I received this email from a friend. I don't know who the author is, but it really doesn't matter.

Recently, some countries have decided that they are going to completely boycott Israel and it's goods, so they've stopped buying and using things that they think are the only Israel made things, but they seem to be missing a lot.

So here's what I say, if you're gonna boycott Israel, don't forget:

Check your medication. Make sure you do not have any tablets, drops, lotions, etc. made by Abic or Teva. Sure, it might mean that you have a cold and flu this winter, but it's a small price to pay, right?

Oh, and speaking of medicine. Be sure to boycott the following:

An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes between mild and and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis. So if you know anyone suffering from MS, tell them to ignore the Israeli patent, that may in fact more accurately diagnose their symptoms.

Oh and who can forget that an Israeli-made device helps restore use to paralyzed hands and helps electronically stimulate hand muscles, providing hope to millions of stroke victims and to victims of spinal injuries. If you wish to remove this hope and better life from these people, go ahead and boycott Israel.

Young children with breathing problems will soon be able to breathe better, thanks to an Israeli invention called the Child Hood. This innovation places a breathing mask with a much improved drug delivery system and will provide lots of relief for both child and mother. So please tell anxious mothers everywhere that they shouldn't use this device for your passionate cause.

Now, boycotts often affect research, so...A researcher in Israel's Ben Gurion University has succeeded in creating human monoclonal antibodies which can actually neutralize the small pox virus without the dangerous side effects of the existing vaccine. But go ahead and boycott that, I mean it's an important cause, right?

In 2004, two Israeli's received the Nobel Prize for their discoveries that could lead to a method of DNA repair, control of proteins, and and immune defense systems. But who needs that right? Boycotting Israel is way more important, right?

The Movement Disorder Surgery program at Israel's Hadassah Medical Center have already successfully removed physical manifestations of Parkinson's Disease in a select group of patients with special deep brain stimulation techniques. But I'm sure your boycott is more important then that.

For woman who undergo hysterectomies each year fof uterine fibroids, the Israeli development of the ExAblate 2000 System offerers a non-invasive alternative to surgery. Israel is also developing a nose drop that will provide for five years of flu vaccine. This is just a few projects that you can help stop with your Israel boycott.

Moving away from medical research, let's look at some of the other stuff Israel has developed that you'll need to get rid of if you really plan to boycott Israel:

First you can get rid of that computer. Most Windows operating systems were developed by Microsoft-Israel, so you can just chuck that PC. The Pentium NMX chip was developed by Pentium of Israel. Both the Pentium 4 and the Centrium were designed, developed, and produced entirely in Israel! The technology used in AOL Instant Messenger and ICQ were developed in 1996 by two Israeli wiz-kids, and both Microsoft and Cisco have built their only outside-US facilities in Israel.

So due to your boycott you now have bad health, and no computer. But wait there's more! You can also get rid of your cellphone! Cellphone technology was developed by Motorola in Israel. Motorola in fact, has it's largest development center in Israel. A large majority of last years cellphone technology (including fancy-shmancy
cameraphones and the like) was developed by Israeli scientists.

Look around, are you feeling unsettled? Maybe you should be if you're going to boycott Israel. Part of your personal security rests within Israel's inventiveness. You probably need some of Israel's Netline Communication Technology with security expertise to help you fight against terror. A joint, non-profit agreement between Israel and the state of Maryland for a five day Business Development and Planning period will allow Israeli companies to partner with Maryland to provide innovations for homeland security. Or would you rather have no homeland security?

And just as a side note, Israel has the highest ratio of university graduates to population in the world. Israel also produces more scientific papers per capita then any other countries in the world (109 per 10000). Israel has the largest number of startup companies then any other nation except the US and the highest concentration of high tech companies outside Silicon Valley. Israel is ranked second in the world for venture capital funds (also right behind the US) and Israel has the second largest number of publication of new books per capita.

Oh, and what nation has the most choirmasters in the world? Russia? Wrong, the most choirmasters in the world are located in Tel-Aviv, in Israel. Relative to population. Israel is the largest immigrant absorbing nation in the world. These immigrants (who are by the way NOT all Jewish) come in search of democracy, religious freedom or expression, economic opportunity, and quality of life.

It's important to note that the largest Arabic free press is in fact in Israel! And believe it or not, Israel is the only country in the world that had a net gain in trees last year.

So go ahead and demoralize the State of Israel if you wish. You can continue with your silly boycott. But please consider the consequences and the truths. Think of the massive contribution Israel gives to the world and to YOU. With it's science, medicine, technology, communications and security.

So go ahead and boycott, if you still want to.