- For alternate uses, see Israel
(disambiguation).
The State of Israel is a predominantly Jewish country in the Middle East on the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea that borders Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. It
shares the coastlines of the Mediterranean, the Gulf of Aqaba, the
Dead Sea and the Sea of
Galilee.
The establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 and its existence has been a source of
repeated wars and other conflicts with Arab countries,
such as Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt. The state of war between Egypt and
Israel ended with the signing of the Israel-Egypt
Peace Treaty on March 26, 1979. The state
of war with Jordan ended with the signing of the Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace on October 26, 1994. Negotiations with Lebanon and Syria have not resulted in a peace treaty
as of yet. Israel is also embroiled in an ongoing conflict with the Palestinians
despite the signing of the Oslo Accords on September 13, 1993.
History
Main article History of Israel
Many Jews consider Israel to be their spiritual home. A Jewish state existed intermittently in the region for over a
millennium until expulsion by the Roman authorities. (see Fall of Jerusalem, AD 70). After crushing the Bar Kokhba's revolt in 135, Emperor Hadrian renamed the land Palestine after the Jews' ancient enemies, who lived in the area centuries before - the Philistines. It was conquered from the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantines) by the Caliphate in the seventh
century and attracted Arab settlers. Throughout the centuries the size of Jewish population in the land fluctuated. Before
the birth of modern Zionism, by the early 19th century, more than 10,000 Jews lived in the area that is today's Israel. (Dan
Bahat, Twenty Centuries of Jewish Life in the Holy Land, 1976, pp. 61-63)
Following centuries of diaspora, the nineteenth century saw
the rise of Zionism, a desire to see the creation of a Jewish State in Palestine,
although this remained a minority movement until the rise of Nazism in 1933 and the subsequent attempted extermination of the Jewish people in the Shoah, or Holocaust. Jews began moving to the Turkish and later
British controlled region: the British mandate
of Palestine, resulting in their rise from 11% of the population in 1922 to 30% by
1940.
In 1947, following increasing levels of violence and unsuccessful efforts to reconcile
the Jewish and Arab populations, the British government withdrew from Israel. The 1947 UN Partition Plan split the mandate into two states, Jewish and Arab, giving about half the
land area to each state. This plan, as well as a 1937 partition proposed by the Peel Commission, was rejected by
Arab leaders.
On May 14, 1948, the State of Israel was
proclaimed in territory given for the Jewish state in the UN plan. The armies of five Arab nations intervened in the ongoing war
between Jews and Arabs in Palestine (see: Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel,
May 14, 1948, 1948 Arab-Israeli War). Israel captured
an additional 26% of the Mandate territory west of the Jordan river and annexed it to the new state. After the war, only 14-25%
(depending on estimate) of the Arab population remained in Israel, the rest having fled prior to and during the war. When Israel
refused their reentry, they became refugees; see Palestinian
Exodus for a discussion of the circumstances. Over the following decade, many Jews came to Israel as refugees from the
surrounding Arab nations, as well as Iran and Europe , doubling Israel's population within one year of independence. Israel's
Jewish population continued to grow at a very high rate for some years, fed by waves of Jewish immigration from around the world,
most notably recently following the collapse of the USSR. As with many states, Israel has minority ethnic groups that do not feel
themselves properly part of the "Israeli nation," though they do hold Israeli citizenship. Prominent among these are the Israeli
Arabs, many of whom consider themselves as belonging to a Palestinian nation. How to adjust the Israeli state to accommodate the
sense of identity of this grouping without endangering the state's Jewish character is an important issue in modern-day
Israeli-Palestinian relations.
