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Posted on Dec 11, 2014

20 Memorable Moments From Israel In 2014

This year in Israel was certainly challenging: Israel faced an all out war for 50 days during the summer, as well a month of horrific terror attacks throughout the month of November. But just as always, Israel is resilient, creative, and strong. Here are 20 of the most memorable moments from the last year:

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Just one example of the incredible life-saving work Israel has done this year for Syrians. When a 5-year-old boy was hit in the neck with a bullet, his family rushed him to Israel for treatment knowing they would receive better care.
Surgeons at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center saved his life. The boy was lucky, according to his doctors, because the bullet passed very close to a cranial blood vessel, and the surgery to remove it was complex and long.
Here, an IDF Paramedic shares her experience at the hospital helping Syrians — Via youtube.com

Just one example of the incredible life-saving work Israel has done this year for Syrians. When a 5-year-old boy was hit in the neck with a bullet, his family rushed him to Israel for treatment knowing they would receive better care.
Surgeons at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center saved his life. The boy was lucky, according to his doctors, because the bullet passed very close to a cranial blood vessel, and the surgery to remove it was complex and long.
Here, an IDF Paramedic shares her experience at the hospital helping Syrians

Via youtube.com

Just one example of the incredible life-saving work Israel has done this year for Syrians. When a 5-year-old boy was hit in the neck with a bullet, his family rushed him to Israel for treatment knowing they would receive better care.
Surgeons at Haifa’s Rambam Medical Center saved his life. The boy was lucky, according to his doctors, because the bullet passed very close to a cranial blood vessel, and the surgery to remove it was complex and long.
Here, an IDF Paramedic shares her experience at the hospital helping Syrians

Last year singer/songwriter Alicia Keys made headlines when she chose coexistence over boycotts: anti-Israel "BDS" activists tried their hardest to get Alicia to boycott her Tel Aviv show, but Alicia played anyway. This year, she spoke out actively for peace and cooperation in her performance with Israeli artist Idan Raichel, and Palestinian artist Ali Amir-Kanoon in New York City.
We love you Alicia! — Via youtube.com

Last year singer/songwriter Alicia Keys made headlines when she chose coexistence over boycotts: anti-Israel "BDS" activists tried their hardest to get Alicia to boycott her Tel Aviv show, but Alicia played anyway. This year, she spoke out actively for peace and cooperation in her performance with Israeli artist Idan Raichel, and Palestinian artist Ali Amir-Kanoon in New York City.
We love you Alicia!

Via youtube.com

Last year singer/songwriter Alicia Keys made headlines when she chose coexistence over boycotts: anti-Israel "BDS" activists tried their hardest to get Alicia to boycott her Tel Aviv show, but Alicia played anyway. This year, she spoke out actively for peace and cooperation in her performance with Israeli artist Idan Raichel, and Palestinian artist Ali Amir-Kanoon in New York City.
We love you Alicia!

Who are the Jews of the Middle East? The 850,000+ Jews who were forced to leave their homes with nothing, and have never been compensated. They were tortured, beaten, robbed, and murdered by the governments of Arab countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia and more.
This year on November 30, the Israeli government officially recognized the horrible crimes committed against the Jews from Arab countries with an official day of remembrance.

Who are the Jews of the Middle East? The 850,000+ Jews who were forced to leave their homes with nothing, and have never been compensated. They were tortured, beaten, robbed, and murdered by the governments of Arab countries such as Iraq, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia and more.
This year on November 30, the Israeli government officially recognized the horrible crimes committed against the Jews from Arab countries with an official day of remembrance.

In January this year, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Israeli parliament to express his devout support for the state of Israel based on shared values of democracy and freedom. "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you," he said.
Throughout his term as Prime Minister, Harper has been a staunch supporter of Israel. His support, and the support of his entire administration has been rock-solid even through Israel's most challenging times this year.
In response to the summer's conflict with Hamas, Harper stated, “The indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel are terrorist acts, for which there is no justification. It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region...Canada calls on its allies and partners to recognize that these terrorist acts are unacceptable and that solidarity with Israel is the best way of stopping the conflict."
Thank you for standing with Israel, Canada!

