Olmert Kadima party's Showing Apparently Weaker than Expected

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is promising to work toward a compromise with the Palestinians after his Kadima party led parliamentary elections, but he warned: "We will not wait forever."

Analysts said, however, that Kadima's weaker-than-expected showing in exit polls would make it harder for Olmert to continue the policy of unilateral withdrawals from Palestinian territory he inherited from Israel's incapacitated leader, Ariel Sharon.

Israeli media were reporting Wednesday that with 99.6 percent of Tuesday's votes counted, Kadima won 28 seats, Labor 20 and Shas, a Sephardi Ultra Orthodox party, 13. Yisrael Beitenu, the conservative Russian immigrant party, won 12, and Likud took 11. (Watch how Israel's vote Tuesday was historic -- 2:59)

Olmert has been interim leader since the January stroke that left Sharon in a coma. The former Jerusalem mayor has vowed to define Israel's permanent borders within four years -- with or without talks with the Palestinians -- by evacuating many of the smaller Jewish settlements in the West Bank and annexing the larger ones.

"For thousands of years we have dreamed in our hearts of a greater Israel, an entire land of Israel, and such a country will always remain a dream in our hearts," Olmert said early Wednesday at a victory rally.

Yet Israel is willing to get rid of Jewish settlements in the West Bank "with great anguish ... in order to bring about the conditions that will allow you to also put into practice your own dream and live side-by-side with us in your own country, in peace and in tranquility," he said.

But he said the Palestinian Authority -- now run by the Islamic militant group Hamas, which calls for the destruction of Israel -- must renounce terrorism and accept Israel's right to exist.

"We will not wait forever," he said. "The time for action has come."

Strong showing for Labor

Kadima -- the 4-month-old centrist party founded after Sharon broke with the conservative Likud -- was projected to win 28 seats in the 120-member Knesset, according to exit polls. The leftist Labor Party was projected to win a better-than-predicted 20 seats, making it Olmert's likely partner in a new coalition government.

Labor Party leader Amir Peretz had been criticized for concentrating his campaign on economic issues rather than security. But Isaac Herzog, a leading Labor parliamentary candidate, said Labor had won the right to be "a major part of any future government."

"We are pleased with the fact that our social democratic agenda was well-received by the Israeli public and won a central place in the incoming parliament," Herzog said.

Other exit polls gave Kadima up to 32 seats, still short of the 40 Olmert said he had been seeking. Voter turnout was 63.2 percent, election officials reported -- far lower than the country's last elections, which saw nearly 68 percent turnout, and a historic low in parliamentary balloting.

Olmert had said he had been looking for enough of a mandate to continue Sharon's policy of unilateral withdrawals from the West Bank and Gaza, the Palestinian territories Israel has occupied since the 1967 Mideast war -- the policy that led to Sharon's break with Likud.

Sharon founded Kadima shortly before his stroke, and Tuesday's election was the first in which the party ran candidates. Olmert praised Sharon as "the man who had the courage, the determination, the desire to see things differently -- who changed direction and brought about hope."

Israeli political analyst Yossi Klein Halevi said Olmert managed to "squeak through" but failed to win enough support to continue Sharon's policy without a broader mandate from Israeli voters.

"He has a technical mandate to create a coalition," Halevi said. "Given the fact that he ran on the position of unilateral withdrawal and Olmert himself defined this vote as a referendum, this is a failure -- a defeat for unilateralism."

The immediate challenge facing any Israeli government is a Palestinian legislature headed by Hamas -- a party that is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the United States and the European Union. The new Palestinian government formally took power Wednesday. (Full story)

Likud's rank-and-file members opposed Sharon's withdrawal plan, and Sharon's longtime Likud rival, former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, quit the government in protest of the Gaza withdrawal. Netanyahu -- who led Likud into Tuesday's vote -- called the election results a "body blow" for the party but told supporters: "In the course of time, we will be proven right."

"We know that our path to achieve security and peace is the right path," he said. "We do not bend to the whims of mere fashion. We know that our party is the only one that can put security on a solid footing and guarantee for all of us that we will have a safe and secure future." (Watch why the Likud party faces an uncertain future -- 2:28)

Palestinian negotiator: Vote outcome a surprise
After the exit polls were announced, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat said he was surprised Israelis checked more doves than hawks on the ballot, and he likened his surprise to the confusion Israelis felt when Palestinians elected Hamas to lead them in January.

"Two months ago Palestinian voters managed to confuse and surprise Israelis," Erakat said. "Tonight, Israeli voters managed to confuse and surprise us."

He further expressed hope that Israel would abandon unilateralism and embrace peace negotiations with Palestinians."

Source: Olmert vows to seek compromise with Palestinians. But his Kadima party's showing apparently weaker than expected. Cnn.com (29 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Shopping: Is there a Discount?

by Erin Israel

"My friend K. and I discovered yet another bargain-basement store last night. Its giant two-shekel sign gleamed over an entrance decorated with blue paint and glass blocks. It looked as though Gaudí had tried to design a Paris metro stop but was plagued by cheap materials and a short attention span.

This place has the usual shrine to Tupperware knockoffs and other plastic abominations, as well as an odd assortment of housewares. Of the three stores we've found like this, K. and I agreed that this one was the one suffering most from the cheap-thus-ugly syndrome.

Nevertheless, we turned up some interesting finds: paper lanterns, socks and stickers with the American flag on them, and packs of kitchen items made in China--including one container of sponges with this written on the packaging: "Healthy life...Begin from the clean garbo."

How true.

# # #

If I weren't so paranoid, I would shop in the shuk. Fresh pita, fresh produce and herbs--and everything is incredibly cheap...unless you're a foreign construction worker.

A man in his forties from Southeast Asia, in clothes flecked white from plaster or paint, filled a plastic bag full of bok choy and green onions, at one vegetable stand in the market, last night. I watched as he held up a small bunch of green onions to the stand owner, who stood with his arms crossed.

This conversation went on in Hebrew for five minutes, repeating every ten seconds:

Construction worker: Half a shekel.
Stand owner: Shekel and a half.
Construction worker: No, only half a shekel. They're small.
Stand owner: Shekel and a half.

Finally, the owner threw up his hands and gave in. The worker smiled, parted with a big fifty-agorot coin, and walked off into the maze of the market with the makings for soup.

Many of the foreign construction workers pay an agent close to $8,000 simply to come here to work. Once here, they work for extremely low pay, and live in cramped conditions with other workers. Like the Filipino women who work as caregivers for the elderly, here, they seem to live in enclaves, out of view.

Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains."

Source: Erin Israel. Say It in Hebrew! #769. "Yesh ha-na-KHAH?" "Is there a discount?" Rehovot.Blogspot.com [FullText]

Rehovot Votes: Elections 2006

Why didn't we think of this?

Election Day, here, is a national holiday!

And the polls stay open until 10:00 pm! (Albeit with massive campaigning going on right outside them, by all the parties, and their cardtables piled with pamphlets.)

Read all about it.

Source: Erin Israel. Say It in Hebrew! No. 702. "Bechirot." "Elections." Rehovot.Blogspot.com (28 March 2006) [FullText]

Elections 2006: No [right] left turn

by Erin Israel

This afternoon, we were sitting in Cafe Netanela when Crazy Man #3 roared in, a Likud sign tangled in his hands. With his long ponytailed white hair, silver earring, and a spiked watchband, Crazy Man #3 looks like he's playing the title role in "King Lear," directed by David Bowie.

