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Enhancing Chickpea Irrigation Efficiency, Yield and Sustainability

Enhancing Chickpea Irrigation Efficiency, Yield and Sustainability

27 March, 2024

Non-invasive method to assess chickpea water status, providing farmers with an effective tool for optimizing irrigation schedules and potentially enhancing the sustainability of chickpea farming! This approach has the capacity to revolutionize chickpea management by not only increasing crop yields but also improving water efficiency. The implications extend beyond the farm, impacting global food security and contributing positively to environmental concerns.

cCMV Infection: Successful Implementation of Pooled Saliva Tests

cCMV Infection: Successful Implementation of Pooled Saliva Tests

12 March, 2024

New study displays successful implementation of pooled saliva tests for universal screening of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection. This approach demonstrates the wide feasibility and benefits of using pooled saliva testing as an efficient, cost-saving, and sensitive method for identifying cCMV in newborns. The study emphasizes the significance of early detection through this method, especially for asymptomatic cases, highlighting its potential to revolutionize cCMV screening worldwide and improve the long-term outcomes for affected infants by enabling timely interventions.

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Mushroom Compounds to Address Psychiatric Disorders

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Natural Mushroom Compounds to Address Psychiatric Disorders

11 March, 2024

New study indicates that mushroom extract might demonstrate superior efficacy compared to chemically synthesized psilocybin, especially in stimulating neuroplasticity and promoting the development of new connections between nerve cells—an essential attribute. This discovery unveils potential applications for addressing conditions such as depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia.

Clone of Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy Awarded the Israel Prize for her Work to Raise Awareness of Hamas’ Crimes Against Humanity against Israeli Women, Children, Men, and Families

Clone of Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy Awarded the Israel Prize for her Work to Raise Awareness of Hamas’ Crimes Against Humanity against Israeli Women, Children, Men, and Families

21 March, 2024

 

The HUBS-Aid project led by Hebrew University Business School (HUBS) responded to the Gaza conflict's impact on small businesses with innovative support, pairing them with mentors and students to devise tailored plans for recovery and growth. Around 80 businesses received vital assistance, demonstrating resilience and fostering community bonds amidst adversity.

War Survey: 83% of Israeli NGOs Impacted, Mixed Responses to Government Aid, Surge in Foreign Support

War Survey: 83% of Israeli NGOs Impacted, Mixed Responses to Government Aid, Surge in Foreign Support

20 March, 2024

 

The horrific attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians on October 7, sparked the Iron Swords War and led to a widespread mobilization effort to support Israel. New survey revealed that 83% of the NGOs’ ability to provide assistance and social services was negatively impacted by the war, only 35% of organizations sought government assistance during the war, and 35% of the NGOs reported an increase in philanthropic support from abroad.

Intel Ignite Tel Aviv Partners with Hebrew University Startup 'Rumafeed' for  Innovative Agricultural Project in Holit

Intel Ignite Tel Aviv Partners with Hebrew University Startup 'Rumafeed' for Innovative Agricultural Project in Holit

26 February, 2024

 

Hebrew University is thrilled to announce that "Rumafeed," a startup associated with Hebrew University and Yissum, led by Prof. Haim Rabinowitch, has been chosen by Intel Ignite Tel Aviv to partner with Holit on a Proof of Concept (POC). Their project has achieved a remarkable transformation of potato leaves, turning what is currently considered biological waste into a valuable product – animal fodder and silage with excellent digestibility compared to traditional fodder, along with excellent nutritional value.

Navigating Israeli Security and Foreign Policy: Before and After October 7th

Navigating Israeli Security and Foreign Policy: Before and After October 7th

26 February, 2024

How Changes in Foreign Policy Impact Citizens' Sense of Security in Israel

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New study explores the connection between a state's foreign and security policy and citizens' sense of ontological security (OS). Using a survey experiment with Jewish Israeli citizens, the research operationalizes OS as a function of foreign policy, specifically examining the impact of a shift in traditional Israeli foreign policy from offensive-preemptive to a more cooperative strategy. Results indicate that those exposed to the newer policy, prevalent in the past two decades, experienced decreased levels of security. The findings also touch on issues of secrecy, highlighting the unanticipated costs of public intelligence disclosure and the balance between democratic accountability and the need for secrecy in decision-making.

