Ferrold and millions of others, you will find Israel to be not just another tourism destination, but a fulfilling experience to be treasured for a long time.

Culture...

Arthur Avnon, Ambassador of Israel to Denmark

Israel - 4 November 2011

In love with Israel

and it only took a week

Pamela Juhl is actually speechless. The rising star in the world of photography really didn’t expect Israel to be like it was. She was surprised … in a good way.

By Ben Hamilton

T

he Danish-based American was one of two photographers recruited to take part in a cultural exchange. She went to Israel for a week, while Israel’s Leonid Padrul visited Denmark. The result was the photography exhibition ‘A Life Fragment’, which last month took over City Hall for a week before heading off on tour, across Denmark and then further afield. It was a week that proved to have a profound effect on Juhl.

And she was wowed by their commitment to their land and the way they work with it. “What they’ve done with challenging terrain that was uninhabitable – it’s quite frankly a miracle. You only have to look at the way they use irrigation. You can be driving down a road in the desert, turn a corner and suddenly encounter an oasis of such lush greenery. They’ve created miracles in that part of the world – with breakthroughs that will improve life all over the planet – and they should be recognised, validated and supported.”

Juhl had a hectic schedule – doing justice to a whole country is a tall order in seven days! It was 7am to midnight every day. Two mentor guides were assigned to chaperone her, translate if necBut above all, Juhl felt a lot of love, remembering a particularly essary, and show her the sights, but they also managed to give moving visit to an orphanage where she her some breathing space to discover the was spellbound by the way the kids were county for herself and to connect with its cared for and educated – not just by the “I didn’t know much about Israel – people. adults, but also by the older children. “Isyou could say I went blindfolded,” raelis are kind, open, caring and treat each On one occasion her mentors arranged for other like family. There’s a strong sense of she recalls. “I was expecting it to be her to go on a coach tour of Tel Aviv – it camaraderie. In other countries and cities more under-developed, and I didn’t sounds like a regular touristy thing, but in you have your borders – be it Chinatown this case it was solely attended by Israelis realise it was so beautiful.” or Little Italy etc – but not in Israel. In just interested in finding out more about the urseven days I felt so connected to the Israeli ban area in which they live. The tour takes people that I’d felt I’d lived there for place once every two months and Juhl was many years!” struck by how the attendees “greeted each other like an extended family, hugging each other and interacting in a really open way”.

It’s been a valuable experience for the photographer and one she will treasure. “It’s made me realise that people have to see for “They’re extremely open and curious,” says Juhl. “Real extrothemselves before they judge a culture. It really opened my eyes verts.” She should know! “They were bold enough to approach and I would say to anybody that they need to experience it for me and ask who I was. It wouldn’t happen over here! People could themselves.” regularly attend a tour in Denmark and not know anything about each other.”

Juhl was impressed by the way Israelis value community. “Nothing appears to be privatised; you really get a sense that the country is for the people,” she says, recalling how she witnessed food being given out for free to locals near the Dead Sea, just because there was a surplus.

There are currently plans to show the exhibition ‘A Life Fragment’ in three or four Danish cities over the next year, as well as abroad.

‘A Life Fragment’ - which ran at Copenhagen City Hall from 11-18 August and is curated by Ellina Kvitkovsky - will visit Odense in November, Helsingør in January, and Aalborg in February, while there are also plans to show it in Vordingborg.

All photographs by Pamela Juhl

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Natalie NataliePortman Portman

Israel: land of industry, imagination and innovation. If you don’t know much about the country, read on. The rest of this supplement will hopefully fill you in on what has been a rags to riches story – how a country against all the odds has not just survived, it has thrived.

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Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the League of Nations (forerunner to the United Nations) granted Britain the mandate to administer the southern part of the Ottoman province of Syria, with the designated purpose of establishing a national home for the Jewish people. The mandate covered the areas east and west of the Jordan River, but in 1922, Britain divided the mandated territory into two administrative areas: autonomous Transjordan, east of the Jordan River, which is known today as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the area west of the Jordan River, which continued to be regarded as an territory designated for the establishment of a state for the Jewish people. In 1947 the UN adopted a resolution noting Britain’s intention to terminate the mandate and its plans to complete the evacuation of the territory by l August 1948, and recommended the partition of the land into two states: “one Jewish and one Arab”. The leadership of the Jewish community accepted the plan while the Arabs rejected it, demanding it all. On 14 May 1948 at midnight, following the completion of the British evacuation, Israel declared its renewed independence. Simultaneously, Arab opposition against the new state started, with the declared purpose of eradicating it.

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Israel has today a population of 7.695 million - 20.4 percent of which are Israeli Arabs. An estimated 82.6 percent of the Arabs are Sunni Muslim, and a further nine percent are non-Muslim Druze. While the dominant religion in Israel is Judaism (80.1 percent), Islam accounts for 14.6 and Christianity 2.1. The official languages are Modern Hebrew and Arabic, while English and Russian are commonplace. The revival of the ancient language of Hebrew never looked back following its recognition as one of the three official languages of the British Mandate in 1922.

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The name Israel comes from the Book of Genesis, in which it is given to Jacob (father of the nation and 12 sons, including Joseph - he with the coat of many colours) after a fight with the Angel of God. The meaning of the word is unclear but it most likely derives from a Hebrew word that reflects God’s respect for Jacob’s resilience. Interestingly, if split up, it spells out Is, Ra and El, the names of three ancient world deities. Israel is a popular christian name – in the US it has remained in the top 400 for every year since 1948. Meanwhile, the most common family names in Israel are Jacob’s sons Cohen and Levi, followed

by Mizrachi.

top

10 Israel

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To start the ball rolling, here’s two top ten lists of facts about Israel – the kind of stuff that might come up at a dinner party or pub quiz. By Ben Hamilton

Kibbutzim

Albert Einstein

Israel - 4 November 2011

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Following the death of Israel’s first president, Chaim Weizmann, in 1952, the position was offered to Albert Einstein, who after some deliberation turned it down, citing his “lack [of] both the natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people and to exercise official function”. However, Einstein was the first president of Israeli Technion, the world-renowned research university that is the oldest in the country

(chemistry, 2009, shared with two others), who became the first Israeli woman to win one, the first woman from the Middle East to win a prize in the sciences, and the first woman in 45 years to win for chemistry. Many Copenhageners will be familiar with Hershko, Ciechanover and Yonath as they were all honoured guests and speakers at the International Symposium on Protein Chemistry at the University of Copenhagen in May.

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Many associate Israel with kibbutzim, the collective communities that welcome volunteers from all over the world to work for them in return for food, lodgings and a unique experience. An estimated 350,000 volunteers, including 40,000 Danes, have worked in Israel since 1967. As of 2010, there were 270 in Israel, accounting for 9 percent of Israel’s industrial output, and 40 percent of its agricultural output – although the number of kibbutzim offering volunteer places is now in decline. Famous former volunteers include comedians Jerry Seinfeld and Sacha Baron Cohen, actors Sigourney Weaver, Debra Winger and Bob Hoskins, and singer Simon Le Bon.

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Israel is a world leader in providing relief to areas affected by catastrophe. Following the bombing of the U S Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were on the scene within a day and saved three people from the rubble. In 2006, following the collapse of a building in Kenya, Israel was among the first countries to provide assistance, sending search-and-rescue and medical teams to the country – 80 personnel in total. And earlier this month, following a gas-line explosion in the country, Israel was once again able to send a delegation. However, the range of their aid and expertise isn’t limited to nearby countries. In the last two years, Israel has sent aid and personnel to Japan, New Zealand and most notably Haiti, where it was the first country to set up a field hospital following the devastating earthquakes in January 2010. In total it sent 220 professionals (compared to China’s 60), including 40 doctors and 10 tonnes of medical equipment to construct and facilitate a pharmacy, an emergency room, two surgery rooms, an incubation ward, a children’s ward and a maternity ward. A baby delivered during the first night of its operation was rather fittingly named Israel.

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Nine Israelis have won the Nobel Prize, not bad for a country founded in 1948, 47 years after the inauguration of the awards. The winners are Shmuel Yosef Agnon (literature, 1966, shared), Menachem Begin (peace, 1978, shared), Shimon Peres and Yitzhack Rabin (peace, 1994, shared with one other), Daniel Kahneman (economics, 2002 – despite never taking an economics course!), Avram Hershko and Aaron Ciechanover (chemistry, 2004, shared with one other), Robert Aumann (economics, 2005, shared) and most recently, Ada E Yonath

Israel are the seventh equal most successful nation at the Eurovision Song Contest with three wins, not bad for a country that since its debut in 1973 has only competed 34 times. Hebrew, meanwhile, is the third most successful language – tied with Dutch on three wins. Israel remains the only winner not to defend its title. In 1980 it passed on hosting the contest for a second successive year (to the Netherlands), and the chosen date clashed with an Israeli memorial day. This led to an appearance by Morocco – to this date the only time an Arab or African country has competed.

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Israel has only qualified for one football World Cup – in 1970 in Mexico where it held Sweden and eventual finalists Italy to draws, and lost to semi-finalists Uruguay 2-0. Initially a member of the Asian Football Confederation, Israel was expelled in 1974 and spent the next 20 years in the international wilderness, competing in Europe (1982 and 1994 WC) and Oceania (1986 and 90).

It was eventually granted full UEFA membership in 1994, and while qualification for major tournaments has continued to elude them, Israel achieved a FIFA world ranking of 15 in 2008, proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Israel has only ever won one gold medal at the Olympics. Windsurfer Gal Fridman made the breakthrough in Athens in 2004. Its most successful sport is probably basketball. While it has produced many world class players, one of its teams, Maccabi Tel Aviv, has won five European League championships.

Every four years Israel hosts the Maccabiah Games – the Jewish version of the Olympics, an Windsurfer Gal Fridman event that started way back in the 1930s to promote immigration to the country.

