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Israel21c

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Michaela Bercu during her volunteer shift at Magen David Adom. Photo courtesy of Magen David Adom
Life
Ex-supermodel reinvents herself as volunteer paramedic 
By Yulia Karra
Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik
Innovation
The hidden cost of entrepreneurship on parenting
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Collage of Christian art throughout Israel. Photos from Shutterstock.com
Travel
15 beautiful artworks not to miss in Israel’s Christian sites
By Zachy Hennessey
Christian pilgrims take part in the traditional Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives on March 24, 2024. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Travel
Top 10 Christian sites to visit in Israel this Easter
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo by michaelheim via Shutterstock
Innovation
Muscle-loss concerns lead to new drug discovery platform
By Yulia Karra
Mélanie Laurent at the 64th Festival de Cannes. Photo by Featureflash Photo Agency via Shutterstock
Life
‘Inglourious Basterds’ star joins ‘Fauda’ Season 5
By Yulia Karra
Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Photo by Elad Sarig/Tel Aviv Museum of Art
Travel
Tel Aviv Museum of Art ranked one of world’s top 100 museums
By Nicky Blackburn
HUJ leaders mark the university’s centennial by opening trading at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange on April 6, 2025. Photo by Vered Farkash
Life
Diversity becomes the key as Hebrew University celebrates 100 
By Zachy Hennessey
The HemaShock device is applied in emergency cases of dangerously low systolic blood pressure caused by hemorrhagic shock or cardiac arrest. Photo courtesy of OHK Medical
Innovation
A simple lifesaver for hemorrhagic shock or cardiac arrest
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Image by Chokniti Khongchum via Vecteezy.com
Innovation
AI is better at diagnosis than a doctor
By John Jeffay
A view of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Givat Ram, Jerusalem, on April 7, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90
Innovation
New blood test could diagnose Parkinson’s at early stages
By Nicky Blackburn
Image by Freepik
Innovation
Israeli firm will help US conquer plastic waste crisis
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Image by freepik
Innovation
New online dating app reshapes the way people find love
By John Jeffay
The four superheroes of “God’s Gang.” Photo courtesy of God’s Gang
Life
‘God’s Gang’ cartoon uses faith as a superpower for good
By Yulia Karra
Aloe vera could be a key ingredient in future iterations of cultivated meat. Photo by mozo190/Pixabay
Earth
Aloe could make plant-based meat way more succulent
By Zachy Hennessey
An illustration of Creation-Space's future Beta Site. Photo courtesy of Creation-Space.
Innovation
Israel’s emerging deep-space tech startups are aiming far
By Yulia Karra
Prof. Hadar Ben-Yoav in his laboratory at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. Photo by Dani Machlis/BGU
Innovation
Simple blood test may soon help detect colon cancer 
By Yulia Karra
Photo by Viktoria Hodos via Shutterstock
Life
Five tasty things to make with matzah
By Yulia Karra