In January this year, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper addressed the Israeli parliament to express his devout support for the state of Israel based on shared values of democracy and freedom. "Through fire and water, Canada will stand with you," he said.
Throughout his term as Prime Minister, Harper has been a staunch supporter of Israel. His support, and the support of his entire administration has been rock-solid even through Israel's most challenging times this year.
In response to the summer's conflict with Hamas, Harper stated, “The indiscriminate rocket attacks from Gaza on Israel are terrorist acts, for which there is no justification. It is evident that Hamas is deliberately using human shields to further terror in the region...Canada calls on its allies and partners to recognize that these terrorist acts are unacceptable and that solidarity with Israel is the best way of stopping the conflict."
Thank you for standing with Israel, Canada!

This summer when terrorism took the lives of 64 IDF soldiers in Gaza, the entire state of Israel united around their families to support them during the tragic time. Max Steinberg was one of those soldiers. Max gave his life for the state of Israel, but he wasn't born Israeli. Max was a "Lone Soldier," a Jew from the diaspora who moved to Israel to serve in the army and fight for the Jewish people. Max was from Los Angeles and didn't have any immediate family in the state of Israel. Yet when he was buried in Israel, over 30,000 Israelis showed up in a powerful display of solidarity and thanks for his ultimate sacrifice.
Max, you and your 63 brothers whose lives were stolen during this summer will always be in our hearts. — Tazpit

This summer when terrorism took the lives of 64 IDF soldiers in Gaza, the entire state of Israel united around their families to support them during the tragic time. Max Steinberg was one of those soldiers. Max gave his life for the state of Israel, but he wasn't born Israeli. Max was a "Lone Soldier," a Jew from the diaspora who moved to Israel to serve in the army and fight for the Jewish people. Max was from Los Angeles and didn't have any immediate family in the state of Israel. Yet when he was buried in Israel, over 30,000 Israelis showed up in a powerful display of solidarity and thanks for his ultimate sacrifice.
Max, you and your 63 brothers whose lives were stolen during this summer will always be in our hearts.

Tazpit

This summer when terrorism took the lives of 64 IDF soldiers in Gaza, the entire state of Israel united around their families to support them during the tragic time. Max Steinberg was one of those soldiers. Max gave his life for the state of Israel, but he wasn't born Israeli. Max was a "Lone Soldier," a Jew from the diaspora who moved to Israel to serve in the army and fight for the Jewish people. Max was from Los Angeles and didn't have any immediate family in the state of Israel. Yet when he was buried in Israel, over 30,000 Israelis showed up in a powerful display of solidarity and thanks for his ultimate sacrifice.
Max, you and your 63 brothers whose lives were stolen during this summer will always be in our hearts.

This summer Israel engaged in Operation Protective Edge in response to Hamas firing thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians. During the 50-day conflict, nearly the entire country came under fire. When a rocket is fired at Israel, sirens go off and Israelis have between 15 and 45 seconds to find shelter. — Jordan Cohen / Via youtube.com

This summer Israel engaged in Operation Protective Edge in response to Hamas firing thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians. During the 50-day conflict, nearly the entire country came under fire. When a rocket is fired at Israel, sirens go off and Israelis have between 15 and 45 seconds to find shelter.

Jordan Cohen / Via youtube.com

This summer Israel engaged in Operation Protective Edge in response to Hamas firing thousands of rockets at Israeli civilians. During the 50-day conflict, nearly the entire country came under fire. When a rocket is fired at Israel, sirens go off and Israelis have between 15 and 45 seconds to find shelter.

Despite Hamas firing thousands of rockets at Israeli civilian areas, nearly all Israelis were protected thanks to advanced missile defense systems like the Iron Dome, which deploys a rocket to stop Hamas rockets mid-air. In this video, the Iron Dome shoots down 15 rockets in 30 seconds.
We <3 Iron Dome!

Despite Hamas firing thousands of rockets at Israeli civilian areas, nearly all Israelis were protected thanks to advanced missile defense systems like the Iron Dome, which deploys a rocket to stop Hamas rockets mid-air. In this video, the Iron Dome shoots down 15 rockets in 30 seconds.
We <3 Iron Dome!

During this summer's operation, Joan Rivers, who was always a staunch supporter of Israel, went off on an epic Israel rant while talking to paparazzi.
Sadly, Joan passed away this year, but she, and her incredible sense of humor, will forever be remembered in our hearts. — TMZ / Via youtube.com

During this summer's operation, Joan Rivers, who was always a staunch supporter of Israel, went off on an epic Israel rant while talking to paparazzi.
Sadly, Joan passed away this year, but she, and her incredible sense of humor, will forever be remembered in our hearts.

TMZ / Via youtube.com

During this summer's operation, Joan Rivers, who was always a staunch supporter of Israel, went off on an epic Israel rant while talking to paparazzi.
Sadly, Joan passed away this year, but she, and her incredible sense of humor, will forever be remembered in our hearts.

