December 28, 2021, Updated December 29, 2021
January
The deserted plaza outside the Tel Aviv Museum of Art during a nationwide lockdown on January 25, 2021. Photo by Miriam Alster/Flash90
Happy guests rush to congratulate a new couple who had just tied the knot in Dubai. Screenshot by Avi Fine Chen
New immigrants from northeast India arrive in Israel and kiss the mezuzah at Ben-Gurion International Airport. Photo by Laura Ben-David
February
After a disastrous oil spill off the coast of Israel, volunteers from all across the country came to help with the cleanup operation. Volunteers cleaning tar from Ga ’ash Beach by Dafna Ben Nun Photography
Iranian judoka Saeid Mollaei (in white) competes at the International Judo Federation’s Grand Slam in Tel Aviv. Photo by Sabau Gabriela/International Judo Federation
March
Jewish worshippers cover themselves with prayer shawls in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem, during the Cohen Benediction (priestly blessing) on the Jewish holiday of Passover, March 30, 2021. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
After a winter of heavy rain, spring in Israel was glorious, with spring flowers growing everywhere. View of the Tavor Stream nature reserve on March 19, 2021. Photo by Yahav Gamliel/Flash90
April
A young sea turtle treated at the Sea Turtle Rescue Center being returned to nature. Photo: screenshot from video by Yaniv Cohen/INPA
The Super Pink Moon rises over Jerusalem on April 27, 2021. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Two winters of heavy rain have filled the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) higher than it’s been for years, creating unique lagoons that cover what used to be dry land. Photo taken in April 2021 by Nicky Blackburn
May
Israeli lifeguards survey Dado Beach in Haifa on May 16, 2021. Photo by Shir Torem/Flash90
Ethiopian Orthodox Christian worshippers hold candles outside Deir Al-Sultan in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the ceremony of the Holy Fire in Jerusalem’s Old City, Saturday, May 1, 2021. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
No, not the United States. Cowboys from Kibbutz Merom Golan herding 600 head of cattle on the Golan Heights, May 24, 2021. Photo by Michael Giladi/Flash90
Miriam Peretz, left, and Lena Ahmad celebrating Jewish-Arab solidarity at Sheba Medical Center in the wake of May’s riots. Photo by Naama Frank Azriel
June
An IDF Home Front Command mission member searching for survivors in Surfside, Florida, June 2021. Photo courtesy of the Israeli Defense Forces Spokesperson’s Unit
Look at all those people together! Covid restrictions were over in Israel by June, enabling revelers to celebrate the Tel Aviv Pride Parade in regular style. Even the absence of foreign tourists did nothing to dampen the spirit or the size of the crowd. Photo by Guy Yechiely
July
A worker cycles along the track during construction of the new Allenby underground station of the light rail red line in Tel Aviv, July 14, 2021. Photo by Yossi Zeliger/Flash90
FC Barcelona and Real Madrid fans filled the stands at Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv for a historic match brought to Israel by the Tel Aviv Municipality. Most of them were kids. Photo by José Apoj
A patient with a heart condition gets a third booster shot of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine after Israel became the first country in the world to ok the Covid booster for immunocompromised patients. Photo courtesy Sheba Medical Center
August
Israeli firefighters battling blazes in Greece. Photo courtesy of the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israeli and Palestinian Authority firefighters on a lunch break while battling wildfires outside Jerusalem, August 17, 2021. Photo by Haim Omri
Israeli Head of Mission in Dubai Ilan Sztulman and wife Jacqueline on August 14, 2021, with newborn Mia – the first Israeli baby born in the United Arab Emirates. Photo courtesy of Israeli Foreign Ministry
September
September is known for its stunning sunsets. This one, of fishermen at dusk, was taken in Achziv. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Covid or no Covid, Israel’s construction industry carries on at warp speed. Cranes like this in Jerusalem can be spotted up and down the country. Photo taken September 1, 2021 by Nati Shohat/Flash90
October
Afghan girls leaving their plane after being rescued from the hands of the Taliban in Afghanistan by Israeli activists and NGOs. Photo by Boaz Arad/IsraAID
Two “astronauts” stroll around Makhtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) in the Israeli desert ahead of the AMADEE-20 Mars simulation. Photo by Florian Voggeneder/OeWF
People abseiling at the Ramon Crater in Mitzpeh Ramon on October 23, 2021. The Ramon Crater is the largest of three Negev craters. It contains geological formations found nowhere else in the world. Photo by Yossi Aloni/Flash90
Diver Shlomi Katzin with the ancient Crusader sword he discovered by accident while diving off the coast of Israel . Photo by Nir Distelfeld, Israel Antiquities Authority
Participants in Spencer Tunick’s photo shoot in Arad, October 17, 2021. Photo by Irit Eshet Mor/Arad Municipality
November
Great white pelicans at a water reservoir in Hefer Valley on November 13, 2021. Pelicans stop off in Israel during their annual migration from the Balkans to Africa, where they enjoy a mild winter before returning to Europe. Photo by Gili Yaari/Flash90
Thousands of Ethiopian Jews take part in annual Sigd holiday prayers on the Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem’s Old City, November 4, 2021. Sigd celebrates the community’s connection and commitment to Israel. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
Nobody could resist taking selfies at the retrospective exhibition of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama at Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Not even the security guard. The exhibition was fully booked as soon as tickets went on sale. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
December
Miss Universe contestants visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem on December 1, 2021, during an official visit ahead of the 70th Miss Universe pageant held in Eilat December 12. Photo by Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90
Asaf Yasur wins gold to become Israel’s first para taekwondo world champion. Photo by Yair Glazer
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