"Risk conception of WIFI and RF on Israeli public and media" - Study and conference 02-2019

On the last Sunday, the 10/02/2019 I took part of a conversion in Tel Aviv Center for Science Education (HEMDA - Schwartz-Reisman Science Education Center - http://www.hemda.org.il/). The reason for this conversion was a study on the the Conception of the risk from wireless radiation by the public and in paticilure of of the risk from WIFI infrastructure in schools. The study was funded by the ministry of Technology and science in Israel. The Study was set to examine the conception of the risk from wireless radiation and WIFI routers in the public the the influence of the Media, mainly TV over the public conception  of the risk, and the way this conception appear on the online media. The researches said again and again that this is not a study on the risk but on it's conception by the public and appearance on the Israeli media and TV.
It is important to note that the organizers of the convention knew who I am and what my views are and since the conference was opened to the public they did not block me from taking part.

In the picture above - The invenstation to the convention

Article about the study (Hebrew origen, google translated to English) press here...
YNet article about the study  (Hebrew origen, google translated to English) press here...
A Hebrew recording of some of the conversion - https://youtu.be/F79DJuMX5ic

From reading the study, the article about it in the press, it is very clear that the opinion of the study team is that there is no  possibility that RF radiation can cause damage or health risk.
The Conference it self also started according to this concept and according to it, until it was revealed that it might not be the case.
The climent in the conference was that the Television media was to blame for the misconception of the risk from EMF in the public eye. In particular one show from 2016, took the fire ( I took part in this TV article alongside other EHS people, activist and scientists, please see with english CC at - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpJsIWuV-PA&feature=youtu.be).  This TV article had a big echo in Israel , and lots of EHS people understand the source of their pain and contacted me and other members of the Israeli EHS community to seek help and support.

I see the study and the conference as an attempt to do 2 things:
1. Put pressure on the media not to broadcast more Tv articles about EMF risk, cell phone risk, WIFI risk and about EHS.
2. Make a point that there is no possible health effect to EMF exposure (once again) and to put those that argue that there is in a shady light.

The conference started with the lecture of ENG Moshe Netzer, which is a leading Israeli Radiation specialist who works in this field for more than 40 years and regarded one of the top professionals in the technical field of EMF measurement and protection. It was very clear from his lecture that Moshe does not support the possibility that EMF can push any danger in the low levels of WIFI. He did however, admitted in a way that it is almost impossible to measure WIFI in classes, but he linked that to the low level of the radiation and not to the use of slow RF meters with 2-5 samples each second.
Eng. Netzer also told the crowd that he was able to convince a local city council to install WIFI routers in schools when he presented them with the very low levels of RF measured from WIFI routers.

In the picture above - Eng Moshe Netzer

Next lecture was from PhD Uri Lerner about the precautionary principle, and about the possibility that warning the public might cause more damage then the polluter it self (Nocebo effect).

In the picture above - PhD Uri Lerner (Behind on the left)

Next lecture was by Prof' Stelian Gelberg about the approach and way that the ministry of Environment protection handle this issue. Prof' Stelian is the head of Radiation and Noise department in the ministry of Environmental protection in Israel. Prof' Stelian said in the past, to a Knesset committee that non-ionizing radiation can cause biological damage but in his lecture there was almost no sign of this understanding. Those with a good ear could find some clues to that in his answers to the open questions.

In the picture above - Prof' Stelian Gelberg

Next lecture was by PhD graduate Keren Daliot who conducted the study. He lecture was on the study and the results. Again it was clear that the study was done based on the assumption that WIFI radiation and RF radiation can cause not health effect.

In the picture above - PhD graduate Keren Daliot

At this point the lectures part of the night was over and the panel members were introduced and took their sit on the stage. The panel was hosted by Miss Sivan Klingbail from the TV show "Osut Hesbon" ("Making the math" a TV consumer show that did several reports of EMF and cell phone radiation last few years). The guest speakers were Prof Barak Fishbain, Prof' Ayelet Barnea-Tzubery, the journalist Aviv Lavi ( that did several articles on EMF and EHS in the last few years), and Miss Hadas Wagman from Tnuda (who should be working closely with Prof' Sigal Sedesky),

In the beginning of the panel it looked as if it is more of a tribunale judging the media about airing TV reports about EMF health risk and EHS. Most of the fire was aimed to the Ch2 from 2016 that got the popolistic name "how are we killing ourselves: Radiation" (please see link above).  I see this criticism as an attempt to put pressure on the TV media not to bring forward future reports about the possible health risk of EMF and about EHS. I think that EHS in particular creates a lot of anger in people that don't believe there can be any health risk to RF or EMF.  If our condition is caused by exposure to EMF, it can be the prof they would not like to see, so they put the Nocebo effect as the cause of EHS and try to fight back when we try to warn others. 

