Israel

Israel
source
Conventional long name	State of Israel
Common name	Israel
Capital	Jerusalem
Largest city	Tel Aviv
Official languages	Hebrew language, Arabic language (status changed over time)
Government type	Parliamentary republic (basic law framework)
Area km2	20770
Population estimate	9 million
Currency	New shekel
Independence	14 May 1948

Israel is a country in the Eastern Mediterranean region of Western Asia, adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Dead Sea. It was established in 1948 following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and subsequent declarations and conflicts, leading to internationally contested borders and ongoing disputes. The state features a diverse range of landscapes from coastal plains and central highlands to the Negev desert and the Golan Heights, and includes major urban centers such as Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa.

Etymology and Name

The modern name derives from the biblical designation given to the patriarch Jacob in the Hebrew Bible, preserved in ancient inscriptions such as the Merneptah Stele and classical sources including works by Josephus and references in Septuagint manuscripts. Alternative historical names used in various periods include Canaan, Kingdom of Israel, Judea, Palestine (Roman province), and terms used under Ottoman and British Empire administrations such as the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem and the Mandate for Palestine. The contemporary state's formal English-language usage adopted during the mid-20th century aligns with diplomatic instruments such as the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 framework and the 1947 partition discussions.

History

Antiquity saw the region inhabited by Canaanite city-states mentioned in the Amarna letters and later the emergence of monarchies chronicled in texts linked to Solomon and David (biblical); archaeological debates engage disciplines including Near Eastern archaeology and biblical studies with sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Qumran. Successive empires—Assyrian Empire, Neo-Babylonian Empire, Achaemenid Empire, Seleucid Empire, and Roman Empire—left administrative and cultural legacies, including transformations after the Great Jewish Revolt and the Bar Kokhba revolt. The region underwent religious and demographic shifts under Byzantine Empire, Umayyad Caliphate, Abbasid Caliphate, Crusader States, Ayyubid dynasty, and Mamluk Sultanate. Ottoman rule from 1517 until the end of World War I introduced provincial structures later superseded by the British Mandate for Palestine. The 20th century featured the Zionist movement, migrations linked to events such as the Holocaust, international diplomacy exemplified by the Balfour Declaration, and the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. The 1948 proclamation led to the 1948 Arab–Israeli War; subsequent major conflicts include the Suez Crisis, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, and the First Intifada and Second Intifada, with peace efforts such as the Camp David Accords and the Oslo Accords affecting regional dynamics. Contemporary history includes administrative changes to territories like the West Bank and the Golan Heights, as well as engagement with international bodies such as the United Nations and regional actors including Egypt, Jordan, and the Palestine Liberation Organization.

Geography and Environment

The state's topography ranges from the Mediterranean coastline and the Carmel Mountains through the Shephelah and Samaria Highlands to the Negev plateau and the Arava valley bordering the Dead Sea rift. The Jordan River and its tributaries form key freshwater sources alongside engineered water projects influenced by institutions like the Mekorot water company and the National Water Carrier. Climate zones include Mediterranean, semi-arid, and arid classifications, affecting biodiversity in reserves such as Ein Gedi and the Hula Valley. Environmental challenges include water scarcity, desertification, and conservation concerns addressed by legislation and agencies including the Nature and Parks Authority and partnerships with international bodies such as the United Nations Environment Programme.

Government and Politics

The political system is structured under Basic Laws enacted by the Knesset, with a parliamentary system featuring an executive led by the Prime Minister and a ceremonial head of state titled the President. The Knesset serves as the unicameral legislature, while the judicial branch includes the Supreme Court of Israel and institutions such as the Attorney General. Political life is characterized by multiparty coalitions including parties like Likud, Israeli Labor Party, Yesh Atid, and religious parties such as Shas and United Torah Judaism, alongside Arab-majority parties such as Hadash and Ra'am. Security matters involve the Israel Defense Forces and coordination with national security councils, while legislative debates engage issues relating to civil rights, settlement policy, and international agreements like the Abraham Accords.

Economy

The economy combines high-technology sectors, industrial manufacturing, and agriculture, with prominent companies and research collaborations tied to institutions such as the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology, Weizmann Institute of Science, and multinational firms headquartered in Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. Key industries include cyber security, medical technology, and defense exports associated with firms like Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems. Agricultural innovation includes drip irrigation pioneered by Netafim and export crops cultivated in the Negev. Fiscal policy and monetary matters are overseen by the Bank of Israel, with trade relationships spanning the European Union, United States, and regional partners following normalization efforts.

Demographics and Society

The population comprises diverse communities including Ashkenazi Jews, Sephardi Jews, Mizrahi Jews, and non-Jewish minorities such as Arab population, Druze, and Circassians, with immigration waves (Aliyah) from regions including Ethiopia, the Former Soviet Union, and Yemen. Languages include Hebrew language and varieties of Arabic language, with cultural minorities maintaining distinct institutions and holidays. Social services and education involve entities like the Ministry of Education (Israel) and academic centers including Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Bar-Ilan University, while demographic trends reflect urbanization in municipalities such as Beersheba, Ashdod, and Rishon LeZion.

Culture and Religion

Religious significance centers on sites in Jerusalem such as the Temple Mount, Western Wall, and Al-Aqsa Mosque, alongside pilgrimage locales like Tiberias and Hebron. Cultural life features literature by authors associated with the Hebrew literary revival, music scenes in Tel Aviv, and cinematic works recognized at festivals including the Cannes Film Festival. Religious communities include Orthodox Judaism, Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, Islam, Christianity, and smaller faiths, each maintaining legal and community institutions such as rabbinates, waqf administrations, and ecclesiastical bodies. Festivals and cuisines reflect diasporic influences from Mizrahi Jews, Sephardi Jews, and immigrants from the Middle East and North Africa contributing to culinary traditions and performing arts.

Category:Countries in Asia