[img]96|left|||no_popup[/img] Dateline Jerusalem — Although I have been an Israeli for only four years (and am still an American), I have been an Israeli in my heart most of my life. I am so proud of the accomplishments this tiny nation the size of New Jersey has made in the mere 63 years of its modern existence. Many of the most important inventions and discoveries in medicine and technology used by the entire world today were born in Israel. Therefore, it baffles me that much of the world wants Israeli products boycotted and some even call for Israel's destruction. How many other nations can claim 10 Nobel Prizes in such a short time as a nation?
Just about everything in our daily lives is connected to Israel. If you own a cell phone (developed in Israel by Motorola) or your computer uses Windows NT operating systems, like XP and VIsta (developed by Microsoft Israel), or has Pentium MMX Chip or Centrino mobile technology (designed by Intel Israel) or use a Disk-On-Key which is also known as USB drive or stick (invented by an Israeli), you can thank Israelis. In fact, both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the U.S. in Israel. Voicemail technology (SMS and voicemail systems) and AOL Instant Messenger were developed by young Israelis. Other Israeli inventions include VOIP technology like SKYPE and Digital Voice, network firewall security software, system software, wireless computer chips, Wi-Fi, the first PC anti-virus program, and the first camera chip used in cell phones. Also, two Israeli researchers created the algorithm used to compress computer files to zip files. What else can be expected when Israel leads the world in the number of scientists and technicians in the workforce and has the most high tech industries per population? Although Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capita and much of computer technology comes from Israel, the cost of a computer in Israel is about twice that in the U.S.
Turning to Medicine
If you have ever had a CT scan or MRI, an ultrasound or laser surgery, these devices were developed in Israel. Other medical technological inventions include: the first ingestible video camera that fits inside a pill and is used to view the small intestine from the inside which aids doctors in diagnosing cancer and digestive problems; a new device that helps the heart pump blood; a new acne treatment using a high intensity ultra-violet light-free blue band light that causes acne bacteria to self-destruct; a pen-like device that diagnoses diseases when it touches a patient's body; a system that protects babies from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS); the first radiation-free method to discover breast cancer; an interactive breathing device worn around the waist that lowers blood pressure with no side effects; and a device that allows wheelchair users to walk.
Other medical problems have been aided by Israeli pharmaceutical companies. For example, Copaxone (Glatiramer acetate) is one of the most efficient medicines for multiple sclerosis. It was developed by Israeli Teva Pharmaceuticals, as do Betaseron and Avonex, two other well-known MS medicines. Israeli scientists developed the first DNA computers that led to a special stem cell therapy has been invented to improve treatment of Parkinson's Disease using the patient's own bone marrow stem cells to produce the missing chemical that restores motor movement. The Israeli development of the medicine Bortezomib (Velcade) works against Kahler Disease (multiple myeloma), one of the most common forms of blood cancers.
Creative Energy Producer
When it comes to energy and the environment, Israel is ahead of the game with its inventions and discoveries. For example, an Israeli company was the first to develop a large-scale, solar-powered and fully functional electricity generating plant. It has been installed and is now in use in the Mojave Desert. Israeli Ormat Technologies designs, develops, builds and manufactures geothermal power plants worldwide. The first solar window to combine energy efficiency, power generation and transparency is from Israel. An Israeli engineer invented drip and micro-irrigation technology, which minimizes the amount of water used to grow crops. Another Israeli company developed and patented a method for recycling plastic that requires 50 percent less energy than current recycling methods and 83 percent less energy than manufacturing.
For me, one of the most important Israeli inventions is the Iron Dome, a mobile system that prevents missiles and rockets from landing in populated areas. It has been deployed in Southern Israel because of all the rocket fire from the Palestinians in Gaza. Now it is going to be used in other parts of the country due to longer range missiles from Gaza and from Lebanon. In the field of defense, the Israeli Air Force is one of the first users and developers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), which are fighter aircraft that can fly without a pilot. Israel produces many kinds of UAVs, from the size of a mosquito to that of a passenger plane.
Last on my list — there are thousands of other Israeli inventions and discoveries that I have not mentioned — is the cherry tomato. It was invented by two professors at the Hebrew University Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot (where I live). It is the only tomato I buy for my salads.
L'hitraot. Shachar.