Archive | 2012 | May | 02

According to reports, the Tel Avviv-Yaffo municipality is giving away pride flags (FOR FREE) to all residents who wish to display one off their balcony. Residents that are interested need to call, ask for it and the municipality will ship it directly to their homes.

NOW THAT’S A PROUD CITY

Israel Nature and Parks Authority confirms that the beach will be open without charge.

The northern coast’s Achziv beach, which has been closed to the public for years and used to be an exclusive Club Med resort, soon will be reopened to the public free of charge, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority said on Tuesday.

The beach, a symbol of public concern over the privatization of sections of the coastline, will become part of an adjacent national park now that a lease to operate a tourist site there is expiring.

A Club Med resort operated on that strip of beach for many years. The resort was fenced off and accessible only to those paying a fee. Although the Club Med there shut down several years ago, the site has remained closed, but has still retained the status of a leased tourism site. With the end of the lease this month, an agreement has been struck by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority with the Israel Lands Administration and the regional council to return the site to public access as part of the national park.

The parks authority confirmed that the beach will be open without charge and plans are underway to create an unbroken stretch of coastline accessible on foot from Nahariya to Rosh Hanikra on the Lebanese border. Restoration work on the former Club Med beach will begin shortly, said Guy Alon, the parks authority’s northern district director.

About a year ago, the parks authority took similar steps to incorporate Palmahim beach, south of Tel Aviv, into a national park and provide unrestricted access to the public.

Source: Haaretz.com

Jerusalem, Israel, May 2, 2012 – Canadian farmers will benefit from stronger agriculture partnerships with Israel, following Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz’s first trade mission to Israel.

“The Harper Government is working to increase market opportunities for our hard-working producers and processors,” said Minister Ritz. “We continue to explore every opportunity to help farmers boost their bottom line, grow the agriculture industry, and strengthen the long-term prosperity of the Canadian economy.”

Minister Ritz met with his Israeli counterpart, Agriculture Minister Ms. Orit Noked, and stressed the need for access to Israel for Canadian beef. Israel committed to working with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Market Access Secretariat to move Canada’s request forward. In 2010, Israel’s total beef imports from all countries were valued at approximately $370 million.

Minister Ritz also raised the importance of a renewed Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement with Industry, Trade and Labour Minister Mr. Shalom Simhon. Since this free trade agreement came into force in 1997, total bilateral trade has more than doubled, reaching $1.4 billion in 2010, $63 million of which was agricultural goods. In 2010 alone, Canada exported $30 million worth of agri-food and seafood to Israel. Canada’s key agricultural exports to Israel are pulses, canola, and beverages.

Canada and Israel agreed that an enhanced memorandum of understanding for co operation in science and research would greatly benefit the long-term prosperity of both countries. Israel and Canada will work together to propose new research projects for collaboration. Demonstrating his commitment to agriculture science and research, Minister Ritz toured the Volcani Centre, Israel’s world-class agricultural research organization, to see what other opportunities exist for co-operation.

While in Jerusalem, Minister Ritz marked the Holocaust remembrance anniversary by laying a wreath at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial to honour the memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust and to pay tribute to the survivors.

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Israel, a small country of outstanding beauty, is so many different things:

It is a bridge between Africa, Asia & Europe, It has pulsating urban life, breathtaking nature, an abundance of plant & animal species, Thousands of years of fascinating history, a rainbow of cultures and traditions.

Israel offers an energizing experience with a vibrant cultural scene, and is proud to be an innovative leader in science & High-Tech.

Sounds too much? you’ll believe it when you see it.

McFerrin meets Achinoam Nini

Musician of multifarious talents to host 37 Israeli artists in four shows as part of Tel Aviv’s White City Music Festival

Vocalist, composer and conductor Bobby McFerrin will perform in Tel Aviv as part of the White City Music Festival starting Tuesday.

McFerrin is slotted to hold four shows and host 37 Israeli musicians, including Idan Raichel, Achinoam Nini and the Mayumana group, among others. The performances are to be held at Tel Aviv’s Hangar 11 venue.

The vocal virtuoso told reporters Monday that he frequently hosts artists in his shows, but never this many.

He added that he often seeks opportunities to meet musicians and share his music, “because music should be shared.”

The multiple Grammy winner noted that while he is glad that his most famous work, the reggae hit “Don’t Worry, Be Happy,” has touched many people across the globe, he is less pleased when people are surprised he still makes music.

The 62-year-old McFerrin said that he intends to travel the country as way to nurture his soul and spirituality.

Source: Ynetnews.com

Last year’s event was dedicated to captive soldier’s release; this year, he will take part in it

Participants at last year’s annual “Cycling for Peace” outing, which was dedicated to Gilad Shalit, scarcely expected that the then-captive IDF soldier would take part in this year’s race.

But on May 4, Shalit will be the one to lead 35-km ride, which is set to depart from his home in Mitzpe Hila and continue to the Lily Sharon Park in Acre.

This would be Shalit’s first opportunity to meet the crowds who closely followed the struggle for his release from Hamas captivity. After being jailed in Gaza for over five years, he was set free in a prisoner swap in October.

Gilad’s father, Noam Shalit, confirmed the soldier’s participation with the Acre Municipality, which is organizing the event. Acre’s sports department, the city’s International Center for Peace and other organizations are sponsoring the outing as well.

Shalit is to receive a honorary plaque at the conclusion of the event.

“Last year’s race called for Gilad’s release, so this year we’re proud to hold an event with his participation,” Acre Mayor Shimon Lankry said.

Source: Ynetnews.com

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