Three cheers for genuine sportsmanship!

The magic of Israel ... The dreaded English football hooligan turned into a happy holiday-maker!

When England met Israel at the May 11th game everyone expected violence, but England football fans were bowled over and disarmed by the warmth of the welcome from the Israelis.

Even when England failed to achieve the win they needed, everything stayed calm and we in Israel are delighted to say that we didn’t meet a single soccer hooligan!

Just shows what can be done when people of good-will get together!

And now look at the repercussions!

Israel flights may take off : A DIRECT air link between Manchester and Tel Aviv moved a step closer this week.

… on Wednesday, Israel tourism boss Uzi Gafni disclosed: "We are on the verge of signing an agreement with Thomson." …. "All of a sudden there is a lot of interest," Mr Gafni went on.

"It is something which has been in the pipeline," he said. "Nothing has been confirmed as yet."

Mr Gafni said that the highlight of his career had been to accompany Sir Bobby Charlton to the recent Israel-England football match in Tel Aviv.

Since the return of the 5,000 English fans, he has received many letters from them saying that they had not realised what a great holiday destination Israel was, and how they would like to become the Jewish state's "ambassadors of goodwill".

English soccer fans in Tel Aviv said they felt more welcome in Israel than in any country they have travelled to so far when following their national team.

One group of fans sitting and drinking into the late hours on the Tel Aviv beachfront said that in their short time in the country, they had developed a very positive view of Israel.

"I came over yesterday, and I can't get over how relaxed it feels," said Tony from Swindon. "The Israeli people I met were all really friendly and welcoming. This is a lovely, lovely country. It's got great beaches too," he added.

"If you go to France, everyone pretends they don't speak in English, but here in Israel, everyone speaks English to you," Tim from Derby said. "I'm astonished by how quickly we got through the airport," he added.

"I would never think to come to Israel, but now that I've experienced it, I am thinking differently. I would like to return here with my family," Tim said. "I've told my wife on the phone that we should come back here together."

Another fan drinking one of many beers at the Mike's Place bar, said: "I've only met people here with good intentions. This is a fantastic country."

Thanks Lads. That's what we keep telling you! .... Karine Aleph

If You're Going to Boycott Israel, Do It Right! by Barry Shaw

Daily Sport December 28, 2006.

O.K. So I understand that you are ticked off at Israel, and in love with the Palestinians.
That's fine with me, as long as you have truly weighed up all the facts.

So, you want to boycott Israel? I'll be sorry to miss you, but if you are doing it - do it properly. Let me help you.

Make sure that you do not have tablets, drops, lotions, etc., made by Abic or Teva.
It may mean that you will suffer from colds and flu this winter but, hey, that's a small price for you to pay in your campaign against Israel, isn't it?
While we are on the subject of your Israeli boycott, and the medical contributions to the world made by Israeli doctors and scientists, how about telling your pals to boycott the following....
An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes between mild and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis.

So, if you know anyone suffering from MS, tell them to ignore the Israeli patent that may, more accurately, diagnose their symptoms.

An Israeli-made device helps restore the use of paralysed hands. This device electrically stimulates the hand muscles, providing hope to millions of stroke sufferers and victims of spinal injuries.

If you wish to remove this hope of a better quality of life to these people, go ahead and boycott Israel.

Young children with breathing problems will soon be sleeping more soundly, thanks to a new Israeli device called the Child Hood.
This innovation replaces the inhalation mask with an improved drug delivery system that provides relief for child and parent.

Please tell anxious mothers that they shouldn't use this device because of your passionate cause.

These are just a few examples of how people have benefitted medically from the Israeli know-how you wish to block.

Boycotts often affect research.

A new research center in Israel hopes to throw light on brain disorders such as depression and Alzheimer's disease.
The Joseph Sangol Neuroscience Center in the Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer Hospital aims to bring thousands of scientists and doctors to focus on brain research.
A researcher at Israel's Ben Gurion University has succeeded in creating human monoclonal antibodies which can neutralise the highly contageous smallpox virus without inducing the dangerous side effects of the exisiting vaccine.
Two Israelis received the 2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Doctors Ciechanover and Hershko's research and discovery of one of the human cells most important cyclical processes will lead the way to DNA repair, control of newly produced proteins, and immune defense systems.
The Movement Disorder Surgery program at Israel's Hadassah Medical Center has successfully eliminated the physical manifestations of Parkinson's disease in a select group of patients with a deep brain stimulation technique.
For women who undergo hysterectomies each year for the treatment of uterine fibroids, the development in Israel of the ExAblate 2000 System is a welcome breakthrough, offering a non-invasive alternative to surgery.
Israel is developing a nose drop that will provide a five year flu vaccine.

These are just a few of the projects that you can help stop with your Israeli boycott.

But let's not get too obsessed with medical research, there are other ways you can make a personal sacrifice with your anti-Israel boycott.

Most of Windows operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel.

So, set a personal example. Throw away your computer!

The Pentium NMX Chip technology was designed at Intel in Israel.
Both the Pentium 4 microprocessor and the Centrium processor were entirely designed, developed, and produced in Israel.
Voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
The technology for the AOL Instant Messenger ICQ was developed in 1996 in Israel by four young Israeli whiz kids.
Both Microsoft and Cisco built their only R.& D facilities outside the US in Israel.

So, due to your complete boycott of anything Israeli, you now have poor health and no computer.

But your bad news does not end there. Get rid of your cellular phone!

Cell phone technology was also developed in Israel by Motorola, which has its biggest development center in Israel.
Most of the latest technology in your mobile phone was developed by Israeli scientists.

Feeling unsettled? You should be. Part of your personal security rests with Israeli inventiveness, borne out of our urgent neccesity to protect and defend our lives from the terrorists you support.

A phone can remotely activate a bomb, or be used for tactical communications by terrorists, bank robbers, or hostage-takers.
It is vital that official security and law enforcement authorities have access to celluar jamming and detection solutions.
Enter Israel's Netline Communications Technologies with their security expertise to help the fight against terror.
A joint, non-profit, venture between Israel and Maryland will result in a 5 day Business Development and Planning Conference next March.
Selected Israeli companies will partner with Maryland firms to provide innovation to the US need for homeland security.

I also want you to know that Israel has the highest ratio of university degrees to the population in the world.
Israel produces more scientific papers per capita - 109 per 10,000 - than any other nation.
Israel has the highest number of start-up companies per rata. In absolute terms, the highest number, except the US.
Israel has the highest ratio of patents filed. Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies outside of Silicon Valley.
Israel is ranked 2 in the world for venture capital funds, behind the USA.
Israel has more museums per capita.
Israel has the second highest publication of new books per capita.

Relative to population, Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing nation on earth.
These immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom or expression, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

Believe it or not, Israel is the only country in the world which had a net gain in the number of trees last year.

So, you can vilify and demonize the State of Israel. You can continue your silly boycott, if you wish. But I wish you would consider the consequences, and the truth.

Think of the massive contribution that Israel is giving to the world, including the Palestinians - and to you - in science, medicine, communications, security.
Pro rata for population we are making a greater contribution than any other

nation on earth.

________ BARRY SHAW __________

But hey! you don't need us ... so go ahead. Boycott us! ... Karine Aleph