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
- Blinked will 'continue to press for immediate and sustained progress' on Gaza humanitarian aidon April 29, 2024
US Secretary of State Blinken acknowledges progress in Gaza aid but insists more action is needed, pledging to address issues with Israeli officials.
- Iranian authority undermined after death sentence for rapper sparks global protestsby Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor on April 29, 2024
Regime has hit a wall in its efforts to exploit crackdown on US unrest over Gaza as an abuse of human rights after its treatment of Toomaj SalehiAn Iranian court’s decision to pass the death sentence against Toomaj Salehi, a popular Iranian rapper and regime opponent, has led to international protests and damaged Iran’s fledgling efforts to exploit […]
- Middle East crisis live: ‘measurable progress’ in delivering aid to Gaza but ceasefire ‘most effective’ to address humanitarian suffering, says Blinkenby Martin Belam on April 29, 2024
US secretary of state says Iran is biggest source of instability in region but adds many nations interested in ‘path of greater peace’Biden and Netanyahu speak amid pressure over Rafah and ceasefireAntony Blinken has told a meeting of regional leaders in Riyadh that the most effective way to alleviate humanitarian suffering in Gaza is to secure a […]
- Statue vandalized at USC as pro-Palestinian protests continue at colleges across the US - liveby Katie Hawkinson and Graig Graziosi on April 29, 2024
Someone spray-painted ‘Say no to genocide’ on the base of the Tommy Trojan statue on the USC campus Saturday night as pro-Palestinian protests denouncing the Israel-Hamas war continued
- Airstrikes on Rafah amid renewed efforts to broker Gaza ceasefire talksby Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem on April 29, 2024
Hamas delegation expected in Cairo to respond to Israel’s latest truce and hostage release proposalMiddle East crisis – live updatesAt least 22 people have been killed in airstrikes on Rafah, as Hamas and Israel face pressure to engage in what are seen as last-chance ceasefire talks before a threatened Israeli ground invasion into the southernmost part […]
- Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters clash at University of California, Los Angelesby Maya Yang on April 29, 2024
Thousands of demonstrators including students and non-students showed up Sunday on campus for four different protestsSkirmishes broke out at the University of California, Los Angeles on Sunday as pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters rallied on campus where a Palestinian solidarity encampment was set up earlier this week.On Sunday, thousands of […]
- Norway foreign minister accuses west of double standards on Gaza at World Economic Forum – videoon April 29, 2024
Norway's foreign minister has criticised some western countries for their inconsistent responses to violations of international law in Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking on the second day of the World Economic Forum special meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Espen Barth Eide said: 'Many western countries ... hesitated to use the same type of language against […]
- Thailand's foreign minister abruptly resigns after being dropped as deputy prime ministerby Via AP news wire on April 29, 2024
Thailand’s foreign minister has abruptly resigned in dissatisfaction over a Cabinet reshuffle that removed him as one of the country’s deputy prime ministers
- Zionism can – and must – be about liberation of Jews and Palestinians | Jo-Ann Mortby Jo-Ann Mort on April 29, 2024
We are entwined and must be liberated together. We must work to end the war and bring safety and security to both peoplesKarl Marx’s father, Heinrich, converted from Judaism to Protestantism in 1817 – later converting his eight children – because had he not done so, he would not have been allowed to practice law in Prussia. He wasn’t alone in having […]
- How Columbia University's complex history with the student protest movement echoes into todayby Deepti Hajela on April 29, 2024
Students protested what they saw as injustice and demanded change
- Biden and Netanyahu speak as pressure grows over Rafah and Gaza ceasefire talksby Julian Borger in Washington and agencies on April 29, 2024
US president and Israeli PM talk as Israel vows to invade southern Gaza city despite global concern for 1 million Palestinians sheltering thereJoe Biden “reiterated his clear” opposition to an invasion of Rafah in a conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday, as pressure builds on Israel and Hamas to reach a deal that would free some Israeli […]
- Jerusalem Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar calls for Mimouna to be canceled this year due to the waron April 28, 2024
Rabbi Amar used to hold a public Mimouna event every year with rabbis and public figures, but this year, he canceled it.
- Biden talks with Netanyahu as relative of US hostage blames Israeli PMby John Bowden on April 28, 2024
US president’s relationship with Israeli Prime Minister has soured as criticism of Gaza offensive grows
- World Central Kitchen resumes operations in Gaza after seven aid workers killedby Ariana Baio on April 28, 2024
Humanitarian group paused operations for approximately four weeks after the fatal Israeli airstrike on a three-vehicle convoy
- Ofir Akunis: Israel's new iron wall of defense in New Yorkon April 28, 2024
Ofir Akunis will arrive in a city where US Jews felt most at home in the US but now view themselves as under assault from antisemitism fueled by the Gaza war.
- Palestinian president Abbas pleads with US to stop Israel’s assault on Rafahby Chris Stevenson on April 28, 2024
Mahmoud Abbas says that Washington is the only nation able to halt the planned offensive – which he expects to begin within days
- Israel gears up for potential ICC warrants over Gaza actions, FM Katz warns of backlashon April 28, 2024
Israel prepares for potential ICC arrest warrants for top leaders over Gaza actions. Foreign Minister urges missions abroad to brace for backlash.
- Antony Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia to try to restart Gaza ceasefire talksby Ruth Michaelson in Jerusalem on April 28, 2024
US secretary of state to discuss avoiding regional conflictAntony Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia to try to restart fraught ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, as a delegation from Hamas, expected in Cairo in parallel to the US secretary of state’s visit, said they would provide a response to an Israeli proposal focused on an initial hostage […]
- Gallant approves detention of five right-wing activists for revenge violenceon April 28, 2024
The group was arrested in connection with the spree of settler violence following the murder of 14-year-old Binyamin Achimair in the West Bank earlier this month.
- Middle East crisis: Israel has agreed to listen to US concerns before any Rafah invasion, says White House – as it happenedby Yohannes Lowe on April 28, 2024
Israel has started to meet commitments it made to Joe Biden on allowing aid into the north of Gaza, says White House national security spokespersonThe Gaza health ministry on Sunday reported at least 66 Palestinians had been killed in the past 24 hours.In central Gaza, Mohammed al-Hattab said he found his one-year-old baby in the rubble after an Israeli […]
- Blue and white in green: A released IDF soldier's hike through Israelon April 28, 2024
Journey with this new oleh – and recently demobbed IDF paratrooper – as he walks for Israel.
- Key mediator Qatar urges Israel and Hamas to do more to reach a cease-fire dealby Tia Goldenberg,Jon Gambrell and Samy Magdy on April 28, 2024
A senior Qatari official has urged both Israel and Hamas to show “more commitment and more seriousness” in cease-fire negotiations
- Lod's Mayor expresses concern over terrorism in neglected mix Arab-Israeli city amid rising tensionon April 28, 2024
The mayor of Lod, Israel, raises alarm over escalating crime and gang influence, warning of national security threats posed by armed gangs.
- Biden silent on Israel-Hamas war at White House dinner despite protesters’ criticismby Sophie Thompson on April 28, 2024
Joe Biden didn’t appear to acknowledge the Israel-Hamas war at last night’s White House Correspondents’ Dinner (27 April), despite backlash from protesters.
- 'Screams Before Silence': New doc highlights Hamas's Oct. 7 sexual violenceon April 28, 2024
The documentary "Screams Before Silence" exposes the sexual violence perpetrated by Hamas terrorists during the October 7 attack in Israel, amplifying victims' voices.