Tourism Booms Between Israel and Malta

Article on Arutz Sheva June 30, 2010
By Hana Levi Julian

While Israeli tourism to Turkey is dying on the vine, the Republic of Malta is preparing to introduce a new direct flight route to the Jewish State. The small Mediterranean nation, located near Italy, has lost no time taking advantage of the drop in Israeli travelers who are choosing Turkey as their destination of choice.

The General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU), the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Chamber, and the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association (MHRA) banded together recently to advocate routes to both Jerusalem and Beirut. Some of those involved suggested that it would be a good idea to connect the two destinations.

The GRTU "has been inundated with requests and queries" as to why airlines do not start flight operations from Malta to Jerusalem and Beirut and back, Philip Fenech, president of the GRTU's Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure section, told The Malta Independent. “A number of Maltese, with their strong Catholic faith, have always shown a high interest in traveling to these two places,” he explained.

MHRA president George Micallef added that tour operators have had especially positive experiences from Israel, leading him to be certain that there is money to be made on both sides. “The MHRA has in the past experienced charter operations from these two destinations, particularly Israel, and we have generally received positive feedback from the hotels that have hosted a large number of guests from these countries, said MHRA president George Micallef.

He cautioned, however, that it was important to ensure that the momentum of high energy seen during peak months be continued during off-peak season as well. Otherwise, he said, “it can create more problems than solutions. When introducing new and prospective destinations like Jerusalem and Beirut, Malta needs to ensure their sustainability,” he said.

Malta, a member of the United Nations and the European Union, is comprised of an archipelago some 93 kilometers south of Sicily and 288 kilometers northeast of Tunisia. The republic spans some 300 square kilometers, making it one of Europe's smallest and most densely populated countries. Its official religion is Catholicism.

Israel launches new spy satellite 'Ofek 9'

Article published on AP June 22, 2010
By Mark Lavie

JERUSALEM – Israel launched a spy satellite called "Ofek 9" late Tuesday, Israel's Defense Ministry and officials said, increasing Israel's capacity to keep an eye on enemies like Iran.
The Defense Ministry issued a statement saying the satellite was launched late Tuesday from the Palmachim air force base on Israel's coast south of Tel Aviv. An hour later, after the satellite completed its first circuit, the ministry said it had achieved its proper orbit, describing it as "a surveillance satellite with advanced technological capabilities."



Defense officials said Ofek 9 is a spy satellite with a high resolution camera. It would join two other active spy satellites in the Ofek series already orbiting the earth. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because details were not made public, said the three satellites would give Israel considerable coverage of sensitive areas.
Addition of a new satellite gives Israel the capability of sending space-borne cameras over sensitive areas more frequently. One of Israel's main targets for spy photos is Iran, because of its nuclear program.
Israel considers Iran to be a strategic threat, charging that its nuclear program is meant for developing bombs, despite Iranian denials. Also, Iran has tested missiles that can reach Israel, and its leaders frequently refer to Israel's destruction.
Israel is also thought to be targeting Syria with its satellites. In 2007, warplanes struck a site in Syria thought to be a nuclear facility under construction. Israel has not commented, but it was widely reported that the attacking aircraft were Israeli.
Defense officials said that with each successive Israeli satellite, cameras are more advanced and offer higher resolution. They said the camera aboard Ofek 9 was made by Elbit, a leading Israeli high-tech optics firm. They said the camera could pick out missiles and launchers on the ground.
Isaac Ben-Israel, a former head of the Israeli space agency, told Israel Radio that the new satellite weighs about 650 pounds (300 kilograms), small in comparison to American spy satellites. He said it would take another two or three days before it could be determined if its camera was working properly. So far, he said, Israel has not had problems with cameras aboard its satellites.
In 2008, an Israeli spy satellite launched from India took aloft an advanced radar system that would allow photography in all weather conditions and at night.
Besides its spy satellites, Israel also has a number of communications satellites in orbit.

Israeli companies star in New York Advertising Festival

Dig reveals 3,500 yr old relics

Article published in Jerusalem Post June 7, 2010
By jpost.com staff

Find includes 100 undamaged religious utensils.

A major 3,500 year old archaeological find was made at Tel Kasis dig near the Tishbi Junction in the North, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Monday.

The site was found to include over 100 undamaged religious utensils, including tableware such as cups and plates, vessels for storing oils and statuettes some of which were imported from Mykonos in Greece.

The dig is being managed by archaeologists Uzi Ad and Dr. Edwin Van-Den-Brink, who described the discovery as a rare find.

The archaeologists believe that the items were carefully hidden in the hole at a time of conflict in Canaan, for safekeeping.

A natural gas pipeline is planned for the area, and the dig is part of the preliminary preparations.