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Israeli Agriculture - Beyond the Jaffa Oranges
Prayer on 3rd Avenue
Carter's Jewish Problem
Israeli Tennis Star
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Myths & Facts MYTH: "Israel has a surplus of water"
FACT: Israel has had an ongoing water deficit for a number of years. Simply put, the amount of water consumed is greater than the amount of water collected from rainfall. In a drought year, the situation worsens, because the amount of water in reservoirs and the amount of water flowing in rivers and streams is significantly decreased. The situation is growing more dangerous each year as the population of the region continues to grow exponentially, thousands of immigrants arrive in Israel, political disputes over existing water supplies become more pronounced and Israel and the Palestinians negotiate rights to the water in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israel has three main water sources: the coastal and mountain aquifers and Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). Each supply approximately 25 percent of the total consumed. Roughly 20 percent is derived from smaller aquifers. The remaining 5 percent comes from the Shafdan project that recycles sewage in metropolitan Tel Aviv.
The coastal aquifer's water quality is deteriorating because of over-pumping and contamination from sewage. Lake Kinneret requires a delicate water level balance. If the level is too low, salty water from neighboring springs seeps in. If the level rises too high, it can flood. The mountain aquifer is in the best condition.
The mountain aquifer is also the most politically contentious. Prior to 1967, Israel used 95 percent of this water, the Arabs only 5 percent. Since then, the Arab share has more than tripled, but the Palestinians are still demanding that these proportions be reversed. They argue that since the aquifer lies under the West Bank, it should come under the control of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The Palestinians maintain that Israel is "stealing" their water, but Israel wants to retain control over the lion's share of the water.
The water issue clearly affects Israel's economy and security. One danger, for example, is that pumping of water in Judea and Samaria by Palestinians could increase to a degree that would completely eliminate pumping in Israel. The Palestinians have also demanded the right to expand their agricultural sector, using the same limited water resources that Israel's State Comptroller said were inadequate to expand Israel's agricultural production. Meanwhile, Palestinian water authorities have said as much as 50 percent of domestic water is lost because of old, inefficient supply systems. The PA's dilemma is even worse in Gaza, where the sole aquifer is already virtually unusable because of contamination and salinity.
Israel is taking steps to ameliorate the water issue by beginning construction of major desalination plants.
Source: Myths & Facts by Mitchell Bard |
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Advocacy Starts Close to Home
by Sammy Forshner
It isn't hard to be an advocate for Israel when you are at a Jewish Day School, Hebrew High or a Jewish Youth Group event. Most folks at these places are already strong supporters of Israel and those who may be wavering have more often than not just not followed the news, and may not be informed of what's been happening. Perhaps they have not been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit Israel. However, once they have the time to read, to find out what's going on, and maybe to talk to a few folks who are more knowledgeable, they tend to hop on the pro-Israel bandwagon quickly
But what happens when you leave the safe cocoon of the Jewish community? How can you be an advocate for Israel among people who not only may have little knowledge, but also indeed may have gained what they know from dubious sources? How can you communicate with them in away that won't generate antagonism or reinforce their negative stereotypes?
I have found here is nothing more powerful than the ability to say, "I was there, I saw for myself. I hope you also will travel there and see for yourself." This can be followed by an invitation to talk further, to take a look at your photographs from your most recent visit, or a time to meet for coffee with an Israeli peer from your community. These doses of reality can be powerful antidote to the myths that so often circulate in non-Jewish environments. I have found that friendliness and an openness to continue the dialogue is far superior to hostility or a confrontational response.
While I was in Israel this past summer, the war broke out, prompting a kind and concerned neighbor back home to ask my parents how soon they'd be able to expedite my return. She was shocked to hear I wouldn't be running home, and in fact would be staying on for the entire program, and returning in August as planned. Though highly educated and well traveled, this good American citizen could not fathom how I could possibly stay in a situation that was, in her view, "life threatening." Her basis for her opinion had been molded by what she read in the newspaper and saw on television.
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The writer, 17, is a junior at Rocky Mountain Hebrew Academy and Hebrew High in Denver.
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January 25, 2007
Honey, I Shrunk the Watermelon!
Israeli Agricultural Advances
by Israel HighWay Staff
Thirty years ago, Israeli-grown "Jaffa Oranges" were a big hit in American supermarkets. But then oranges from South America, Spain and Morocco started competing along with Florida and California produce. What were Israeli farmers to do?
