Area Total | 20,770 sq km |
Climate | temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas |
Natural Resources | timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand |
Imports | $68.61 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 11.7%, China 9.5%, Switzerland 8%, Germany 6.8%, UK 6.2%, Belgium 5.9%, Netherlands 4.2%, Turkey 4.2%, Italy 4% (2017) |
Exports | $58.67 billion (2017 est.) partners: US 28.8%, UK 8.2%, Hong Kong 7%, China 5.4%, Belgium 4.5% (2017) |
Government | parliamentary democracy |
Capital | Jerusalem |
Population | 8.4 million (July 2018 est.) |
Ethnicity | Jewish 74.4% (of which Israel-born 76.9%, Europe/America/Oceania-born 15.9%, Africa-born 4.6%, Asia-born 2.6%), Arab 20.9%, other 4.7% (2018 est.) |
Language | Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language) |
News about Israel
- High Court nixes Wednesday hearing on government's firing of A-G, upholds freeze on dismissalon September 1, 2025
Panel urges lawmakers to cancel decision, return to traditional model set by Shamgar Commission.
- NGO: Israel's 11,000 Palestinian security prisoners breaks recordon September 1, 2025
Administrative detention numbers have surged in Israel, now three times higher than during the Second Intifada, reports HaMoked.
- Israel’s challenge with the Global Samud flotilla heading to Gaza - analysison September 1, 2025
So far, the weather has been Israel's ally, preventing 20 vessels from departing Spain to join other ships that activists want to use to get to Gaza.
- Netanyahu meets with Galilee leaders, discusses rehabilitation, return to the northon September 1, 2025
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Galilee to discuss regional recovery, development plans, and the return of students to school.
- Police use underage operative to expose Eilat businesses for selling alcohol to minorson September 1, 2025
According to the statement, four businesses sold alcohol to a minor who was working with the Southern District Police in Eilat under their Youth Division.
- Authorities thwart attempted terror attack in Jerusalemon September 1, 2025
A Palestinian was arrested in Jerusalem after attempting to carry out a terrorist attack, including a soldier kidnapping.
- Bismuth promotes ‘emergency regulation’ for temporary solution on haredi draft - reporton September 1, 2025
Enforcement sanctions on haredi draft dodgers would be frozen throughout the period of the emergency regulation, which would last for a year, Walla reported.
- UK 'outraged' at Israel restricting aid as it works to evacuate children from Gaza for treatmentby Via AP news wire on September 1, 2025
British officials are working to evacuate critically sick and injured children from Gaza for treatment in U.K. hospitals
- Back to School in Eshkol: Resilience and Renewal Amid Traumaon September 1, 2025
With the support of American friends and the presence of Ambassador Mike Huckabee, children in the Israel envelope return to their classrooms for the first time since the war started
- Ben-Gvir 'shocked' by Hamas leader's relatives buying home in Israelon September 1, 2025
A relative of Ismail Haniyeh, the former leader of Hamas, has purchased a home in the town of Omer, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir saying he is "shocked by the news."
- West Bank sees highest terrorist home demolitions in decade after October 7on September 1, 2025
Security officials say the goal is not only to punish the perpetrators of attacks but also to deter those who are “on the fence” from joining terrorist activity.
- Tensions mount as Norway restricts Israel's world cup qualifier entryon September 1, 2025
Israel has been told it can only enter one day prior to kickoff due to what the Norwegians cited as security concerns.
- Negev resident indicted for supporting ISIS, handing over illegal weaponon September 1, 2025
Alzana was arrested several weeks ago in a joint operation by the Shin Bet security service and the Southern District’s central investigative unit of the Israel Police.
- A-G to Ben-Gvir: Directives to minimize protests are invalid, enacting them will breach agreementon September 1, 2025
Ben-Gvir responded on Monday and insisted that the document is binding, and that the new protocols will kick in if an advisory opinion is not handed over within 24 hours.
- IDF chief Zamir warns Gaza plan could push Israel into military ruleon September 1, 2025
"You are heading toward military rule," IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir warned during a cabinet meeting that discussed the Gaza City occupation plan.
- Palestinians face severe water shortages in the West Bankon September 1, 2025
COGAT, Israel's military agency, stated that the PA is responsible for supplying water in the West Bank. Israel transfers 90 million cubic meters annually, blaming shortages on Palestinian theft.
- Mixed results, but haredi Hashmonaim Brigade plods onon September 1, 2025
The IDF is set to open its third haredi Hashmonaim Brigade Company, reflecting steady progress but highlighting ongoing challenges in haredi military integration.
- Idan Shtivi, slain Gaza hostage retrieved by IDF, laid to rest in Tel Avivon September 1, 2025
During her last goodbye, Shtivi's mother, Dalit, said: "On my birthday, he was recovered and returned to me - I'm sorry I didn't take care of you."
- Beyond Budgets and Shortages: What Teachers Really Protecton September 1, 2025
In a country where “routine” has never meant “normal,” teachers are the guardians of resilience, unity, and purpose
- Gaza Sunbirds fly Palestinian flag at Para Cycling Worlds despite fear of news from homeby Fatma Khaled and Ciarn Fahey on September 1, 2025
Palestine team members were checking anxiously for news from home even while they were competing at the Para Cycling Road World Championships
- High Court rules: Police cannot search suspects’ electronics without warranton September 1, 2025
The case and ruling were promoted by a petition by the Public Defender’s Office, which argued that these searches directly contradict the law itself.
- Strikes across Gaza kill at least 31 as international scholars accuse Israel of genocideby Wafaa Shurafa,Samy Magdy and Sam Metz on September 1, 2025
Israel has launched strikes across the Gaza Strip
- IDF soldier found lifeless, military police launch investigationon September 1, 2025
All findings will be forwarded to the military attorney's office for examination.
- Greta Thunberg's Gaza aid flotilla returns to Barcelona due to stormy weatheron September 1, 2025
The organizers did not say when they planned to resume the journey.
- Netanyahu 'deliberately obstructed' Gaza hostage deal in cabinet, families chargeon September 1, 2025
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum recently reported it had received evidence that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government is torpedoing a deal for an end to the war.