Since everyone and his brother is armed, here, it shouldn't make me nervous that he had a pistol stuffed in his waistband. Nevertheless, when Crazy Man #3 ended his loud tirade against Netanyahu by tearing the poster in two, stomping on it, and spitting on it, I figured tea time might as well be over.

Here's a practical philosophy, here: The worst is not / So long as we can say "This is the worst." (King Lear, 4.1.27-28)

Yes, elections are on Tuesday. The party most likely to win (Kadima) has been relying on the image of its founder to propel it to victory; never mind that the founder himself is in a coma. Netanyahu, in an effort to show that he is by no means in a coma, storms around the country, holding rallies in Hebrew and Russian. Kadima and the Likud are likely to wage a battle for Knesset seats, while other parties like Labor, Shas, and Etiud Ahad (for Ethiopian immigrants, on whose governing panel sit two Americans) will lag behind.

There is no third party, here, either.

One image the country would like to present is that it is well-accustomed to accepting immigrants, and integrating them without ignoring their heritage. The reality behind this image, however, seems fairly stark, through the lens of elections: the Russians distrust the Sephardis, the old generation of Russians regards the new generation suspiciously, Israelis with Ashkenazi heritage hold the key positions of power, the main parties virtually ignored the Israeli Arab vote, a small number of secular Russians will vote for Shas (religious party) out of protest against the others, and immigrants from Ethiopia have essentially no political representation.

Last night, friends invited us over to celebrate the birth of their baby, in the near future; the father-to-be is Israeli, and his brother and his brother's girlfriend arrived later in the evening, after the four of us guests and the future parents had consumed a shocking amount of food in the form of chopped salad, hummus, tehina, sandwiches spread with chopped red onion and smoked fish, crackers, and cheese. The guests were excited to discover that some food remained, and that a significant chunk of those at the party were from abroad.

"Are there any peculiar things that Israelis do that you find odd?" the brother asked us sweetly, after a round of introductions, as he sank into an armchair.

There was a pause of about five seconds, while everyone scrolled mentally through his or her long list of Baffling Things They Do Here, thought better of responding, and then struck up a conversation with whomever was sitting to his or her left.

"Nothing surprises me, anymore," I replied. "It's no stranger than anywhere else." Translation: that's a really loaded question; how could we possibly answer it diplomatically? Are you crazy? Nice to meet you!

Later, as must occur when there are at least two pregnant women (not your grateful correspondent) in the room, the conversation turned to epidurals.

"The science of epidurals is at least twenty years old," the guest of honor and hostess (who grew up in Yugoslavia) remarked. "But it's certainly not common in my country."

"It's been a practice in the U.S. for at least that long," I said.

"Here, too," Omer said.

"Yes, we must have copied it from America," his brother added, munching on a cracker. "Everything they do, we copy." He sighed. "May I have some more Pompaudour tea, please?" he asked his brother in English.

"Pompadour is the brand name, you nitwit," Omer told him. The graying father-to-be and his brother collapsed in a pile of laughter, while the mother-to-be looked on, her dessert plate balanced delicately on her belly, and rolled her eyes.

Source: Erin Israel. Say It in Hebrew! No.362. "Puh-mee-YAH [yuh-ma-NEET] smo-LEET a-soo-RAH." "No [right] left turn.". Rehovot.Blogspot.com (25 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Ethiopian Comminity to Have Knesset Member

...when Kadima Party wins

"It's time for our community to take its destiny into its own hands!", Avraham Neguise, a candidate in Israel's election, shouts to an auditorim full of fellow immigrants from Ethiopia.

"In our own hands, yes!", the crowd at a community centre in Rehovot, a town near Tel Aviv, chants back in their native Amharic tongue, before offering up hearty applause.

As the first Ethiopian Jew to head a political party, Neguise's campaign for Tuesday's ballot is a sign of how the small immigrant community is developing its own political voice after years on Israel's sidelines.

"Our community is finally getting itself together, and realise we need a representative in parliament. We have been lacking a political voice," said David Meckonen, a 30-year-old
attorney in Rehovoth, who backs Neguise.

Ethiopian Jews often complain of discrimination in Israel's job market and in schools, despite extensive government aid programmes. Many live in separate communities.

They are also Israel's poorest immigrant group. More than 60 percent live below the poverty line, compared with 20 percent overall for Israelis. An isolated few have achieved some
prominence in sports, entertainment, law and politics.

Neguise is one of four high-profile Ethiopian Jewish candidates in the Israeli election, an uprecedented figure for the immigrants, who number upwards of 100,000.

Much of the community, which traces its roots to the biblical King Solomon and Queen of Sheba, arrived in major airlifts in the 1980s and 1990s.

A time bomb

Ethiopian immigrants tend to vote in large numbers and many have backed right-wing parties in the past. Neguise, 48, a veteran social worker once active with the rightist Likud party, cites the immigrants' persistent problems integrating into Israel as the reason he had decided to seek office on his own as head of the "One Future" party.

"The situation of our community is a catastrophe, a time bomb waiting to go off in Israel's face, like it did in France and elsewhere, if we don't do something about it," he said.

Increasing numbers of immigrant youths, born in Israel, face an identity crisis, torn between their parents' traditions and modern Israel, and many turn to drugs and crime, Neguise said.

More than half of the Ethiopian immigrants, including a growing number of college graduates, are unemployed, he said.

"These problems keep me awake at night, and I want to make change. In order to do that, we need political power."

Many Ethiopian immigrants take pride in Neguise as the first party leader from their midst, although opinion polls give him just a slight chance of winning a seat in parliament.

Shlomo Mula has a better chance of being elected to the legislature than Neguise. Mula is number 33 on the candidate list of interim Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party.
Opinion polls give front-running Kadima some 36 seats.

Mula, an immigration official in the quasi-governmental Jewish Agency, would be the first Ethiopian in Israel's parliament since the late 1990s.

He said a party like Kadima would be more effective than a tiny ethnic faction in helping Ethiopian migrants integrate.

"We came here to become a part of the society and help build it, not to continue to live in our own Ethiopian ghetto," Mula said."

Source: Israel's election: Ethiopian Jews: "It's time for our community" Reutres South Africa (23 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Public Transportation: Is Egged An Anti-Public Company?

"It is infuriating to watch the 319 pass by in the evening and not bother to stop, a stop which would take all of 1 minute. In response to msg. No.2, Egged did not respond to the needs of a large group of consumers over that of a small group, rather it responded to the pressure tactics of a small group of chareidi activists, who care not a whit about the antagonism they are sowing in the general community. In an era where public transportation access to Tel Aviv U and Ben Gurion has been significantly upgraded by new rail connections, Bar-Ilan is receiving less and less service from Egged, its only public transport connection (outside the immediate Tel Aviv region)."

Source: named Bar-Ilan University Faculty, Israel. Rehovot Bus. JPost TalkBack(originally posted as talkback entry No.3, 10:20 23 March 2006) [FullText] [Talkbacks by others].