Celebrate Passover

INNOVATION

Image by prostooleh on Freepik
Innovation
Breakthrough study: pre-pregnancy blood tests can predict complications
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo by SuperOhMo via Shutterstock
Innovation
Mom turns medical nightmare into integrative care dream
By Yulia Karra
Phytech’s easy-to-use platform lets farmers know how their plants are feeling. Photo courtesy of Phytech
Earth
How farmers saved over 132 billion gallons of water in 2024
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Metatron N.R.G. cofounders Clara Szalai (VP R&D) and CEO Dr. Yeshayahu Eisenberg. Photo by Eyal Toueg
Innovation
Building a nuclear reactor the size of a desktop computer
By John Jeffay
CyberTech Global 2025. Photo by Zachy Hennessey
Innovation
Israeli cybertech braces for AI and quantum threats
By Zachy Hennessey
The Oligo Security team. Photo by Yair Hachmon
Innovation
Israeli startup raises $50m to stop app-based cyberattacks
By Yulia Karra
The Itay&Beyond team is made up of a half dozen experts in their respective fields. Photo by Dor Pazuelo/Itay&Beyond
Innovation
Why is this startup growing synthetic brains from urine? (And what's it got to do with autism?)
By Zachy Hennessey
Galiladies community meeting. Photo by Leonid Novikov
Life
Bringing female entrepreneurs back to war-hit northern Israel
By Yulia Karra
Cap: Prof. Dan Peer (in blue) and his lab team at Tel Aviv University’s Laboratory of Precision Nanomedicine. Photo courtesy of Tel Aviv University
Innovation
Gene editing may be key to treating head and neck cancers
By John Jeffay
With a $32b deal on the cards, Google is reported to be about to purchase Wiz.ai. Photo by Poetra.RH, Shutterstock
Innovation
Google to purchase Israel’s Wiz for record $32 billion
By Nicky Blackburn
As news of the biggest possible acquisition in Israel’s history breaks this week, we take a look at the other largest exits in Israel’s history. Photo by Sweet Tomato, Shutterstock
Innovation
The 15 biggest acquisitions in Israeli history
By Brian Blum and Yulia Karra
Percepto cofounders, from left: Sagi Blonder, Ariel Avitan, Raviv Raz, Dor Abuhasira. Photo courtesy of Percepto
Innovation
Fast Company names 10 Israeli firms most innovative of 2025
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo by New Africa via Shutterstock
Innovation
Helping parents fight their children’s eating disorders
By Yulia Karra
The QuamCore team. Photo by Maayan Rahima
Innovation
Deep-tech startup offers breakthrough in quantum processor architecture
By John Jeffay
Petunias have one gene that codes for scent production and petal formation. Photo by Oded Skaliter
Innovation
Scientists unlock secret of flowers’ fragrance gene
By John Jeffay
The Shield team. Photo by Noga Shadmi
Innovation
Anti-fraud startup Shield named a ‘visionary’ by Gartner
By Yulia Karra
Israeli technologies are transforming the beauty tech industry. Photo by Kitreel, via Shutterstock
Innovation
Innovation propels Israel into world’s top 5 for beauty tech
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Photo by SkazovD via Shutterstock
Innovation
Diagnosing rare diseases could soon get much simpler
By Yulia Karra
Illustrative photo via Freepik
Innovation
Scientists find how to avoid contamination of lab-grown meat
By John Jeffay
Photo by Likoper via Shutterstock
Innovation
8 remarkable women scientists 
By Yulia Karra
Women’s participation in high tech is increasing, but systemic barriers are impeding progress. Photo by ThisIsEngineering/Pexels
Innovation
Despite progress, Silicon Wadi still has a gender gap
By Zachy Hennessey
Two fruit bats just hanging around. Photo by Itai Belson/Weizmann Institute of Science
Life
Scientists find brain’s social GPS in pioneering bat study
By Zachy Hennessey
From left,Topaz Pery, Si Naftaly and Kiros Rawan Mhajne helped develop “milkosomes” that cross the intestinal barrier. Photo by Rami Shlush/Technion Spokesperson's Office
Innovation
Artificial breastmilk could form basis for future oral meds and vaccines
By John Jeffay
Illustrative photo by CDC/Pexels
Innovation
New drug-delivery method promises revolution in IBD treatment
By Zachy Hennessey
Brothers and cofounders Amir Hever, left, and Ohad Hever of UVeye. Photo by Yuval Chen
Innovation
Israeli AI-powered car inspection company raises $191m
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally. Photo by Kaboompics.com/Pexels
Innovation
Israeli researcher to lead new EU cardiometabolic care program
By Zachy Hennessey
Image by kjpargeter on Freepik
Innovation
Treating clogged arteries will soon be safer and faster 
By Yulia Karra
Image by Vicki Hamilton from Pixabay
Innovation
The industries that will lead AI growth in Israel in 2025
By Abigail Klein Leichman