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Famous celebrities who you might not know are Israeli include spoonbending psychic Uri Geller; Fiddler on the Roof (1971) star (Chaim) Topol who resurrected his career a decade later thanks to roles as Dr Hans Zarkov in Flash Gordon (1980) and Colombo in Bond film For Your Eyes Only (1981); actress Natalie Portman whose father is Israeli and was born in Jerusalem; Kiss lead member Gene Simmons, whose parents are Israeli and spent his first eight years in Haifa; and the late Hillel Slovak, the original guitarist for Red Hot Chili Peppers, who lived in Haifa until he was five.

RAPID FIRE TOP

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The glue on Israeli stamps is kosher. After all, they have to lick them.

The average life expectancy in Israel is 82.2 years for women and 78.5 years for men.

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Israel is only a sixth of 1 percent of the total landmass of the Middle East.

Israeli bank notes have brail on them so the blind can identify them.

Israel has the fourth largest air force in the world (after the US, Russia and China).

Haoman 17 in Jerusalem is rated one of the top nightclubs in the world.

Golda Meir, Israel’s prime minister from 1969, was the world’s third elected female leader.

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There are now over 200 wineries in Israel producing red, white, vintage, and sparkling wines.

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One in three Israelis volunteer in their spare time.

Former prime minister Yitzhak Rabin topped a poll in 2005 to establish the 200 greatest Israelis of all time by Israeli news site Ynet. The country’s first PM, David Ben-Gurion, was second, current PM Benjamin Netanyahu 18th, and transsexual Eurovision winner Dana International 47th.

The University of Haifa, situated at the top of Mount Carmel, is one of Israel’s seven research universities. It is a microcosm of Israeli society dedicated to academic excellence and social responsibility.

For over 35 years, the University of Haifa International School (UHIS) has successfully attracted students from around the world for study at the undergraduate level. Today close to 900 students are enrolled annually in UHIS programmes that are unique in their integrated approach towards the international student. This philosophy includes an emphasis on academic excellence, integration with the local Israeli population, and a complete schedule of social and cultural activities. As a result, students benefit from a rich academic programme and enjoy the positive effects of a rich, international experience. The university has recently launched graduate programmes in Peace & Conflict Management, Holocaust Studies, Patent Law, Maritime Civilizations and Creative Arts Therapies.

Students from Denmark have always had a particular affection for University of Haifa and for years have been coming to Haifa to study Hebrew and Arabic in the summer or experience a semester or year abroad. Here are the stories of two such students.

Lars Jorgenson, from Aarhus, came to the University of Haifa International School to take the four-week intensive Hebrew Language Course (Ulpan). “I am really enjoying the programme for several reasons,” he said. “I appreciate the high academic level and that the programme is very well organised. Although the class is difficult, it is also challenging. Everyone is very professional, but best of all, the staff are very happy to help and are very friendly, and there is a very welcoming spirit. This is very important when you are coming to a strange place. I would definitely recommend the Ulpan programme.

It’s not a holiday. It is for people who are serious and want to make the effort.”

Victoria Pihl-Sorensen, from Virum, came to the University of Haifa International School to take the four-week intensive Arabic Language Course. She had wanted to come to Israel and was attracted to the rigorous academic standard of the course, which she values highly. Part of the attraction for Victoria is the uniqueness of the city of Haifa, with its multicultural and ethnically diverse communities.

When asked if security was an issue for her, Victoria replied: “Security didn’t really play a role at all. I knew there is conflict in this area of the world, but in Israel I feel quite secure, and I know I can safely walk in the streets.” Victoria also commented on her feeling of being welcomed at the University of Haifa International School. “Everyone has been very welcoming and open. The cultural diversity is special and we all get along - there is room for everyone.”

For more information about international study abroad opportunities for undergraduate and graduate studies, please see www.uhaifa.org, or write info@mail.uhaifa.org.

Israel - 4 November 2011

Travel in ...

Israel

By Eva Korte

Israel may be a small country, but the range of its landscape is miraculous. Mountains, deserts, wetlands, historic and vibrant cities – it has every kind of terrain going.

Whether you want to relax and convalesce in the Dead Sea, take a spiritual quest to the Cradle of Christianity, live to excess by the Red Sea, or take a rest in Galilee’s tranquility – Israel has it all.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

D

id you know you can cycle the entire length of the country along a well-maintained 1,200km cycle trail that starts in the Golan Heights and ends in Eilat, which passes by the Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea. Imagine the bragging rights at the local bike club if you complete that!

Or if that sounds too long, take one of the shorter routes, like through Tel Aviv’s HaYarkon Park or through the Hula Valley in the north, where the lake is particularly popular with birdwatchers – particularly as 500 million migrating birds visit it every year. You can rent bikes for both tours.

So without further ado, let’s embark on our own Tour d’Israel that leads us from the Sea of Galilee in the north all the way down the Mediterranean coastline, past Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, via the Dead Sea through the Negev Desert to Eilat, Israel’s jewel on the Red Sea.

Bird watching in the Hula Valley In the Upper Galilee, in the Syrian-African Rift, lies the Hula Valley, a protected reserve and major bird watching site. Each year, millions of birds cross the valley on their way from Europe to Africa and back, filling the wetlands with the sound of wing beats and twitters, and transforming it into an ocean of light pink pelicans.

But if you’re staying for more than 48 hours – which is highly recommended – you should explore the city all by yourself. Leave the city’s walls behind you and climb the Mount of Olives to get a first overview over the city and make a mental note of what lies before you. Gethsemane and Golgotha are just two of several landmarks close by.

Galilee is often referred to as the cradle of Christianity, and a visit there is like a guided tour to the gospels.

You can walk the 60km-long Gospel Trail from Nazareth through Cana all the way to Capernaum and follow the routes of Jesus and Mary. Or follow an alternative route, the Jesus Trail, which follows more or less the same route.

Then head back to the city and submerge yourself in the extraordinary atmosphere of the Old City. Between its narrow passage alley-ways and high ancient buildings you will need to lift your head up high to still spot the blue sky.

From Nazareth, where Jesus spent his childhood, to Mount Tabour, believed to be the setting for the Transfiguration, to the Mount of Beatitudes (Sermon on the Mount), every key location of the Gospels is here.

Recommended venues in Jerusalem

Galilee

Recommended events in Galilee

This large region in the north of the country, with its mild climate and periodical rainfalls, is often referred to as ‘Israel’s Tuscany’, but with less scooters.

The Acco Festival Throughout the city of Akko; October 2011; www.accofestival.co.il The Acco Festival of alternative Israeli theatre is an annual event held during the ‘Hol hamoed Sukot’ holidays, inviting plays from outside the mainstream theatre, which combine a manifold of different genres, like pantomime, clownery, dance, video installations, performance art ,and music. This year 12 shows were chosen out of 150 submitted contributions to premiere during the festival.

While its upper regions are even covered in snow in winter, the smooth hills and agricultural terraces in lower Galilee are covered by a carpet of thousands of flowers in the spring. In summer the region is particularly suited to producing wine and olive oil.

Well known for its archaeological and religious sites, the north is also the perfect destination for outdoor pursuits, from skiing and hiking, to rafting and bird watching.

Recommended Locations in Galilee Vibrant cities: from Nazareth to Haifa The ancient towns of Nazareth and Akko are recommended, as is Galilee’s biggest city Haifa, and its capital Tiberias, which might be 2,000 years old, but is actually the youngest city in the region.

Bahá’í Gardens in Haifa This impressive terrace garden leads up to the Shrine of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith, whose followers included the USA’s highest-paid actress in the 1930s, Carole Lombard. Lombard’s career was cut short when she died at the age of 33 in a plane crash. Some 600 gardeners and volunteers from 60 countries take care of over 400 species of plants, creating a green oasis in the middle of the city.

Recommended Activities in Galilee Skiing at the Mount Hermon Ski Resort www.skihermon.co.il It’s amazing to think that Israel has its own ski resort.

To the northeast of the Galilee region in the Golan Heights, you’ll find Israel’s highest point (2,236m) on the southern slopes of the Mt Hermon and also an Israeli ski resort, the Mount Hermon Ski Resort. It has over 45km of ski runs, offering something for every level of skier, including two Olympic-standard slopes. It also provides tobogganing - for both children and adults brave enough to try the 900-metre course. And the area is just as spellbinding when the snow melts in the spring, providing blooming wildflowers, soaring raptors and gorgeous vistas.

And then finally, head off to the Jewish Quarter for some retail therapy via the ancient Cardo shopping street. Part history lesson, part window shopping, it’s amazing to think that many of its premises have been shops for over 3,000 years.

Haifa international Film Festival City of Haifa; October 2011; www.haifaff.co.il Founded in 1983 as the first international film festival in Israel, the Haifa International Film Festival grew up to be the most prestigious cinematic event of the country.

With its exquisite location on Mount Carmel overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, a high quality programme, and a friendly atmosphere, it attracts an audience of 70,000 spectators. The three main competitions feature ‘The Israeli Film Competition’, ‘The Golden Anchor Competition for Mediterranean Cinema’ and ‘Filmmakers of Tomorrow’. During the festival, you can also see non-competitive films and take part in outdoor events.

Jerusalem The next stop on our journey leads us to the vibrant metropolis of Jerusalem, the melting pot of three world religions where the ancient and modern worlds collide.

Covering all the endless possibilities of this ancient city in just a few words is nearly impossible. Only one thing is certain: the city so holy to Judaism, Islam and Christianity offers attractions for everybody and everything.

If you have only a few days at your disposal, the best way to see a lot is to hop on and off one of the Egged’s 99 Circular Route buses (www.egged.co.il), which passes 35 of the most important sites and gives commentaries in eight languages. Or join the Sandeman’s free guided tour (www.newjerusalemtours.com) and choose between a New Jerusalem Tour, a Holy City Tour and a Mount of Olives Tour. While a more sporting alternative is an ecobike-tour (www.ecobike.co.il) where an English guide takes you on a tour up the Judean Mountains while telling you fascinating stories and facts about life in Jerusalem.

Temple Mount The site of Solomon‘s Temple is the holiest site of Judaism, the Foundation Stone, and home to the third holiest site of Islam, the Dome of the Rock, which has a massive golden dome that is impossible to miss in the Jerusalem skyline. Beneath the Foundation Stone is the Well of Souls, believed by many to be the location of the Holy of Holies in Solomon‘s Temple, which Jews traditionally face while praying.