Source: Modern Orthodox, haredim spar over bus line to Rehovot. www.MyRehovot.info (24 March 2006) [FullText]

Modern Orthodox, haredim spar over bus line to Rehovot

"Dissent over the limits of religious observance on public buses has pitted Rehovot's modern Orthodox residents against their haredi neighbors.

The Rehovot English Speakers Organization (RESO), which has a preponderance of modern Orthodox members, is preparing to petition the district court against the Egged bus company and the Transportation Ministry for "caving in," in their words, to haredi pressure to reduce service to Bar-Ilan University.

RESO claims that haredi elements in Rehovot, especially the Viznitz and Kretchnev hassidic sects, forced Egged to create a new line - the 319 - that skips Bar-Ilan University on its Rehovot-Bnei Brak route. The haredim complained about immodestly dressed young women who boarded the bus, according to RESO.

The haredim were also concerned about the negative influence on young haredi men and women exposed to modern Orthodox students pursuing secular studies, RESO said.

The haredi community discourages secular studies except in special, haredi settings. In contrast, Bar-Ilan University, though established and run with strong religious influences (male lecturers must wear a kippa, students have mandatory courses in Jewish education), provides complete academic freedom.

In parallel with the creation of the new bus line, which took place in February 2005, Egged also drastically cut the number of buses serving Bar-Ilan University. This was because the haredim, who make up the vast majority of bus passengers between Rehovot and Bnei Brak, stopped using the old line - the 318 - once the new one was created. As a result, there was no economic justification for maintaining so many 318 buses.

RESO, which represents the Bermans Shul, Hadassah, Emunah, WIZO, Hitachdut Oleh Britania and AMIT, is the umbrella organization for English speakers in Rehovot, with 350 member families.

Barbara Pfeffer, chairperson of RESO, said the battle is not limited to modern Orthodox.

"We are fighting for the rights of the entire community to accessibility to Bar-Ilan University," she said.

Pfeffer said that it took over a year for RESO to avail itself of the courts because it had attempted, unsuccessfully, to reach an agreement with Rehovot's haredi leaders.

"Now, we have no choice but to turn to the courts," she said.

Rabbi Natan Weinfeld, a Viznitz Hassid and popular teacher of the daily Talmud page (daf yomi) in Rehovot, said the changes, which he helped initiate, were aimed at eliminating certain severe halachic prohibitions. He refused to elaborate, saying there was a halachic prohibition against publicizing the story because it was slander and would cause a desecration of God's name.

Wienfeld also hinted that petitioning the secular district court was prohibted according to Jewish law.

Egged spokesman Ron Ratner rejected the petitioners' claim that Egged had caved in to haredi pressure.

"We did not give in to pressure from anyone," said Ratner. "We give services to different types of citizens, including the haredim who are particularly dependent on Egged, and we are more than happy to serve them."

Ratner said the change, which was done in concert with Bar-Ilan University, the Rehovot Municipality and the Transportation Ministry, was based on economic considerations. "We were simply answering the needs of the market," he said.

Ratner added that eliminating the stop at Bar-Ilan University made the trip from Rehovot to Bnei Brak significantly faster.

The Transportation Ministry said in response that it had approved of the creation of the 319 line and the parallel reduction of 318 buses that stop at Bar-Ilan University because "most of the demands are for a line to Bnei Brak, not to Bar Ilan."

Ministry spokesman Avner Ovadia also said that the changes were made in coordination with Bar-Ilan University.

The spokesman for Bar-Ilan University President Moshe Kaveh said that university management would look into the matter to determine whether the change hurt accessibility.

"If there is a blow to accessibility to the university, we will seek a solution that is acceptable to all sides," said the spokesman.

The vast majority of passengers that travel the Rehovot-Bnei Brak line are haredi - 80 percent during the school year and 90% during the summer months.

However, about 20 teachers and workers and about 100 students at the university use the bus during the school year.

According to the bus schedule posted on Egged's Web site, while there are ample 318 buses in the morning hours that stop at the university, there is a serious dearth for the return trip. Only two 318 buses return to Rehovot from Bar-Ilan University, one at 3:20 p.m. and one at 5:10 p.m.

In contrast, 319 buses from Bnei Brak to Rehovot pass the university without stopping every 50 minutes to an hour from the afternoon until midnight.

Still, Rehovot residents have the option of taking the 164 bus that connects Petah Tikva to Rehovot. The bus stops at Bar-Ilan University every half hour until 10 p.m. However, it does not reach the southern parts of Rehovot, but rather stops at the Rehovot central bus station."

Also see: Original Jerusalen Post TalkBack postings by readers.

Source: Matthew Wagner. Modern Orthodox, haredim spar over bus line. JPost.com (23 March 2006) [FullText]

The Israeli Iron Man for 2006 is Shai Pipman of Rehovot

"At the age of 69 Oscar Tuzman decided that what he lacked in life was the Iron Man title. For many years now he has been running long distances, swimming and riding a bike, but he had never participated in the ultimate race that combines all three sports. Last Friday, at 5:45 A.M. he dived into the water of the Red Sea and swam 3.8 kilometers. Then he pedaled 180 kilometers in the Eilat mountains for 10 hours and at 8 P.M. he started out on the last stage of the competition - a marathon race. By then most of the competitors had reached the finish line, or almost, but Tuzman did not give up. He set out with a smile, despite the darkness and the cold, accompanied by a friend in an Eilat police car.

"Almost everyone who knows me said I wouldn't finish," relates Tuzman, "but I said, 'There's a chance. I have to enter this race.' I wanted a little piece of iron, a medal that will prove that I am an Iron Man." At 1:30 A.M., 20 hours after the opening shot, Tuzman reached the finish line near Kibbutz Smadar. He was the last to finish, but he proved that where there is a will, there is a way.

The pensioner from Kiryat Motzkin is not alone. Tal Heller, a widow and mother of two from Petah Tikva; Roni Biram, the owner of the Excellence Nessuah investment house; Dr. Uri Oppenheim, an orthopedist from Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer; Natan Ofan, a retired contractor from Herzliya; and another 135 enthusiasts demonstrated physical and mental fortitude on Friday. All of these people are devotees of the triathlon, one of the most demanding sports that exist. They train for many long hours each week, when other people are sleeping early in the morning or going out in the evening. They suffer nasty accidents and overcome them, and continue to live their lives from competition to competition. Their devotion is almost religious.

"People who have chosen the triathlon have chosen not only a sport, but a way of life," explains Oppenheim, "but contrary to the image, I don't suffer. When I run in the rain, for example, getting wet has no meaning, because on a humid summer day one gets wetter. You just need to realize that and then there's no problem."

Torture and satisfaction

A regular triathlon, which involves swimming 1.5 kilometers, cycling 40 kilometers and running 10 kilometers for dessert, demands effort. But in the Iron Man, competitors approach the limits of human endurance. The competition was first held in Hawaii in 1977 with 13 participants, only 10 of whom reached the finish line. After that it gained momentum and during the past decade, there have been about 20 such competitions each year in various places around the world. Altogether nearly 30,000 men and women of all ages participate. In Israel, this is the third time the competition has been held. In the first competition in Eilat, in 1999, 22 people took part and in the next, which was held a year later, there were already 67 participants.

