The ranking, a significant milestone for Ashdod Port Company, is based on performance indicators such as schedule reliability, which is an essential metric for international shipping companies. The index assesses how consistently vessels arrive and depart on time, how accurate the port's forecasts are for shipping lines, and how efficiently it handles heavy traffic.

Compiled using 14 years of vessel call data covering hundreds of thousands of entries, the index has become a key reference for the global maritime and logistics industries. Ports that demonstrate consistent operations, transparent communication with carriers, and high-capacity reliability are ranked higher.

Sea-Intelligence's report is considered an industry benchmark and is increasingly used by global shipping companies in their decision-making processes, offering valuable insights into how ports perform under real-world conditions.

Shaul Schneider, Chairman of the Board of the Ashdod Port Company, has stated: "Being ranked in this prestigious index, positions the Port of Ashdod as a key player in the global logistics arena. This is a strategic achievement that reflects an ongoing, in-depth transformation involving substantial investment in infrastructure, technology, and our human capital. Today, 9 out of the world's 10 largest shipping companies now call at the Port of Ashdod weekly, providing Israel's import and export sectors with one of the most advanced and connected service packages available. The reliability index is a critical metric that will strengthen our global shipping standing and deepen cooperation with leading industry players."

Nissan Levy, CEO of the Ashdod Port Company, added: "Meeting schedules is far more than just a slogan – it's a daily operational challenge that requires the commitment of all our employees. This achievement is proof that even in times of uncertainty and global challenges, the employees of Ashdod Port continue to demonstrate exceptional dedication to our customers and to both the Israeli and global supply chains. This accomplishment is theirs, and I thank each and every one of them for embodying our core values: professionalism, transparency, and swift, accurate service."

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As part of the takeaways from the Oct. 7 massacre, in which search and rescue forces largely could not enter battle zones to treat the wounded, the Israel Police inaugurated this week four new bulletproof ambulances. The lack of protection for emergency vehicles prevented EMS from reaching civilians and ultimately cost hundreds of lives. Thanks to the first-of-its-kind donation of the nonprofits "Israel Friends" and "Let's Do Something", the police's elite units will use the ambulances in emergency scenarios.

Video: Police inaugurates new bulletproof ambulances | Israel Friends

The new armored ambulances were inaugurated in a modest ceremony, attended by Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, Chief Medical Officer of the Israel Police Dr. Valerie Shoshan, nonprofit teams, and donor representatives. At B6 Armored Protection, the ambulances are equipped with ballistic glass windows designed to halt shots fired by AK-47s, pistols, and assault rifles. The ambulances' steel plate doors create an armored capsule around the ambulance. Along with the protection of the vehicle and its occupants, B6 Armored Protection guarantees maximum lightness, to ease the driving process and provide aegis to the passengers. Among the included safety measures are an armored roof, an intercom system, run flat tires, emergency lights, and specialized cameras.

To date, armored ambulances were used exclusively by Israel's National Counter Terrorism Unit (Yamam). The new ambulance will serve elite units of the Israel Police, such as Yamas (Israel Border Police's undercover counter-terrorism unit), the Gideonim (a specialized undercover counter-terrorism unit), Yasam (special patrol), and other units. The ambulances will also be used by the police's medical facilities.

"Let's Do Something", one of the nonprofits donating these ambulances, was established on October 8th mere hours after a group of five lifelong friends learned that their close friend, David Newman, had been murdered at the Nova festival. After 24 hours in the south and identifying David's body, these friends gathered to help their country and have donated over 15 million dollars in support for the 10,000 soldier and 50,000 civilians affected by the massacre. CEO Baruch Epsdorf said: "'One who saves a life saves the world entire.' In war, sometimes life comes at the cost of another life—and different opinions can represent different values in this choice. Armored ambulances represent a precise and straightforward choice of unique lifesaving, with no calculation. We are proud to part of this movement."

The nonprofit Israel Friends, which donated the armored ambulances to the Israel Police, was established after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. In streamlining donations, they have secured around 500 tones of equipment – totaling roughly 26 million dollars – for the IDF and Israel's security forces since the beginning of the war.

"We have only recently finished debriefing the events of October 7th. There were officers evacuated in private vehicles that were exposed to gunfire," said Israel Police Commissioner Yaakov Shabtai at a ceremony. "Armored ambulances are necessary in areas where rescue forces cannot reach, especially for special units operating in difficult zones and regions far from medical centers. This is an initial response to save lives," concluded the Commissioner, presenting a recognition award on behalf of the Israel Police to the representatives of the organizations.

Jordan Fried, an American investor and entrepreneur who co-founded Israel Friends, said after the ceremony: "In the barbaric attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on the towns of the Gaza envelope on October 7th, we were exposed to the significant need for armored ambulances for the security forces, which if they had existed, could have saved many lives. As an organization that arose specifically after the massacre, with the aim of helping the State of Israel, we chose to raise the gauntlet and donate the first four ambulances to the Israel Police. We stand and will always stand by the State of Israel, praying for better days."