Western Wall Also known as the Wailing Wall, there are no sights more synonymous with Jerusalem than one of Jews facing a wall and praying rather loudly. Located at the foot of the western side of the Temple Mount, the Western Wall is an original wall of the Jewish Temple’s courtyard and the closest location to the Foundation Stone that a Jew can pray. This, and the original destruction of Solomon’s Temple, causes much wailing. But you’re welcome to join them (wearing a yarmulke of course), write your wish on a note, and leave it with countless other notes in the wall. They’re collected every Friday so make sure you specify which night you want to get lucky on.

Holy Week The biggest draw for every Christian tourist is Jerusalem during Holy Week. Pilgrims from all over the world remember and re-enact the last days of Jesus’s life along the Via Dolorosa, the way of sorrows. The Way of the Cross leads all the way up to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, better known as Golgotha and the place where Jesus was crucified and buried. Nearby are the locations where he prayed before he was arrested, and had the Last Supper. While you’re there, look out for daytrips to nearby Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus.

Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem Museum Row, 25 Avraham Granot Street, Jerusalem; Sun, Mon, Tue & Thu 09:30-17:30, Wed 9:30-21:30, Fri and holiday eves 09:30-14:00, Sat 10:00-15:00; tickets: adults 40sh, concessions 20sh; www.blmj.org A tour is like taking a walk through biblical times as the treasures on display reveal the magnificent cultures and achievements of the past. Next to the permanent exhibition, a number of temporary exhibitions present archaeological findings and modern art in a biblical context.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Jerusalem Light Festival Takes place in June; www.en.lightinjerusalem.org.il International artists fill the Old City’s darkness with light installations as different coloured light cords lead you along the passageways to all the events.

Eilat Eilat is the most southern destination in Israel and its most popular tourist spot. It’s warm all year around – the perfect location for a winter holiday. Located at the Gulf of Eilat, the 12km-long coastline is Israel’s only access to the Red Sea and the home of numerous high class hotels, spa resorts, beautiful beaches and bays. Its crystal clear, turquoise-blue water make it the perfect location for scuba diving and snorkelling, and if you like: surfing and swimming with dolphins.

Recommended venues in Eilat Dolphin Reef Open Sun-Thu 09:00-17:00, Fri-Sat 09:00-16:30; Tickets: adults 64sh, under-15s 44sh Swim with the dolphins at this unique ecological site. This is no gimmick. Should you enter the water the well-treated bottlenose dolphins will engage you in spontaneous interaction, allowing you to swim close to them, although there are certain things they will probably want to do in private – those baby dolphins didn’t come from the local aquapark.

Yad Vashem The Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority, Har Hazikaron, Jerusalem; Sun-Wed 09:00-17:00, Thu 9:00-20:00, Fri and holiday eves 09:00-16:00; free adm; www1.yadvashem.org Yad Vashem is the international centre for the commemoration, documentation, research and education of the Holocaust.

As well as its vast collection of exhibits, it has a huge archive, research facilities, a visual centre, a synagogue, and the underground Children’s Memorial. This is a tribute to the 1.5 million Jewish children who perished - memorial candles are reflected in a dark space to create an impression of an infinite number of stars, while the names, ages and nationalities of the murdered children are recited in the background.

Recommended activities in Jerusalem The Night Spectacular Tower of David Museum, Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem; Mon, Wed & Thu 20:00 and 21:00, Sat 20:00, 21:00 & 22:15; tickets: adults 55 shekels, concessions 45sh; www.towerofdavid.org.il Go back to the Tower of David Museum after dark. Four days a week a nightly spectacle unfolds on the wall of the old Citadel’s courtyard as the story of Jerusalem is projected and accompanied by original music. The structures of the wall complement the pictures and you are carried away to a magical world of sound and vision.

Jerusalem Botanical Gardens To get a bit of peace and quiet, take a little detour to the Jerusalem Botanical Gardens. Harbouring around 10,000 plant species from all over the world, it features a bible path, a bonsai section, endangered species, a tropical conservatory and an African section.

Recommended events in Jerusalem There are numerous festivals and events going on throughout the year – to name but a few, there is the International Jerusalem Book Fair in February, the Israel Festival of Performing Arts in May, the Jerusalem Film Festival in June, the Wine Festival in July, the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival in September, and just outside Jerusalem, the Abu Gosh Vocal Music Festival in October.

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The Underwater Observatory Marine Park Coral Beach; open daily 08:30-17:00, Fri and holidays 08:3016:00; tickets: adults 89sh, kids 69sh, Oceanarium only 10sh; www.coralworld.com/eilat Scared to swim and dive? Now you have no more excuses to avoid the inhabitants of the Red Sea, as the Eilat Underwater Observatory offers the perfect conditions to meet them all and keep your feet dry at the same time. A thick wall of glass shelters the viewing rooms and brings you the breathtaking world of the ‘live aquarium’, a natural coral reef with ever-changing visitors. In addition to that you can see 35 traditional aquariums, where you can learn more about the species in the Red Sea and observe divers as they descend into the tanks during feeing hours. Don’t miss the observatory’s dark room that harbours luminous fish and coral that normally live in the deepest waters of the ocean.

Recommended activities near and in Eilat Glass-bottomed boat tours Operators: The Jules Verne Explorer, Israel Yam, Galaxy; www. explore-eilat.com If the observatory was not exciting enough for you, you can hop on one of the glass-bottomed boat tours, which are offered by several operators in Eilat. The two-hour tours include a trip to the Dolphin Reef and the Coral Beach Reserve and can be combined with speedboat trips and paragliding. The clear waters of the Red Sea give way to amazing views of coral reefs and colourful fish.

Camel Treks Operators: Camel Ranch, www.camel-ranch.co.il; Camel Riders, www.camel-riders.co.il The ships of the desert will take you into the hot and dry backlands of the modern city of Eilat and up the cliffs overlooking the Great Rift Valley. You can either book a half-day tour (four hours), a sunset excursion (two hours) or even a four to six-day tour with overnights in local accommodations. If the back of a camel is too unsteady for you, the operators also offer feasting fun Bedouin-style, with belly dancers, traditional music, storytellers and food.

Organic Botanical Garden of Eilat www. botanicgarden.co.il Imagine you’ve been stumbling through the desert for what seems like forever. Ahead you see a lush, green, chemical-free rainforest. But this is no mirage. Opened in June 2010 after 12 years of hard work, you will close your eyes and swear you’re in the Amazon as sprinklers lightly cool you, while a welcoming breeze makes the trees whisper.

Israel - 4 November 2011

where 967 zealots held out against the Roman Army for the whole of the winter of 72-73 AD, before a mass suicide prevented their enemy from taking them alive. A symbol of Jewish resistance ever since, there are few better experiences than watching the sun rise from its lofty ramparts above the excavations and the Dead Sea Valley. But don’t worry if you don’t fancy it as there’s a cable car that will take you to the top – three minutes to ponder on how difficult it must have been to take ten elephants up the hill for a recent opera performance.

Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Archaeology Wing The Israel Museum; Sat-Mon and Wed-Thu 10:00-17:00, Tue 16:00-21:00, Fri and holiday eves 10:00-14:00; tickets: adults 48sh, concession 24-36sh; www.english.imjnet.org.il Here, a whole floor is dedicated to the dawn of civilization, the Egypt of the Pharaohs, the ancient Near East, the Land of Canaan, Israel and the Bible, Muslims and Crusaders, Roman rule and the Holy Land. There is no other place where you will get more information about the past than here.

The Rockefeller Museum The Israel Museum, 27 Sultan Suleiman Street, Jerusalem; open Sun, Mon, Wed & Thu 10:00-15:00, Sat 10:00-14:00; www.imj.org. il/rockefeller Built on the site of Sheikh Muhammed al-Halili’s property, the Rockefeller Museum is located just outside the Old City overlooking the Temple Mount. Opened in 1938, it displays a vast amount of archaeological findings and a collection of antiques, which were mainly found at excavation sites conducted during the time of the British Mandatory Government. The exhibition is arranged in chronological order from prehistoric times to the Ottoman period, including a 9,000-year old statue from Jericho and much more.

The Kings City Eastern Lagoon, Eilat; www.kingscity.co.il Your kids will love the Kings City, a kid-friendly amusement park based upon biblical themes. You will pass the King Solomon Falls by boat, have fun in the Caves of Illusion and Wisdom, listen to the tales of the Pharaohs in a 4D film, and watch moving models depicting key scenes from the Bible.

Hai Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve www.explore-eilat.com/hai-bar-yotvata Established in 1968, on a guided tour of the 45 sqkm big safari park you can observe all kinds of animals in their natural habitat. The species living in the reserve – look out for the hyenas, jackals, caracals and snakes in the Predator Centre - have all been mentioned in the Bible and are mostly endangered.

Raymon crater A daytrip excursion outside of Eilat brings you to the breathtaking setting of the heart-shaped Ramon crater, the world’s largest natural erosion crater ( a ‘makhtesh’). Despite the obvious similarities, this geological landmark is not formed by meteors, but by natural erosion – a commonplace feature of the Negev desert.

Recommended events in Eilat Epson Red Sea Israeli Red Sea coastline; 13-16 November 2011; info@eilatredsea.com; www.eilatredsea.com Every year the world’s largest marine photography competition (aka ‘the international underwater Olympics’) takes place on the beautiful coast of Israel. More than 100 international underwater photographers gather for this annual event and fight a neck-and-neck race to win the first prize in six different categories. Amateurs are also welcome to register for the amateur competition, so schedule your autumn holidays a bit later this year and if you don’t win, have a chat with the who’s who of photography at the big celebration party at the end of the competition.

Red Sea Jazz Festival 19-21 January 2012; www.redseajazzeilat.com/en A cultural jewel of the region is the Red Sea Jazz Festival. Taking place every August, it is probably the hottest jazz festival you will ever attend, with performances by the best artists on the national and international jazz scenes.

of archaelogical interest Israel’s history has been influenced by countless cultures, all of which have left their traces and monuments for us to marvel at.