TRAVEL

  • One of the TPOTY award-winning photos of waterfalls over Bråsvellbreen. As these waters flow into the ocean, they accelerate coastal threats worldwide. Photo by Roie Galitz/TPOTY
  • Meltwater cascades down Bråsvellbreen's sheer ice wall, meeting the churning Arctic Ocean below. This powerful interaction between ice and water highlights the glacier's fragile beauty and the profound impact of climate change. Photo by Roie Galitz/TPOTY
  • A vibrant glacial river meanders across the surface of Bråsvellbreen. The river's serpentine path tells the story of meltwater carving its way through the Arctic expanse. Photo by Roie Galitz/TPOTY
  • A polar roaming the fjord in Svalbard, Norway. Photo by Roie Galitz
  • A polar bear in Svalbard. Photo by Roie Galitz
Life
Meet the Israeli Travel Photographer of the Year 2024
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Hiking through the arid trails of the Negev. Photo by Evgeny Subbotsky, via Shutterstock
Travel
Israel National Trail celebrates 30 years of adventure and unity
By Zachy Hennessey
Einat Ganon, general manager of the Jabob Modi’in and vice president of the Jacob chain, in the lobby of Jacob Modi’in, opened in March 2025. Photo by Abigail K. Leichman
Travel
10 new hotels in Israel open their doors for tourists
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Ahead of an expected surge in flights over the Passover season, Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion Airport is to reopen. Photo by Roman Yenushevsky, via Shutterstock
Travel
Ben Gurion reopens Terminal One as holiday flight surge expected
By Zachy Hennessey
An Airbus 320-200 takes off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. Photo by Felix Tchvertkin, via Shutterstock
Travel
Airlines flying to Israel now and those returning soon
By Zachy Hennessey
Mount Hermon, February 26, 2025. Photo by Ayal Margolin/Flash90
Travel
Mount Hermon ski resort reopens for first time since Oct. 7
By Yulia Karra
Tourists enjoy the Nahal David waterfall in Ein Gedi. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
Travel
Chasing Israel’s 8 best waterfalls 
By Yulia Karra
Pardes Hanna’s got it all, baby: art, nature and activism. Photos by (L to R) Zachy Hennessey; Rebecca Charytan-Spitz; Flash90
Life
An insider’s guide to the hidden gems of Pardes Hanna
By Zachy Hennessey
Mount Tabor National Park. Photo by Penina Zaisler/KKL-JNF Photo Archive
Travel
6 best winter trails to hike in Israel 
By Yulia Karra
  • A view of the ruins of an old Turkish fortress from a lagoon in the Achziv National Park. Photo by irisphoto1 via Shutterstock
  • A view of ancient building remains in Tel Hazor National Park. Photo by RnDmS via Shutterstock
  • Ruins of the Nimrod Fortress. Photo by Nina Mikryukova via Shutterstock
  • Ancient synagogue ruins at the Bar'am National Park in Israel. Photo by Belikova Oksana via Shutterstock
  • Yehiam Fortress, located within the Yehiam National Park. Photo by Yuri Turkov via Shutterstock
  • Pelicans at Lake Hula in northern Israel. Photo by RnDms, Shutterstock
  • Cranes seen at the Hula Valley lake, northern Israel on January 26, 2023. Photo by David Cohen/Flash90
  • This pillar is the namesake of Nahal Amud, which translates to Pillar River. Photo by Mikhael Shvarts via Shutterstock
Travel
7 incredible pics of Israel’s newly reopened national parks
By Zachy Hennessey