But it took another six years before people were found to take on the burden of organizing the competition: They were Nir Barak, the director of the Shvoong Internet site, and Haaretz journalist Yossi Melman. The Iron Men and Women then returned to Eilat for a week of physical torture and emotional satisfaction. This time 140 people took part; 35 completed the full course and the rest made do with "only" half the Iron Man route. Each entrant paid NIS 1,000 on average for the right to perspire while climbing up Mount Hezkiyahu.

The Israeli Iron Man for 2006 is Shai Pipman, 32, of Rehovot, who swam, rode and ran a total of 225.8 kilometers in 10 hours and 52 minutes. Had it not been for the strong wind that blew along the route, explained cognoscenti, Pipman would have stopped the clock at a single-digit number of hours.

The Iron Man competition is aimed mainly at people of means. Some of the entrants ride bikes that cost tens of thousands of shekels, and we have not yet said a word about all the ancillary gear. From this point of view, too, Tuzman competed against all the odds. He immigrated here from Latvia in 1973, started to run after the Lebanon War ("I was an operational driver for four and a half months and I was looking for a way to relax from the pressure") and for many years he worked at marble importing company. Today he and his wife enjoy a modest monthly income of NIS 6,500. He came to Eilat by bus. On Saturday afternoon, wearing the sought-after medal, he loaded the bike he had borrowed back on the bus and headed home.

"Next week I'll be running in a race in Ra'anana," he relates, "and in April there is a half-marathon in Jerusalem."

The sport also plays a major role in the life of Natan Ofan. He used to be a big contractor, but "recently business has been slow," as he defines it. He is 66, a resident of Herzliya and the father of four. He started to engage in sport at the age of 45, after he discovered the devastating fact that after a 100-meter run, he felt like he was going to suffocate. Today the situation is completely different.

"I weigh 61 kilos, like I did on the day when I was inducted into the army," reports Ofan. "If I were only able to get a new face transplant, I go back to my childhood entirely." He also participated in the two previous Iron Man races and in hundreds of other competitions. "Although my physical ability is declining, it fills my time," he adds. "Instead of sitting on the boulevard and in cafes or watching television and surfing the Internet, or whatever pensioners do these days, I do something different."

Source: Assaf Carmel. Farther, harder, more painful. Haaretz.com (20 March 2006) [FullText]

A Tel Aviv Resident Arrested on Suspicion of Murdering a Rehovot Woman 10 Years Ago

"The 41-year-old man, who had a number of indictments pending against him for fraud and forgery, is suspected of making the death of Yael Levy, 29, look like a car accident during a trip the two took together in Australia. The police International Crimes Unit also arrested the man's father for alleged involvement in the murder.

The suspect was interrogated in the unit's Petah Tikva offices yesterday and was remanded.

During a trip near Perth in November 1996, the tire of the car in which two were traveling had a blow-out. The suspect emerged from the accident with scratches, however, Levy's body was found in the car. Her remains were flown back to Israel for burial a week later.

Levy's younger brother had been killed eight years before in a car accident.

Due to the couple's violent history, the Levy family immediately approached Perth police with suspicions that Levy had been murdered. However, the police closed the case for lack of evidence.

Israeli and Australian police reopened the case after new evidence came to light seven months ago regarding the relationship between Levy and the suspect. The probe revealed that the suspect had kept Levy from her family, attacked her, and forced her into prostitution. Levy, who was a kindergarten teacher, is also believed to have turned over her earnings to the suspect. The couple left Israel in 1995, apparently so the suspect could escape prosecution. Police also believe the suspect kept Levy's passport to prevent her from leaving him.

After Levy's death, the suspect continued to live in Australia for five more years during which time police say he worked to have the charges against him in Israel dropped. He returned to Israel in 2001 after the arrest warrant against him was canceled.

Source: Jonathan Lis. Police arrest TA man for alleged 1996 murder of Israeli woman in Australia. A Tel Aviv resident was arrested yesterday on suspicion of murdering a Rehovot woman 10 years ago in Australia. Haaretz.co.il (15 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Air Quality Improved in 2005

"Israeli asthma sufferers can take a big, deep breath. Maybe now, they can even enjoy it a bit more, as air quality improved in 2005 in many of Israel's largest cities.

Improvement in air conditions was recorded in Jerusalem, Beersheba, Afula, Bet Shemesh, Rehovot, Holon, Carmiel, and Modi'in.

In Jerusalem, air pollution was measured high or very high on 52 days in 2005, as opposed to 55 days of high or very high pollution in 2004.

In the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem metropolitan areas, the majority of air pollution was due to transportation, whereas pollution levels in other cities stem primarily from secondary pollution and dust storms.

The Dan area recorded the highest levels of air pollution, similar to last year, but even there, a mild improvement was noted in the annual average levels of nitrous oxide. Modi'in registered the highest levels of airborne particles due to construction and quarrying in the area. The levels in Gush Dan and Modi'in exceed the standards for air quality.

The improvement in air quality registered in many places in 2006 was due to a combination of meterological conditions and steps taken by the Environment Ministry, including extensive steps to prevent automotive and industrial pollution.

The actions included steps to improve the quality of gasoline, to intensify the emissions regulations at industrial sites, and to introduce automotive technologies designed to lessen pollution. There will also be stronger enforcement against vehicles and factories that pollute.

The data was taken from an Environment Ministry air-quality assessment system.

How does Rehovot measure up?

Rehovot: Eight days were recorded in 2005 in which the pollution levels were found to be high, as opposed to 10 such days in 2004.

Source: Report: Air quality improved in 2005. Jpost.com (6 March 2006) [FullText]

The Average Office Space Rent in Rehovot was $9.70 per sq.m. Per Month in 2005

"A survey by Maalot the Israeli Rating Company on Israel’s office space market has found substantial improvement over the past two years, including for income-producing properties. This improvement has been driven by a business recovery, including in high tech, a drop in the interest rate last year, higher proceeds by shopping centers, and higher occupancy rates for office and high-tech space in Tel Aviv and its environs...

Maalot says that, in view of these factors, as well as the plunge in building starts and completions, the positive trend in the income-producing real estate market would probably continue in the near future, especially in demand areas in central Israel. Factors behind this trend are a reduction in available office space, the improved security situation, and Israel’s emergence from recession.

Maalot stresses that there is a wide rental differential between isolated office buildings and those located in high-tech parks, with rents in the latter 10-20% higher than rents for isolated office buildings...

The survey found that the average office space rent in Tel Aviv was $12.30 per sq.m. per month in 2005 and that the occupancy rate rose from 73% in 2004 to 82% in 2005. The average office space rent in Petah Tikva rose 12% in 2005 to $11.30. The average office space rent in Herzliya Pituah rose 13.5% in 2005 to $12.60 per sq.m. per month, and the occupancy rate rose from 77% in 2004 to 88% in 2005. The average office space rent in Rehovot was $9.70 per sq.m. per month in 2005, and the average in Haifa was $10.30."

Source: Guy Yamin. Maalot: Tel Aviv office rent rose 10% in 2005. The occupancy rate rose to 82% in Tel Aviv and 88% in Herzliya Pituah. The average office rent reached $12.60 in Herzliya and $10.30 in Haifa. Globes.co.il (19 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot's Weizmann Street Reopens After Bomb Scares

by www.MyRehovot.info
1:30 PM Jerusalem Time, March 19, 2006

The bomb squad's remote-controlled robot inspects the suspicious package.