Jerusalem’s past alone reads like a veritable who’s who of ancient history. It was after a battle of religions, and founded by King David in approximately 1003 BC, made legendary by temple-building King Solomon, destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, conquered by Alexander the Great, ruled by Herod the Great, the scene of the last days of Jesus Christ, burnt down by the Romans, invaded by Muslim Saladin and exposed to a battle of religions, controlled by Ottoman Suleiman the Magnificent. To get an overview, you better visit the archaeology wing of The Israel Museum, or the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and Davidson Center, or just breath the spirit of history walking through the city.

The region of Galilee alone is enough to last an entire holiday, so you might have to book a second and third trip to see all the treasures found in the rest of Israel – around 3,500 of them are recorded, of which many are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Among the places worth visiting are Caesarea, the site of King Herod’s magnificent port city and the former Roman capital, which has an outstanding aqueduct and a splendid golf course; the modern city of Akko, which harbours the oldest port of the world and used to be an important crusader’s town in medieval times; and Tel Mediggo, the legendary Armageddon, which dates back to the early Bronze Age where excavations have uncovered 26 different layers of ancient remains.

Or head south to pass Herodium, another one of King Herod’s fortresses and palaces, where he is supposed to be buried, and Timna, where the Egyptians started digging for copper thousands and thousands of years ago. An expedition in the late 1950s discovered around 10,000 ancient copper mines, rock drawings, shrines, temples, jewellery and artefacts.

recommended venues of archaeological interest Masada at sunrise Easy access from Dead Sea No trip to the holy land is complete without climbing Masada at dawn to enjoy the sunrise from its ruins. Masada was a fortress

Jerusalem Archaeological Park & Davidson Center Temple Mount Excavations, Dung Gate, Jerusalem; open Sun-Thu 08:00-17:00, Fri 08:00-14:00; admission: adults 30sh, concessions 16sh; www.archpark.org.il The Jerusalem Archaeological Park stretches from the Temple Mount, over the slope of the Mount of Olives and the Kidron Valley, all the way to the Valley of Hinnom and has been designed as an open museum to relive 5,000 years of history. Six different routes lead you to all the important sites of the second Temple Period, the Roman and Byzantine Period and the Early Islamic Period. The Davidson Center supports the project with exhibitions and illustrations describing Jerusalem’s main episodes.

SPECIAL SECTION: The Dead Sea The Dead Sea, which is 423m below sea level, is the lowest elevation on the face of the planet. It is best known for its high salt content and the healing qualities of its water and mud. It has been a health resort for over 2,000 years - King Herod the Great swore by the virtues of its waters and other benefits.

Its lowness results in lesser ultraviolet radiation and the increased atmospheric pressure benefits people who suffer from reduced respiratory function. And the chemical uniqueness of the water attracts people with skin diseases. Furthermore, recent studies also revealed that bathing in the Dead Sea may lower the blood sugar level of diabetes patients.

Nevertheless, you should still go there if you are totally healthy.

Thanks to its 28 percent salt content, virtually everything floats on the water, which is handy as you don’t want to inhale the water or get it in your eyes so it’s best to concentrate while reading the newspaper, floating on your back. Remember to always bathe on the authorised beaches while the life guards are on duty, and not to float away from their watchful eyes.

Although it might have been hard to feign interest in the crossword when 1,000 Israelis stripped off on September 17 to raise international awareness how the Dead Sea is receding. Don’t worry if you missed it because US photographer Spencer Tunick was there to catch the moment.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

TEL AVIV

The vibrant city where the young can never sleep and the old could never leave. By Dominique Barir Jensen It was nothing but sand dunes 102 years ago, but today Tel Aviv is a bustling city by the sea with 300 plus days of sunshine - truly a place you can never get enough of. They call it the ‘Miami of the Middle East’ – you’ll have to make up your own mind whether this is because of the beaches, the babes or the bars. It goes without saying that any day should combine all three!

Having mostly managed to stay out of the economic recession, Tel Aviv is still constantly popping out new restaurants, hotels and boutiques. Meanwhile, old run-down areas are being reconstructed, new skyscrapers are being built to fill the beautiful skyline, and the contemporary art scene continues to grab the world’s attention.

Any trip to Tel Aviv is a holiday of two halves: there is the day and there is the night, and the seasoned traveller will do their best to enjoy them both. Without further ado, here are our guides to the coolest neighbourhoods and nightspots in the town that never sleeps.

TOP HOODS KIKAR HAMEDINA

If you have the money and the desire to do some luxury shopping in Tel Aviv, Kikar Hamedina (State Square) is the place to be and be seen.

Its many luxury apartments and stores have made it Tel Aviv’s chicest and priciest shopping plaza. The plaza offers many international designer luxury stores, including Gucci, Prada, Yves Saint Lauren, Chanel and Ralph Lauren. If you prefer to shop in local exclusive boutiques, Helga Designs and Enigma are good places to start. There are also a few cafés and bakeries scattered around the circular square.

Tel Aviv Museum of Art 27 Shaul Hamalech Blvd; not open on Sundays; www.tamuseum.com Israel’s leading museum of contemporary art and home to one of the largest collections of Israeli art since its founding in 1932.

NEVE TZEDEK

Neve Tzedek is a small exciting area with no shortage of things to do and see. There are several beautiful historical structures, and there are several tours offered for tourists and locals to learn more about the history of the area.

Bauhaus Centre Tour 99 Dizengoff st; tours in English on Fridays at 10:00; info@bauhaus-center.com; www.bauhaus-center.com This tour takes you back to the very first days of Tel Aviv, showing the old 19th century structures and picturesque alleys of the city and some of the most significant cultural items of the city’s development throughout the 20th century.

Nahum Guttmann Museum of Art 21 Shimon Rockach; www.gutmanmuseum.co.il Nahum Guttmann was an influential Russian-born Israeli who wrote books, sculpted and painted in Israel from 1903 until he died in 1980.

Most of his collections have been transferred to his museum, which has become a popular tourist attraction since it opened in 1988.

NAMAL TEL AVIV (TEL AVIV PORT)

The Namal, which was opened in 1936, is now Tel Aviv’s coolest hang-out area with several restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shops all located on wooden decks inspired by the sand dunes of Tel Aviv.

Shalvata In the port; open weekends from 21:00-last customer; cost per customer 60-120 shekels; www.shalvata.rest-e.co.il Named after a famous mental institution in Israel, Shalvata (meaning tranquility) is one of the port’s trendiest dining places with its spectacular view of the Mediterranean Sea. It has a relaxed atmosphere, a delicious menu and excellent service.

TEL AVIV BEACHES

Tel Aviv’s Mediterranean beaches have led to it being widely compared with Miami. Along the west shore, one long beach has been divided into eight, the most popular of which is the Gordon Beach, right across from the Sheraton Hotel, which is always full of young people, families and tourists. Among the others, Atzmout is a gay beach, which is right next to the religious beach.

Topsy Bar Hilton Beach Topsy Bar is a beach restaurant bar that is open during the day on the Hilton Beach, which is known for its waveless water and boasts many kayaks, boats and surfboards.

BASEL SQUARE

In the heart of Northern Tel Aviv, Basel Square is where all the chic locals go out to drink their espressos, and the hip young women come to get their unconventional designer clothing.

Etsel Ronen 16 Ashturi Hapharchi St If you’re in the mood for hummus, this small unassuming restaurant offers excellent Yeminite food – I recommend the jachnun. Note that the restaurant is closed on Friday evenings and Saturdays due to religious reasons.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Vaniglia 22 Ashturi Hapharchi St Vaniglia offers Italian ice cream so delicious that even Italians don’t complain.

Del-Arte 9 Ashturi Hapharchi St This little store sells beautiful handmade items.

THE SHEINKIN AREA Sheinkin Street is a hip and artsy street in Tel Aviv, known for its colours and all the eclectic and fashionable people strolling about, and its youthful atmosphere. The street has a wide range of different stores and stalls, as well as several fruit juice stands. On Friday at noon, the street is livened up even more by music and dancing.

Carmel Market Allenby St Carmel, or Shuk Ha’Carmel as it is known locally, is the city’s biggest and after most colourful market is also the best place to go for fresh food. Located close to the new renovated and historically interesting Hatachana Complex, there are bargains galore on a wide range of edibles and collectibles – don’t forget to haggle!

Tel Aviv Flea Market Jerusalem Boulevard and Yeffet St, Jaffa In Jaffa, not far from the Carmel Market, is the city’s most popular flea market, Shuk Hapishpeshim, where you can find a whole range of goods to fill your house. From antique furniture to fabrics and fittings, there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. Once again, be prepared to haggle as the asking prices tend to be quite steep.

Nahalat Binyamin Nahalat Binyamin is a pedestrian street that holds a spectacular arts and crafts market every Tuesday and Thursday. Highly recommended.

Loveat 3 Nahalat Binyamin This café serves organic sandwiches, pastries and drinks while offering a pleasant view of Nahalat Binyamin, particularly on Tuesdays and Thursdays when the market is running.

PARK HAYARKON The Yarkon Park in the north end of Tel Aviv offers a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv. But even in the quiet park, there is no shortage of things to do.

The Zapari www.zapari.co.il This is the biggest bird park in the Middle East with several types of birds including flamingos, peacocks, and parrots. There is also a lake and a petting zoo area with reptiles including snakes. Entrance costs 50 shekels.

Wall Climbing & Mini-Golf There’s a vertical wall for both kids and grown-ups to practice their climbing skills for 50 shekels. And the miniature gold course on the northern bank of the Yarkon River is suitable for adults and children alike.

out and about in tel aviv!

TOP nightspots Ecopak 2 Reines St; open daily 22:00-last customer Quirky, unpredictable, be prepared for the weird and wonderful at Ecopark near Dizengoff Sq. Recent nights have included an all-sandals affair and one that climaxed in an inflatable swimming pool. In a word: eccentric.