LIFE

The Passover Haggadah is a treasure trove of history and Jewish culture. Photo By Hadas Parush/Flash 90
Life
12 little-known Passover Haggadah facts
By Zachy Hennessey
Gift box for Passover. Photo by Shabtai via Shutterstock
Life
11 fabulous gifts to give this Passover
By Yulia Karra
Poster from "The German," a WWII-centered espionage TV series. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate/Yes
Life
New show from ‘Fauda,’ ‘Tehran’ writers debuts at festival
By Yulia Karra
A wall painting at Lascaux Cave, France. Photo by Toshihiko Tanaka/Pexels
Life
Stone Age kids painted caves as spiritual mediators
By Zachy Hennessey
The seal in the hand of 3.5-year-old Ziv. Photo by Emil Aladjem/Israel Antiquities Authority
Life
Toddler discovers 3,800-year-old amulet on family hike
By Nicky Blackburn
Photo courtesy of Chef Eyal Shani
Travel
Star chef Eyal Shani to open restaurant near Gaza border
By Yulia Karra
Referee Sapir Berman during Israel's Premier League match on January 8, 2024. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90
Life
Israeli soccer ref is 1st transgender to officiate int’l match
By Yulia Karra
Gal Gadot at the World premiere of 'Justice League' in Hollywood in 2017. Photo courtesy of Tinseltown, via Shutterstock
Life
Gal Gadot’s 9 best movie roles
By Zachy Hennessey
The medical delegation from Sheba departing for Macedonia. Photo courtesy of Sheba Medical Center
Life
Israeli hospital sends team to Macedonia after deadly fire
By Yulia Karra
Devastation from the earthquake in Myanmar. Photo courtesy of SmartAID
Life
Israel deploys aid to quake-hit Myanmar and Thailand
By Yulia Karra
The Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem. Photo by Shay Gil
Travel
Israel’s magnificent new Museum of Tolerance is a study in just that 
By Abigail Klein Leichman
Finding positivity in everything. Edith Zakai-Or, CEO of Maytiv Center for Positive Psychology at Reichman University. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Life
We owe it to the world to find happiness in ourselves
By Nicky Blackburn
A Purim party in the streets of Jerusalem, March 16, 2025. Photo by Oren Ben Hakoon/Flash90
Life
Israel is 8th happiest nation, first in social connections
By Zachy Hennessey
  • A street full of Sukkot, in the religious neighborhood of Sorotzkin in Jerusalem on October 15, 2024. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
  • Israelis take to the deserted streets on Yom Kippur. Photo short in Haifa by RnDms, via Shutterstock
  • At the Holiday of Holidays in Haifa, you will find the symbols of the world’s three main religions. Photo taken in Haifa on 21.12.24 by Teo-k, via Shutterstock
  • Traditional Passover Seder plate with six items that have significance to the retelling of the story of Passover, the focus of this ritual meal. Photo by D. Naveh via Shutterstock.com
  • Strong relationships with family and friends are at the heart of what makes Israelis happy. An Israeli family celebrates Rosh Hashana in Ra’anana. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90
  • Getting the table ready for a large family Seder dinner on Rosh Hashana. Photo by Nati Shohat/Flash90
  • The ram’s horn shofar is a main symbol of Rosh Hashana. Photo by Zachi Evenor via Wikimedia Commons
  • Jewish-Arab communal meal during Ramadan 2022. Photo courtesy of FKI
  • Ethiopian Jews take part in a prayer for the annual Sigd holiday at the Armon Hanatziv Promenade overlooking Jerusalem on November 28, 2024. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
  • “Palm Sunday” by Lori Gauthier
  • Christian pilgrims take part in the traditional Palm Sunday procession on the Mount of Olives, March 29, 2015.Photo by Yonatan Sindel/FLASH90
Life
A complete guide to holidays in Israel and how they are celebrated
By Jenna Romano
Noa Kirel at a press conference in Tel Aviv Photo by Avhsalom Sassoni/Flash90
Life
Israeli pop star Noa Kirel to star in Argentinian telenovela
By Yulia Karra
The staff of each Café Otef branch is given dedicated training in everything from coffee making to restaurant management. Photo by Natalie Selvin/ISRAEL21c
Life
The café chain brewing hope in the wake of crisis 
By Zachy Hennessey
Yuval Raphael at a press conference in Tel Aviv on March 9, 2025. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/ Flash90
Life
Israel unveils its 2025 Eurovision song entry
By Yulia Karra
Yossi Zaidner excavating a 110-thousand year-old human skull and associated artifacts. Credit: Boaz Langford
Life
New dig prompts rethink of how Neanderthals and Homo Sapiens got on
By Zachy Hennessey
“Red Makeup” is a closeup of an Arctic wolf minutes after his pack devoured three newborn musk ox calves. Photo © Amit Eshel, Israel, Shortlist, Professional competition, Wildlife & Nature, 2025 Sony World Photography Awards
Life
3 Israelis shortlisted for Sony World Photography Awards
By Abigail Klein Leichman
The cover of Dan Pugach’s Grammy-winning album “Bianca Reimagined: Music for Paws and Persistence.” Photo courtesy Outside in Music/Dan Pugach
Life
How an adopted dog inspired a Grammy-winning album 
By Yulia Karra
Aviram Carmeli has worn some meticulously silly costumes over the last decade. Photos via aviram_carmeli/Instagram
Life
Meet Israel's Purim costume legend
By Zachy Hennessey
Photo by Valeriya Zankovych via Shutterstock
Life
7 historic Israeli moments at the Oscars through the years
By Yulia Karra
Residents of Kibbutz Nirim who have come back to rebuild their destroyed homes. Photo courtesy of Kibbutz Movement
Life
Kibbutzim begin to rebuild after Oct. 7 atrocities
By John Jeffay
Shira Haas in Captain America: Brave New World. Photo: screenshot
Life
14 things you didn’t know about Shira Haas
By Marion Fischel and Yulia Karra
Lior Raz and Rotem Sela appear on the poster for “Soda.” Photo courtesy of United King Films/ComeBack Films
Life
Fauda star Lior Raz’s 7 best film and TV roles
By Yulia Karra
Gal Gadot at the annual Critics’ Choice Awards in the US in 2018. Photo by TinselTown via Shutterstock
Life
14 things you didn’t know about Gal Gadot
By Nicky Blackburn