Rehovot's Weizmann street has been reopened to traffic following a security threat that forced its partial closure this early afternoon.

Police closed a section of Weizmann Street (hundred meters from the Central Police Station, SupeSol Supermarket and Bank Leumi branch, and few hundred meters away from the Weizmann Institute) earlier today after a suspicious package, later discovered to be an old bag, was left at a street sidewalk.

Police Special Operations Group officer inspected the package using a remote control bomb-disposal robot. It was not a bomb, however. "It was just an old bag and a coat that someone threw away at a sidewalk,'' Weizmann St. resident told MyRehovot. She also pointed us to a garbage container where shooted through bag was left after the robot inspection.

The robot was then driven back about 50 meters by the the police officer and loaded into a van before it was driven away and the traffic reopened at 13:00PM.

"It's like someone had left an old bag at a place not intended for garbage collection," another pedestrian told www.MyRehovot.info. Many Rehovot residents walked down the incident, but said police had to close the road after coming to the spot.

We would add that it is important Rehovot residents take greater responsibility of disposing old items to a designated garbage-collectors only, so, that valuable time and money of the Police would be directed for issues of greater security importance, not faulty security threat alerts.

Important: this publication is an original material by www.MyRehovot.Info. Citation, usage of photos and re-printing in any media is permitted in case it is properly cited with the phrase www.MyRehovot.info . Online publications quoting or using this publication and/or photos must provide the following hyperlink: http://www.myrehovot.info linked to the text www.myrehovot.info . Requests for free original photos included in this publication should be sent by email along with the explanation of the intended usage of pictures and the statement of the above usage terms acceptance.

Weizmann Institute is Third Most Profitable Scholar Institution

Israel’s top university counted USD 456 million in revenues in 2005; in order, Tel Aviv University, Weizmann Institute, Ben Gurion and Technion next most profitable

The Hebrew University in Jerusalem continues to lead as Israel's most profitable university, counting revenues of USD 456.7 million in 2005, according to data released Sunday by the Dan and Bradstreet Company Israel.

The overall revenue from Israel’s 25 leading universities and colleges totaled roughly USD 2.3 billion in 2005, a 3.5 percent rise since
the previous year. Profits from tuition fees only represented 20 percent of total revenues, as the majority of profits were attributed to various governmental subsidies and private endowments.

Hebrew University profits from tuition totaled USD 38.1 million in 2005 and governmental budget funds totaled USD 208.8 million in 2005. Another USD 209.8 million came from “other sources.”

Tel Aviv University rates as the country's second most profitable institution, with profits of USD 330 million in 2005. USD 66 million came from tuition fees, USD 156 million from governmental subsidies, and USD 108 million from other sources. The study counted 29,254 students enrolled at Hebrew University in 2005.

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot ranked third, with revenues of USD 302.8 million, USD 73 million of which were government subsidies and USD 220 million from other sources.

Source: Hebrew U. still most profitable university. Ynet.co.il (12 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Purim 2006

"Last Sunday, we awoke at 8:15 am to music blaring from the school a half-block away. (Pity our friends, and all the retired profs in Tenure Tower, who live next door to the school.) This continued for fifteen minutes.

I'm a big fan of music in school (and especially over the PA during passing periods), but this was egregious. I don't do forced merriment; not before 10 am, anyway.

"It must be Purim," J. mumbled.

Sure enough, a stroll around Rehovot, later, proved him right. On campus, proud babushkas jockeyed for prime sidewalk positions to show off their costumed grandchildren: I stepped into the grass to let a tiger in a striped daysuit pad by with a three-year-old mermaid who was shuffling along slowly, glancing dolefully at her tail, which wagged behind her Keds.

Americans have Halloween and Mardi Gras; Brazilians and Italians have the Carnival/Carnevale. Israelis have Purim and Adloyada parades.

Near Pinsker Gate, I stopped to stare at a highschooler walking home from school for lunch in the most ingenious costume I've ever seen, here. From the waist down, she was a Hawaiian hula dancer, with palm-frond skirt and flip-flops with plastic hibiscus flowers.

Waist up, she wore a suit coat, collared shirt, beard, round glasses, and a hat. She looked like the most reformed rabbi in town.

I met J. for lunch at Hummus Weizmann, to whose hummus and falafel we have become addicted. (Never again will we have to eat industrial hummus, now that we know they sell hummus by 100 grams, for takeout.) We sat outside and watched more highschoolers trickle home from school, dressed outrageously and devouring the attention their costumes earned them on Herzl. The most shocking costumes involved some combination of a miniskirt, wings, tiara, and teetery shoes.

Purim itself was on Monday, and stretched far into the night, for some: the emphasis on drinking, on this holiday (and the cautions against it), rival the traditions surrounding New Year's, in the U.S.

This afternoon, the main street of town was much more quiet: Benny's Cafe, which is usually packed during the day with old men only, was open but empty; the gelato place was just beginning to put out its tables; and next door, at the blue-collar cafe, two guys filled out a Lotto card, while a girl with an absent look stared at the bus stop and munched on a bureka.

The fertility festival on the grassy space outside Cafe Mada'a is really the only action of any kind in Rehovot on a Saturday afternoon. Dozens of young couples with babies and kids are scattered across the lawns, playing catch, running around, or relaxing on blankets. There are so many different makes and models of strollers that it looks like a dealers' convention.

If you're between the ages of 21 and 35, and you walk by without evidence of children or children in the near future, you get looks of pity. Every woman I know here who is my age is pregnant.

To say this is strange would be a gross understatement.

With one exception, none of my friends from college, grad school, or teaching is pregnant or has kids. There was no cultural pressure to have kids. Here, the cultural pressure (including secular culture) is huge, comparatively.

Is it just Israel? Is it not being in a group of like-minded, feminist women? Is it being outside the U.S., where--say what you will--feminism isn't regarded as the territory of far-left-wing bluestockings?

Don't get me wrong: I like kids. But this place is obsessed with them, in a weird fairy-taleish sort of way that eventually casts its spell on nearly every woman of childbearing age who lands in the country.

Except me. The only use I would have for a stroller, at the moment, is if I wanted to cart a manuscript from one part of town to another.

Cootchy-cootchy-coo!

Hmph."

Source: Erin Israel. Say It in Hebrew! #1255. "Ha-ma-kha-LAYTS." "The corkscrew." Rehovot.blogspot.com (17 March 2006) [FullText]

Johnson & Johnson Links with Yissum of Hebrew University and Rehovot's Yeda of Weizmann Institute

"A fund for innovative science at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has been established by university's Yissum technology transfer company and the Johnson & Johnson corporate office of science and technology. The contribution from Johnson & Johnson will be matched by the university and Yissum. A few days ago, the technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute - Yeda - announced a similar deal with Johnson & Johnson to establish a joint fund supporting research at the Rehovot institute. The purpose of the Yissum fund is to identify and encourage innovative research ideas. The focus will be on propositions which have the greatest potential for becoming major scientific breakthroughs or to be of great commercial possibility. The fund was officially launched at a recent ceremony attended by senior officials from Johnson & Johnson, Yissum and HU."