They went hi-tech, that's what. Farmers, scientists, botanists and geneticists have combined efforts to produce "designer" crops – dwarf watermelons, striped tomatoes, low-carb potatoes, white eggplant and even colored cotton that cuts down on the dying process. New crops have been introduced such as kiwis and lychees. With their highly developed hothouse and drip irrigation, Israeli farmers produce crops months before their international competitors.
Today, Israeli farmers are finding new ways to deepen the ancient connection between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
Issue of the Week is continued below 
Israel Authorizes Ashkenazi as IDF Chief
by Yaakov Katz and Dan Izenberg
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz released a joint statement Monday night announcing their decision to appoint Defense Ministry Dir.-Gen. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Gabi Ashkenazi to the post of IDF chief of General Staff.
Ashkenazi will become the 19th chief of staff and the first from the Golani Brigade. He will replace Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz, who announced his resignation last Tuesday. Ashkenazi, 52, served as deputy chief of staff until 2005 and retired from the IDF after Halutz was appointed chief of staff. He has also previously served as head of the Northern Command, commander of the Golani Brigade and head of the IDF Operations Branch. During the war in Lebanon, he was called back into service, this time as director-general of the Defense Ministry under Peretz. (Jerusalem Post)
Israel's Netanyahu Calls for Economic Isolation of Iran
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sunday passionately called on the world to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions in its tracks by imposing sanctions on the Tehran regime. Netanyahu, Israel's current opposition leader, said "voluntary sanctions" could be initiated even before the U.N. imposes official measures against Iran. Netanyahu has been the leading voice in Israel for taking an aggressive stance against Iran, often comparing the current era of world silence toward Iran to that toward pre-World War II Nazi Germany. (AP/Nasdaq) 
Intel Israel '06 Exports Up, Sees Growth in '07, '08
by Tova Cohen
U.S. chip giant Intel Corp. said on Sunday its Israeli subsidiary posted exports of $1.3 billion in 2006, up 9.2 percent from 2005. Alex Kornhauser, general manager of Intel Israel, said that 2007 would see a continuation in growth, while in 2008 "it was reasonable to assume we will see a significant jump similar to what we saw in 2000" when the company's exports reached $2 billion. In March 2008, Intel's Fab 28 chip plant - currently being built in the southern Israeli town of Kiryat Gat - will begin production. Fab 28, being built alongside its existing Fab 18, will be Intel's largest plant in the world. (Reuters) 
On a Mission - Freedom for Israeli Captives
by Emily Kaufman
The Student Government Organization arranged for 15 members of the Ramaz Upper School to congregate opposite the Iranian Mission on 40th Street and 3rd Avenue in Manhattan every Wednesday morning in order to daven Shacharit in an effort to raise awareness of the captured Israeli soldiers: Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev, and Ehud Goldwasser. We also hand out cards to passersby that give personal information about the chayalim [soldiers] and ask that people act by calling the White House, the UN and the Iranian Mission, as personal acts of protest.
Last Wednesday morning, I had the privilege of attending this small, yet spiritual gathering. We were one short of a minyan.
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Emily Kaufman is a Junior at Ramaz Upper School in New York City. (Special to the Israel HighWay) 
Sudan-Israel Friendship Group Breaks Taboos
by Brian Adeba
Coming from a country where government media constantly refer to Israel as al adu al Israyil or "the enemy Israel" in Arabic, Taraji Mustafa was raised on a daily diet of Jew and Israel bashing in Sudanese media, school textbooks and government policy. So last fall, when Ms. Mustafa formed the Sudanese-Israeli Friendship Association, she caused a lot of angst in the Arab world. It's all because the Canada-based Sudanese immigrant has crossed the boundary of what is considered taboo in the Arab world. In an interview, Ms. Mustafa defends the formation of the association when the interviewer suggests her idea is "not appropriate in light of the Israeli-Arab conflict." (Sudan Tribune) 
More American Jews at Home in Israel
by Gregg Krupa
An increasing number of American Jews are finding the attraction of Israel irresistible. Many observant Jews believe that the land of Israel was promised to them by God, and that living outside of their homeland is essentially living in exile. But for many, it's not so much a religious calling as a feeling of spiritual well-being there that has drawn them back. As the worldwide migration of Jews to Israel declines - due mostly to the diminishing number of Russian and Eastern Europeans moving after the breakup of the Soviet Union - the number of Americans is at its highest level since 1983. The 50 percent increase in the migration of American Jews since 2003 compares with a worldwide rate of emigration that is at its lowest level since 1988. (Detroit News)
The Best Summer of My Life
by Tali Arbit
"Do you see the shape of a heart in the sky with my father's picture in it?" Ten-year old Rachel asked as we were lying on a hammock, swinging back and forth, talking and taking in the beauty that arrived with dusk.