Megastar Lady Gaga played an incredible performance with Tony Bennett in Tel Aviv in the fall of 2014, but not before she was bombarded with hate messages from anti-Israel activists threatening her if she didn't "boycott" Israel. This was her response.
We love you Gaga!

Megastar Lady Gaga played an incredible performance with Tony Bennett in Tel Aviv in the fall of 2014, but not before she was bombarded with hate messages from anti-Israel activists threatening her if she didn't "boycott" Israel. This was her response.
We love you Gaga!

When the UN held an emergency meeting on the conflict in Gaza this summer, UN Watch's Hillel Neuer spoke out against the one-sided anti-Israel condemnation. Watch as some of the worst human rights abusers in the world tried to silence him.
If Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Palestinian Representative are trying to silence your message, odds are your message is morally right. — UN Watch / Via youtube.com

When the UN held an emergency meeting on the conflict in Gaza this summer, UN Watch's Hillel Neuer spoke out against the one-sided anti-Israel condemnation. Watch as some of the worst human rights abusers in the world tried to silence him.
If Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Palestinian Representative are trying to silence your message, odds are your message is morally right.

UN Watch / Via youtube.com

When the UN held an emergency meeting on the conflict in Gaza this summer, UN Watch's Hillel Neuer spoke out against the one-sided anti-Israel condemnation. Watch as some of the worst human rights abusers in the world tried to silence him.
If Iran, Syria, Cuba, Venezuela, and the Palestinian Representative are trying to silence your message, odds are your message is morally right.

This November Israel, saw an onslaught of brutal terror attacks - including the murder of a 3-month old baby when a Palestinian terrorist ran her over with his car. In another attack, two Palestinians entered a synagogue during the Jewish morning prayer service with axes, guns, and butcher knifes and began hacking praying Jews to death. They murdered 5 people before being apprehended by police. When the BBC, who is notorious for anti-Israel bias, covered the horrific bloody attack, they interview Israeli Finance Minister Naftali Bennett, who held up an image from the scene of the attack. BBC shows are happy to show images of rubble and destruction in Gaza, but when it comes to attacks against Israel?
"We don't want to see that."

This November Israel, saw an onslaught of brutal terror attacks - including the murder of a 3-month old baby when a Palestinian terrorist ran her over with his car. In another attack, two Palestinians entered a synagogue during the Jewish morning prayer service with axes, guns, and butcher knifes and began hacking praying Jews to death. They murdered 5 people before being apprehended by police. When the BBC, who is notorious for anti-Israel bias, covered the horrific bloody attack, they interview Israeli Finance Minister Naftali Bennett, who held up an image from the scene of the attack. BBC shows are happy to show images of rubble and destruction in Gaza, but when it comes to attacks against Israel?
"We don't want to see that."

While Israel always maintains aid to both the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian communities in the West Bank, many are surprised to learn that Israel maintained the transfer of aid even during the conflict this summer. In fact, the only time humanitarian aid to Gaza ceased was when Hamas fired rockets at the border crossing where humanitarian aid comes through.
From July 8 to August 5:
The IDF transferred 1,856 trucks carrying 40,550 tons of supplies into Gaza.
37,178 tons of foods.
1,694 tons humanitarian goods.
1,029 tons of medicine and medical supplies.
In addition to the transfer of aid, Israel also set up a field hospital during this summer's operation specifically for Gazan civilians.
What other army in the world would do this? — IDF / Via youtube.com

While Israel always maintains aid to both the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian communities in the West Bank, many are surprised to learn that Israel maintained the transfer of aid even during the conflict this summer. In fact, the only time humanitarian aid to Gaza ceased was when Hamas fired rockets at the border crossing where humanitarian aid comes through.
From July 8 to August 5:
The IDF transferred 1,856 trucks carrying 40,550 tons of supplies into Gaza.
37,178 tons of foods.
1,694 tons humanitarian goods.
1,029 tons of medicine and medical supplies.
In addition to the transfer of aid, Israel also set up a field hospital during this summer's operation specifically for Gazan civilians.
What other army in the world would do this?