Herbert Samuel 6 Koifman St; open 12:00-24:00 This is a tapas restaurant … with a difference. All the dishes are starters, but they’re not Spanish, they’re Israeli. Situated on the promenade with wonderful sea views, and open to past midnight, Herbert Samuel is the brainchild of acclaimed haute-cuisine chef Yonathan Roshfeld. Recommended dishes include the Calamari served with white beans and a warm tahini sauce, and the Chestnut, beans and truffle soup. In a word: special

Galina Tel Aviv Port; open daily 21:00-last customer Dance like a lunatic, but in a classy ambience, complete with strobe lights, VIPs sipping champagne, and leggy ladies dancing on the bar, often looking for love. While there’s a quieter seating area overlooking the ocean, this one’s all about dancing to enchant. In a word: sexy.

virgin mary’s Brasserie 70 Eiben-Gabirol St, open 24/7 You’ve been working or clubbing all night and there’s nowhere open. Wrong!

Because while the Virgin Mary’s Brasserie never opened, this French restaurant never closes, serving Eggs Benedict to shift workers in the early hours and the highly recommended Crab Ravioli to diners during the evening. In a word: convenient

Whisky Gogo 3 Ha Ta’arucha St, Tel Aviv Port; open daily 21:30-last customer About a block away from Galina is another dancefloor on which to leave your rivals in awe. Covered wall-to-wall in glass, with red lights that beat in time to the music, the overall look is an awesome one. If you dig burlesque, look out for the theme nights. In a word: glassy.

Orna and Ella 33 Shenkin St; open Sun-Fri 10:00-00:00, Sat 11:00-00:00 A bistro famed for its homemade ethos and charming service. Founded over a decade ago by two ladies, this is food your mother might have made had she come from Tuscany. Recommended dishes include the Fresh homemade Pasta or the Sweet Potato fritters. Booking is advised due to its popularity, as is trying the desserts. Good news: they have a cookbook; Bad new: it’s only in Hebrew. In a word: homely bad news.

Evita Yavne St; open daily 21:00-last customer Not only is Evita the best known gay bar and club, it is also a great place to find out info about a whole range of LGBT hang-outs and events, many of which it hosts itself including Eurovision, drag and mature nights. In a word: friendly

Fortuna del Mar 6 Ehad Ha’am St; open daily 10:00-last customer It wouldn’t be the Mediterranean without a taverna on this list. Fortuna del Mar takes its inspiration from several of the sea’s famous cuisines, and its wonderfully romantic setting in the marina, just outside Gordon pool, has made it one of the city’s biggest draws for couples. The most recommended dish is the focaccia, while you can’t go wrong with a plate full of roasted peppers and aubergines, and a side order of tzatziki. In a word: romantic

Nanutchka 30 Lilenblum St; open daily 12:00-late Popular with an older crowd who want to escape the young trendies, this place is impromptu and up for anything. Relax, go wild – it caters for all comers. In a word: impromptu.

223 223 Dizengoff St; open daily 19:00-last customer Serving the best and most original cocktails in town, this hangout is a huge draw for hipsters. A constant ‘80s soundtrack blends in with the bright retro décor to generate a warm, golden but yet cool atmosphere. In a word: hip

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Israel - 4 November 2011

ISRAELIS ABOUT TOWN PHOTOS BY HASSE FERROLD

In mid-August this year, more than 200 people turned up for the opening of ‘A Life Fragment’, an exhibition at Copenhagen City Hall featuring the work of two photographers – Pamela Juhl and Leonid Padrul – taken in each other’s countries: Denmark and Israel. Pictured here enjoying the occasion are (left-right) Israeli ambassador Arthur Avnon, Juhl, Padrul and Copenhagen’s mayor for culture, Pia Allerslev. Tak and shalom!

The memory expert and writer Eran Katz, pictured here with BCCD president Mariano Davies, was in Copenhagen in June to present seminars on human intelligence in which he recommended techniques to boost memory power.

Next week he will be attending the Copenhagen Book Fair with his new book in Danish. As his website notes, his wife “continually complains that he never remembers to take out the garbage”.

Just over two years ago, Denmark was pleased to welcome Nobel peace prize winner Shimon Peres, the former prime minister of Israel and current president, to COP15, the annually-held UN Climate Change Conference, which took place in December 2009 in Copenhagen. Here he is pictured with the former Danish foreign minister, Per Stig Møller.

Israeli writer David Grossman was among the honorary guests at the four-day Louisiana Literature event that ended in September. His book ‘To the End of the Land’, which had just been published in Danish by Forleget Vandkunsten, has been translated into more than 30 languages and praised by the Danish press as a masterpiece.

Meanwhile, another of his works, the children’s ‘Book of Intimate Grammar’, has recently been made into a movie, which was shown at the Buster Film Festival in Copenhagen in September.

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Caught here on camera attending a special reception at the residence of the Israeli ambassador in May were (leftright) no fewer than three winners of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry: (left-right) Professor Avram Hershko and his wife Judith, Israeli ambassador Arthur Avnon and his wife Dinah, Professor Ada Yonath, and Professor Aaron Ciechanover. For more details on their achievements turn to page 4.

Israel’s most famous writer Amoz Oz was an esteemed guest of the Black Diamond in late May. Attending the library’s International Authors Stage, he answered questions on his book, ‘Scenes from village life’, one of 18 novels he has written, many of which have been translated into 30 languages. Here he is pictured with Israeli ambassador Arthur Avnon.

Among the special guests at last year’s Copenhagen Book Forum was Lizzie Doron (centre), the acclaimed Israeli author of ‘Why didn´t you come BEFORE the War?’ Pictured with her are Israeli ambassador Arthur Avnon and the Israeli Embassy’s deputy head of mission, Dan Oryan.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

culture

top

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Israel takes its culture seriously. While Tel Aviv and Jerusalem are rich without trying, it has of late made a concerted effort to breathe sophistication into other areas, most notably the city of Holon in the Tel Aviv District, which is rapidly emerging as one of the biggest cultural hubs in the region.

By Ben Hamilton

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Dancing played a large part in the celebrations following the return to their homeland in the first half of the 20th century Israeli folk dancing particularly. The famous wedding dance, the hora, was introduced by the Romanian Jewish dancer Baruch Agadati, who featured it in a show in which he toured the pioneer settlements of the Jezreel Valley in 1924. Since then, many dance companies have been formed - the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, Inbal Dance Theater (specializes in Yemenite dancing), Bat-Dor Dance Company, Batsheva Dance Company, and the Israel Ballet, which was founded in 1967 and is respected throughout the world. Also making her mark internationally is Silvia Duran, an Israeli flamenco dancer, who in 2010 was honoured by King Juan Carlos I of Spain for training generations of flamenco dancers at her studio in Tel Aviv.

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For a taste of Israeli opera, travel to the country in June 2012 to attend Carmen at Masada – it truly promises to be a magical performance (June 7, 9 & 10). Like its ballet scene, Israeli opera is widely respected. Opera’s roots in the country go back to

Israel has more museums per capita than any other country and the second highest number of new books per capita.

1923 with a performance of La Traviata, but it was not until 1945 that opera really took hold when newly-arrived American soprano Edis de Philippe founded the Israel National Opera. In 1982 the government cut funding, but the public felt the loss and by 1985 there was a new company, and by 1994, a new state-of-the-art opera house at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center to perform in.

Two points of trivia: the first opera written in Hebrew was Dan the Guard, and in the 1960s Placido Domingo spent three years with the company.

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Israel’s most internationally-acclaimed current film director is Ari Folman following his breakout success, ‘Waltz With Bashir’, in 2008. The animated documentary film about military service in the country won the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film and was nominated for an Academy Award in the same category – the first time a cartoon has ever received a nomination in this category. Both LA Weekly and Hollywood Reporter named it their film of the year. Folman is currently working on ‘The Congress’, which is due out in 2013 and stars Robin Wright, Paul Giamatti and Harvey Keitel. He is the director and co-writer, and it will be his first full-length film since ‘Waltz With Bashir’.

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Israeli television is on the ascendancy after two of its drama series were bought by US broadcasters. ‘Gavoha & Greenbaum’, about two aspiring photographers from Ramat-Gan who want to make it in the film business, has been bought by ABC, while NBC has picked up the rights to ‘Timrot Ashan’ (‘Pillars of Smoke’), a Twin Peaks-like drama that follows a police investigation in the rural area of the Golan Heights. Other Israeli dramas adapted by the US recently include ‘The Naked Truth’, ‘Traffic Lights’, ‘Homeland’ and ‘The Ex-List’.

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No visit to Israel is complete without a visit to the culturally rich city of Holon, the undisputed epicentre of culture and education in the country. Visitors are advised to go to its renowned design museum – the building alone is worth the admission price. Designed by Ron Arad, the iconic building that houses Design Museum Holon cost $17 million to establish and needs to be seen to be believed. The city is also the home of the Holon Institute of Technology, the cultural hub Holon Mediatheque, and the National Israeli Cartoon Museum.

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Every two years in October, Israel hosts the Herzliya Biennial of Contemporary Art (www.herzliya-biennial.com). The latest edition, which was run in collaboration with Art TLV, opened last month on October 9 at the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art and other venues in the city. The showpiece of the biennial was ‘The Second Strike’, an international contemporary art exhibition curated by Ory Dessau, showing works of 35 Israeli and international artists. The title of the exhibition refers to a second nuclear attack, implying that there has already been a first one and that you are already in the eye of the storm. It reflects on how second strikes are commonplace in history, art and media and asks: Who has the last word?

Israel receives more media coverage, per capita and per square foot, than any other nation on earth.

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Not long ago the country’s largest museum, the 20-acre Israel Museum in Jerusalem, was renovated at a cost of $100 million. Containing the most comprehensive collection of art in the Middle East, the museum’s exhibits will take you on “a narrative from the beginning of time till today” - museum director James Snyder told media last July ahead of its reopening. The work included a $3 million restoration of the Shrine of the Book housing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a $6 million expansion of the

complex to encompass the 50:1 scale model of Jerusalem in the Second Temple period, as well as a new Dead Sea Scrolls Study Center.

