Dateline Jerusalem — It is always nice to think of Israel as “only,” “best,” “most,” “highest,” “oldest,” “first.” Since Israel celebrated its 67th birthday last week, what better time to present unique facts and accomplishments. Israel has a long history dating back to biblical times as the Land of Israel. The State of Israel, though, is young, a country where old and new blend beautifully together.
Recently the world’s oldest human remains were discovered in the Qesem Cave near Rosh Haayin in central Israel. Archaeologists discovered human teeth dating back 400,000 years ago, demonstrating that homo sapiens did not originate in Africa, but in Israel (which is in Asia). Israel probably is one of the few places on earth where digging anywhere will mean hitting some kind of ancient artifact. The world’s oldest copper mine, attributed to King Solomon, is just north of Eilat, Israel. Masada is Israel’s oldest and most complete Roman siege camp that survives today. It is a fortress on top of a steep sided plateau that was the last stand of 967 Jewish men, women and children who fought against the armies of the Roman Empire. Outnumbered, they took their own lives rather than be captured, tortured, and enslaved. Israel’s Mount of Olives in Jerusalem is the oldest continually used cemetery in the world. Yet when Jordan controlled East Jerusalem for 19 years, the Jordanian soldiers destroyed many of the graves, using them as urinals while building roads with the headstones. That is why it is so important to keep holy sites in the hands of Israelis. Often these sites are desecrated by Palestinians and other Arabs.
Israel’s Lake Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is not a sea but a lake. It is the lowest freshwater lake in the world as well as Israel’s only freshwater lake. The Dead Sea, also known as Yam HaMelach, is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world. Its salt content is 33 percent — so it almost is impossible not to float. The lowest point on earth, it is 1,315 feet (394 meters) below sea level.
In its short time as a nation, there have been many accomplishments attributed to the Israeli people. Israel has the most scientists and technicians in the work force, 145 per 10,000 people. No wonder it has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world other than the Silicon Valley. One of the places commonly referred to as the Silicon Valley of Israel is in the city of Rehovot, also home to the world renowned Weizmann Institute of Science. The Weizmann Institute was voted the best university in the world for life scientists to conduct research. Rehovot is known for the highest percentage of home computers per capita in Israel, and Israel has the highest percentage of home computers per capita in the world. Israel has more Nobel Prizes per capita than the U.S., France and Germany. Israel leads the world with the most patents for medical equipment.
Israel has the most venture capital investment per capita in the world. It is more than 30 times that invested in Europe. The highest rate of entrepreneurship among women in the world, and among both men and women over age 55, is in Israel. Per capita, Israel has the most startups in the world. Even Israeli cows have the distinction of being the most productive in the world! Israel hosts the most museums and orchestras per capita in the world. There is even an underwater museum and Israel’s Philharmonic Orchestra is world renowned.
After the recent major earthquake in Nepal, as per their modus operandi, Israel was one of the first countries to send aid and set up field hospitals. Israel sent the largest contingent of aid workers, doctors, nurses, medical supplies. Israel always is one of the first to respond to emergencies throughout the world. Israel was the first nation to adopt the international standard that certifies diamonds as “conflict free,” the Kimberly process. Conflict diamonds, known as “blood diamonds,” are mined in war zones and sold to finance warlord activity, wars, and violence by rebel forces seeking to undermine legitimate governments.
Now for trivia. Israel has the highest percentage of solar energy use for water heating in the world. Ninety-three percent of Israeli homes heat their water this way. Israel is the only country where most people eat salad during every meal, the most popular being Israeli Salad, which is made of cucumbers and tomatoes. No wonder per capita Israelis are the biggest consumers of fruits and vegetables. Israel is the only country where an invitation for a drink means coffee or cola, not hard liquor. Coffee is so good that Starbucks could not break into the Israeli coffee market. Yet Israeli companies such as The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf chain and Aroma Cafe do well in the States. In my town there are several “coffee bars” that sell cappuccinos, espressos, and lattes with a pastry for 5 shekels, $1.30. I actually think it is less expensive to eat out than to cook, especially since food is twice the price in the States. Did you know that besides humus, falafel, shwarma and the other well-known Israeli fast foods, Israel’s most popular beach snack is watermelon cut triangles sprinkled with Bulgarian cheese (a salty feta-like cheese)?
The following statistic is unfortunately an unpleasant one. According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Israel has the highest poverty rate in the OECD area, almost twice the average. That translates to one out of every five people in Israel being below the poverty line! Yet, recent polls show that the majority of Israelis are happy and satisfied with life in Israel. And how is this for a statistic: 99 percent of Israelis express pride in their nationality. This was evident last week during Israel’s Independence Day.
If Bibi Netanyahu can get a coalition together within the next week, it will be his fourth term. He will be Israel’s longest serving Prime Minister. However, his four terms are not necessarily consecutive.
L’hitraot. Shachar