In 1967, a perceived hostile buildup of Egyptian soldiers and the Egyptian
blockade of the southern city of Eilat led to Israel launching an attack on its
neighbors, starting with Egypt. Hostilities came to include Jordan (after Jordan reluctantly chose to dismiss Israeli appeals for
neutrality and undertook shelling of Tel Aviv - in adherence with the Hashemite Kingdom's signed defence treaty with Egypt),
Syria, and the Iraqi air force. This was the Six-Day War (June 5 - 10, 1967), which resulted in East Jerusalem, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip being administered and the
Golan Heights and the Sinai Peninsula becoming occupied by Israel. Previously, the West Bank was an annex of Jordan, but was
never recognized as such by the international community. The Golan Heights and East Jerusalem have since been annexed by Israel;
the formerly occupied Sinai has since been returned to Egypt under the 1978 Camp David Accords. The status of the West Bank and Gaza Strip is the
subject of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations (see Geography below for more).
In the years since 1948, Israel and the
United Nations have often suffered an adversarial relationship. Resolution 194 (passed in December (note:
General Assembly resolutions are only suggested and not legally binding) 1948), granting
the conditional right of return to Palestinian refugees; Resolution 242 (November 1967), calls for "withdrawal of Israeli
armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict" (six day war), Israeli administration of the West Bank, the Gaza
Strip and the annexation of East Jerusalem do not and did not fall under the legal category of occupation, unlike the Sinai and
the Golan which were both formerly under the recognized sovereignty of a "high contracting party"; and Resolution 446 (March 1979), eroneously declaring settlements on the West Bank and Gaza Strip to be illegal. While most of the 65 security council
and general assembly resolutions passed against Israeli actions, and the 41 security council resolutions vetoed by the United
States, have had near universal support in the UN (often with the United States and Israel near alone among the dissenting), many
supporters of Israel have claimed bias in the process. It is also worthy of mentioning that Israel is the only UN member state
that is not permitted a seat on the rotating security council, unlike, for example Syria and Libya. It is also worthy of
mentioning that more than half of the UN's emergency meetings have been to condemn Israel.
See also: Israeli-Palestinian conflict,
Palestine, Palestinian Exodus, Palestinian
refugee and Jewish refugees.
Politics
Main article Politics of Israel
Israel is a constitutional, parliamentary republic. Israel's legislative branch is a 120-member parliament known as the Knesset. Elections to the Knesset are normally held every four years, but the Knesset can decide to dissolve itself
ahead of time by a simple majority. The President of Israel
is head of state, serving as a largely powerless figurehead. The President selects the leader of the majority party or ruling coalition
in the Knesset as the Prime Minister, who serves as
head of government.2
Another of the few powers granted to the president is the ability to appoint justices to the Supreme Court who serve for life.
Their decisions have historically been subject to parliamentary supremacy and they can be removed from office by vote of the
Knesset.
Israel has no official written constitution; its government functions
are based on the laws of the Knesset, especially by the "Basic Laws of Israel", which are special laws the Knesset
legislature, (currently there are 15 of them), which will become together the future official constitution. The declaration of the State of Israel has a significance
in this matter as well.
Because of its parliamentary system, coalitions in the
Knesset can often be unstable and are usually made up of at least two parties. Coalitions can be difficult to form and hard to
keep together because of the large number of political parties, many of whom run on very specialized platforms, often advocating
the tenets of particular Jewish sects.
In the past thirty years, the largest parties have been the conservative Likud Party
and the third-way Labour Party. However, they do not
attract sufficient support to be able to govern without the help of smaller parties such as Shas, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish party which also tends to support high social spending; Shinui, a secularist conservative party and foe of Shas, which also works to undermine social spending; the National Union Party, a far-right party advocating "transfer" of Palestinian refugees to resettle in Arab countries; the
Mafdal - the national religious party, affiliated with religious Zionists (kipot srugot); and Meretz, a
social-democratic party which is sometimes supportive of the Palestinian cause. All governments have so far avoided forming a
coalition with parties representative of the Palestinian minority, such as the Arab-Jewish communist Hadash party, the liberal-nationalist Tajamu' party or the conservative-Islamic bloc United Arab List
party.
