A dimming Japan-Israel Economic Partnership was rekindled when Israeli delegates met in Tokyo this week. Led to the table by outgoing Prime Minister Yair Lapid as an agreement of intent, the parties agreed to launch a study group for mutually beneficial trade. Japan stands as the third-largest economy with over 85 thriving companies operating in Israel. Israeli exports totaling 1.24 billion and Japanese exports worth 2.3 billion would significantly boost the economic growth of both nations. “After a decade of negotiations, we are happy to begin the process of talks towards a trade agreement with Japan,” shares Gilad Cohen, Israel's Japanese Ambassador. “This is a significant step that could lead to lowering tariffs, lowering the price of Japanese cars and goods imported to Israel, and helping to increase Israeli exports to Japan.”

When doctors determine that a patient needs a feeding tube, their decision is based on an emergency malnutrition crisis. The difficulty with placing a life-saving feeding tube is that doctors are guided only by feel and cannot see if the line is set correctly until an x-ray is taken. Studies show that up to 5% of all feeding tubes are placed incorrectly. The complications, though, include collapsed lungs and blocked or punctured airway issues. “Feeding tubes have led to too many deaths,” says Israeli physician Dr. Doron Besser. As co-founder and president of Envizion, Dr. Besser’s interest in creating a safer feeding tube is personal. When Besser's sister had been diagnosed with breast cancer, her physicians inserted a feeding tube incorrectly. The complications resulting from the procedure, he believes, ended her valiant fight too soon. Envizion’s Envue feeding tube is the first to incorporate a high-definition sensor on the tube end. This technology allows doctors to see where the line is in real-time and alerts them if they are getting too close to the patient's lungs. The FDA cleared Envue for use in 2019, and it is expected to be introduced to 40 U.S. hospitals by the end of this year. Remarkably, the Envue system has been 100% accurate in trial procedures.

Israeli soccer fans boarded the first direct commercial flights to Qatar from Ben Gurion Airport on November 20th intent on enjoying the FIFA World Cup. TUS Airways has scheduled twice-weekly flights to accommodate guests of the month-long games. Because Israel and Qatar have no political ties, this allowance is viewed as a hopeful step towards better relations between the countries. Alon Lavi is the appointed head of the Israeli delegation in Qatar and projects that anywhere from ten to twenty thousand Israelis are expected to attend the matches. Set up in a Doha hotel, the Israeli delegation will assist travelers with any red tape issues and ensure that Israeli guests understand the rules of this unchartered territory. Many fans who booked the historic flights say they did not want to miss the last game of Argentinian captain and superstar Lionel Messi. Here's to hoping that Israel and Qatar can finally score a winning goal toward everlasting peace.

ARIEL BUSSO