The panel, as the lectures before it, seemed to conduct the discussion under the assumption that there is no chance that EMF , RF or WIFI can cause a health risk.  This was suddenly interrupted when Journalist Aviv Lavi said "But this is not what Sidesky said". Lavi said that he had a lot of time with Sidesky during several interviews he did with her and that he have heard her say that there might be a risk, that we still don't know how it is caused or how much the risk, that there is a debay about the possible risk  and that giving a cell phone to a child is child abuse.  This view of Prof' Sedisky was brought to the public several times during TV Interviews with her (for example here - https://youtu.be/IVvfDNlZoaw?t=96 and here - https://news.walla.co.il/item/2965687 both in hebrew).

From here on the discussion continued with that in mind. I think that this remark by Aviv Lavy stopped the attacks made on the media and the discussion moved to what we can do to reduce the exposure. 

On the open question part we (me and 2 other EHS/Activist and one nonEHS activist) asked question. My question to Prof' Ayelet Barnea-Tzubery was "do you think your position that there is no possible risk to EMF exposure, that we now understand is not the opinion of all the scientists in this field,  influenced the data gathering and processing in this study",  she answered a quick "No, we had to people examining the data in a binary way" , I replied "yes but both believe there is no risk.

The other activist also asked questions. 

At the end of the panel discussion, the host asked Prof' Stelian Gelberg to answer "Yes" or "No" to the question can she sleep with no worries about the WIFI use in schools. He paused for few seconds and then gave a short lecture about the ministry activity in ELF-M, RF from mobile phone masts, and WIFI in schools, closing it up with "of course". I understand his answers as "we are doing what we can". 

In the picture above - The Panel

New Testing procedure for RF radiation in schools in Israel

The new test procedure is far than perfect, but might be a small step forward.
It is far from perfect but may be a small step forward as it advice to use MAX Value measurements, to scan the class, to measure several places where student sit, to use the WIFI system under load and to use meters that can cover the frequency higher than 5GHz.
It still uses a ICNIPR based heat only standard, using MAX Values is only a recommendation and the meters are low sampling rate meters.

Proper Disclosure

It is possible that to same extent I had some influence on the new test procedure for RF radiation in schools that was released this year. Last year Prof Stelian Gelberg, the head of radiation and noise department in the Israeli ministry of environment protection, asked my to help guide two students for first degree in Public health as they were analyzing the existing procedure, determining the week points and improving it to a new test procedure.  I meet with them several times, I explained the problems, what can be done and what should be done. We also did some testing together and a long.
The new testing procedure might relay on their work.

Old Procedure

For the past few years, myself and other activists, have been criticizing the way RF tests were done in schools (after WIFI systems were installed - low duty cycle) using the test procedure that was meant to RF radiation from cellphone tower (high duty cycle signal), using very slow sampling rate meters (2-5 samplings per seconds), using the meters in Average mode, and doing the tests only in several points, usually next to the router.
These tests usually showed no radiation at all, a prof that there were not done correctly.

First look at the new procedure

First look at the new test procedure I can note few improvements but there is still a long way to go.

Improvements:

1. There is a recommendation to use MAX value setting on the meter (not Average).
2. The tests should be done in several points in the classroom where students sit. 
3. The test should start with background RF testing.
4. The tests should be done while the WIFI network should have heavy traffic. 
5. The meters' frequency band must cover the frequency off all sources in the class, including 5GHz WIFI routers.

Still problematic:

1. Using the meter in MAX Value setting is not a must, only a recommendation.
2. In every point in which the tester will see high values, he is required to Average them (which is the best way to bring the numbers down).
3. The outcomes of the tests are then compared to a ICNIRP based standard (will give the OK to every outcome, even if in Bio-active level). 
4. There is no direction on the test procedure to use high sampling rate meters (I don't think there are any approved meter that have high sampling rate) which is a key issue when measuring low duty cycle signal as WIFI.
5. There is no attention to the students' use of cell phones in the class. If such a use is permitted, the radiation from the cell phones should also be measured while active and transmitting.

What now?

The Environment Protection ministry should be congratulated on the steps done, and I will continue to criticize it for the problematic issues that still need to be addressed. Meanwhile we wait for the first test reports done by the new test procedure. 

In the picture, the new test procedure, in Blue the new steps

Jerusalem to become "smart" city

 Jerusalem municipality declared the deployment of "smart city" technology over the next few years.
The deployment, so the municipality argue, will improve their ability to serve the public.
The municipality claims that the radiation emitted from the systems is "low " and "safe"


"The frequencies used by the network are completely free and safe to use. The system is also secure and there is no risk of privacy. The equipment consumed has an extremely low radiation - lower than a standard home router - thanks to the high frequency and narrow beam."



