Two confirmed cases of swine flu in Israel
The two Israeli men confirmed by the Health Ministry as having contracted swine flu after visiting Mexico both remain in good condition and are being kept in isolation only to prevent the illness from spreading.
The men, 26 and 49, have also been given the anti-influenza drug Tamiflu, which prevents complications.
Tests on at least five other Israelis who had been suspected of having the new strain of influenza came back negative on Wednesday.
Asked why people were dying of the illness in Mexico, Dr. Itamar Grotto, ministry deputy director-general in charge of public health services, suggested that that country did not have supplies of Tamiflu and that Israel has a higher level of health services.
Israeli population rises to 7.4 million
Israel’s population increased from 7,282,000 a year ago to 7,411,000 on the eve of its 61st birthday.
At its founding, Israel’s population stood at 806,000.
Israel’s Jewish population is 5,593,000, or 75.5 percent of the overall population, and the Arab population is 1,498,000, or 20.2 percent of the overall population. Foreigners who are not citizens comprise the remaining 4.3 percent.
Some 154,000 babies were born in the last year. In addition, 12,000 people immigrated to Israel in that time.
Seventy percent of the Jewish population was born in Israel, half being second-generation Israelis. In 1948, some 35 percent of Jews living in Israel were sabras. — jta
Venezuela establishes ties with Palestinians
Venezuela this week established formal diplomatic ties with Palestinian officials, who are opening a diplomatic mission in the South American country.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad al-Malki thanked President Hugo Chavez’s government for its support during the recent Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip, which prompted the Venezuelan leader to break off relations with Israel.
Venezuelan-Palestinian relations have warmed as tensions have grown between Chavez’s government and Israel.
Venezuela expelled Israeli diplomats on January 6 to protest the Gaza offensive, and Israel later responded by kicking out Venezuelan envoys. Chavez has labeled Israeli leaders “genocidal.” — ap