EARTH

The newly hatched griffon vulture chick, set to be released into the wild. Photo by Michal Erez
Earth
Endangered griffon chick hatched at Jerusalem Zoo
By Zachy Hennessey
Israelis enjoy the snow in Kibbutz El Rom in the Golan Heights, February 6, 2025. Photo by Ayal Mergolin/Flash90
Earth
Does cold feel colder in Israel?
By Yulia Karra
Photo courtesy of BeeFree Agro
Earth
Autonomous flying cowboys manage livestock more efficiently
By John Jeffay
Strawberries grow at Uri Tutim farm’s greenhouse. Photo by Natalie Selvin
Life
Strawberries bloom once more near the Gaza border
By Yulia Karra
Recent earthquakes in Santorini offered Prof. Beverly Goodman Tchernov an incredible chance to experience ancient history. Photo courtesy of Beverly Goodman Tchernov
Earth
Santorini earthquakes shake up scientist’s research
By Zachy Hennessey
A flock of European honey buzzards migrating through the skies of Israel. Photo by Yotam Basham/SPNI
Travel
7 reasons to start birdwatching this spring
By Zachy Hennessey
An action shot of critical fire control taking place. Photo by Pixabay
Earth
Is the future of firefighting four-legged?
By Zachy Hennessey
Ben-Gurion University President Prof. Daniel Chamovitz (right) with Beersheva Mayor Ruvik Danilovich at the opening of the NUR Lab. Photo by Dani Machlis/Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
Life
New lab studies how cities can survive extreme climates
By Yulia Karra
Tomatoes are one of the most substantial crops grown worldwide. Photo by BearFotos via Shutterstock
Innovation
Pioneering method determines if tomatoes are ready to pick
By Yulia Karra
W-Cycle’s SupraPulp food packaging, which fully decomposes within 100 days, lovingly caressing a salad. Photo by Melhoramentos
Earth
Israeli startup crafts compostable food packaging
By Zachy Hennessey
An antelope in the middle of the road. Photo by Pfüderi via Pixabay
Earth
Israeli NGO takes on growing wildlife roadkill crisis
By Zachy Hennessey
Prof. Danny Rosenfeld believes there’s still a lot to understand about how manmade aerosols impact the climate. Photo by Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels
Earth
Could manmade aerosols prevent global warming?
By Zachy Hennessey
Afimilk has been disrupting the dairy industry since 1979. Photo courtesy of Afimilk
Earth
Revolutionary robotic milking system for 500 to 5,000 cows
By John Jeffay
A mosquito, preparing for a potentially disease-transferring lunch break. Photo by icon0 via Pexels
Earth
This startup fights malaria by releasing more mosquitoes
By Zachy Hennessey
A wildfire in Israel, started by a rocket fired from Lebanon in August 2024. Photo via Flash90
Earth
5 hot Israeli innovations for fighting wildfires
By Zachy Hennessey

Educate yourself about Israel

GAZA HOSTAGES START TO RETURN HOME

Tsahi Idan, Ohad Yahalomi, Itzik Elgarat and Shlomo Mantzur. Photo: screenshot via X
4 hostage bodies returned as 1st phase of ceasefire deal concludes
By Yulia Karra
People line the roads to pay their respects to late Israeli hostages Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel and Kfir in Rishon LeZion, February 26, 2025. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90
Israel mourns as bodies of kidnapped mom and toddlers finally laid to rest
By Nicky Blackburn and Yulia Karra
Released hostage Omer Wenkert arrives at the Rabin Medical Center. Photo by Yonatan Sindel/Flash90
6 Israeli hostages freed, including two after decade in Gaza
By Yulia Karra
Iair Horn (center) reunites with family at Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv. Photo by Ma'ayon Taof/GPO
More hostages freed as ceasefire deal hangs in balance
By Yulia Karra
Eli Sharabi upon his arrival at Sheba Medical Center following his release from captivity. Photo courtesy of GPO
3 ‘severely malnourished’ hostages freed from captivity
By Yulia Karra