Parties of the left have dominated Israel's elections until 1974, when following the 1973 War the ruling Labour party began to
lose popularity. On the right, the Likud party was formed by a union of the Liberals and the nationalistic conservative Herut
party. 1977 marked the beginning of right-wing dominance in Israeli politics, with the ascendance of Likud's Menachem Begin as prime minister. The Likud continued to form most governments
since then, sometimes with Labour as its main coalition partner, with the exception of the Labour-Meretz coalitions between
1992-1996 and 1999-2001. In 2003, the Likud-headed government of prime minister Ariel Sharon gave left-wing parties their worst
showing in years.
The premiership of Ariel Sharon is one of the most controversial since Israel's founding, with hostility emanating from both
Left and Right. In 1983, the Israeli Kahan Commission found him partly
responsible for the 1982 Phalangist-led Sabra and Shatila Massacre, leading to his dismissal as Defence Minister by Menachem Begin. Some of his military tactics, such as repeated incursions in
Palestinian territories, have come under fire from the Israeli peace movement (see Peace Now! and Jews For Peace) and sections of the international community, such as the European Union. On the Right, his acceptance in principle of a state of Palestine and his call for the
evacuation of all settlements in the Gaza Strip and some in the West Bank is
opposed by settler organisations, the Orthodox religious parties
and many in his own Likud party. However, supporters of Sharon claim that his strategy
has successfully reduced the threat of Palestinian terrorism, and is finally
laying the basis for a lasting peace in the Middle East through a final
resolution of the Palestinian problem.
- See also: List of
political parties in Israel.
Military
Main article Military of Israel
Israel's military consists of the Israel Defense
Forces (IDF), which includes ground, naval, and air
components. Historically there have been no separate Israeli military services.
The IDF is considered one of the strongest military forces in the Middle East, and relies largely on technology, utilizing
Western (especially American) weapon systems, as well as technologies developed by Israel's own military industries.
Most Israelis, males and females, are drafted into the military at the age of 18, with
the notable exceptions of Arabs, most Ultra-Orthodox
Jews, pacifists, and women who declare themselves religiously observant. Compulsory service is three years for men, and two
years for women.
Following the compulsory service, Israeli men become part of the IDF reserve forces, and are usually required to serve several
weeks every year as reservists, until their 40s.
Israel is widely regarded as being an undeclared nuclear power -- it operates nuclear facilities and is generally believed to
be in the possession of nuclear warheads. As it is not a signatory of
the Non-Proliferation Treaty, no inspections from
the outside take place, and the nation maintains a public policy of "nuclear ambiguity". For further information, see: Israel and weapons of mass
destruction.
Israel is technically at war with Iraq, with a previous declaration of war never being repealed by either side. It is also
technically in a state of war with Syria and Lebanon, as only a cease fire agreement was signed with Syria , and there is no such
agreement with Lebanon.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Israel
Israel, located in Southwest Asia, is a country whose exact
territorial boundaries and borders are widely disputed. It is also considered to be one of the fifteen states that comprise the
so-called "Cradle of Humanity". The total area—excluding
East Jerusalem and other territories occupied since the 1967 war—is 20,770 square km; the total area—including the aforementioned
territories—is 22,145 square km.
The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel
country profile, unless otherwise noted. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October
1991, bilateral negotiations are being conducted between Israeli and Palestinian
representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Israel and Syria, to achieve a
permanent settlement. On April 25, 1982,
Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace
Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the
1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Israel
Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude
oil and gas, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed
its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for
grains. Diamonds, high-technology and military equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports.
Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign
loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the U.S., which is its
major source of economic and military aid. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR topped 750,000 during the period
1989-1999, bringing the population of Israel from the
former Soviet Union to 1 million, one-sixth of the total population, and
adding scientific and professional expertise of substantial value for the economy's future. The influx, coupled with the opening
of new markets at the end of the Cold War, energized Israel's economy, which grew
rapidly in the early 1990s. But growth began slowing in 1996 when the government imposed tighter fiscal and monetary policies and the immigration bonus petered out. Those
policies brought inflation down to record low levels in 1999.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Israel
As of 2001, 81% of Israel's population (excluding the non-Jewish population of the West Bank and Gaza) is Jewish. Among Jews, 26% have at least one Israeli-born parent, 37% are first-generation Israelis, 27% are
immigrants from the West, and 30% are from developing countries in Asia and Africa, including Arab countries.[1]
6% of Israeli Jews define themselves as haredim (ultra-orthodox religious);
an additional 9% are "religious"; 34% consider themselves "traditionalists" (not strictly adhering to Jewish halacha) ; and 51% are "secular". Among the seculars, 53% believe in God.[2]
Arabs make up 18% of Israel's population. Within this group is a minority of Palestinian Christians who make up 9% of the Israeli Arab population.[3]
There are also a number of smaller minorities, including Druze (1.5%) and a tiny
Armenian community.
