Israeli gets American science prize

Those pesky Israelis are at it again, getting more recognition for their scientific accomplishments. The report from the Jerusalem Post:

"Tel Aviv University physicist Prof. (emeritus) Yakir Aharonov will be one of only 10 scientists to receive the US National Medal of Science from President Barack Obama for his outstanding contributions to the field.

"The 78-year-old Aharonov, who holds US and Israeli citizenship, will receive the medal, which has been awarded since 1959 to 441 American scientists in the field of physics, biology, mathematics, engineering and behavioral sciences."

The story continues,

The official citation accompanying Aharonov’s medal states that he is being honored “for his contributions to the foundations of quantum physics and for drawing out unexpected implications of that field, ranging from the Aharonov-Bohm Effect to the theory of weak measurement.”

Perhaps there is a "I'm not anti-Semitic, just anti-Zionist" blogger who can tell me about "weak measurement" and why it's just another Zionist plot to (take your pick) a) take over the Middle East, b) maintain the occupation of the Palestinians, c) threaten the Iranians. OK, I'm being overly sarcastic, but how come I never see awards going to scientists from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan or Saudi Arabia?

Well, that's what I have to say.

Stephen M. Flatow

From Israel to the people of Gaza, let's learn how to fish

Not from Saudi Arabia, not from Jordan, Kuwait or the Emirates but only from Israel could come this story-- Israeli graduate students who want to teach the residents of Gaza how to fish. Not with a rod and reel mind you but with fish farming, a booming business in Israel.

Their motivation is not just economic because others believe that higher incomes for residents will result in less terrorism.

"A recent study funded by Israeli billionaire entrepreneur and industrialist Stef Wertheimer found that societies with a GDP over $6,600 per capita do not normally harbor terrorists. Five Israeli graduate students also believe that an entrepreneurial business can lead to a more peaceful world."

"To that end, they propose to launch an industrial park in the Gaza Strip. The park that they envision will house an on-land aquaculture or fish farming project, designed to provide a healthy protein supply for Palestinians living in Gaza, relieve economic stress in the Palestinian community, and connect the region to foreign business investment and trade."

Fish farming is big business in Israel, so why can't it become that in Gaza? Well, these students are going to find out if it's a pipe dream. It's up to the Palestinians now.

Read the full article from the Jerusalem Post: Teaching Gaza to fish.

What do you think?