Source: Judy Siegel-Itzkovich. New Worlds: Cooperation is its own reward. J&J links up with Yissum. JPost.com (11 March 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot's Weizmann Institute of Science: a Caterpillar of Israeli High Tech Success

Incubators have played an important role in the development of Israel’s new economy, with initiatives undertaken by the government but also by public entities or universities. Among them is the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel’s multidisciplinary center devoted to research and teaching in the natural sciences.

The Weizmann Institute

Located on a 1.2-square km campus in the town of Rehovot, 22 km south of Tel Aviv and 42 km west of Jerusalem, the Weizmann Institute employs 1,600 scientists, technicians, and research students. It operates on an annual budget of some 8176 million and manages more than 250 research groups across the spectrum of contemporary science. The Institute comprises five faculties: biology, biochemistry, chemistry physics and mathematics, and computer science, as well as the Feinberg Graduate School.

Within the Israeli R&D environment the Weizmann Institute plays an important role. The Institute is involved in almost all the scientific activities in hard science in Israel. It was the first in Israel to introduce cancer research; helped and supported the creation of the first science park, Kiryat Weizmann; and was the first to create a commercial arm to promote exploitation of Institute research. Furthermore, the Institute has extensively contributed to the Israeli economy and society in the fields of creating new drugs, agriculture, research, and education.

The Institute is the third oldest among the six universities in Israel which are engaged in research in hard sciences. It is looked upon as a model inside Israel in relation to technology transfer and enjoys national and international renown in R&D.

Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd., Commercial Branch of the Weizmann Institute

In addition, the Weizmann Institute was the first academic institute in Israel to create a technology transfer organization to promote the commercialization of its research: Yeda Research and Development Company Ltd. Founded in 1959, Yeda’s mission is to transfer technology from the Institute to the world marketplace by locating venture capital to create the necessary start-up companies. Today, it employs 11 people, of whom five are professionals: a director who is an experienced businessman scientist, a lawyer, a patent attorney, and an accountant.

Yeda participates in start-up companies based on projects initiating Institute research. Six such ventures were set up in 1998-1999: two each the fields of life sciences, chemistry, and electronics. By September 1999, 19 start-ups were established as a direct result of Institute research; in each of these Yeda was an active partner. Yeda realized that it was unlikely that any of the companies would show profits overnight, but if they showed the patience, they would probably thrive in the long term.

In 1997 Yeda made an agreement with PAMOT, a venture capital fund. PAMOT now has the right of first option on all Yeda’s projects. They are obliged to create a start-up but cannot deal with licensing so they cannot compete with Yeda. However PAMOT can create a “virtual company” within the institute and check the application of the technology to the market. So far they have established six new companies.

By associating with a venture capital fund, Yeda solved a problem faced by many research institutes: how to attract pre-seed funds. Further-more, Yeda does not demand up-front payment from start-up companies, as they would do in a licensing operation; this is done to ease the financial burden on the start-ups.

The Incubator for Technological Entrepreneurship Kiryat Weizmann (ITEK)

Another important creation from the Weizmann Institute is ITEK, the Incubator for Technological Entrepreneurship Kiryat Weizmann, which started operating in August 1991 and hosts 11 high-tech incubator firms. Another nine have already left and operate independently. An analysis of this incubator shows the characteristic key success factors of a major Israeli incubator:

Substantial financial support provided to the start-ups.

Incubator administrators play an active role in each project for the entire duration. Yerushalmi, the head of the ITEK incubator, is personally involved in each of the start-ups, therefore contributing to a permanent link between the incubator activity and the companies emerging from it.

Consultancy as a complete set of services is concretely and easily available for the start-ups.

Responsibility is expected of the incubator managers vis-à-vis the state, who must show proof that the incubator operates as a normal commercial company, although it is a non-profit organization. This guarantees both professionalism and credibility of the incubator’s involvement.

Scientists can work undisturbed during the two years authorized for start-ups.

A small but very active and dynamic steering committee (five people, volunteers) with minimum bureaucracy.

Focus in a few subjects (product creation, high tech, company creation etc.).
Measurement methods, measuring success by the amount of money raised from investors.

Source: Par Prof. Daniel Rouach. The Weizmann Institute : a pilar of Israeli high tech success. Rubrique: Universités, sciences et r&d. Mots-clé Case study: the Weizmann institute of science and the Itek incubator (last viewed 19 March 2006) [FullText]

US FDA Approves Rehovot Pharma Phase III Clinical Trials of an Emphysema Drug

"Kamada (TASE: KMDA), based in Rehovot Rabin Science Park bio-pharmaceutical company which develops, manufactures and markets prescription drugs, today announced the crossing of a major milestone on its API roadmap with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) announcing the removal of the "Clinical Hold" status. This announcement marks the final approval required by the company to start the third phase of clinical trials with Kamada's flagship drug, Alpha 1-Proteinase Inhibitor (API). The clinical trial will include 50 patients from the USA and will follow the protocol submitted to and approved by the FDA.

API is used to treat Congenital Emphysema, a disease caused by an inborn deficiency of Alpha1 protein. The drug is produced by Kamada using the fourth fraction of human plasma. Kamada has already begun the distribution process of API in several countries. According to available information, API is the only product in its category that is available without the need for preparation or dilution. API's elevated status gained Kamada an advantage in the development of the next generation of the product that will be administered by inhalation instead of injection, delivering the drug directly into the patients lungs, thus reducing the time and cost of treatment.



Kamada's CEO, David Tsur, stated, "The FDA approval is a major step for the company towards debuting commercial distribution in the USA. In order to prepare for the clinical trials, Kamada has allocated extra resources to accelerate the research and development process of API."

Kamada anticipates the final approval by the FDA or EMEA (European Medicines Agency) for the commercial use of API will generate a substantial and sustainable contribution to the company's revenues. This is mainly because API only enables temporary replenishment of the Alpha1 protein. It does not provide a cure. Congenital Emphysema patients undergoing API treatment will require continued medication throughout their life.

The American Alpha1 organization estimates that more than 200,000 people in the USA and Europe suffer from Congenital Emphysema, with only 10% diagnosed. According to the same estimation, only 4,000 patients worldwide are currently under medical treatment with an annual cost of $60,000-$100,000 per patient. According to recent publications, most of these medical expenses are financed, in the USA and several European countries, through health insurance programs."

Source: Kamada Receives Final FDA Approval to Commence Phase III Clinical Trials of API with Congenital Emphysema Patients. Business Wire (March 9, 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot-based Pharmaceutical Firm Advised to Extend the Study of Its Neuroprotective Drug

Based in Rehovot's Industrial Science Park Israeli "D-Pharm announced today that its Independent Safety Monitoring Board has issued a second recommendation to continue the ongoing Phase II study of its neuroprotective agent DP-b99 in acute stroke patients. DP-b99 is a unique neuroprotective drug that addresses the array of damaging processes occurring in the brains of stroke patients.

The Safety Monitoring Board, which includes experts in neurology, cardiology and clinical pharmacology, reviewed the safety data of 107 subjects enrolled into the study, and has recommended the study continue in its present design.

"The current review of the Safety Monitoring Board concurs with previous safety evaluations of DP-b99 in patients. It is encouraging to observe that as the enrolment continues and the number of study subjects grows DP-b99's safety profile remains favourable." said Dr Gilad Rosenberg, D-Pharm's VP, Research and Clinical Development.