As of 31 December 2003, 223,400 Israeli citizens live in the West Bank in
communities established before the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, re-established after the Six-Day War and numerous settlements. All
but a few of these were new settlements, established after Israel took control of the land during the Six-Day War in 1967, and are assisted in development by government
funding and military assistance. This number does not include Israelis in Jerusalem, which was under Jordanian control between 1948 and 1967. 7,500 Israelis live in the Gaza Strip. They are subject to Israeli law and lead lives similar to other Jewish
Israelis.[4]
Culture and religion
Main article: Culture of Israel
Holidays
| Date |
English Name |
Local Name |
Range of possible dates
in Gregorian calendar |
| Tishri 1 |
New Year |
Rosh Hashanah |
between Sept 6 & Oct 5 |
| Tishri 10 |
Day of Atonement |
Yom Kippur |
between Sept 15 & Oct 14 |
| Tishri 15 |
Feast of Tabernacles (Booths) |
Sukkot |
between Sept 20 & Oct 19 |
| Tishri 22 |
Assembly of the Eighth Day |
Shemini Atzeret |
between Sept 27 & Oct 26 |
| Nissan 15 |
Passover |
Pesach |
between March 27 & April 25 |
| Nissan 21 |
Passover |
Pesach |
between April 2 & May 1 |
| Iyar 5 |
Independence Day |
Yom Ha-Atzmaut |
between April 16 & May 15 |
| Sivan 6 |
Pentecost |
Shavuot |
between May 16 & June 14 |
Miscellaneous topics
- List of Israelis
- Cities in Israel
- Communications in Israel
- Transportation in Israel
- Military of Israel
- Foreign relations of Israel
- Israel and the United Nations
- Ha-Mossad
le-Modiin ule-Tafkidim Meyuhadim - (often shortened to Mossad)
- Violence against Israelis
- List of Israeli newspapers
- List of universities in Israel
- Tel-Aviv Stock Exchange
Wars
- See also: Land of Israel, Palestine, Ancient kingdom of Israel, Judaism, Holy Land.
Footnotes
1 Jerusalem is Israel's officially designated capital, and the location of its presidential residence, government
offices and the Knesset, the parliament. Israelis often describe this city as "The Eternal Capital of Israel." However,
many countries dissent this designation, and consider the status of Jerusalem as an unresolved issue, due to Israel's capture of
the Eastern half of Jerusalem (and subsequent reunification) from Jordan during the Six Day War. They believe that the final
issue of the status of Jerusalem will be determined in future Israeli-Palestinian negotiations; Therefore, those countries locate
their embassies in other major cities like Tel Aviv, Ramat-Gan, Herzliya etc instead, to avoid political sensitivities.
Moreover, some of the dissenting countries do not recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, due to what they perceive as
illegal Israeli action in designating the city to be its capital in the first place (1950), as well as Israel's capture of the
Eastern Jordan half from Jordan, in 1967. These states instead recognize Tel Aviv, the temporary capital for a time in 1948, when
Jerusalem was under arab siege, as the continuous legitimate capital, and as a result keep their embassies there. Other entities
maintain that Jerusalem must be internationalized as originally envisioned by the United Nations General Assembly. See
the article on Jerusalem for more.
2 For a short period in the 1990s the prime minister was directly elected by
the electorate. This change was not viewed a success and was abandoned.
Related articles
External links
Government of Israel
Media
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