| 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
- Tel Aviv University inaugurates new home for Lowy International School in memory of Shirley Lowyon October 26, 2026
Sir Frank Lowy and his sons joined TAU leaders and students to open a permanent home for the school, serving 2,500 international students and is dedicated to the memory of his late wife, Shirley.
- IDF stops short of denying report Zamir, Netanyahu clashed over Iran strike before electionson October 26, 2026
"The operational activities and factors considered by the IDF are based solely on security, professional, substantive, and nonpartisan considerations," the military said.
- Israeli lawyer indicted over alleged contact with foreign agent, obstruction of justiceon October 26, 2026
The State Attorney’s Office filed an indictment against her with the Central District Court in Lod on Monday, charging her with contact with a foreign agent and obstruction of justice.
- IDF finds underground shaft near West Bank home of Hamas terrorist who killed two soldierson October 26, 2026
According to the IDF, the shaft was approximately 15 meters deep and relatively narrow. It was found near the terrorist’s home in the Hebron area of the West Bank.
- Man indicted on two rape counts following paid sexual encounter in Bat Yamon October 26, 2026
Shein stole NIS 4,000 from her wallet and threatened a friend of hers, ‘B’, who arrived at the hotel room to help her. He held a club to the friend’s lower back and ordered her to leave.
- What you need to know about the most consequential election in Israel’s historyby Emma Graham-Harrison in Jerusalem on October 26, 2026
Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking a new mandate in Israel’s first election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacksOn Tuesday Israel holds its first election since the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks, the deadliest day in the country’s history, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 people, the majority of them civilians.Since then Israel has pursued a war […]
- Two men found dead near Tel Aviv senior living center in suspected murder-suicideon October 26, 2026
A resident who lives nearby told Walla that the sound of the gunfire initially made her fear a terror attack.
- PKK-linked Yazidi militia units to disarm and join Iraq's army in push to control weaponsby Qassim Abdul-Zahra on October 26, 2026
Iraq said the Sinjar Resistance Units, a Yazidi armed group, would dissolve and its fighters would join official security forces
- Maccabi Tel Aviv crushed by Real Madrid despite 15-point leadon October 26, 2026
The Yellows built a 44–29 lead in Belgrade but fell asleep on defense in a 113–99 loss to Real Madrid. Kattash and his players fall to a 2–5 record following a three-point barrage by the Blancos.
- UN-commissioned experts say Gaza ceasefire has not stopped Israel from committing genocideby Julia Frankel on October 26, 2026
A U.N.-commissioned group of independent experts accuses Israel of committing genocide in Gaza despite a ceasefire agreement
- Sheffi Paz, prominent Tel Aviv anti-illegal immigration activist, dies at 74on October 26, 2026
Paz died following a battle with cancer. The disease was diagnosed for the fourth time over the past month, after she had previously battled cancer on three occasions.
- Australian billionaire James Packer paid firm defending Netanyahu in trial over $1.25m. - reporton October 26, 2026
Packer declined to comment when approached by the Herald, which reported that he did not deny the payments. Hadad did not respond to the newspaper’s questions.
- Israel's general election candidates explained as Netanyahu fights for political survivalby Maayan Lubell and Emmeline Saunders on October 26, 2026
Beleaguered Netanyahu - known as ‘Bibi’ - still enjoys the support of America’s president Donald Trump
- Mandelblit resumes testimony as Netanyahu defense presses on investigation approvalson October 26, 2026
Mandelblit, who authorized the investigations and later approved the indictment, testified for the defense. Netanyahu’s lawyer, Amit Hadad, questioned him about what he permitted police to examine.
- In his own words: Trump on gas prices and energy costs since launching the war with Iranby Wyatte Grantham-Philips on October 26, 2026
Since launching the war with Iran nearly eight months ago, U.S. President Donald Trump has struggled to quell soaring energy costs, undermining Republicans’ attempt to keep control of Congress in the midterm elections next week
- All About the Money review – confusion and compelling weirdness of wealthy leftwing heirby Leslie Felperin on October 26, 2026
This profile of James ‘Fergie’ Chambers, who set up a commune in rural Massachusetts and is fighting extradition from Spain, is a brave attempt to package a complex character and storyFor a film that dispenses a lot of backstory information via intertitles, you are left with a lot of questions when the credits finally roll. For example, how in the world […]
- Delegations meeting in Tehran with region on edge over potential for renewed fightingby Samy Magdy on October 26, 2026
Regional officials say high-level delegations from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey are in Tehran for talks aimed at preventing renewed fighting between Iran and Israel and the United States
- ‘It’s collective punishment’: nearly 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron displaced as Israeli forces take over homesby Julian Borger, Sufian Taha and Quique Kierszenbaum in Hebron on October 26, 2026
Families forced to flee as Netanyahu tries to prove security credentials after two Israeli soldiers killed days before electionHebron, the biggest city in the West Bank, had paid little attention to Israel’s looming elections until it found itself suddenly in the midst of them, a proving ground for Benjamin Netanyahu’s security credentials in the run-up […]
- I saw a drone suddenly descend towards me. My heart started pounding and I thought, ‘Is this the end of my life?’by Elsy Moufarrej in Tyre on October 26, 2026
Photographer Zeinab Faraj, 21, found herself buried under rubble beside a dying colleague while reporting in Lebanon. She had never expected to be the target of an Israeli missile attack.It was mid-April and after a month of deadly airstrikes across Lebanon, Israel agreed to a ceasefire. Much of the bombing had focused on southern Lebanon, where entire […]
- For many Israeli voters, concerns over Israel's public image take a back seat in electionon October 26, 2026
Despite rising global hostility, the issue of Israel’s diplomacy, its image worldwide, and who is to blame for its deterioration is barely factoring into the fast-approaching election on Oct. 27.
- IDF veteran completes Hawaii Ironman race three years after losing leg in Gaza combaton October 26, 2026
After losing his leg in Gaza, IDF veteran Boris Shtonda completed Hawaii's grueling Ironman triathlon using a specialized running prosthetic, dedicating the race to wounded soldiers in rehabilitation
- Einhorn's consulting firm paid Urich over NIS 1 million for work with foreign countries - reporton October 25, 2026
Meanwhile, N12 reported on Sunday evening that Netanyahu held a secret meeting several months after October 7 with a former senior Mossad official suspected of involvement in the Qatargate affair.
- IDF chief pushed back on Netanyahu order for ‘action’ against Iran, fearing political motiveson October 25, 2026
Due to the sensitive nature of the action, N12 reported that Zamir requested an in-depth discussion and formal authorization before moving forward with the action.
- Behind the scenes on how IDF got its biggest ‘hasbara’ win of the war - exclusiveon October 25, 2026
Inside the IDF's race to uncover evidence behind the al-Ahli hospital blast, counter Hamas's claims, and restore credibility as Biden flew to Israel.
- Election Day picks, programs, and discountson October 25, 2026
Make the most of your Election Day off on October 27 by catching a movie or heading outdoors.











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