Israel Releases Census Information in Time for Rosh Hashanah

(JNS.org) Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics, in anticipation of the Jewish New Year, has announced that the total population grew to 8,412,000 this past year. The increase numbered about 158,000, a 1.9 percent increase. Information regarding ethnic proportions was also released: Jews comprised 74.9 percent (6.3. million), Arabs 20.7 percent (1.746 million) and other population groups made up the remaining 4.4 percent (366,000).

In addition, 168,000 babies were born, 48,000 people died, and roughly 32,000 migrants were accepted by Israel this year. Of the latter figure, 28,000 were Jewish, a 35 percent increase over the previous year. The immigrants predominantly hailed from the Ukraine (26 percent), France (25 percent), Russia (21 percent) and the US (9 percent). The Bureau estimates that Israel’s population will exceed 10 million between 2025 and 2030.

IDF to Introduce Mortar-Specific Warning System

(JNS.org) On Sunday the Israeli Defense Forces announced a new tactical radar system will be fully operational in October. Designed to supplement Israel’s Color Red alerts, the new system will warn residents of communities along the Israeli-Gaza border of incoming mortar fire. While Color Red has proven effective at warning residents of incoming rocket fire and providing them approximately 15 seconds to reach cover, it has responded less successfully to mortar fire, which travels shorter distances at lower altitudes. As it has already been proven effective under testing about 25 of the new radar system have been deployed.