For link #1 to google translator article press here...
For link #2 to google translator article press here...

The spin of the last ministry of education CEO memo

Few days ago (http://norad4u.blogspot.co.il/2017/04/ceo-memo-from-ministry-of-education.htmll)  I reported about the recent CEO memo of the ministry of education released on the 5/04/2017. I thought it was a good step forward. But then it was reviled to me that the ministry of education have released a more robust memo just one day before, on the 4/4/2017 which banneded all use of cell phones by teachers and staff in schools and halting the use of cellphones for education purpose until future inspection of the issues.
It seems (from a report in Israeli newspapers, and from info I got from an activist) that this more robust ban was faced by opposition from the educational staff , teachers, and from schools that use cellphones in their educational program.  In order to face this opposition, the ministry issued a more softer version that only banned personal use.

Just an other piece of propaganda?
Back in the days of the appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court to asking stop the deployment of WIFI in schools, the ministry of education argued that WIFI tablets and laptops emit less radiation than smart phones (which is not true in all cases), and there for it's deployment will reduce the exposure in schools. This propaganda was widely used. But now if you look at what happens in schools in Israel, in many of which smart phones are used daily, it turns out that it was just an other empty slogan (and a spin) and the use of smart phones in schools is widely done, side by side with WIFI (adding to the radiation from WIFI systems), and even in schools that don't have WIFI.
Some will say "they use the smart phones with the WIFI not with cellular data", I am sorry to say that in real life this will not hold as most people , teachers included, don't know how to turn off the cellular data and leave only the WIFI On (and as I said before, WIFI in not better than cellular data in all cases).

One must Read between the lines
Reading between the lines of the Israeli Ministry of Education CEO memo, shows that as before still today, the ECO Memos are mostly propaganda, at list as far as non ionizing radiation is Concerned.
their purpose is create a misleading picture as if the ministry is acting to lower exposure, while in the field nothing is changed and without holding the ministry to real action. This is while the ministry does it best to deploy more Radio frequency Radiation (RFR) emitting emitting devices, and encouraging the use of more RFR devices in the class, and while the exposure in the school is becoming bigger and bigger.

One step forward, one step back
The banned over personal cellphone use by educational personal and staff is a positive thing. In same cases it will help to reduce exposure. Such is in my case, were in my kids kinda gardens the staff use their smart phones all day long, even when near the children.


The CEO MEMOs
Bellow the CEO Memo from 4/4/2017 - banning all use of cellphones by staff and teachers. Halting the use of cellphones for education purpose until future inspection of the issue.

Bellow the CEO Memo from 5/4/2017 - banning just personal use -
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=iw&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fcms.education.gov.il%2FEducationCMS%2FApplications%2FMankal%2FEtsMedorim%2F8%2F8-5%2FHoraotKeva%2FK-2017-8-1-8-5-54.htm&edit-text=

WIFI is back to classes in Haifa (Israel)

Last year, the municipality of Haifa, the third biggest city in Israel, announced that the WIFI will be shut down in it's classes and schools. This week, an article in a local news paper reviles complains by parents that the system is working again. The municipality reply was that the WIFI systems operational is limited and that steps were taken to reduce the radiation. The municipality spokesmen also reply that the read problem is the students cell phone which it claim it can do nothing about. These words are very resembles to the mantras that the ministry of education (the body that pushes for WIFI in schools for the last 5 years) to try and dismiss the opposition to WIFI in schools. Please also note that according to the ministry of education own CEO memo and documentations every schools can ban and limit the use of cellphone in the school.

Link to the article (in Hebrew) - http://yedhaifa.co.il/papers/1388-2/#page/26

Israel Education ministry - Cell phone use prohibited, screen time limited, parents payment for tablets defined - 09/2016

This was aired on 05/09/2016 on Israel CH10 news. It is a news reports about a new CEO memorandum from the ministry of Education with 3 main subjects:
1. define the usage of tablets and laptops in class but define that smart phones are not to be used.
2. define the time it is possible to use these devices, without network, for each class.
3. define the extra payments that parents are asked to give per year, including for the tablets.

I would like to remind you that when the ministry of education in Israel say or define something like this (now it is "no use of cellphones in class", few years back it was a recommendation for "wired network in schools", it is sometimes just an bonch of empty words, a cover up, and the situation in the field is completely different.

All and all the section about prohibiting the use of smart phones as a learning device in class is good step, but I remind you that it was already present in older memorandums, and that it was not implemented then.

In addition I would like to point to your attention that while "banding" smart phone use in class, they still permit WIFI networks and wireless tablets and laptops to be used. It seems that the policy makers still think that WIFI is a lower radiation than mobile phone.

