The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sue-surkes/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Thu, 20 Aug 2026 04:04:34 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png Sue Surkes | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sue-surkes/ 32 32 KKL-JNF to invest NIS 284 million in development of southern Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/kkl-jnf-to-invest-nis-284-million-in-development-of-southern-israel/ Wed, 19 Aug 2026 11:20:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3881856 Sum includes NIS 110m for Gaza border area; NIS 15 million will help fund Kibbutz Kfar Aza memorial plan, where Heritage Ministry tried to condition a grant on approval and veto power

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]]> Finches use the same rulebook as human babies to pick up language, study finds https://www.timesofisrael.com/finches-use-same-rulebook-as-human-babies-to-pick-up-language-study-finds/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 11:29:24 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3881092 International team that includes Israeli cognitive scientist adds Bengalese finches to humpback whales in search for animals that learn using same mathematical principles as we do

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]]> State covers just 13% of registered food aid charities’ budgets, study finds https://www.timesofisrael.com/state-covers-just-13-of-food-aid-ngos-budgets-study-finds/ Tue, 18 Aug 2026 06:56:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3880518 First national mapping of food aid groups finds vast gaps in geographical, sectoral distribution; calls for nutrition standards, reporting, coordination between groups and state

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]]> Officials urge action as dozens of storks electrocuted on Jordan Valley power lines https://www.timesofisrael.com/officials-urge-action-as-dozens-of-storks-electrocuted-on-jordan-valley-power-lines/ Mon, 17 Aug 2026 10:33:13 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3880449 Reporting new discovery of 30 electrocuted birds, Society for Protection of Nature calls on Electric Corporation to insulate poles. IEC: Plans advancing to bury some infrastructure

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]]> Milk from seeds: Israeli scientists produce key dairy protein from safflower plant https://www.timesofisrael.com/milk-from-seeds-israeli-scientists-produce-key-dairy-protein-from-safflower-plant/ Sat, 15 Aug 2026 23:56:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3866291 Hebrew University researchers say beta-casein, which helps cheese melt, can be found in 'cream' pressed from seeds, eradicating need for cows, and slashing costs and livestock emissions

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]]> Long-lost Byzantine-era vines are again cultivated on ancient Negev terraces https://www.timesofisrael.com/long-lost-byzantine-era-vines-are-again-cultivated-on-ancient-negev-terraces/ Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:51:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3866845 Discovery of 7th-century grape seeds at Avdat National Park in southern Israel inspires Nature and Parks Authority archaeologist to recreate wine valued across the ancient empire

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]]> As toxic sewage and factory sludge choke Hebron stream, locals refuse to go with the flow https://www.timesofisrael.com/as-toxic-sewage-and-factory-sludge-choke-hebron-stream-locals-refuse-to-go-with-the-flow/ Sun, 02 Aug 2026 02:02:47 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3865936 Inadequate infrastructure and coordination result in dumping by Palestinian residents and industry, causing soil and groundwater pollution. Israel's response has been frustratingly partisan

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]]> Drought makes Israeli wildflowers change bloom schedule, study finds https://www.timesofisrael.com/drought-makes-israeli-wildflowers-change-bloom-schedule-study-finds/ Wed, 22 Jul 2026 13:36:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3865121 Hebrew University team finds timing of water shortages matters more than duration, with fall and spring droughts narrowing flowering season

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]]> Inspired by IDF training, Israeli activist spearheads fight against global wildlife crime https://www.timesofisrael.com/inspired-by-idf-training-israeli-activist-spearheads-fight-against-global-wildlife-crime/ Sat, 18 Jul 2026 04:34:37 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3855458 Ofir Drori established a network that put 3,000 major animal traffickers behind bars. But now, he is struggling to keep his operation afloat

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]]> Just before disbanding, Knesset passes long-awaited construction waste law https://www.timesofisrael.com/just-before-disbanding-knesset-passes-long-awaited-construction-waste-law/ Fri, 17 Jul 2026 18:48:17 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3862967 Law sets rules for waste from building sites through transport, processing, recycling; doesn't apply to West Bank, where waste dumping is extensive; funding for law is unclear

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]]> ‘It’s like magic’: In world first, Weizmann scientists on path to create food from air https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-world-first-weizmann-institute-engineers-bacteria-that-grow-fast-on-diet-of-co%e2%82%82/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:45:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3859647 Researchers engineer bacteria that grow fast on diet of CO₂ with eventual aim of developing microbial food products for humans and animals

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]]> Welfare activists petition High Court in bid to end live animal shipments https://www.timesofisrael.com/welfare-activists-petition-high-court-against-continuation-of-live-animal-shipments/ Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:24:41 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3861850 Noting conditions at sea fail to meet minimum legal standards for animal welfare on land, petitioners call for changes in taxation to encourage imports of chilled meat

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]]> Study: During heatwaves, chronic disease sufferers visit hospitals more, stay longer https://www.timesofisrael.com/study-during-heatwaves-chronic-disease-sufferers-visit-hospitals-more-stay-longer/ Wed, 15 Jul 2026 20:51:40 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3861709 Pointing to the need for high staffing and more beds during hot summers, Taub Center research finds that more men and more affluent people rush to hospitals for heat stress

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]]> Indian Ocean may impact long, dry winter spells in Eastern Mediterranean – study https://www.timesofisrael.com/indian-ocean-may-impact-long-dry-winter-spells-in-eastern-mediterranean-study/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 20:53:51 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3859840 Hebrew University findings could help improve seasonal forecasting of drought risk in parched Levant

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]]> 40 groups contest move to dilute environmental oversight of big projects https://www.timesofisrael.com/40-groups-contest-move-to-dilute-environmental-oversight-of-big-projects/ Sun, 12 Jul 2026 18:11:56 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3859548 Planners propose generic impact tests to speed up development, but critics say Environmental Protection Ministry only body to provide science-based protection for public

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