Israel Friends' CEO, Kyle Blank, added, "On Oct. 7, the whole world was exposed to the supreme heroism and bravery of the Israeli police officers, who served as a buffer and shield between the murderers of Hamas and the citizens of Israel – saving many lives with self-sacrifice. Since Oct. 7t we have seen 63 police heroes who gave their lives protecting our homes. These heroes and the other 35,000 officers who work every day to protect our streets have signed up for an incredibly challenging job. There is no doubt that the new armored ambulances we have the privilege of donating will significantly help the work of the police in future emergencies, in the hope that they will not occur again. The Israel Friends organization salutes the Israel Police and will always stand by their side."

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The 7th Annual Waste Management Conference, set for Tuesday, comes as Israel faces a critical juncture in waste management. With waste volumes growing 2.6% annually and treatment solutions dwindling, local authorities are being called upon to spearhead innovative approaches.

The conference, themed "Thinking Ahead About Waste," will bring together key figures including Environmental Protection Minister Idit Silman and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel. Discussions will center on municipalities' role in establishing advanced waste treatment facilities.

Gil Livne, CEO of the Dan Region Association of Towns for Sanitation and Waste Disposal, said, "The solid waste management issue in Israel has reached a boiling point. Waste volumes in Israel are growing by about 2.6% annually, but the available treatment solutions are not only not advanced but are also dwindling. The impact of this crisis is already evident in the municipalities and is extremely tangible: there is no place to dispose of waste. The waste treatment sector has done everything to prevent waste from being left on the streets, but the closure of landfills and central sites that received waste has left waste piles at transfer stations after the Passover holidays. Considering these scenes, the discussion about recycling or energy production from waste seems disconnected. I see no other solution than the entry of local authorities as initiators in the establishment and operation of advanced waste facilities. The government and the private sector must join forces and participate in projects led by the municipal sector."

The event, organized by multiple municipal associations, will be held at Hiriya Recycling Park.

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In celebration of Jerusalem Day, Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund has unveiled rare archival photos, offering a glimpse into the historic battles that liberated the city during the War of Independence.

Amidst the backdrop of the ongoing Iron Swords War, KKL-JNF's release of the previously unseen images adds a poignant dimension to the festivities, reminding us of Jerusalem's enduring significance and the sacrifices made to secure its freedom.

The UN partition plan originally earmarked Jerusalem, alongside Bethlehem, as a separate entity under international administration. However, the eruption of the War of Independence saw both Jewish and Arab forces vying for control over the holy city, disregarding international mandates.

In the ensuing conflict, the streets of Jerusalem became a battleground, witnessing fierce engagements between the IDF and a coalition of opposing forces, including Jordanian and Egyptian troops, Arab volunteers, and British allies.

KKL-JNF's collection showcases pivotal moments from this tumultuous period, capturing the raw emotion and heroism of soldiers as they liberated key neighborhoods, such as Katamon, and secured strategic positions like the British police building.

While the IDF liberated Arab neighborhoods in the west and center of the city, the historic Jewish Quarter in East Jerusalem fell to the Jordanian Legion. Jerusalem remained divided between Israel and Jordan from the armistice agreement in April 1949 until the Six-Day War.

Efrat Sinai, director of archives at KKL-JNF, reflected on the significance of the images, "As we commemorate Jerusalem's 57th reunification anniversary, these photos serve as powerful testaments to the resilience of our people and the indomitable spirit that has defined our city throughout history."

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The British Embassy in Israel held an event Thursday to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day, titled "Securing the Holocaust Memory to the Future." The event marked the first of the UK's yearlong presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance for 2024.

The UK has set its focus for the presidency on safeguarding the remembrance of the Holocaust and preserving the narrative for future generations through education, protecting historical facts and records, and tackling distortion from sources like AI, deepfake technology, and disinformation.

"The Holocaust was humanity's darkest hour. It cannot be stressed enough the importance of remembering what happened and ensuring that future generations know of its horrors," Ben Myers, deputy head of Mission at the British Embassy, said. "This feels especially poignant as we witness a spike in antisemitism around the world. The UK is proud to hold the presidency of the IHRA for 2024. We are committed to ensuring that the terrible events of the Holocaust are forever seared in our collective memory."

The event featured five speakers discussing projects aimed at preserving Holocaust memory for younger generations and combating misinformation and Holocaust denial, primarily through AI technologies and social media.

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A special event honoring the 80th anniversary of the Hungarian Jewish community who perished in the Holocaust was held Friday with the participation of senior officials of KKL-JNF and KKL Hungary.

The event, which included a one-minute silence in memory of the victims, was attended by Hungarian Agriculture Minister Istvan Nagy, who was the guest of honor, Kobi Davit, founding President of KKL-JNF Hungary and Central Europe, Binyamin Lidsky, KKL-JNF's envoy to Hungary, KKL-JNF CEO Yuval Yeni, Ronnie Vinnikov, head of Resource Development and External Affairs Division at KKL – JNF, the head of the Jewish community of Hungary, Andor Gross and more.