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Israel has more museums per capita than any other country and the second highest number of new books per capita.

Israel has the third highest ratio of university degrees per capita in the world (24 percent – half of whom hold advanced degrees) and produces significantly more scientific papers (109 per 10,000 people) than any other nation by a large margin.

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Israel receives more media coverage, per capita and per square foot, than any other nation on earth.

Israel - 4 November 2011

The art

of a good

d n u o r g play

chief reason why people are so drawn towards his sculptures, and why they have such a positive affect on the environments in which they are placed, is fundamentally based upon our desire to touch the sculptures.

I

n 1996, Ruslan Sergeev, an emerging Belarusian sculptor, moved from his native Minsk to Jerusalem where he set up his studio and began to work with some of Israel’s leading architects. Since then he has been busy introducing the fascinating, playful and surrealistic into urban environments in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa through his public sculptures.

Over the last 15 years Sergeev has gone on to produce over 90 largescale environmental sculptures constructed from durable recycled materials - such as ceramics, glass, stone and concrete - in Israel, England, Germany, USA, and Russia.

Sergeev’s child-like sculptures have attracted the attention of international architects, environmentalist organisations, and art theorists. Thematically, his art transcends the boundaries of fantasy, dreams and the imagination, while from a design perspective the urban space contours of Sergeev’s art transcend the boundaries of fantasy while maintaining a strong sense of naivety, appearing unimposing in their environments, unthreatening and patently inviting - particularly towards children who can often be seen climbing the mosaic playgrounds. While maintaining a strong sense of naivety, they remain unimposing, unthreatening and patently inviting - particularly towards children who can often be seen climbing these mosaic playgrounds.

In an interview with Doran Pollack, the Israeli representative for the International Artists’ Museum, Sergeev acknowledged the naivety present in his work commenting: “I think there is an inner child in everyone, right!? It is important to keep that child inside of you, and I hope I remain that child until the end of my life.”

The popularity of Sergeev’s sculptures with the public has sparked interest too from urban planners and designers due to their compelling functionality. At the very foundations of the sculptures Sergeev’s sentiment that “the city is much more than a mere residence” strongly reflects in the way that his sculptures acknowledge the urban environments in which they stand as living organisms into which they breathe vitality, effervescence and adventure.

A fellow countryman of Sergeev’s, Dr Vladislav Kipnis, in a short academic paper entitled ‘The Wonders of Ruslan Sergeev’ identified that the

Elaborating on this insight, Kipnis pointed out that Sergeev frequently draws inspiration from sympathetic creatures such as insects, reptiles, fish and mythical animals - which notably pose no threat towards man – so the sculptures quintessentially mirror this dynamic in nature, and they have therefore created a reciprocal love between the people and the sculptures themselves.

The medium through which he communicates this ostensible ‘love’ has, quite naturally, invited comparisons with the great Catalan modernist Antoni Gaudí. To a certain extent, Sergeev’s influence has profoundly altered the architectural landscape of Jerusalem in the same way that Barcelona became an extension of Gaudí’s sprawling imagination. Of course, this comparison goes beyond the mere stylistic preference of both artists’ tendencies to use mosaic patterns as a basis for their expression.

Doran Pollack has poetically justified this relationship between the two artists commenting that “the similarity between Gaudí and Sergeev can be felt mainly in their love of mankind, the attempt to delight the passerby, the aspiration to conduct a creative dialogue with the observer and the invitation to confront and enjoy the creation.” In contrast to mainstream public art, Sergeev’s work is intrinsically interactive and has been designed with the intent of introducing a new physical dimension to the urban landscape in which it stands, with his animal sculptures being popular children’s play areas.

Israel’s unique geographical location, in the very heartland of the Middle East where the cultures of the East and West collide, has had a profound impact on the country’s creative orientation, investing a rich diversity into Israel’s arts culture. Thinking about Sergeev’s sculptures within this context has enthralled several art theorists, such as David Feiffer in his seminal book ‘Understanding Art’, to contemplate the relationship between Sergeev’s sculptures and the tradition of the arts in the Middle East and its reflection in European art traditions.

While Sergeev is now becoming an increasingly popular figure in intellectual circles, and the meanings behind his work are increasingly being theorised about, it is essential that the physical presence of his work and the way it has enhanced urban spaces in a patently unique way in Israel, and indeed the world, remains the central point of interest.

All photographs by Hasse Ferrold

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Two millenia on from Christ

the blind can see again!

Israel has over the years become one of the world leaders in the development of technologies for the visually and hearing impaired. To a certain extent, a history of conflict has driven this. Many of Israel’s soldiers leave the battlefield suffering from problems with their hearing and sight – alleviating their suffering and doing as much as possible to restore their faculties is a great incentive. But, furthermore, the area has become a niche to the extent that Israel is pretty much the world leader. After all, how many other country’s currency notes are in Braille? By Valerie Mathis

Since its opening in Jaffa in 2007, Nalaga’at Centre has established a training programme designed to train deaf and blind people in the theatre arts, as well as sign language workshops and a workshop of clay sculpturing in the dark. Efforts are currently ongoing to develop new training programmes, workshops and courses, always with the idea of integrating deaf-blind people into the community.

Possibly inspired by Nalaga’at – who wouldn’t be? - author Avi Rubenstein last year channeled his creativity into creating a crossword written in Braille, making the centuries-old pastime accessible to blind people for the first ever time. Israel’s blind community were ecstatic, delighted to be finally able to do a crossword without relying on someone to read it to them.

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And there’s also good news for them in the world of smartphones where Israeli entrepreneur Michael Vakulenko has realised that current sensor capabilities – GPS, accelerometers, cameras, compasses, touch-screens, light sensors and other useful tools – can be utilised to help visually-impaired people to live far more independently. Together with fellow entrepreneurs Boaz Zilberman and Arik Siegel, he has set up Project RAY (www.project-ray.com), a new platform for apps and a user interface designed for the needs of blind people. For example, it will help them with their bearings out-

against blindness “ Theiswar far from being over

“

T

el Aviv’s Nalaga’at Theatre trains deaf, blind and deaf-blind actors to contribute to society by spreading art. The world of theatre was watching in 2002 when the Nalaga’at non- profit organisation performed ‘Light is Heard in Zig-Zag’, the first and only play ensemble with an entirely deaf-blind cast. The production received rave press reviews from around the world, and led to a second production, ‘Not by Bread Alone’, which is currently playing at Jaffa Port. The actors, accompanied at rehearsals and on stage by a personal interpreter, attested to the life-altering experience that the theatre has given them. “It really, really changed my life being here at Nalaga’at,” actress Batsheva Ravenseri told media through interpreter Feige Swirsky. “I got in touch with a lot of interpreters, who support us, and they love us and we love each other.”

ment and implementation the specific product that the company has been trying to create – an electric chip implanted in the eye to replace a damaged retina.

The war against blindness is far from being over, added Gefen. “One of my responsibilities is to bring people back to Earth and tell them that we are not yet at that stage”, Gefen added.

Professor Dave Weinberg, the manager of the eye unit at the Rabin Medical Center in Israel, agrees with Gefen that the path is a long one. “An implant in the retina must be accepted by the body and not be rejected, and until now every implant that has been performed in the eye has had to be removed,” he told Calcalist.

doors – like the exact street address and road they’re standing, and what direction they’re heading in – and ordering and listening to audiobooks. It will also identify medication by scanning the label and reading reads out the name. The playform is due out in early 2012.

But the idea of millions and millions of people walking around with an Israeli chip in the eye is appealing enough to someone like Yossi Gross, Nano Retina’s inventor and ‘spiritual leader’. His foundation has raised 40 million dollars and has invested in medical equipment in 12 startup companies, of which five are already performing trials on humans.

Elsewhere, in the area of nano-technology and medicine, years and years of passionate research are about to release what 45 million blind people worldwide have been waiting for: a technological development that will allow them to see. Nano Retina, an Israeli start-up, is behind the initiative. In an interview with Israeli business newspaper Calcalist last May, employee Raana Gefen mentioned having received numerous emails pleading for the develop-

In the meantime, Israel seems to be setting the right example to other countries. For instance, restaurants like ’Blackout’ in Jaffa, where blind and hearing-impaired waiters serve the guests a meal in total darkness, have been spreading across continents. After all, where impairments cannot be perfectly cured, social awareness and acceptance is key.

Israel - 4 November 2011

of the world’s best research institutions, geared toward the needs of the business sector.”

Interested in investing

in Israel?

A global leader in many hi-tech sectors such as electronics, generic pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and aeronautics, it is according to Ilana Krasnik, the commercial counsellor at the Royal Danish Embassy in Tel Aviv, “no coincidence that Google, Intel, Microsoft etc have set up centres of excellence here.” According to figures released by Invest Israel this year, across the sectors there are now a staggering 240 foreign R & D centres set up in Israel.

By Daniel Van der Noon

In testament to the general high level of efficiency, ingenuity and intelligence abounding from the country, Clifford Meltzer, the senior vice president of the network management technology group Cisco Systems, in 2007 remarked: “There are projects for which it won’t matter if tens of thousands of engineers work on it, or if a group of 100 engineers with a range of talents do all the work. Israel has such groups.”

So it is evident that there is an abundance of investment opportunities out there, with hundreds of success stories allaying the details, but of what significance is this for prospective Danish investors?

It seems that the challenge is to pin down where the Danish and Israeli sectors complement one another - a sentiment reinstated by Krasnik. “I feel that we can complement each other: Denmark has a lot to offer the Israelis, not only access to the European market, but also our timeless expertise in industrial design, biotechnology, wireless etc. In the energy field Denmark is years ahead of the Israelis in the implementation of green energy supply, smart grids, water management and feed-in tariffs.”

Danish investment in Israeli corporations and business is commonplace, particularly as the areas of specialisation of the two nations so often complement one another. Denmark was one of the first countries to invest in Israeli businessman Shai Agassi’s pioneering electric vehicles company, Better Place. A more recent example concerned the Saxo Bank Institute who acquired 25 percent of the broker solutions company Leverate Limited - the exact figures remain undisclosed but it has been estimated that the investment totalled $12.5 million (68.2 million kroner), thus valuing Leverate at $50 million.