MOVING FORWARD POST 7/10

Activists block a road in Tel Aviv to advocate for the release of the hostages, September 13, 2024. Photo by Chaim Goldberg/Flash90
Moving Forward
These tough days are rocket fuel for future growth
By Jonathan Frenkel
Photo by Ksenia Chernaya on Pexels.com
Moving Forward
My three-legged response to October 7th 
By Sandy Cardin
Natalie Selvin, in blue, with guests at a Purim party she and a friend hosted to the soundtrack of EDM music such as dubstep, drum and bass, trance/psytrance and hardstyle. Photo courtesy of Natalie Selvin
Moving Forward
We will dance again
By Natalie Selvin
The October 7 Memorial Wall for the Murdered and Fallen. Photo courtesy of the National Library of Israel
Life
Here’s how you can commemorate October 7 online 
By Yulia Karra
Family and friends attend the funeral of peace activist Vivian Silver, murdered in the October 7 massacre of Kibbutz Be’eri. Photo by Jonathan Shaul/Flash 90
Life
9 unusual memorials for October 7 victims 
By Yulia Karra
The Returning to Life Rehabilitation Center for War Casualties at Sheba Medical Center. Photo by Natalie Selvin/ISRAEL21c
Life
Israeli hospital transforms to meet wartime rehab demand
By Zachy Hennessey
When war broke out, Israelis from all walks of life immediately offered their help. In this case sorting and packing cucumbers. Photo by Nicky Blackburn
Moving Forwards
I put my faith in the extraordinary ordinary people
By Nicky Blackburn
The 48, 2024
Life
The 48 – 2024
By ISRAEL21c Staff

UNDERSTANDING THE CONFLICT

A drone fired from Lebanon flies over the Israeli border. Photo by Ayal Margolin/Flash90
Life
How Israel can combat the threat of drones
By Yulia Karra
Life
7 books to help you understand the Hezbollah Israel conflict
Explainer
What’s Hezbollah got to do with the war in Gaza?
By Naama Barak
Life
Does Hezbollah pose a bigger threat to Israel than Hamas?
By Naama Barak
The history of the Gaza Strip is complex. Image by Rokas Tenys via Shutterstock.com
Explainer
How did we get here? A brief history of the Gaza Strip
By Naama Barak
A 3D satellite map showing the Gaza Strip highlighted in red. Image by Ali Chehade via Shutterstock.com
Life
A timeline of the Gaza Strip since 1906
By Naama Barak
Iran: once an Israeli friend, now a foe. Map image by Below the Sky via Shutterstock.com
Explainer
How Iran became Israel’s greatest foe
By Naama Barak
A Yemenite soldier fighting against Houthi militia in Taiz. Photo by akramalrasny via Shutterstock.com
Explainer
What do the Houthis have to do with the Gaza war?
By Naama Barak
Collage of book covers by ISRAEL21c
Life
8 must-read books on the Israel Iran conflict
By Naama Barak

Israel's unexpected heroes

  • Rachel Edri pictured as a superhero with a cookie. Digital photo created by Guy Aga
  • Oz Davidian, a courageous rescuer on October 7. Photo: screenshot
  • Shlomo Ron, who took a bullet to save his family. Photo: screenshot
  • IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari gives a statement to the media in Tel Aviv on October 16, 2023. Photo by Avshalom Sassoni/Flash90
  • Ben Shimoni, killed on October 7 as he tried to rescue others. Photo: screenshot
  • Medic Staff Sgt. Dor Ashkenazi, left, and paramedic Sgt. Almog Oren. Photo courtesy of IDF Spokesperson's Unit
  • From left, Ha’Achim founders Asaf Doktor, Yotam Doktor and Yaron Ramon. Photo courtesy of Ha’Achim
  • Maj.-Gen. (ret.) Noam Tibon. Photo courtesy of IDF Spokesperson via Wikimedia Commons
  • Cpl. Amichai Rubin, 23. Photo courtesy of the Rubin family
  • Bedouin minibus driver Yussef Alziadna. Screenshot taken from X (Twitter) @rcuvnegev
  • Dr. Bahir Sirhan from the Galilee Medical Center treats relatives hurt by a missile launched from Lebanon. Photo by Roni Albert
  • Sami Elkrenawi, a Bedouin Arab hotel owner sheltering hundreds of southern evacuees free of charge. Photo courtesy of Sami Elkrenawi
  • Beraha Astruk, head ophthalmology nurse at Galilee Medical Center. Photo by Roni Albert
  • EMT Moshe Weitzman. Photo courtesy of United Hatzalah
  • Eran Smilansky killed terrorists and rescued fellow kibbutz members on October 7, 2023. Photo by John Jeffay
A CELEBRATION OF COURAGE
The everyday people who became heroes
By ISRAEL21c Staff
Life
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