The event also included a touching speech from Davidi Ben Zion, a reserve IDF captain who, as part of the operation in Gaza found Hitler's Mein Kampf translated into Arabic in the house of one of Hamas commanders and presented it at an event in Hungary.

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An exhibition using AI to depict Holocaust survivors' memories has launched at the Knesset in commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day. The unique display showcases images generated by Midjourney AI from textual descriptions provided by residents of Ahuzat Tzahala assisted living facility.

AI artist Erez Rubinstein, a grandson of Holocaust survivors, spent hours with nine residents listening to their horror stories. He focused on one dominant memory from each, converting it into a powerful visual using Midjourney's image generation capabilities.

"The picture brought me back to childhood," resident Ruthy Shelzinger said about her AI-rendered memory image.

Ahuzat Tzahala's Ella Mamon stated, "The exhibition preserves the diminishing Holocaust generation's entrenched memories in a unique way for future generations."

The goal is to convey these profound memories memorably to today's youth. The AI-generated survivor testimonies will be on display at the Knesset through May 7th, open to visitors. The fusion of firsthand accounts with cutting-edge AI offers a modern lens into one of history's darkest chapters.

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Yeshiva University is reopening its transfer application portal for undergraduate students, including its Honors program, through May 31st, 2024, due to ongoing campus antisemitism across the United States, the school announced.

Although the 2024-2025 admissions cycle was closed, YU expects more transfers amid this trend. The university also continues receiving interest from top faculty nationwide seeking an institution aligning with their values. To accommodate expansion, YU is creating new faculty positions across various fields.

President of Yeshiva University Rabbi Dr. Ari Berman issued an open letter in connection to the announcement.

"We've watched with shock the antisemitic protests on campuses like Columbia and NYU. These universities must address making their campuses safe for Jewish and minority students," the statement said. "We extend our hand to help protect students from threats."

While full for 2023-24, YU "will not turn our backs" and is reopening undergraduate transfers and its Honors program. It also launched an Israel degree track with Israeli universities. "Top-tier faculty uncomfortable on their campuses" are interested in joining YU, so it's creating new positions.

"Universities need to be safe for Jews, not free from Jews," Berman stated, calling this a "time of turmoil" where universities must "express core values" while serving "diverse communities." He seeks to partner with other leaders to "build a brighter future."

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The B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) will hold their 22nd annual joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony on Monday, May 6, Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah). The event, taking place at 10 a.m. Israel time at the "Scroll of Fire" Plaza in the B'nai B'rith Martyr's Forest – the world's largest Holocaust memorial with six million trees planted to memorize the victims – is the only Yom HaShoah ceremony dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of those who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. The ceremony will be streamed live on the B'nai B'rith International Facebook page.

During the ceremony, the "Jewish Rescuers Citation" will be conferred on 13 rescuers who operated in France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Italy, and Poland. The citation – a joint program of the B'nai B'rith World Center and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers during the Holocaust – has recognized over 632 heroes since 2011. It aims to correct the misconception that Jews failed to aid one another during the Holocaust. According to the two organizations, many Jews risked their lives to save others through "subterfuge, forgery, smuggling, and concealment ... foiling the Nazi goal of total annihilation."

Before the ceremony, at 9 a.m., small groups will meet with relatives of the rescuers to learn more about their heroic acts. Speakers include H.E. Sergio Barbanti, ambassador of Italy to Israel; Sar-Shalom Jerbi of KKL-JNF; Dr. Haim Katz of B'nai B'rith; Brig. Gen. Gihad Hasan of the Israel Police's Border Guard; and Holocaust survivor Sarah Jackson, who rescued people from the Nova festival attack (via video).

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University of Haifa announced that its senate elected Professor Mouna Maroun, a world-renowned neuroscience and post-trauma researcher, as the University's new rector, making her the first Arab to hold this influential role at a higher education institution in Israel.

Throughout her career, Maroun has been a trailblazer dedicated to integrating and advancing women in STEM fields. She has also championed promoting a more inclusive society for Arabs in academia.

Maroun, who will take on the role in October, expressed her commitment to promoting the University's research excellence and ensuring it remains a beacon of excellence in northern Israel while promoting a shared society. She succeeds Prof. Gur Alroey, who will become the University's new president.

"I'm grateful that University of Haifa entrusted me with this position," Maroun said. "University of Haifa, first and foremost, is a home away from home for me. It welcomed me into its ranks more than 30 years ago as an undergraduate student, then a faculty member in the neurobiology department, and now rector. I'm committed to continuing to invest all my academic resources to promote the University's excellent research and do everything in my power to ensure the University continues to be a beacon of excellence in the heart of Israel's North. Together, we promote a common vision of a shared society where members of all religions and denominations can co-exist in peace."

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