Israel Beats the Odds in World Rankings
The list of unique facts about Israel is never really finished, as new things could be added to it daily. Israel was and is such a distinctive place in the world! From the time it was chosen by the Lord for His people to the day it was reborn in the modern age, the land simply draws everyone’s attention.
But there is one curious thing I have noticed in my line of work.
I have been teaching across the United States about Israel for several years. And I am amazed at the theological disconnect that I have noticed among my listeners and students. Many in the Christian circles did not connect the country of Israel with what they were reading in the Bible.
All too often Bible readers see the word “Israel” in the Scriptures and they interpret it as an allegory. They assume it communicates Godly characteristics and themes and not much beyond that.
They do not realize that the words of the Bible continue being fulfilled right now, before our eyes! And it is happening just as the prophets foretold.
Interesting Facts about Israel
Ezekiel 28:25-26 says that God will regather Israel from the nations where they were scattered. He wanted to bring them back to the land He promised to Jacob. What is more, He wanted the nations to see it!
And God told Israel that they were not to be like other nations. Instead, they would stand out and be different.
Israel became a nation again in 1948 – for the first time in over 2000 years! I am pretty sure the nations have noticed. Israel has made the headlines of every newspaper in every country. What is more, in its first 70+ years this little country has accomplished more than what some nations have not been able to achieve in centuries.
So let’s get straight to it! What are some of the most interesting facts about Israel today? Let’s look at some ways that God is distinguishing Israel on the stage of the world.
Facts about Israel that make it stand out:
- Israel, a small country with 9 million people, is the only democracy in the Middle East.
- As such, it takes second place in the largest number of new books per capita.
- Similarly, the country has more museums per citizen than any other country.
- Israel has two official languages: Hebrew and Arabic.
- Unsurprisingly, the Jewish State is the third most educated country in the world.
- Further, Israel has the highest percentage of the population with computers at home.
- It has the third highest rate of entrepreneurship – and the highest rate among women, and among people over 55 – in the world.
- Additionally, Israel is ranked #2 in the world for funding start-ups, right behind the USA.
- Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.
- Certainly, Israel has the highest average living standard in the Middle East. The average income exceeds that of the UK.
What More is There to Know about Israel?
God also made promises to Israel that sometimes are hard to understand for Christians. Because He said they will gather riches here on earth, and not just the spiritual or heavenly ones!
“I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD” Jeremiah 29:14
It is no secret that there is a lot of money and fortune in new technology and developing new ideas. In the last 100 years Tel Aviv has gone from shacks on sand dunes to one of the top locations for Technology and Research and Development on earth.
As you read the lists of facts about Israel below, consider what life would be like without them. Especially the Israeli inventions and leadership in these fields. But perhaps what is more amazing is that these advancements are from Israel’s first 60 years of existence.
TECHNOLOGY
Did you know that Israelis working in the Israeli branch of Motorola developed the very first cell phone?? And this is just the beginning…
- For example, an Israeli company has developed the world’s first video ringtones for cell phones – the Vringo.
- Very common today, the Voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology was pioneered in Israel. Add to that, voice mail technology was developed in Israel.
- Intel’s new multi-core processor was completely developed at its facilities in Israel.
- Microsoft-Israel developed most of the Windows NT operating system. And, the first PC anti-virus software was developed in Israel too, all the way back in 1979.
- Additionally, the Israeli company M-Systems was the first to patent and introduce key chain storage.
- And the Pentium MMX Chip technology was designed in Israel at Intel as well.
- Do you remember AOL Instant Messenger? Four young Israelis developed the technology for it in 1996.
- Research by three scientists from the Haifa Technion made the transmission of video pictures, Video transmissions from Mars, by the NASA explorer “Spirit,”, have been made possible thanks to a unique algorithm developed by Technion graduates.
- A small Israeli company, called Lenslet, has developed a revolutionary electro-optic processor. It operates one thousand times faster than any known Digital Signal Processor.
- Israel engineers are behind the development of the largest communications router in the world, launched by Cisco.
So is your mind blown yet? Don’t worry, we have a lot more of interesting facts about Israel to go through…
RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
- Israel produces more scientific papers per capita than any other nation by a large margin – — 109 per 10,000 people -— as well as one of the highest per capita rates of patents filed.
- In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of start-up companies in the world. And, in absolute terms, Israel has the largest number of start-up companies than any other country in the world, except the US (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech).
- Israeli research showed that we can find out more about what is buried beneath the earth’s surface by launching a satellite into the sky.
- With more than 3,000 high-tech companies and start-ups, Israel has the highest concentration of hi-tech companies in the world (apart from the Silicon Valley).
- Moreover, Microsoft and Cisco built their only R&D facilities outside the US in Israel.
- And, Motorola has its largest R&D center outside of the US in Israel.
- At the same time, Israel hosts IBM’s largest R&D facilities outside the United States.