Please see video - I added subtitle in English, press the "CC" button.
https://youtu.be/OD3CZWIzPDg

Israeli CH10 New - WIFI in school - 30/08/2016

Yesterday , 30/08/2016, Israeli CH10 aired a sub 6 minutes report about the WIFI deployment in Israeli schools, the rolling of responsibilities for the test , the radiation levels and students health between the government bodies, about the radiation tests which are not valid and about some of the regulators who already know it will end badly.
The video (with English subtitles, please help improve the subtitle by suggestions and corrections) is available on my YouTube channel and bellow - https://youtu.be/h26I5yPgWSw

I would like to emphasize points about this TV report which make it such a good step forward:
1. The TV report shows to the citizens of Israel that the different government ministries are pushing the responsibility one to the other. Most people of Israel don't know about EMF or WIFI. Most people don't know about the health effect of RF. But most people have the ability to understand that when government ministries are pushing responsibility one to the other, something is very wrong.
2. The report brings the strong words of a world expert on the meter of environment health risks , Prof' Debra Davis, which are loud and clear about the health risk of RF and WIFI exposure and even talks about expected morbidity in kids if WIFI in schools will not be closed down. I would like to congratulate prof' Debra Devis on participating in such a way in this report. I hope her voice will be heard again in the future on the issues of WIFI in schools and EHS.
3. The TV report brings again to the public view that the RF tests done in schools are not suitable for WIFI testing and that the Ministry of Education is using them to convince the parents that the radiation level is OK and there is nothing to fear of.
Of course parents with EHS kids are not convinced by the outcomes of test reports, but other parents seems to think(or want to believe) that if the tests are OK then every thing is OK and there is no possible risk. It is very important to get the truth to these parents and I believe this TV report is doing that.

In addition I would like to note that I saw many positive views or this TV report from several parents to EHS kids, EHS people and other activist.

Prof Elihu D. Richter open letter regarding EHS and WIFI in schools

Few days ago I received a formal letter from Prof Elihu D. Richter that refers to incendence of EHS in kids that were brought to the attention of the Knesset Child Protection Committee last year, call for the reduction of EMF radiation in schools by moving to a wired internet connection, noted that the existing so called safety standards do not protect kids from becoming EHS or suffering from EMF exposure, that the symptoms of EHS can be different from one person to the other, and professional relevant personal and bodies must be updated about the new studies regarding EHS.
Most importantly Prof' Richter also declared that the department of occupational and Environmental medicine in the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem (ISRAEL) have received calls and request for help from EHS people and parents of EHS kids and is interested in establishing a team which will check, document, report symptoms of Electromagnetic Hyper Sensitivity, their relation to radiation exposure, to revoke the influence of other possible origins and causes and to encourage steps to reduce the expected increase in appearance of these symptoms.
The Department calls for cooperation with others, specially pediatricians both in Hadassa hospital in Jerusalem or in the community.
In addition Prof' Richter support the recent letter or Prof Cerem about the new challenges that new technologies bring to children wellness and health as in the industrial revolution, and reminds the NTP latest study that the reported findings of RF radiation are proving that it is causing cancer on rates.
We hope to bring a full translation of the letter to English soon.
If you want to contact Prof' Richter, please see his email in the picture of the letter bellow.
Amir Borenstein.

English Subtitles available for the Israel Ch2 Documentary about EHS, EMF and WIFI

English Subtitles are now available to the 30 minutes TV documentary movie about EHS, EMF. and WIFI in schools on Israeli CH2

Three weeks ago (12/04/2016), a 30 minutes TV documentary movie about EHS, EMF. and WIFI in schools was aired on Israeli CH2 , in prime time (21:00 local time).
Most of the movie is in Hebrew , but some of it is in English (original video at- http://reshet.tv/Shows/specialsreshet/vml,315/)

Bellow you can find the documentary with English Sub Titles. Just click on the "CC" icon on the video control bar.   https://youtu.be/bpJsIWuV-PA

Please notice, what I find to be an unclear , double sided approach of Prof' Sigal Sidesky (Head of Tnuda, the Israeli center for Non-ionizing radiation) and Prof' Stelian Gelberg (Ministry of Environmental Protection) which allow the Ministry of Education to continue the deployment of WIFI in schools. I believe that if they both would take a firm action and sound a clear and single meaning message about EMF , RF and WIFI, both to the public and to the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Education would not be able to continue the WIFI and wireless laptops and tablets projects in schools.
A big "Thank you" is sent for every one, in Israel and all over the world, who contribute to the creation of this documentary.

Haifa municipality to turn OFF WIFI in schools - Good news or just a spin?

The Haida municipality (third biggest city in Israel that is known for its beautiful sites and dreadful air pollution) mayor, Mr Yona Yahav, announced this week that the city will turn Off all WIFI system in schools until the system will prove to be safe.