I was a counselor at Camp Koby for girls from families affected by terror in Israel. These girls had gone through unimaginable suffering. Most had a parent or sibling torn away from them. They came to this special camp to take a break from the painful reminders that are a constant at home, to be in an atmosphere where everyone understood one another. As Rachel explained it, she could laugh at camp, but not at home. Would I be able to relate to these girls? How could I possibly help them?
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The writer (pictured left) is 17 years old and attends the Frisch School in Paramus, NJ. (Jerusalem Post)
Student 'Encounter' Creates Relationships That Last
by Sally Friedman
The MIFGASH Program, sponsored by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia's Partnership 2000 program, allows area teens to participate in an exchange program with their counterparts in Philadelphia's Israeli sister region. "The beautiful thing is that we participate in this program in the broadest and most meaningful way," said Sandler, "Mifgash fosters the positive relationship and identity with Federation's Partnership 2000 community, Netivot-Sedot Negev."
Once in Israel, the students live with their Israeli counterpart and his/her host family in the sister region. The days and nights are filled with planned activities, from travel to historic sites to visits to soldiers in Israeli hospitals, camping, Shabbat visits and, most of all, interaction with Israeli teens. The American students in turn hosted their Israeli hosts in Philadelphia later last summer. The local youth will visit Israel from July 19 to 30 next summer. The Israeli youth will visit Philadelphia from Aug. 6 to Aug. 15. (Jewish Exponent)
Pictured: MIFGASH participants (from left) Judah Gross, Nofar Yehezkel (Netivot), Jessica Domsky and Tami Scharf
Israel Goes Crazy for Peer
When Shahar Peer isn't doing military service she is playing tennis and her performances in Melbourne have sent Israel crazy. The 19-year-old from Jerusalem made the quarter-finals of a grand slam for the first time Sunday and they are lapping it up back home. Peer, who finishes her two years of compulsory military service in November, has matured into a solid player, reaching the fourth round of the French and US Opens last year and a quarter-final in Australia. Now ranked 16 in the world, she next plays seven-time grand slam winner Serena Williams. (Agence France-Presse/Fox Sports)
Editor's Note: On Tuesday, Peer lost in the quarterfinals to former world number 1 Serena Williams 6-3, 2-6, 8-6.
Telling Israel's Stories to Kids
by Ahron Shapiro
One recent gathering at the Barnes & Noble Bookstore at New York's famous Lincoln Square brought together four diverse children and young adult book authors, each reading from their individual creations that shared one common theme: Israel. The authors - Sonia Levitin, Kathy Walden Kaplan, Mark H. Podwal and Tammar Stein - each had works selected for inclusion on the Anti-Defamation League's new Israel Book Connections list. The list, a new addition to the ADL's Web site, is designed as a resource for educators who seek critically acclaimed, award winning titles about Israel. (Israel 21c)
He's Stirring Melting Pot of Israel
by Jordan Levin
Idan Raichel's communally made music with ancient words and ancient rhythms has made him a modern pop phenomenon in an often divided country, one of the most popular artists in Israel and one who is increasingly visible outside it. He plays the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts Jan. 28, part of a tour supporting The Idan Raichel Project, his first CD to be released in the United States.
Raichel's first album, produced in his parents' basement and released in 2002, became an instant and surprise hit. The lush melodies, the layers of rhythms and sounds, the Ethiopian music so new to Israeli ears, the emotionally packed voices of Ethiopian and Yemenite singers, the spiritual lyrics based on biblical and other ancient texts, Raichel's sophisticated production, the sense of openness and community, struck a vibrant chord in Israel. (Miami Herald)
Listen to Idan Raichel's music. 
Will IDF Chief's Historic Resignation Reverberate on Peretz, Olmert?
by Dan Baron
Lt.-Gen. Dan Halutz made history by becoming the first chief of Israel's armed forces to resign of his free will. The reverberations of the move could continue to impact the country's future. The resignation was widely expected, yet was described in Israel and abroad as an earthquake for a country still reeling from the 34-day war with Hezbollah in July and August.