The interim trial data review was blinded and the patients were split into groups A or B without disclosure of active drug or placebo designation. No differences were found between the two groups with respect to adverse events and no difference was observed between sub-populations for serious adverse events. Both groups were comparable for most baseline characteristics , including mean NIH Stroke Scale score. The Board evaluated clinical, laboratory and electrocardiographic data. The rate, nature and distribution of adverse events were similar in both groups.

The current Phase II study aims to recruit 150 acute stroke patients in more than 20 centres in Germany and Israel. The study results are expected to be available in the summer of 2006.

DP-b99 is administered intravenously over 4 days with the first administration up to 9 hours following stroke onset. The patient group is stratified into those treated within six hours and within nine hours following stroke onset. D-Pharm expects this study to clearly define the optimal patient population and therapeutic window for DP-b99.

Stroke is the leading cause of neurological disability worldwide and reflects a considerable unmet need in effective acute stroke therapy, which DP-b99 aims to address..."

Source: D-Pharm Announces the Second Recommendation of an Independent Safety Monitoring Board to Continue the Phase II Study of DP-b99 in Acute Stroke Patients. PRNewswire (7 March 2006) [FullText]

Factoid: Rehovot Real Estate on a Rise

"High-tech companies have leased a total of 8,000 sq.m. in the Kiryat Weizman Science Park in Rehovot in recent months. Africa-Israel Properties: 98% of the 100,000-sq.m. science park is leased at an average of $11 per sq.m. per month."

Source: Kiryat Weizmann Science Parks rents 8,000 sqm. www.Globes.co.il (5 march 2006)

Bob Parsons of GoDaddy.com tells how he sharpens his mind

There are many aspects and capabilities of the human mind we simply do not understand. Notice I’m talking about the human mind and not the brain.

The human brain is like a computer processor.
To use a computer metaphor, I consider the human brain to be much like the processor in a computer. The processor is the part of the computer that actually moves the data from one part of the machine to the other – like from the hard drive, internet or keyboard to the computer monitor screen. It is also capable of carrying out very basic operations like addition or multiplication of numbers. And that’s about it.

The human mind is like the entire computer.
In contrast, I consider the human mind to be the entire process we use to interpret and act upon facts and feelings or experience emotions, that sort of thing. Using the computer metaphor again, the human mind would be most appropriately compared to the entire computer.

No one knows where our mind is located.
We know that our brains are located in our skull. But we are not sure, and really have no firm idea, as to where our mind is located. I think, like the computer, our mind is distributed throughout our entire body.

We feel emotions throughout our entire body.
I’ve noticed that depending on the emotion, sometimes I get a particular feeling in my arms and throat. That’s where I feel fear. All of us have heard someone say that upon receiving bad news they felt sick. When I feel that way I feel that sinking feeling at the top of my stomach and in my chest. Like many people I tend to feel stress in my jaws and on the inside of my shoulders.

Stress often is felt in our jaws and shoulders.
When I am stressed and want to relax I simply think of relaxing my jaws, as well as my shoulders, and a feeling of calm comes over me. This bit of information is really nothing new. You can read it or something similar in various books on stress management or yoga. The point is that this knowledge has been around for years.

Massages are known to bring back old memories.
I know people who after having a massage, and upon having the therapist work on their arms, legs or whatever, were flooded with memories and emotions that have long since been forgotten. This leads me to believe that, like a computer used to store information on its hard disk (not in the processor), we store memories and knowledge throughout our bodies.

We are taught very little about how our mind works.
The point of all of this is that we as a people, from a scientific standpoint, have an amazingly small amount of information as to how the most important part of our existence works – our mind. In fact, when we moved through the education process, we received very little information or instruction concerning the best way to make our inherent thinking process work for us. I personally feel that this is a shame.

I have had to solve many problems.
Throughout my career I have been faced with problems or challenges that seemed insurmountable at the time. Most of the time, but not all, they were technical. At least the technical ones are easiest to recall.

Many times I simply had to find a workable solution.
To accept the fact there was not an acceptable solution for a particular problem would have meant a considerable setback. So during these times it became imperative that I solved whatever problem was in front of me.

Here are a few examples.
One such problem involved data compression. Another was how to make it easier – much easier – to enter data into a home accounting program that started me in business. Yet another was how to most effectively present one of our new products. The list of problems I've encountered that required not so obvious solutions goes on and on.

I know of a mental process that works.
Some might look at these problems and instantly realize the solutions were not so difficult. However the required solutions were not apparent to me at the time, and no matter how much time I spent searching for the answers I drew a blank. Today, whenever I find myself in this situation, I go through a problem solving process I learned to use over the years. You might even call it a “trick.” One thing is for sure, I know it works.

Think about anything but the problem at hand.
After I spend time wrestling with a problem or a situation and can’t come up with an acceptable solution, I’ve found that the best and most effective thing to do is to stop thinking about it – entirely. Instead I like to completely defocus and do something I enjoy.

Both sleep and exercise seem to help.
If I’m sufficiently tired, I find it helpful to take a nap. If it’s late enough I turn in for the night. After I awake, I like to exercise. I like to do cardio type exercise and lift weights. During this time I make it a point to think about anything but the problem at hand.

The answer will often come out of no where.
It is usually at the tail end of my exercise session, or during the cool down period after I exercise that something remarkable happens. The answer I’m searching for will seemingly come out of nowhere and occur to me.

I know this process works.
This method of finding an elusive answer has worked often enough for me to know there is something to the process. I have suspicions as to why it works, but I really don’t know for sure.

How I think it works.
I think by focusing away from the problem at hand, I allow my subconscious mind – whatever that is – to fully devote itself to the problem. Taking a nap seems to help the process, and exercising might create enough bodily activity to also help the process.

Another example.
I’ve seen something similar to this process work for others who were trying to recall some obscure fact – maybe the name of a song or the name of a place – and couldn’t do it. Then later on, after the conversation changes to something else, out of the blue they blurt out whatever the fact is they were searching for. This has to be the mind working as it was intended to do – on its own.

Try it. You should be surprised at the results.
So why not put this important mental process to work for yourself? The next time you’re faced with a problem that seems unsolvable — after you’ve racked your brains for an answer but have come up with nothing — do what I do, forget about your problem for a while. Go do something else you enjoy. Maybe even take a nap. You might just find that the solution you're searching for will simply present itself to you.

Source: Bob Parsons. The process I use to sharpen my mind. It’s easy. It works. Finding difficult solutions instantly! BobParsons.com (2 November 2005) [FullText]

Rehovot's Biotech: Evogene Completes $7 Million Financing

Evogene Ltd. announced today that it has completed its second round of financing, raising $7 million from existing and new investors from Israel, Europe and North America. Evogene previously announced the initial $1.75 million of this round which was in the form of a convertible bridge loan from existing investors.

Ofer Haviv, President and CEO stated: "We appreciate the continuing support and confidence shown by our initial investors and are pleased to welcome new investors as we broaden the ownership base of the company." Mr. Haviv continued, "Although a relatively young company, Evogene is developing an attractive pipeline of improved plant traits and is currently in discussions with a number of leading agbio companies about various forms of collaboration and licensing arrangements."

