I am reading the book, The Israelis by Donna Rosenthal, and have not been able to put it down since I bought it. I have been entirely fascinated with the fact that a country as small as Israel has become a leading innovator of all kinds of technology such as drip irrigation. Living in California, I have used drip irrigation to water my garden and adapted it to water my potted plants. Israel is very tech savvy, especially in the biomedical field. There are many items used in the United States that were created in Israel. In the hospital where I work I can think of quite a few items, but here is a partial list of items – vascular catheters for intravenous use, C-boots to prevent deep vein thrombosis, femoral artery closure devices used after heart caths (angiograms), pacemaker technology, and electrocardiograph technology.
One of the stories is about the “PillCam.” (Pp. 89-91) What a great idea! A little camera that can be swallowed so a colonoscopy will not be needed anymore, which for me is a plus as I have a colonoscopy every five years or is that TMI – too much information – right? Gavriel Iddan is the brilliant designer of the “PillCam.” Iddan, extraordinary patent holder, had been designing cameras for missiles when the idea of a tiny camera being used for physically internal use, helping rather than destroying, came to him. Reading a little further, I recognized another name in the story – Rafael.
Rafael is Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, a company established 60 years ago as part of the Israeli Defense Ministry. As of 2002, it is now an incorporated company, but is still very much a part of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) operations. At least, this is according to the company’s online site.
There is another reason Rafael caught my eye. Sometime about January 2009, Haaretz had a story about a $600 million weapons deal between Israel and India. India was doing the buying. Nowhere does it mention Rafael, but, around that same time, Rafael made a marketing video advertising its wares in a fascinating way. I am sure that U.S. companies do the same kind of war video marketing, this is the first time I have actually seen one. The video was sexy and so male oriented. Please click on the video.
The man sings: We’ve been together for so long
Trusting friends and partners
What more can I pledge
To make our future strong?
The woman sings:
I need to feel safe and sheltered
Security and protection
Commitment and perfection
Defense and dedication.
Together they sing:
Together forever
I will hold you in my heart
Together forever
We will never be apart
The woman sings:
I believe in you
The man sings:
You believe in me
Together they sing:
Together forever
We will always be
Dinga dinga dee (Repeated a few times)
The man sings:
I promise to defend you
Fulfill your expectations
Shield you and support you
Meet my obligations.
Together they sing:
Together forever
I will hold you in my heart
Together forever
We will never be apart
The woman sings:
I believe in you
The man sings: You believe in me
Together they sing:
Together forever
We will always be
Dinga dinga dee (Repeated a few times)
Together forever
I will hold you in my heart
Together forever
We will never be apart
The woman sings:
Friends and companions
The man sings: Committed and strong
Together they sing:
We’ll stand united
Protect our bond
Dinga dinga dee (Repeated a few times)
The man represents Israel and the woman represents India. Why does a big strong woman, like India, need a little man, like Israel, to feel safe and secure? As the two of them danced around the very large penile structures, missiles, the flowers covering them did not seem large enough. It is a catchy tune and the words could be very romantic. It is hard visually to avoid the idea of the missiles needing a giant condom to prevent the possible explosion. The PillCam is real. It has been recently written about in Gastrointestial and other medical journals. The video is the real thing, as is the tight bond between India and Israel. The two countries share more than weaponry, Israelis, fresh from their time in the IDF, tour India because it is not too far and the cost is lower than going to other countries. Those going into the IDF at 18 years old, come out in a couple of years probably needing a little freedom from the intensity of continually being on a life watch. So, it is also possible to read the above words and realize there might be more to war weapons going on for some of the people of India and Israel.
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