The Spanish Government has disqualified the Israeli team from the bi-annual Solar Decathlon because the team is located in “occupied territory” - Samaria. Engineers, architects, solar experts and other visitors to the Solar Decathlon will thus be denied the opportunity to study and benefit from the solar-powered energy-economical “Stretch House” designed and built by students of the Ariel University Center of Samaria.The Solar Decathlon, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy, has taken place until now in Washington, D.C., but is to take place next month in Spain under the terms of a 2007 agreement between the U.S. and Spain.
The competition features 20 teams from universities around the world that have worked for two years to design and build self-sufficient houses using solar power as their only source of energy. The Israeli team even received 100,000 Euros from the competition organizers to build a 75-square-meter model house in the final stage,
The Ariel University released a statement accusing Spain of violating international charters regarding academic freedom.
Ariel University announced in response that “together with the Foreign Ministry and the Organization of Universities Against Academic Boycotts, we will take all measures to liquidate this phenomenon, which stands in opposition to all standards of scientific and academic freedom.”
Prof. Pascal Rolette, Dean of the School of Architecture in Grenoble, France, wrote to Ariel, “I do not agree with the Spanish decision, because the activity of Ariel University is designed towards academic excellence on behalf of peace. Accept my utmost support in this difficult situation.”
The houses must compete in ten contests: Architecture, Market Viability, Engineering, Lighting Design, Communications, Comfort Zone, Hot Water, Appliances, Home Entertainment, and Net Metering (producing as much energy as the house needs or, preferably, more).
The Ariel University students designed a building they call the “Stretch House.” Inspired by the "Tent of Abraham," the Stretch House is modular, versatile, welcoming and expandable according to its owner's wishes. In its closed state, when additional space is not required, it uses only half the energy necessary to operate a regular house, and when needed, it opens up - much like a modern tent – to include an extra room and more.
The interdisciplinary team of Ariel University students that worked on the project study in various faculties of the university, including Civil and Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Economics and Business Administration, Mass Media and Architecture.
Original source - Israel National News
I am much too disgusted to comment. I will say, however, that Spain must not be allowed to host this competition anymore - or any other international event for that matter.
The first Renault electric cars will be available to Israelis beginning in 2008, after Shai Agassi's Better Place, which is building the infrastructure for electric cars in Israel, signed an agreement with Renault this week for the import of the Fluence ZE model. Better Place will handle the importing and sales, with motorists who buy electric cars "subscribing" to their battery refueling services. Better Place has committed to selling a total of 100,000 vehicles in Israel by 2016.
Better Place founder and CEO Shai Agassi, whose company will be providing services for electric cars in Israel and other countries, says he believes that at least half the cars that will be sold by 2020 will be electric cars. Agassi was speaking at a press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show Tuesday.
Well, today is a bit of a melancholy day due to the significance of what happened in New York 8 years ago. It's hard to believe it's been 8 years, isn't it? At any rate, I had written a poem on 9/11/02 in the parking lot of a mechanic shop while I was waiting for them to change my oil. This poem was written on the back of a visitor parking pass I'd found in my car. It's not the greatest poem but remember that it was written in about 3 minutes in a parking lot. Just thought I'd share...please take a moment of silence to remember. This post is obviously not about Israel or any liberal issues but the moment to change the world is ours and days like this remind me of that.
I am thinking I may have to abandon the Zionist cause. Just look at what Israeli Jews are doing to animals! Picture a classroom full of wild pigs. Picture menacing-looking Jews telling them that they will not be allowed to leave until they master several halakhic intricacies. I bet you, they even make pigs sign something. Why, you ask? These wild pigs are terrorists in training, that's why! According to the Bethlehem-based