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
- Likud drafts law to form political Oct. 7 probe blocking all other inquirieson November 21, 2024
The new probe will begin within 30 days after the government announces the end of the Israel-Hamas War or after a year passed since the new legislation will reportedly be made.
- October 7 Civilian Inquiry Committee to publish initial findings on Tuesdayon November 21, 2024
The committee sent requests for responses to over 120 senior political and military officials as part of its preparation to publish a comprehensive and highly critical report.
- Idan Raichel creates song renewal in honor of hostage Sagi Dekel Chenon November 21, 2024
Chen, aged 36, was kidnapped to Gaza from Kibbutz Nir Oz while protecting his family during the Hamas attacks.
- IDF’s Kfir Brigade dismantles over 100 Hamas targets in multi-front Gaza ops.on November 21, 2024
Brigade Commander Col. Yaniv Barot described the ongoing operations as the most important task they’ll do in their lifetimes.
- IDF announces fallen soldier Sgt. Gur Kehati killed in southern Lebanonon November 21, 2024
Sergeant Kehati, 20, from Nir Banim, served in the 13th Battalion in the Golani Brigade.
- Mazyouna, whose face was ‘ripped off’ by Israeli missile, allowed to leave Gazaby Thaslima Begum and Annie Kelly on November 21, 2024
Israeli move follows Guardian report that 12-year-old girl’s evacuation for treatment had been repeatedly blocked The Israeli authorities have permitted Mazyouna Damoo, a 12-year-old Palestinian girl whose face was “ripped off” when an Israeli missile struck her home in June, to leave Gaza for medical treatment, five days after the Guardian reported […]
- Police indict three Palestinians for allegedly planning to assassinate Itamar Ben-Gviron November 21, 2024
The main suspect contacted Hamas and Hezbollah for funding and support while gathering intelligence on the travel routes and security details of the minister and his son/
- Katz imposes economic sanctions on Hezbollah to 'dismantle terror'on November 21, 2024
"We will not allow Hezbollah and its supporters to continue funding terrorism against the State of Israel," said Katz.
- Percival Everett and Jason De León win National Book Awardsby Hillel Italie on November 21, 2024
Percival Everett’s “James” has won the National Book Award for fiction
- US Senate rejects Bernie Sanders effort to block arms sales to Israelby Erum Salam and agencies on November 21, 2024
Moves to advance three resolutions, which would have halted recent sale of $20bn in US weapons to Israel, all failedThe US Senate has blocked legislation that would have halted the sale of some US weapons to Israel, which had been introduced out of concern about the human rights catastrophe faced by Palestinians in Gaza.Senator Bernie Sanders had introduced […]
- Israel at war: What happened on day 411?on November 21, 2024
802 IDF soldiers have died since October 7 • Hezbollah fires fewer rockets
- Halevi: The goal is to return northern Israel's residents home safelyon November 21, 2024
IDF Chief visits troops in southern Lebanon, emphasizes mission to enable northern residents' safe return through operations against Hezbollah.
- Badger infected with rabies reported in northern Israelon November 21, 2024
The individuals were referred to medical authorities to receive preventive treatment.
- Israeli music icon Yair Klinger to be honored with lifetime achievement awardon November 20, 2024
The iconic Israeli singer's career spans six decades, with a number of popular hits and hundreds of songs.
- Hakeves Hashisha-Asar reunion sparks nostalgia with sold-out showson November 20, 2024
'Hakeves Hashisha-Asar' concerts combine original hits, solo tracks, and a heartfelt tribute to Yehonatan Geffen
- 'Variety' names Israeli director Tom Nesher among 2025 directors to watchon November 20, 2024
Tom Nesher was named as a 'Variety' '10 to Watch' for 2025 with Oscar contender 'Come Closer'.
- Civilian unlawfully embedded with IDF killed by Hezbollah fire in southern Lebanonon November 20, 2024
IDF soldier killed, two wounded in same incident • Ze'ev Erlich, 70, entered Lebanon with forces without authorization from Northern Command
- US vetoes UN security council push to call for ceasefire in Gazaby Agence France-Presse at the UN on November 20, 2024
UN security council voted 14-1 in favor of resolution but it was not adopted because of the US vetoThe US has vetoed a UN security council push to call for a ceasefire in Gaza that Washington said would have emboldened Hamas.The resolution demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire” in the war between Israel and the Palestinian group, […]
- Druze ed-tech startup wins NIS 300,000 investment from Sheba Medical Center initiativeon November 20, 2024
ABRID, an AI platform for remote learning, leads a group of five Druze startups competing for funding in a new partnership between Sheba Medical Center and the Druze community.
- IDF announces Sgt.-Maj. Eitan Ben Ami, killed in southern Lebanonon November 20, 2024
Ben Ami, 22, from Jerusalem, was a solder in the IDF's Maglan's Reservist Unit in the Commando Brigade.
- As north nears a deal, UNIFIL’s failures cry out for overhaulon November 20, 2024
As US envoy Amos Hochstein works to broker a deal for northern Israel's security, UNIFIL's role in Lebanon faces scrutiny after decades of failing to curb Hezbollah's activities.
- Less than half of Israelis think gov't war decisions based on professional considerationson November 20, 2024
Only 37% of Jewish Israelis believe the government's war decisions are based on professional considerations, while trust in the IDF remains high at 85%.
- Constitution Committee begins debates on bill associated with judicial reformon November 20, 2024
New bill to control lawyer fees sparks accusations of government pressure on Israel Bar Association's judicial appointment vote.
- ‘Positive progress’ made in Hezbollah-Israel ceasefire talks, US envoy saysby William Christou in Beirut and Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem on November 20, 2024
Amos Hochstein to meet Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday after Beirut discussions over deal to end fightingThe US envoy Amos Hochstein has said there is “positive progress” towards a ceasefire in Lebanon after talks in Beirut aimed at ending 13 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.Hochstein has met Lebanese officials over the past two days after […]
- Canadian-Israeli philanthropist Sylvan Adams challenges Roger Waters to debateon November 20, 2024
“He picked the wrong Jew to antagonize.”