Many economists, investment advisors and foreign investors are particularly drawn towards Israel’s innovative water-tech industry, and how this prosperous sector is about to make a real splash on the market.

“I think that the development in Israel in the field of water technology is something that really should be noticed in Denmark,” contended Anders Bo Jensen, the trade officer at the Israeli Embassy in Denmark.

“Water consumption is definitely going to be an issue in the coming decades, especially with the BRIC countries [Brazil, Russia, India and China] looking to improve water quality and availability for their populations. At the same time rapidly increasing amounts of waste water will need to be dealt with.”

years, Israel has become a magnet for foreign investors attracted by its cornucopia of unique assets and its glowing reputation as a hotbed for business innovation. Characterised by unrelenting entrepreneurship, pioneering technologies, profitable business opportunities and high investment returns, it’s no wonder that foreign investors are literally flooding into the country.

Israel’s prosperity is reflected in several chartered studies including The World Economic Forum (WEF) annual survey of 142 countries that rated the nation state as the 22nd most competitive country in the world, two places above its ranking in 2010.

The report referred to Israel as an “innovation powerhouse” pointing out that “Israel’s main strengths remain its worldclass capacity for innovation (sixth in the world), which rests on highly innovative businesses that benefit from the presence

think that the “Idevelopment in Israel in the field of water technology is something that really should be noticed in Denmark

“

In recent

Israeli water-tech companies such as Netafim, NEWTech, IDE Technologies Tahal Group, Amiad, and WhiteWater are already global leaders in the field - a point affirmed by George Gilder, the author of ‘The Israel Test’, who said “Israel is incontestably the world leader in water recycling and desalinisation.” However, the market is far from saturated, and although there are a number of world-renowned companies already based in Israel, there is still a lot of room for investment and development.

Such technologies will be showcased at WATEC (Water Technologies, Renewable Energy and Environmental Control conference) at the Israel Fairs & Conventions Center in Tel Aviv from November 15-17. An expected 3,000 foreign visitors, and more than 25,000 local participants will turn out for the two-day conference, with about 200 groups representing potential investors, companies and governments, and 40 young businesses seeking investment.

Commenting on the success of last year’s conference, Ilana Krasnik pointed out that “the Danish companies and universities are very impressed with the Israeli technology every time they come,” and it’s looking as though investment in this sector is the best bet for Danish investors.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Where Innovation Meets Implementation This November, modern and vibrant Tel Aviv will open its doors to the world’s latest innovations and ideas in the field of water, environment and energy industry with the biennial exhibition WATEC 2011, the sixth international exhibition and third international conference on water technologies, renewable energy and environmental control. By Valerie Mathis

T

he three-day-long event will host thousands of participants, including foreign water and environment industry experts and decision makers, keynote speakers, foreign ministers and official delegations. WATEC 2009 was attended by more than 20,000 visitors from 94 countries, and the same number is expected this year.

“Israel has become a water solution hub and is expanding its activities to alternative energy and environmental solutions too,” promises WATEC chairman Booky Oren. This year, challenges such as ‘Innovation to Implementation’ – referred to as ‘i2i’ – will be at the centre of debates and talks among world key decision-makers.

Israel’s scarce water resources have brought about a number of prominent developments. The country is a proud advocate of several of the world’s largest desalination plants, a leader in recycled water for agricultural consumption and in wastewater treatment and decontamination, operates a national water carrier, and is known for its integrative management of varied water sources. This

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‘ocean of innovations’ has put Israel at the forefront of the global arena in the water field, with a volume of water-related industrial export that has doubled between 2006 and 2009.

The launch of the National Program for Alternative Energy in 2008, whose objective is to maintain Israel’s world-leading role in renewable energy, has successfully placed Israel at the top of solar and geothermal technologies. It is now fair to say that the country is the nexus of environment technologies altogether.

With a dense programme held in the ‘city that never stops’, WATEC presents opportunities to learn about solutions to water and environmental challenges, as well as to find project partners, business ventures, and potential customers.

Special attention will be given to the Innovation Pavilion, where Israeli start-ups looking to explore partnerships will be put in the spotlight. Representatives of countries such as Denmark, Sweden,

Israel - 4 November 2011

Belgium, Italy, France, China, South Korea and the United States will be exposed in the International Pavilion, where prominent companies will cover a range of their own environment technology solutions.

“WATEC’s three days of talks and presentations are a perfect opportunity to hear from and meet water, energy and environment companies looking to share ideas through partnerships,” said Anders Bo Jensen, the trade officer for the Israeli Embassy in Denmark. The event facilitates networking through a Chance2Meet online tool, allowing access to all participants’ profiles prior to the conference.

And as any company is invited to exhibit – space can be bought and reserved in advance – there will be space for free dialogue among small businesses.

With the world’s major industry players, academic specialists, professional buyers and thousands of interested participants, WATEC 2011 will be the advocate for a better implementation of water and environment technologies, as well as renewable energy. And if in-

novation meets implementation, it will also create partnerships two key steps to improving the situation of billions of people. “This event is particularly relevant for the present situation in Africa, where solutions to coping with scarce water resources are already being sold,” added Jensen.

If you are interested in hearing more about participation at Watec 2011 and economic co-operation, feel free to contact Anders Bo Jensen at: The Trade Officer Embassy of Israel Lundevangsvej 4 DK-2900 Hellerup Direct tel: +45 88185526 Fax: +45 88185555 http://israeltradecopenhagen.blogspot.com/

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Israel - 4 November 2011

ISRAEL’S

ECONOMIC MIRACLE

lettuce field in the Sharon region, Israel

The state of Israel is just 63 years old, covers just 0.16 percent of the landmass of the Middle East, and contains a meagre population of just over 7.5 million. It has a lack of natural resources and is involved in a long and painful conflict. It beggars belief how this tiny nation has been able to compete economically, let alone become one of the world’s most dynamic, innovative and forward-thinking power-houses.

By Daniel Van der Noon

T

he reference to Israel as the ‘Start Up Nation’ nominally refers to its uncompromising business innovation, and its staggeringly high rate of entrepreneurship - in fact, Israel currently has the third highest rate in the world. Furthermore, with more than 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups, it has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world - with a coastline district of Israel wryly named ‘Silicon Wadi’, Hebrew for Silicon Valley. Approximately 1,000 companies are added to this community of start-ups each year, causing Israel to have the second highest number of start-up firms worldwide, after the US - although Israel is fast closing in on the difference every year.

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Perhaps more important is the fact that these companies are not merely contenders. Many are global leaders in their respective fields, raking in high profits, pioneering in new technologies, and attracting major foreign investment from some of the industry’s giants. In 1960, 70 percent of Israeli exports were oranges and other agricultural goods. In 2010, Israel exported $54.35 billion worth of goods, of which over 40 percent derived from the high-tech sectors - a sector mobilised largely by start-up companies that have continued to emerge from out of Israel since the early 1990s.

of development, are attempting to decipher this formula and find out if there is anything prescriptive to be learned as they seek to become, like Israel, one of the most competitive nations in the world. But it is unlikely they will be able to replicate many of Israel’s unique qualities, like for example its youth. Born in the middle of the 20th century, the country has been able to organise themselves much better in terms of infrastructure, education, and facilitating business innovation, learning from other, elder nation states.

According to Dan Senor, the co-author of the best-selling book, ‘Start-Up Nation: The Story of Israel’s Economic Miracle’ (2009), the start-up companies “attract more venture capital dollars per person than any country — 2.5 times the US, 30 times Europe, 80 times India, and 300 times China.” This thriving level of innovation reflects in the abundance of major international companies - such as IBM, Siemens, Motorola and Microsoft - that have major R & D centres sprawled across Israel. There are in fact a total of 240 foreign R & D centres now based in Israel, 30 percent of which are in IT and Enterprise Software.

The formula behind the country’s success has been dubbed the ‘trillion dollar question’, to which Dan Senor and Saul Singer’s Start-Up Nation offers an intriguing set of theorems.

It is unsurprising to note that many countries, at varying levels

From grass-roots schemes and government initiatives offering support to businesses through to the role of the military, the book is a rigorous study that takes a look at the pertinent sociological, political, and economical factors that have essentially shaped modern Israel.

Senor and Singer persuasively argued that at the butt of this miracle is Israel’s national work ethos, motivated by the nation’s un-

Israel - 4 November 2011

Israeli Success Stories

Netafim

Check Point Software Technologies Founded in 1993 in Ramat-Gan, Check Point is now the worldwide leader in internet security solutions with over 2,300 employees worldwide, offering internet protection services to millions of consumers and tens of thousands of organisations - including all Fortune and Global 100 companies - from hackers, identity thieves and spyware.

TEVA Headquartered in Tel Aviv, TEVA is a global pharmaceutical company specialising in the development, production and marketing of pharmaceuticals as well as active pharmaceutical ingredients. With operations in over 50 countries and approximately 26,000 employees worldwide, TEVA is Israel’s largest company and among the top 20 pharmaceutical companies in the world.

Teva

Keter Group Founded in Israel in 1948 by Joseph Sagol, the Keter Group - now one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of plastic consumer products - is one of Israel’s biggest success stories. Keter’s products are sold in over 90 countries worldwide. In 2010, sales reached close to $973 million worldwide.

Kamada - High Quality Pharmaceuticals Founded in Israel in 1998, Kamada is a biopharmaceutical company developing, producing and marketing a special line of life-saving therapeutics using patented chromatographic purification technology.

Netafim

Ormat Technologies

Established in Israel in 1965, Netafim is a global leader in smart drip and micro-irrigation water technology, offering pioneering water solutions for agriculture, and enabling high-quality crops to grow with the usage of less water.

Today Netafim operates in 112 countries around the world and has over 2,400 employees based in one of its 13 factories.