About Evogene

Evogene is a biotechnology company focused on developing high-value commercial products based on plant genomics. The company is merging state-of-the-art predictive computational biology and molecular biology with the most advanced breeding technologies. Evogene's current product development portfolio is focused on: improving abiotic stress tolerance and yield in key crops such as corn, soybean, cotton, tomato and canola; enhancing fiber development in cotton; improving nitrogen use efficiency for key crops and plant manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. Evogene was founded in 2002 by Drs. Hagai Karchi and Rafi Meissner as a plant biotechnology spin-off of Compugen Ltd. (Nasdaq:CGEN) and has a broad license to utilize certain Compugen technology in the agbio field. For additional information, please visit Evogene's Website at www.evogene.com.

Source: Evogene Completes $7 Million Financing. Biowire2K (1 March 2006) [FullText]

"Baby seller" from Rehovot Was Arrested for Cheating the Bank Suspicion

"Elinor Weizman, a former Bank Discount worker from Rehovot, was arrested on Tuesday under suspicion that she cheated the bank and its customers out of hundreds of thousands of shekels, allegedly transferring the money into her own account. She was released on bail later in the day. Israel Radio reported that the 31-year-old woman was also suspected of misleading the production staff of Dudu Topaz's television show into thinking she was driven to sell her unborn baby out of economic distress. Many viewers reportedly sent her donations following the broadcasting of the show."

Source: Jpost staff. Former banker arrested for alleged customer fraud. Jpost.com (21 February 2006) [FullText]

High Tech Technology Helps Rehovot Seniors, thanks to Yad Sarah Local and National Teams

Imagine this scenario. A foreign tourist visiting Disney World suffers a heart attack. He is taken to the nearest hospital, but is incoherent and is unable to supply his personal information to the staff. His passport is found, and the authorities call his country's consulate, but it's the weekend and nobody is available to receive the information.

Under such circumstances, there could easily be a two or three day delay before the country's authorities finally learn of the illness, or, potentially, his death. And when an official finally arrives at the victim's home to notify the family, the person on the other side of the door could be totally unequipped to receive the bad news - an aged parent with a weak heart themselves, or a young child.

That nightmarish scenario could be avoided with the Casualty Notification Center, a system developed by Israeli start-up, MADAN C.N.C Ltd. The system is tailored to situations where there's been a sudden death or if an injured person is not able to function, due to being either unconscious or confused.

Subscribers are equipped with a special emergency card bearing a toll free number. When an accident occurs a CNC is immediately contacted, receiving a report of the incident with the personal details of the injured subscriber. A specially trained agent from MADAN-CNC then immediately contacts the pre-designated person - a family member or a friend - who has been named by the member as the most suitable to deal with the news. The instruction can be changed if the subscriber is visiting a foreign country where he or she may have friends or relatives.

The MADAN-CNC card is attached permanently to an identity document such as a driver's license, passport etc, and printed on the card is a request for the rescue officials or the hospital staff to contact MADAN-CNC using the toll free telephone number.

The system is the brainchild of Uri Segall, a reserve colonel in the Israel Defense Forces, with more than twenty years experience in handling incidents involving casualties in the army. While serving in the army, the Rehovot resident was involved in writing procedures in the sensitive issue of family notification, as well as conducting seminars on the subject.

The CNC concept developed when Segall realized that there is no existing procedure to deal with the quick relay of news of an incident to an injured (or dead) person's family. He feels that the families of ordinary citizens are entitled to the same high standards of treatment that are given to families of soldiers who are injured.

"'We care for the living' is the motto of MADAN C.N.C., therefore conveying the information to the person's family as soon as possible is of utmost importance, especially in the case of serious injury - this could save lives," Segall told ISRAEL21c.

Segall surrounded himself with a team of experts, including a specialist in forensic medicine, Dr.Chen Kugel; Yoram Ben Yehuda an expert in the treatment and prevention of post-traumatic disorders; a psychiatric consultant, Dr. Haim Knobler; and Professor Adam Friedman, a genetics and virology consultant.

After 2005's terror bombings in London, the first fatality was only identified after 72 hours had passed, and only several days later were more bodies identified causing endless and unnecessary anguish to the families who were kept in suspense.

"Since identification of unknown victims is based on comparison of records and other known information about a missing person with data obtained by examination of the body, a reservoir of available data may shorten the identification process and make it more efficient," said Kugel, who was head of the medical identification unit of IDF.

The benefits of MADAN CNC's early notification system are manifold. In the case of serious injury, the family would be able to decide immediately if they wanted to arrange treatment in a better-equipped facility. In addition, the injured person's family would be able to relay all the relevant medical data to the hospital alerting the staff to any special conditions such as high blood pressure or drug sensitivity.

"If any special treatment is required it could be commenced immediately, possibly resulting in saving the patient's life, when time is of the essence. Delay could be fatal if quick decisions are not made," said Segall.

In the event of a death, the Madan C.N.C. system establishes effective reliable reservoirs of ante-mortem identification data (e.g. dental x-rays, fingerprints, DNA samples etc), which can shorten procedures significantly.

The identification of the body is of utmost importance for a variety of reasons. Accurate identification allows the family to begin the grieving process, and proceed with the necessary funeral arrangements.

In addition to these services, the company also offers psychological counseling from the moment of notification that a person has died, throughout the mourning period. It also offers group, individual and family counseling to assist in the adjustment to loss or trauma.

The service is targeted to major companies whose employees travel frequently to high risk destinations. A database would be set up by MADAN-CNC at company headquarters with a back- up situated elsewhere, if required. MADAN-CNC will also act in a consultant capacity to provide any support needed by the company including training of selected staff to deal with incidents.

Segall plans to launch the CNC program in Israel this spring, with procedures already being written for companies. Magen David Adom (Israel's emergency services), have already contracted to have selected personnel trained in aspects of the program including the treatment and prevention of post-traumatic stress disorder. The development plan is to establish the Casualties Notification Center in Israel and gradually establish other centers abroad as the demand arises.

A presentation of the project was made to the delegates at last year's General Assembly of the United Jewish Communities in Toronto in 2005, where approximately 4000 people attended. Segall reports having had contacts with interested parties in the USA and Canada and hopes to have a center established during 2006 in one of the communities.

MADAN-CNC's goal is to establish Casualties Notification Centers for government institutes, police, municipalities, communities, organizations and companies worldwide.

"In current reality, the likelihood of an incident (terror act, nature disaster or other), resulting in casualties must always be taken into consideration. Proper handling may minimize immediate, or later consequences of such an incident," Segall emphasized.

"There is a saying 'saving one soul is like saving an entire world.' If this happens as a result of our project we will regard this as a great achievement."

Source: Joe Charlaff. Breaking the bad news the right way. MADAN C.N.C. is bringing instant notification to concerned families all over the world. (26 February 2006) [FullText]

Rehovot Firm To Work For The Air Force of the Republic of Korea

"Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. of Rehovot, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. of Haifa, was selected by the Republic of Korea air force to supply real-time electro-optical/infrared long-range oblique imagery systems for its F-16 aircraft. The signed multiyear contract is valued at approximately $50 million. The subsidiary supplies electro-optical and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems. Its projects are used by various armed forces, and its customers include defense companies."

Source: Elbit Wins Contract for EO/IRA Imagery Systems. Photonics.com (February 2006) [FullText]