The study explores the connection between a state's foreign and security policy and citizens' sense of ontological security (OS), defined as a sense of certainty and continuity of national identity. Using a survey experiment with Jewish Israeli citizens, the research operationalizes OS as a function of foreign policy, specifically examining the impact of a shift in traditional Israeli foreign policy from offensive-preemptive to a more cooperative strategy. Results indicate that those exposed to the newer policy, prevalent in the past two decades, experienced decreased levels of security (a significant difference of 20 percentage points). The findings also touch on issues of secrecy, highlighting the unanticipated costs of public intelligence disclosure and the balance between democratic accountability and the need for secrecy in decision-making. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of decision-makers being aware of the cognitive tools needed for the public to make sense of foreign policy shifts.

A new study conducted by the Hebrew University sheds light on the intricate dynamics between foreign policy and the sense of security among individual citizens, with a specific focus on Jewish-Israeli citizens.

Dr. Ofek Riemer, from the Department of International Relations at the Hebrew University, spearheaded the research, examining the impact of deviations from established foreign policy practices on citizens' feelings of national identity and security. The investigation focused on the potential ramifications of Israel's recent shift towards a more defensive approach, departing from its traditional strategy of preemptive strikes and preventive wars.

This study is particularly timely, given the unexpected attack on Israel by Hamas on October 7, 2023, with ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The attack revealed a strategic failure and has instilled a sense of humiliation and insecurity among the Israeli population. Widespread feelings of uncertainty, frustration, anger, and fear have been documented, indicating the potential solidification of traditional beliefs among Jewish-Israelis regarding their country's strategic environment.

Jewish-Israelis were chosen as the primary focus for the study due to the deep connection between Jewish history, Israel's security ethos and concerns about Jewish safety, rooted in the experiences of the Holocaust and encapsulated in the "Ben-Gurion" security values and beliefs since the State's establishment in 1948.

The research builds on ontological security studies, gaining prominence in International Relations over the past two decades. The study, led by Dr. Riemer, specifically explores how foreign policy behavior affects individual citizens' sense of ontological security, which is a sense of certainty and continuity of national identity.

Dr. Riemer explains, "This study seeks to provide empirical support for the premise that individual citizens become attached to their state's foreign policy practices, and deviations from these practices can impair their sense of ontological security. The results highlight the importance of understanding the intricate link between foreign policy and citizens' sense of security in shaping national identity."

Dr. Riemer's experimental approach involved presenting participants with hypothetical scenarios reflecting Israel's traditional and new foreign policy approaches. The results indicate that exposure to the new defensive-oriented policy generated significantly less support and feelings of pride among participants, suggesting a potential impact on citizens' sense of national identity and security.

 

Figure 1. Experiment Outline

 

Figure 2. Positive Emotions Linked to Foreign Policy Practices: More than double with regard to the traditional approach compared to the new approach

 

Figure 3. Negative Emotions Linked to Foreign Policy Practices: Three times more with regard to the new approach compared to the traditional approach

 

It is interesting to note that age was the only variable significantly interacting with ontological security concerning foreign policy change. Older individuals showed higher ontological security levels correlated with traditional foreign policy behavior. This suggests that social and cultural shifts may influence younger generations' attitudes toward foreign policy, although the impact hasn't completely reversed.

Figure 4. Foreign Policy Practices' Impact on Ontological Security by Age

The study not only illuminates the intricate relationship between foreign policy and ontological security but also underscores the importance of considering citizens' sense of security in shaping effective foreign policy strategies.

Survey Methodology

The survey was prepared by Dr. Ofek Riemer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. The survey was conducted by iPanel via the internet between February 28 and March 2, 2021with 600 Jewish Israeli men and women in Hebrew, consisting of a nationally representative sample of the adult Jewish population in Israel aged 18 and over.

The research paper titled “Foreign policy and citizens’ ontological security: An experimental approach” is now available in Political Studies and can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1177/13691481231218864

Researchers:

Ofek Riemer1

Institutions:

1) Department of International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem is Israel’s premier academic and research institution. With over 25,000 students from 90 countries, it is a hub for advancing scientific knowledge and holds a significant role in Israel’s civilian scientific research output, accounting for nearly 40% of it and has registered over 11,000 patents. The university’s faculty and alumni have earned eight Nobel Prizes and a Fields Medal, underscoring their contributions to ground-breaking discoveries. In the global arena, the Hebrew University ranks 86th according to the Shanghai Ranking. To learn more about the university’s academic programs, research initiatives, and achievements, visit the official website at http://new.huji.ac.il/en

 

 

 

 

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