At least 14 Israelis are hospitalized in critical condition with swine flu, including six children. Three Israelis have died from the swine flu in recent weeks, including an otherwise healthy 15-year-old who died the same day that he was diagnosed, according to the Health Ministry. Some 8,000 Israelis have reported symptoms of the swine flu already this winter, the ministry said.
Songwriter Debbie Friedman has been hospitalized in Orange County, Calif. Friedman is reportedly sedated and on a respirator, according to an email sent Wednesday from the West Coast office of the Union for Reform Judaism. The email asked that prayers be said on Friedman\’s behalf, as well as for her mother, sister and aunt. A spokesperson for the URJ told JTA the union has received no further updates on Friedman\’s condition.
Israel\’s government announced it would more than double its investment in the popular Birthright Israel program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the announcement Thursday night before 3,000 program participants in Jerusalem, The Jerusalem Post reported. \”My government will give more than double its investment in Birthright, and over the next few years we will invest more than $100 million in Birthright,\” said Netanyahu, according to the Post. \”Together with private donations we can increase the number of people to 50,000 a year.\”
Ben Gurion International Airport\’s wireless service reportedly is blocking travelers from selected left- and right-wing political websites. Websites blocked at the Israeli airport include Breaking the Silence, Peace Now and the Legal Forum for the Land of Israel, Haaretz reported Thursday.
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