On the other hand
Jordan wants to cancel part of its “peace” treaty with Israel. Abbas follows suit and threatens to abrogate signed agreements. Hamas and Hezbollah feverishly prepare to amass stockpiles of rockets targeting Israeli civilians…writes Michael Kuttner.
Meanwhile, Israel invests in technological advances and countless projects to improve the lives of all its citizens regardless of their ethnicity.
Guess who continues to attract condemnations from the UN?
AD MEAH V’ESRIM (until 120)
The traditional Jewish blessing given to those celebrating a birthday or anniversary is “may you live (in good health) until 120.”
Citizens of Israel are well positioned on reaching closer to this goal if researchers at the University of Washington are to be believed.
With global life expectancy on the rise, Israelis in the year 2040 are projected to live among the longest, on average, on the planet, according to statistics released Wednesday.
At an expected 84.4, Israelis will be ranked seventh in the world in longevity, moving up from their current 13th place spot (82.1).
With a projected average lifespan of nearly 85.8 years, Spain — formerly in 4th place — will dethrone Japan, which sits atop the rankings today with a lifespan of 83.7 years but will drop to 2nd place in 2040.
After Spain and Japan, the countries with the greatest longevity in 2040 are projected to be Singapore (85.4 years), Switzerland (85.2 years), Portugal and Italy (84.5 years), Israel (84.4 years), France (84.2 years), Australia and Luxembourg (84.1 years).
In a shift that will be seen by some to reflect a superpower changing-of-the-guard, the world’s two largest economies effectively swap positions compared to 2016: in 2040 the US drops from 43rd to 64th (79.8 years), while China rises from 68th to 39th (81.9 years).
Meanwhile, life expectancy for Palestinians is expected to drop the most out of any country in the next 22 years, sinking from 114th in 2016 (at 71.9) to 152nd place (at 72.2) in 2040.
If donor funds were utilized to improve their health instead of being syphoned off for terror-related enterprises the prognosis would be more positive.
ISRAELI CONDUCTOR AT THE BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation announced that Israeli conductor-composer Omer Meir Wellber, 36, has been appointed as the BBC Philharmonic’s new chief conductor. He is to take up the post in September 2019 and his initial contract is for four years.
Wellber has been principal guest conductor at Semperoper Dresden since September 2018 and, since 2009, music director of the Ra’anana Symphonette Orchestra in his native Israel. In January 2020, he will start his tenure as music director of the Teatro Massimo di Palermo.
It will be interesting to see how the knee-jerk British BDS campaigners react to this.
ANOTHER ISRAELI INNOVATION
Great news for mobile phone users and social media addicts:
JERUSALEM COMMUTE
While many cities are battling commuter chaos and dithering over alternative solutions Jerusalem’s residents and visitors are already benefitting from a modern light rail system. With more lines being built and Tel Aviv also developing a mass transit system Israel is as usual forging ahead. Watch this short video and see how commuters of all backgrounds are enjoying the ride.
