SOUTHEilat hosts int’l gymnastics competition Some 150 local and international athletes arrived in Eilat last weekend for an international gymnastics competition sponsored by the Eilat Municipality, the Workers Council, and the Lending a Hand to Eilat’s Children Association. The 150 female athletes between the ages of six and 15 hailed from 70 different towns, including two athletes from Eilat. International competitors arrived from Russia, the Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Norway, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Latvia and Bulgaria.The competition was part of a municipal strategy to put the southern city on the map as a rebranded tourism hub and center for sports competitions. Last month, the city hosted the European Open Water Swimming Championships, for which swimmers from 22 countries arrived. At the end of this year, the city will host a Formula 3 motor race, including a “drifting” competition, and will see the arrival of drivers from across Europe.
‘Jewish Eye’ film festival returns to AshkelonThe Ashkelon Cultural Center officially opened the eighth annual “Jewish Eye” World Jewish Film Festival this week. The festival, which runs until November 21, features films from around the world that focus on Jewish culture and identity.The production is sponsored by the Ashkelon Municipality, the Ashkelon Academic College and the Ashkelon Foundation.This year, the festival will include a competition in the categories of feature films, full-length documentaries, and television films.According to festival producer Oded Guy, “this year, a special part of the festival will be dedicated to Jewish music. At least 10 films dealing with Jewish music in all of its forms will be screened.” The producers of all the films will be present for the screenings. All films will be screened with Hebrew subtitles.More information about the festival can be found at www.jewisheye.org.il.Customs finds marijuana operation in EilatTwo marijuana-growing labs were discovered by the Department of Customs and VAT’s drug unit after the Postal Service found a package with marijuana seeds. The package was sent to a police drug laboratory, which confirmed that it indeed contained an illegal drug.An undercover police detective then arranged to deliver the package to the man listed on the shipping bill. The suspect, an Eilat resident in his 40s, opened the door for the detective and signed the delivery form to receive the package. At that point, the detective identified himself and arrested the man.A search of the suspect’s home led to the discovery of two different marijuana-growing laboratories on two floors of the house. The labs included planters, lighting systems, a drying area, and irrigation and ventilation systems. Forty seedlings and mature plants were found, in addition to packaged marijuana, cash and various other drugs.The suspect and his wife were detained for questioning, during which they claimed the drug was solely for personal use. The wife was released on bail, but the suspect remained in custody.