- In other news, a team of Israeli and US researchers have designed a watermelon-picking robot endowed with artificial vision to do the job of harvesting.
- Scientists in Israel have used strands of DNA to create tiny transistors that can literally build themselves.
- On a per capita basis, Israel has the largest number of biotech start-ups.
All the above innovations have happened while Israel was engaged in wars, with implacable enemies that seeks its destruction. Meanwhile, Israel is also continually strained economically, by needing to spend more per capita on its own protection than any other country on earth.
So, is that all? Oh far from it…
Facts about Israel in Medical Advancement
God is gathering up the outcasts of Israel and is again building up Jerusalem. In the same vein, He is also beginning to heal hearts and bodies. And as God continues to heal Israel, the world will benefit.
The LORD builds up Jerusalem; He gathers the outcasts of Israel. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. – Psalm 147:2-3
Here is a list of just a few amazing facts about Israel from the medical field. In other words, these are advancements, research, and breakthroughs that Israel has championed in her first 70 years that no other nation has developed.
MEDICAL ADVANCEMENTS
A portable electrocardiograph machine developed by Israeli company SHL can transmit highly detailed data on heart activity to physicians by mobile phone.
Israeli start-up Audiodent has developed an innovative hearing aid. It clips easily inside the mouth, and, using the teeth and jawbone, it transmit sound to the brain.
Also, Israeli researchers have discovered the molecular trigger that causes psoriasis.
An Israeli scientific team from the Technion has succeeded in creating in the laboratory beating heart tissue from human embryonic stem cells.
Meanwhile, another Israeli company has unveiled a blood test that, via the telephone, diagnoses heart attacks.
Israeli researchers have created a biological pacemaker. It corrects faulty heart rhythms when injected into the failing hearts of pigs.
An Israeli company has developed a device that helps nurses locate those hard-to-find veins.
In addition, also an Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes between mild and more severe cases of MS.
Israel’s Given Imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Consequently, one can view the small intestine from the inside. The camera helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders. Over 65,000 patients worldwide have swallowed the M2A capsule.
Israeli medical researchers have shown that lycopene — the red pigment found in tomatoes — lowers blood pressure.
In the same vein, Israeli researchers have shown that a daily dosage of Vitamin E is effective in helping to regain hearing loss.
An Israeli has invented a “bone glue” that will reduce the need for bone transplants. Additionally, it can heal bone defects caused by cancer, and that respectively stimulates speedy bone and cartilage repair. As a result, it enables faster and improved healing of injuries.
DISEASE RESEARCH
Research has long been a great strength at Israeli institutions. For example, it should be noted that Israeli scientists have alleviated Parkinson’s-like symptoms in rats.
And, Israeli-developed Ex-Press shunt is providing relief for American glaucoma sufferers.
An Israeli research team has found that the combination of electrical stimulation and chemotherapy makes cancerous metastases disappear.
Israeli scientists developed the first fully computerized, no-radiation, diagnostic instrumentation for breast cancer.
Moreover, Israeli researchers are using video games to investigate future treatments for memory disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease.
A team of Israeli genetic researchers has identified a genetic defect that causes a severe neurodegenerative disease in Bedouin children, resulting in premature death.
A team from the Weizmann Institute has demonstrated for the first time how tissues transplanted from pig embryos might, in the future, be able to induce the human body to produce blood-clotting proteins for hemophilia patients.
An important fact about Israel is that two Israelis have won the 2004 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for their groundbreaking work in cancer research.
What is more, Israeli scientists have created a DNA nano-computer that not only detects cancer, but also releases drugs to treat the disease.
So, it is no surprise that the world has recognized the Weizmann Institute of Science to be the best university in the world for life scientists to conduct research.
MEDICINE/VACCINES
Do not fear the topic of vaccines, because many have been truly life-saving! For example, Israeli microbiologists have developed the first passive vaccine against the mosquito-borne West Nile virus.
Also, an Israeli company has been given a U.S. grant to develop an anti-smallpox first aid treatment kit.
And it was Israeli scientists who developed a nose drop that will provide a five-year flu vaccine.
An Israeli-developed elderberry extract is one of America’s best-selling flu prevention medicines.
An Israeli company has developed a device that could enable millions of American diabetics to painlessly inject themselves with insulin.
Israeli research has found that citrus oils may hold the key for asthma treatment.
Further, Israeli researchers have discovered a new way to create effective substitutes for antibiotics. That is to say, they are based on a combination of amino acids and fatty acids.
An Israeli-developed device can painlessly administer medications through microscopic pores in the skin.
An Israeli doctor headed the Merck team that developed a vaccine against cervical cancer.
And did you know that Israeli researchers are successfully using magnets to treat post-traumatic stress disorder? Wow!
How to Pray for Israel: Free PDF Download
Today, more than ever, Israel needs your prayers. Learn three simple and effective ways to stand with Israel in prayer, today.
We’ve put this guide together for you so that you are even better equipped to bless Israel as you pray for Her.
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