IDF / Via youtube.com

While Israel always maintains aid to both the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian communities in the West Bank, many are surprised to learn that Israel maintained the transfer of aid even during the conflict this summer. In fact, the only time humanitarian aid to Gaza ceased was when Hamas fired rockets at the border crossing where humanitarian aid comes through.
From July 8 to August 5:
The IDF transferred 1,856 trucks carrying 40,550 tons of supplies into Gaza.
37,178 tons of foods.
1,694 tons humanitarian goods.
1,029 tons of medicine and medical supplies.
In addition to the transfer of aid, Israel also set up a field hospital during this summer's operation specifically for Gazan civilians.
What other army in the world would do this?

This summer Hamas released an absurd propaganda anthem in broken Hebrew in a pathetic attempt to "scare" the Israeli public. The catchy tune, titled "Up! Do Terror Attacks," skyrocketed (pun intended) in popularity and inspired dozens of parodies from Israelis.
What was intended to frighten Israelis with lyrics like “eliminate all the Zionists,” “a country of weakness and delusion,” “exterminate the nest of cockroaches,” and “turn their world into a scene of horrors,” instead made them laugh.

This summer Hamas released an absurd propaganda anthem in broken Hebrew in a pathetic attempt to "scare" the Israeli public. The catchy tune, titled "Up! Do Terror Attacks," skyrocketed (pun intended) in popularity and inspired dozens of parodies from Israelis.
What was intended to frighten Israelis with lyrics like “eliminate all the Zionists,” “a country of weakness and delusion,” “exterminate the nest of cockroaches,” and “turn their world into a scene of horrors,” instead made them laugh.

Nanna Dahlberg / Via youtube.com

Nanna Dahlberg / Via youtube.com

This year was undoubtedly challenging for Israel and the Jewish people. But if there's one thing we remember from this year it's how the entire Jewish community, inside of Israel and outside of Israel, came together when three teenage boys; Eyal, Gilad and Naftali, were kidnapped by Hamas. Rallies were held around the world with tens of thousands of people in New York, Los Angeles, Australia, Paraguay, even Amsterdam. The mother of Naftali, Rachelle, noted on Rosh Hashanah that, "We went out searching for the boys--and we discovered ourselves."
Although their kidnapping (and murder) sparked a conflict with Hamas, the way the Jewish people united against terror despite all of the differences within the Jewish community was remarkable and just goes to show that the Jewish people - and the state of Israel, will never be defeated. Am Yisrael Chai! — AISH / Via youtube.com

This year was undoubtedly challenging for Israel and the Jewish people. But if there's one thing we remember from this year it's how the entire Jewish community, inside of Israel and outside of Israel, came together when three teenage boys; Eyal, Gilad and Naftali, were kidnapped by Hamas. Rallies were held around the world with tens of thousands of people in New York, Los Angeles, Australia, Paraguay, even Amsterdam. The mother of Naftali, Rachelle, noted on Rosh Hashanah that, "We went out searching for the boys--and we discovered ourselves."
Although their kidnapping (and murder) sparked a conflict with Hamas, the way the Jewish people united against terror despite all of the differences within the Jewish community was remarkable and just goes to show that the Jewish people - and the state of Israel, will never be defeated. Am Yisrael Chai!

AISH / Via youtube.com

This year was undoubtedly challenging for Israel and the Jewish people. But if there's one thing we remember from this year it's how the entire Jewish community, inside of Israel and outside of Israel, came together when three teenage boys; Eyal, Gilad and Naftali, were kidnapped by Hamas. Rallies were held around the world with tens of thousands of people in New York, Los Angeles, Australia, Paraguay, even Amsterdam. The mother of Naftali, Rachelle, noted on Rosh Hashanah that, "We went out searching for the boys--and we discovered ourselves."
Although their kidnapping (and murder) sparked a conflict with Hamas, the way the Jewish people united against terror despite all of the differences within the Jewish community was remarkable and just goes to show that the Jewish people - and the state of Israel, will never be defeated. Am Yisrael Chai!

One of the viral videos of the year: a shocking clip of American college students praising the ISIS flag, but condemning the Israeli flag on the same campus. These kinds of videos just go to show how much misinformation about Israel and the Middle East there is.
In response, we at StandWithUs are working ceaselessly to educate and empower students to speak the truth about Israel. In 2015, let's work together to create a more informed public when it comes to Israel.
Your first step? Sharing this article!

One of the viral videos of the year: a shocking clip of American college students praising the ISIS flag, but condemning the Israeli flag on the same campus. These kinds of videos just go to show how much misinformation about Israel and the Middle East there is.
In response, we at StandWithUs are working ceaselessly to educate and empower students to speak the truth about Israel. In 2015, let's work together to create a more informed public when it comes to Israel.
Your first step? Sharing this article!

Share This Article