Unfortunately this could be just an other spin of mayor Yahav, as he get the media attention off the air pollution in Haifa and into a new subject. I am afraid that as was before on other issues, Yahav will announce in few days that he good all the info an reassurance that WIFI is safe, that the radiation levels are low and that all test are within safety standards and there for it is now OK to turn the WIFI back on.
Days will tell.

For the article report translated to English press here...

If you want  to write Mr, Yona Yahav, the mayor ( mayor@haifa.muni.il),  mayor's office public inquiries (pniotz@haifa.muni.il) and Reuven Kurman, the head of computer infrastructure in the education department of Haifa municipality, (reuvenku@haifa.muni.il) and tell them how WIFI makes you sick, please do so.

Knesset Children rights committee second meeting about exposure to radiation and screens

Yesterday I took part in the second Knesset Children rights committee meeting about exposure to radiation and screens time.
In this meeting, several specialist professionals from the medical, epidemiological and psychological fields express their worries of the deployment of RF emitting WIFI networks and tablets in schools and the growing screen time exposure of children in these schools.
M.D. Yael Stain argue that the exposures leads to learning disabilities and that there is an argent need to medically treat and diagnose the children who already suffer from the EMF exposure. Prof' Richter supported this request and reported that EHS kids and their parents already contact him. Prof' Yossi Meirovich, Ph.D Gadi Lisk, Pfor' Eitan Cerem reported about the addiction, mental problems, learning disabilities and psychological difficulties that can erupt after chronic exposure to screen time.

On the other hand the Ministry of Education representatives tried to convince the committee that the deployment is safe and is done while taking all the precautionary steps ass required. Ph.D Ofer Rimion, who lead the deployment informed the committee that all the RF tests that were done were OK.
I than explained the committee that the RF testing protocol and equipment is not suitable for WIFI testing and that the standard level that is considered to be OK is very high (ICNIRP) and based only on heat effect of the radiation. I explained that the RF testing equipment that is being used is very slow, sampling the RF levels only twice every seconds while the WIFI signal has a low duty cycle of less than 10%, meaning that there are thousands of very short pulses that "cover" only few mile Seconds out of each second. There for most of the chances are that when the RF meter sample the RF levels there will be not pulse and not transmission. These test will always show close to nothing - very low levels and will be "OK" according to the high not protective standard (ICNIRP).

In the video (with English sub title) - me speaking in the committee -
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tA5MXhbzxMU

Picture by Ami Yacov - Repents and Activist in the meeting

Knesset Education committee discussion about WIFI and tablets in schools 01-2016

On the 25-Jan-2016 the Knesset Education Committee held a discussion about WIFI and Tablets deployment in Israeli schools.

The Ministry of Education informed the committee the majority of schools have WIFI and more then 700 schools use tablets and wireless laptops (out of about 5000 schools in Israel). 

The Ministry of Health representative admitted they know about none thermal biological effect of WIF but not enough, that the so called safety standards do not address these effects and the they don't have enough information about EHS. She also said that the ministry of health do not cray on any health survey on the students in the schools in which WIFI and wireless tablets were deployed.

Most of the speakers in the meeting were school masters who talked in favor of the program.
Only 3 voices against the program were heard, including my own.

The Knesset members who took part in the meeting where mostly concerned about the inequality that the tablets BYOD program will create, only few of them also brought up the possible health issues.

In the summary of the meeting the chairman of the committee also put the emphasis on the parents payment for the BYOD  project and the inequality that can follow. Health concerns where also part of the vocal summary. These subjects were also included in the written summary, but with an acknowledgment that more than 2500 schools were tested for RF radiation, and that all were OK. This may mark that the committee did not understand that the test done are not satiable for WIFI ( as I and others noted) and that the so called safety standards are very high and not based on biological effect or long term effect.

In the picture - the Committee assembly 

In the picture  - The Knesset and me.

A petition to stop BYOD program was submitted today to the Israeli Supreme Court

Today 10/09/2015, an appeal to stop BYOD(Bring Your Own Device to school) program was submitted today to the Israeli Supreme Curt. The appeal was submitted in the name of more then 100 parents, including Knesset member, Professor Yossi Yona and Israel Prize winner for Education, Professor Gavriel Salomon.
The ministry of education, after deploying WIFI in schools, try to deploy tablets in schools using the BYOD project in which parents are asked to buy their kids a wireless tablet that will be used daily in the class. Groups of parents across the country have raised their voices against the program. Now after a year of public activity they submited a petition to the Supreme Court.
The petitioners ask the court to stop the to BYOD program because of moral, social, equality, discrimination, pedagogical, health(screen time and exposure to radiation) reasons and a violation of the law of "books lending program"( a law that allow parents to get all the books their kid needs for just under $100, and that the BYOD program makes absolute as the parents are asked to buy a tablet that with insurance and digital books sums up to more than $300).