The aftershocks could eventually topple Prime Minister Olmert and Defense Minister Peretz. Olmert and Peretz saw their popularity plummet over the war, in which 157 Israelis died. the war's eventual toll in Lebanese civilians and infrastructure drew international condemnation of Israel. Hizbullah supporters held fireworks celebrations upon hearing that Halutz quit, and the militia's Al-Manar television station described the resignation as the cataclysm after the defeat. (JTA)
Jimmy Carter's Jewish Problem
by Deborah Lipstadt
It is hard to criticize an icon. Jimmy Carter's humanitarian work has saved countless lives. [But] Carter's book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid," while exceptionally sensitive to Palestinian suffering, ignores a legacy of mistreatment, expulsion and murder committed against Jews. It trivializes the murder of Israelis. Now, facing a storm of criticism, he has relied on anti-Semitic stereotypes in defense. By almost ignoring the Holocaust, Carter gives inadvertent comfort to those who deny its importance or even its historical reality, in part because it helps them deny Israel's right to exist. The writer teaches at Emory University. (Washington Post) Issue of the Week continued
This year Tu B'Shvat (the 15th of the Hebrew month of Shvat) will be observed on February 3. Tu B'Shvat, also known as the New Year of the Trees, is significant in Israel as it influences the Halacha (Jewish Law) of agriculture in the land. Tu B'Shvat marks the official beginning of the new agricultural cycle; school children often mark it by planting new trees and by participating in Tu B'Shvat "seders," highlighting the fruits of the Land. Tu B'Shvat is a great time to take a closer look at one of Israel's biggest success stories - agriculture. This includes technological advances in growing crops, dairy production, aquaculture and other fields.
Aliyah (Jewish immigration) to Israel in the early 20th century brought with it a new agrarian ideology. Prior to the beginning of large scale aliyah, the small community of Jews in Israel had confined themselves to a few urban centers (Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, Jaffa and others) and it was not until these new, ideological halutzim (pioneers) arrived that Jews began developing small villages with agriculture at their heart. In the early years of the State of Israel, the dream of Israel's first prime minister, David Ben Gurion, was to "make the desert bloom" and today, almost 60 years later, bloom it has!
From the early days of Jaffa oranges and the renewal of Israel's historic wine industry, Israeli agriculture has expanded to unfathomable heights and is now viewed as a true world leader. It is viewed as an innovator in hi-tech, designer agriculture and cutting edge technical advances in aquaculture, botanical genetics, dairy production and water conservation.
From Conservation to Innovation
Due to Israel's arid and semi-arid climate, the country's initial forays into hi-tech agriculture were based on water conservation and developing crops that consumed little water. Israeli scientists and farmers pioneered drip irrigation and regularly serve as consultants throughout the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
From naturally low-carb potatoes to personal sized seedless watermelons, Israeli agronomists are helping Israeli farmers regularly bring new, innovative and healthy products to the world's markets. One overlooked aspect of Israel's agricultural advances is in the seed and seedlings market, where Israeli products are highly valued throughout the world. Disease resistant seed varieties that are durable in storage and are suitable to a variety of climatic conditions are under constant development at Israel's research institutes and at private companies. Some 40 percent of the tomato greenhouses in Europe utilize seeds developed and produced in Israel. Israel's recently developed honey-sweet yellow cherry tomato sells for $10 a pound in Europe. The seeds are sold to commercial growers for about $150,000 a pound! Other popular seed developments include: high-yielded cucumbers, saucer-shaped yellow zucchini, naturally colored cotton and more.
Traditionally, farmers have strived for "award winning" vegetables, which typically meant large, shiny specimens. Israeli farmers have recently begun to turn the theory of "bigger is better" on its head by developing a line of mini-designer vegetables including personal sized seedless watermelons, colorful, tiny peppers and bite-sized cucumbers.
Land of Milk and Fish
In addition to new and tasty produce, Israeli farmers are international leaders in dairy farming and aquaculture. A combination of innovative cow cooling methods (overheated cows don't produce as much milk) and advanced monitoring systems to keep close tabs on the cows' health give Israeli cows the highest milk yield per cow in the world - almost 2,000 liters a year more than the average cow in the U.S.
Similarly, Israeli innovation has turned Israel's aquaculture (fish farming) industry into a world leader. Throughout the country's arid deserts in the south, small ponds filled with salty water dot the landscape. In these ponds, Israeli fish farmers produce edible fish like striped bass, mullet and tilapia as well as ornamental fish that eventually appear in private fish tanks ponds around the world. Additionally, the nutrient-rich water from many of these ponds is recycled and used to irrigate more traditional crops in nearby fields.
Fruits of Israel's Labor
Ben Gurion's dream to make the desert bloom has certainly come to fruition in more ways than he possibly could have imagined. Reflecting on all that Israel has contributed to the global agriculture market in recent years, we can only wonder what they will develop next. For now, friends of Israel around the world can take pride in Israel's creativity, ingenuity and bold strides in agriculture while enjoying the succulent fruits of Israel's labors. (Israel HighWay)
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