RAD Group Co-founded by two of Israel’s most successful entrepreneurs, the brothers Zohar and Yehuda Zisapel, the advanced hi-tech incubator has nurtured some of Israel’s most profitable start-ups that develop, manufacture, and offer marketing solutions in the networking and telecommunications industry.

InSightec InSightec is a private company that was founded specifically to develop magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound technology. A pioneering biotechnological company, it is making tremendous strides, helping to save lives and delivering state of the art equipment.

relenting mentality, which they describe using the Hebrew term ‘chutzpah’. This comprehensive state of mind, they observe, permeates every aspect of Israeli society and is the main ingredient that has spawned this envious brand ingenuity.

Combined with this is of course some pure economic and political stratagems implemented at government level. Senor and Singer argue that the role of the military is of great significance. On the one hand national conscription, they argue, instills young people with leadership skills that ultimately cannot be taught in the lecture theatre. On the other hand, investment in military R & D centres has led to a number of profitable technologies useful outside the theatre of war. They also flag up Israel’s immigration assimilation policies as fuelling this success, and encouraging rather than turning away foreign investment has been equally instrumental.

The combination of these key factors - as well as several others explained in the book, omitted for want of space - has ultimately led to a rich pool of talent, and a national entrepreneurial spirit that lines the very fabric of Israel’s infrastructure.

An example of such a set-up was a high-tech incubator platform for

Arab-Israeli start-ups known as New Generation Technology (NGT).

First established back in 2002 by Israeli-American investors Davidi Gilo and Nasri Said, many dismissed the organisation as a venture that would never work. Ten years later, and the NGT incubator in Nazareth is now thriving, and has fostered 20 start-up companies in various stages of development.

Alongside the hi-tech sector, Israel’s development in areas of irrigation, water management and water technology has experienced a growth-spurt in recent years with setups such as NEWTech, a national government programme promoting renewable water tech within the energy sector in Israel, which has led to mass investment in R & D and attracted the attention of entrepreneurs on a global scale.

Ormat Technologies Headquartered in Yavne, Ormat is a world leading geothermal power industry offering alternative and renewable solutions, with over 750 power units worldwide. Revenue for 2008 reached $344.83 million, with a net profit of $49.83 million.

ISCAR ISCAR is a recognised leader in precision metalworking tools, founded by Israeli industrialist Stef Wertheimer.

Sold to Warren Buffett for a whopping $4 billion in 2006, ISCAR is one of Israel’s biggest business success stories. In Buffett’s opening report, he acknowledged: “At ISCAR, as throughout Israel, brains and energy are ubiquitous.”

ZAG - Stanley Israel When looking for objective answers as to what can be learned from Israel’s ‘economic miracle,’ it would seem there is no magical formula likely to revive that of a downtrodden third-world nation in the same way, or for that matter revitalise the economy of a struggling Western one. As the title of Senor and Singer’s study attests, Israel’s economic turn was ‘miraculous’ and miracles - of indeed any kind - are by definition rare.

A worldwide known leader in development, manufacturing, and marketing of high quality DIY consumer products for the consumer and professional market, ZAG-Stanley products are sold in some of the biggest home-improvement stores such as The Home Depot, B&Q, Wal-Mart, Homebase, and Bunnings. In 2010, sales exceeded $100 million, up from $30 million in 1995.

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Israel - 4 November 2011

Israel land of inventors and innovators

Has Israeli industry and innovation passed you by? Well, here’s a quick catch-up on the country’s achievements in medicine, invention and agriculture, and a quick top ten of things you might not know about the land that never stops working. By Ben Hamilton BREAKTHROUGHS IN MEDICINE Israel’s record in the world of medicine is exceptional. Here are just some of its many achievements: more in-vitro fertilisation per capita than anywhere in the world; research has shown that lycopene (the red pigment found in tomatoes) lowers blood pressure; Israeli stem-cell technology is being used in the US to regenerate heart tissue; a portable electrocardiograph machine developed by Israeli company SHL can transmit highly detailed data on heart activity to doctors by mobile phone; Israeli startup Audiodent has developed an innovative hearing aid that clips easily inside the mouth, using the teeth and jawbone to transmit sound to the brain; Israeli company Ultrashape has developed a body-contouring device that ‘blasts’ unwanted fat from the body as a safe replacement for liposuction; Israeli researchers have discovered the molecular trigger that causes psoriasis; an Israeli project is drastically lowering the mortality rate of Ethiopian children infected with the AIDS/HIV virus; Israeli scientists have found that a drug once used to treat vertigo can now help people lose weight; an Israeli computer program can accurately predict how effective chemotherapy will be for breast cancer patients; an Israeli scientific team from the Technion has succeeded in creating beating heart tissue in a laboratory from human embryonic stem cells; Israeli researchers have discovered a new way to create effective substitutes for antibiotics based on a combination of amino acids and fatty acids; an Israeli company has developed a device that helps nurses locate hard-to-find veins; Israeli researchers have developed a ‘bone glue’ that respectively stimulates speedy bone and cartilage repair, and enables faster and improved healing of injuries; researchers have developed a new acne treatment, the ClearLight device, which produces a highintensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct; Israeli research into paralysis treat-

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ment is world renowned (the late Christopher Reeve called Israel the ‘world centre’ for it); microbiologists have developed the first passive vaccine against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus; research has found that citrus oils may hold the key for asthma treatment; an Israeli-developed elderberry extract is one of America’s best-selling flu prevention medicines; an Israeli-developed ‘biological pacemaker’ corrects faulty heart rhythms when injected into the failing hearts of pigs; an Israeli-developed device can painlessly administer medications through microscopic pores in the skin, an Israeli-developed cooking oil is capable of breaking up blood fats such as cholesterol; an Israeli-developed DNA nano-computer not only detects cancer but also releases drugs to treat the disease; an Israeli-developed nose drop provides a five-year flu vaccine; and an Israeli doctor recently claimed he had succeeded in developing a female equivalent to Viagra called Sheagra.

A LAND OF INVENTION With one of the highest number of patents in the world full stop Israel leads the world in the numbers of scientists and technicians in the workforce, with 145 per 10,000 - here are a number of recent Israeli inventions: an Israeli two-flush system that save billions of gallons of water a year, the world’s first air-conditioned motorcycle, an all-electric bus for urban use, the first ingestible video camera (Israel’s Givun Imaging developed) - so small it fits inside a pill and is used to view the small intestine from the inside to help doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders; a large-scale solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant in southern California’s Mojave Desert; the first high resolution camera that fits on a single computer chip for use in cell phones; a system to help dyslexic readers that is being used throughout the US and Europe; developed a nano-lubricant that one day could mean the end of

changing your car oil; the development of the largest communications router (launched by Cisco) in the world, and finally, the ladies hair removal device, Epilady, was patented in Israel and sold over a million overseas in its first week on the market.

REWRITING THE RULES OF AGRICULTURE Israeli agriculture has been one of the country’s biggest success stories. Initially mission impossible, the country is now a huge exporter of products it has grown or nurtured, from fruit and flowers (1.5 billion a year to the US and Europe) to aquarium fish, and in the last 25 years, all the hard work has really started to pay off. During that time agricultural output has increased by 600 percent - with only a small increase in the amount of water used. In the area of irrigation alone, Israel has made giant strides that the rest of the world can benefit from – only recently Israel helped farmers in Niger develop a horticultural production system called the African Market Garden (AMG). And there are no signs of it slowing down: an Israeli company, Evogene, is developing cotton plants that are resistant to adverse salinity conditions and drought; a watermelon-picking robot has been invented that has an artificial vision to do the job of harvesting; an Israeli ornithologist has perfected a way of training barn owls to tackle urban rodent problems; Israel, American and Canadian researchers are working together to develop nanotechbased solutions to the water shortage in the Middle East. Finally, while other countries knock their trees down, Israel plants them, and it was the only country in the world to enter the 21st century with a net gain. This includes a lot of date palms trees, but while the average Middle East variety is five to six metres tall and produces 17kg of dates a year, the Israeli trees produce an average 182kg a year and are short enough to be mostly harvested from the ground.

Israel - 4 November 2011

top 10 YOU DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THINGS ISRAELI TRADE AND INDUSTRY

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Bagir, an Israeli clothes manufacturer based in Kiryat Gat, has started selling suits that are made from recycled plastic bottles and wool. The EcoGIR suit, which went on sale at Sears stores in the US in June, is the first suit to carry a carbon footprint label in the world. The invention is the latest in a whole range of environmentally-conscious suits, including the world’s first machine-washable suit to combat the amounts of perchloroethylene routinely released by the dry cleaning industry, and an organic cotton blend suit, which is lined by bamboo and has buttons made from palm tree seeds. Watch this space to learn what Bagir has up its sleeve next.

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Israel is well known for its high number of entrepreneurs. Per capita, there are more women entrepreneurs than any other country – and the same is also true for the over-55 age bracket.

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Israel has in excess of 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups – the highest concentration in the world outside Silicon Valley. Per capita, it has the largest number of biotech start-ups.

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Many of Israel’s tech achievements have been achieved by the Israeli units of multinationals. Microsoft-Israel developed most of the Windows NT operating system, Motorola’s pioneering work in the early days of the mobile phone was carried out at its Israeli development centre (its largest in the world), the Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel, and voice mail technology was also developed in Israel.

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After the US and Canada, Israel has the next largest number of NASDAQ listed companies. Israel is ranked number two in the world for venture capital funds, right behind the US and its $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbours combined.

Has Israeli Industry and Innovation passed you by?

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Israel has always been at the forefront of technology. Per capita it has one of the highest percentages of home computers and mobile phones – there are close to ten million in use. Voice mail technology was also developed in Israel, as was technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology.

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The first anti-virus software was developed in Israel in 1979. The ‘Firewall’ was invented by Check Point, an Israeli company now known the world over for its information security products.

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Israel is the only country in the world to have free trade agreements with the US, Mexico and Canada as well as the European Union and the European Free Trade Association, at the same time.

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Israeli research was a major contributor to making it possible for the NASA explorer Spirit to transmit video pictures from Mars.

Israel has its own space programme. It has the capability to design, build, launch and operate its own satellites.

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