In the pictures bellow the representatives of the petitioners and Knesset member, Professor Yossi Yona in the Supreme Court with the petition.

The Knesset's Children rights committee - WIFI and Tablet deployment in schools - 28/07/2015

Today a open discussion was held in the Knesset's Children rights committee - WIFI and Tablet deployment in schools. The head of the committee, MK PhD. Ifat Shasha-Biton lead the long discussion. MK PhD. Ifat Shasha-Biton and MR Prof' Yossi Yona both,  and the rest of the people who joined the meeting for that matter, seemed to understand the essence of the situation in which the vision of the ministry of seduction is about Wireless technology and not computer based learning.
I think it was clear to all the people that the ministry of education is not even considering wired internet connection in the class rooms and that his recommendation for such was only part of a deception plan to foll the parents, the supreme court, members of the parliament and the public while the ministry of education is installing only wireless routers and deploying wireless PC and tablets, in the past 3 years.
In this discussion took part representatives or schools, repents, anti radiation activist, activist against more screen time, EHS people and EHS kids (that explained to the committee how it feels to be an EHS kid in a wireless classroom), professors, doctors, scientists and representatives of the ministry of education (who continued to spread half facts, disinformation and misleading info).

In the following pictures - EHS kids explaining to the committee how it feels to be an EHS kid in a wireless classroom.

Wireless WIFI access points and laptops in the new born nursery

In 2012 my first child was born. The stay in the hospital was very hard for me as an EHS person. The hallways were full with small, but radiating cellular micro-cells. I had to go very quickly and tried to bypass them as fast as possible, armed with my RF Protection Hat and Jacket. In the nursery I notice the same micro-cells installed in the ceiling, but a RF test with an RF meter showed they were not active.

In the picture above - cellular micro cells antenna

 in the Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv , Israel, 2012

In 2014 my second child was born. This time when I visit the hospital, in addition to the micro cells in the hallways, I notice lots of WIFI Acess points all over the hospital. The crew also used wireless laptop on carts. I was very disappointed to see that the wireless laptops where in use also in the nursery. I also notice that in the nursery, 1.5 meters above new born babies, WIFI access point (that radiates all the time) was installed.
The radiation from these devices is adding to the new born babies, patients, visitors and stuffs' exposure to RF radiation in side the hospital. I would be nice to see that the health system is pushing the wireless out, banning the use of wireless and cellphones in side the hospital, and reducing  the exposure. But for now it seems that the exposure just get heavier and heavier.

In the picture above - WiFi Access Points in the
 nursery(1.5 meter away from new born babies), 

 in the Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv , Israel, 2014

In the picture above - WiFi Access Points in the
 nursery(1.5 meter away from new born babies), 

 in the Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv , Israel, 2014

 In the picture above - Wireless laptops on carts in the

 nursery,  Ichilov hospital in Tel Aviv , Israel, 2014

The education committee in the Knesset order the hold of Tablet BYOD project

This does not mean the end of WIFI in schools in ISRAEL, but it is a big step forward.

Links - http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/1.663764
Today (30/06/2015) the Education committee in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) ordered the hold of Tablet BYOD project.
The order was given in the end of a single hour discussion regarding the deployment of wireless tablet PC, that should be bought by the parents, also known as the "Bring Your Own Device" Tablets project.
The order was given mainly because the BYOD project contradicts to the Israeli law and regulation. According to the law and regulations, in order to ask parents to buy equipment under the "payment out of free will" the school have to get 100% approval from the parents and not 70% as the ministry of education require for the BYOD project.
In addition the cost is defined to be under NIS250(~$70), while tablets cost more than NIS1000 (~$250).
The committee also discussed other aspects of the projects like the inequality between kids (those who have new shiny-top brand tablet, those who have a old or cheap one and those who get a PC/tablet from the school), the economical burden on the parents, the education problems, health problems(from the RF radiation, not as main subject), more screen time, losing social skills, losing learning skills and more.

Again, this is not the end of WIFI in Israeli schools. WIFI will continue to work in most schools it was deployed in, but at least with less traffic. The ministry of education is expected to try to push forward the use of tablets or wireless laptops in schools.

In the picture - The parents from Hod HaSharon that lead the fight against the BYOD project

In the picture - the Press release of the committee 

200 parents and kids protest over installation of WIFI in schools in RIshon Lezion - Israel.

About 200 parents and kids protested on the 7/6/2015, in front of Resion Lezion city hall, over the deployment of WIFI networks in schools. The deployment seems to be under way as it seems to be the easy way to bring the internet into schools. The city of Rishon Lezion hired outside help and consultants to try and convince the parents that WIFI is safe and that the deployment is "Progress". But some of the parents, some of them are parents to kids that were already victims to RF radiation that was not suppose to cause any damage, lead the  "green computers in schools" initiative, advocating for  PC, laptops and even tablets that will use a wired connection and not to WIFI.

Few of the parents took part in a meeting with city officials and discussed the deployment. During the meeting it was agreed that wired network will be installed in one test case school. This agreement was not included in the protocol from some reason.

The mayor and his stuff were not convinced that the so called safety standards are not healthy and that kids will become sick from the radiation.

On 7/6/2015 the following pictures were taken in the protest in front of the city hall.  The pictures were taken by Ami Yacov.

video - https://www.facebook.com/ami.yacov.7/videos/454317498079121

ISRAEL Supreme court ruling will not stop WIFI in schools

Hello all,

Today the Israeli Supreme court ruled not to interfere and stop the WIFI deployment, and use of wireless laptops and tablets in Israeli schools.

The court ruled that the ministries (education, health and environment protection) actions were reasonable to such an extant that the court could not interfere. In other words the court will not stand out and stop the deployment. 

However the court leave the possibility to file an appeal if students get hurt and the ministries do not help them.   The thing is that we already have students that are hurt and suffer but the ministry of health say it is not from radiation.

Prof Stalian Gelberg affidavit to the supreme court in support of WIFI deployment in schools

Following is my translation into English of Prof Stelian Gelberg affidavit to the Supreme Court in support of WIFI deployment in schools.

The original Affidavits is available at - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0QsuOEB4bKBMHExalBKSEo1aG8/view?usp=sharing

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1. I am Prof' Stelian Gelberg, Head of the Radiation and Noise Department in the Environment Protection Ministry and according to the Non-ionizing Act, 2006, I serve as the supervisor in the Ministry of Environmental Protection.
2. My affidavit is given in support of the respondents position regarding the arrangements that were defined in the CEO memorandum Circular 3.6-11 "The Integration of Communication Equipment and End User Devices in Schools - Health and safety projections", which became valid on 27/08/2013, referred hereunder as "2013 CEO memorandum”.
3. By the power invested in me as the Head of the Radiation and Noise Department in the Ministry of Environmental Protection, I served as a member of the first inter-ministry committees which created the document dated 10/07/2012 “Adjustment of the Education System to the 21'st Century, The Integration of Communication Equipment & Computers in Schools - Health and safety projections (referred hereunder as “2012 CEO memorandum”. In addition I was a member of the second inter-ministry committee that created the 2013 CEO memorandum and it’s appendix. These committees included specialists from other relevant government ministries, as detailed in the reply affidavit, were requested to recommend the Ministry of Education on the adjustment of the education system to the 21'st century, the integration of communication equipment computers in schools - Health and safety projections.
   
   My appointment as a committee member in the above committees was done as part of inter-ministry consultation and not as from my authority as the supervisor for non-ionizing radiation according the non-ionizing law, because the minimal radiation levels that are created from wireless routers (which transmit up to 100mWatts), the installation and use of which do not require a permit according to the non-ionizing law.

4. By the power invested in me as a member in the above committee, I took part in forming the recommendation of the second inter-ministry committee, the recommendations of which were unified into the 2013 CEO memorandum and its appendix. The non-ionizing law determines that regarding the exposure to non-ionizing radiation, the "precautionary principle" will be adopted. As part of this principle, wired internet network should be preferred in order to reduce the exposure of students to non-ionizing radiation, but the position of the second inter-ministry committee acknowledged also the need of using wireless internet networks according to limitation and guidance that are detailed in the 2013 CEO memorandum and it's appendix.
5. The use of wireless internet according to the conditions detailed in the 2013 CEO memorandum and it's appendix, can guarantee safe use of the wireless internet connection, which will not create an higher exposure than the thresholds determined by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, based on the recommendation of the World Health Organization, as far as the known effect - the thermal effect - for all population, including children, sick and elderly people.
6. The Ministry of Education policy in the 2013 CEO memorandum, reflect the committee recommendations which were formed together with the other representatives of the respondent as detailed in the reply affidavits. It should be clear, because the technical field in general, and the field of radiation effects in particular, is a developing field, therefore a need might come up in the future to make further updates to the 2013 CEO memorandum. Therefore , it has been decided that the second inter-ministry committee will re-adjourn twice a year, and among other topics will examine new research findings, will discuss and decide on changes and improvements to the instructions set forth in the CEO memorandum according to the need (see the section of implementation and follow-up, page 4 in the 2013 CEO memorandum.

7. In addition, the outcomes of non-ionizing radiation level tests that were done in schools, as detailed in the reply update from 5/02/2015, and that were presented to me, were done according to the Ministry of Environment Protection instructions, and by a professional radiation specialist certified by the Ministry of Environment Protection Ministry. The test results show radiation level lower than the threshold determined by Ministry of Environment Protection as noted in section 5 above.
8. This is my name, this is my signature, and the content of this affidavit is the truth.

Signed, Prof' Stelian Gelberg.

Prof Sigal Sedski affidavit to the supreme court in support of WIFI deployment in schools

Following is my translation to English of Prof Sigal Sedski affidavit to the Supreme Court in support of WIFI deployment in schools.
The original Affidavits is available at - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0QsuOEB4bKBMHdqMzZDSDNnTDQ/view?usp=sharing

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1. I am Prof' Sigal Sedski, Head of the Cancer and Radiation Epidemiology Unit in the GERTNER Institute of Epidemiology Research and Health Policy and the Head of TNODA- The National Knowledge Center for Non-Ionizing Radiation and Its Effect on Public Health. I am also a consultant to the Israeli Health Ministry regarding radiation.
2. The National Knowledge Center for Non-Ionizing Radiation was established in January 2013, following a government resolution #4738 of 16 March 2006, regarding the "establishment of a national info/knowledge center for the effect of non-ionizing radiation on the public health”. Regarding the GERTNER institute, it will be noted that it is a "Community Interest Establishment", its main objective being to assist the Israeli Health System and the Ministry of Health in determining and developing health policy.
3. My affidavit is given in support of the respondents position regarding the arrangements that were defined in the CEO memorandum 3.6-11 "The Integration of Communication Equipment and End User Devices in Schools - Health and Safety Considerations".
4. By power invested in me, I served as a member of the second inter-ministry committee which formed the CEO memorandum of 2013. The committee, which was assembled of experts from the other relevant government ministries as noted in the reply affidavit, was requested to recommend to the Ministry of Education on the adjustment of the education system to the 21'st century, The Integration of Communication Equipment Computers in Schools - Health and Safety Considerations.
5. By power invested in me as a member in the above committee, I took part in forming the recommendation of the second inter-ministry committee, the recommendations of which were unified into the 2013 CEO memorandum and its appendix. The recommendations the committee were based on the current available knowledge, as per the 2011 resolution of the Interdisciplinary Working Group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer - IARC, that was established by the World Health Organization, to classify Radio wave radiation that is emitted from cellphones in 2B category, "A possible carcinogenic to humans". The meaning of this classification is that until conclusive proof about the existence or nonexistence of a linkage between radio wave radiation and the development of cancer will be accepted, there is a need to wisely use cell phones and other wireless technologies that emit non ionizing radiation. According to that, the policy of TNODA center, the Ministry of Health and other bodies, is that it is required to act according to the "precautionary principle". The meaning of this is that precautionary means have to be taken in order to reduce exposure, even if it was not yet scientifically proven that there is a linkage between the cause and the damage, especially when referred to young children. Based on the precautionary principle, it was determined by the second inter-ministry committee to prefer the use of wired internet networks in order to reduce the exposure of children to non-ionizing radiation, but the position of the second inter-ministry committee also acknowledges the need of using wireless internet networks according to limitations and guidance detailed in the 2013 CEO memorandum and its appendix.
6. The Ministry of Education policy in the 2013 CEO memorandum reflects the committee recommendations, which were formed together with the other representatives of the respondent as detailed in the reply affidavits. It should be clear, because the technical field in general, and the field of radiation effect in specific, is a developing field, therefore a need might come up in the future to make further updates to the 2013 CEO memorandum. Therefore, it has been decided that the second inter-ministry committee will re-adjourn twice a year, and among other topics will examine new research findings, will discuss and will decide on changes and improvements to the instructions in the CEO memorandum according to the need (see the section of implementation and follow-up, page 4 in the 2013 CEO memorandum).
7. In addition, following is my position as for the question of the honorable court from 18/07/2013 as for the number of children that have special sensitivity to non-ionizing radiation, and its request to describe what had been done, if any, to allocate these children. My position was detailed on section 33 of the reply affidavit and in the State's Update Notification to the Court on 19/11/2013, it is according to the position of the World Health Organization on the subject of EHS phenomena (Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity). In this phenomena the symptoms which are reported are various in nature and severity, and there is no clear diagnosis criteria. It should be noted that there is no scientific base for a cause-effect link between the symptoms and  exposure to EMF (Electromagnetic field). Therefore, the recommendation of the World Health Organization is to treat the symptoms (including psychological and psychiatric analysis), to evaluate the home and work environments for potential pollution, as air, noise, light, agronomic factors, and stress relief. In accordance to the above, and since there is no specific evaluation for EHS, the Ministry of Health is not in the position, at this point and without additional info, to supply data regarding the number of children in Israel that suffer from these phenomena.
8. This is my name, this is my signature, and content of this affidavit is the truth.

Signed, Prof' Sigal Sidesky.