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
- Nev Schulman running for athletes with disabilities at the Jerusalem Marathonon April 3, 2025
His participation underscores his commitment to inclusion in sports and advocacy for individuals with special needs.
- ‘Horse with No Name’ is a movie with no ploton April 3, 2025
A new film, 'Horse with No Name' by Asaf Asulin, opens in theaters around Israel on Thursday.
- Hamas will not respond to Israel's counter Gaza ceasefire proposal, official sayson April 2, 2025
Israel said on March 29 it conveyed to the mediators a counter-proposal in full coordination with the US, after Hamas agreed to a proposal from Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
- Feldstein, Urich give police conflicting testimonieson April 2, 2025
Eli Feldstein claimed he received a salary from Israeli businessman Gil Birger in an arrangement allegedly coordinated by Yonatan Urich, who denied the claim.
- Netanyahu to meet Viktor Orban in Hungary, amid fears of ICC arreston April 2, 2025
Hungary emphasized that Netanyahu would not be arrested during his visit despite the International Criminal Court's existing arrest warrant against him.
- Shabbat work sparks clash between labor minister and oppositionon April 2, 2025
Minister Ben-Tzur launches enforcement campaign against businesses employing Jewish workers on their weekly rest day, while Lapid challenges the crackdown as unnecessary.
- Israeli airstrikes in Syria meant to 'convey a message' to Turkey, source tells 'Post'on April 2, 2025
Israel strikes Syria with warning to Turkey: Do not interfere with Israeli activities.
- Greece vows to spend $27B on armed forces overhaul centered on high-tech warfare technologyby Derek Gatopoulos on April 2, 2025
Greece has announced a $27 billion defense overhaul focused on high-tech warfare, including AI-powered missile systems, drones, and next-generation military gear
- British mother and daughters hit and killed by Audi in New Yorkby Bryony Gooch on April 2, 2025
The British mum’s four-year-old son survived the incident but remains critically injured
- Gantz calls on A-G, state prosecuter to 'examine necessity' of 'Post' editor's house arreston April 2, 2025
Gantz stated that to investigate or arrest a journalist are “extremely exceptional events in a democracy” that should only happen when there is “clear and solid criminal suspicion.”
- Bank of Israel to keep rates unchanged as Gaza conflict resumeson April 2, 2025
Central bank officials have said they expect inflation to ease in the second half of the year and hope to lower rates once or twice in 2025.
- Bennett bets on a second chance: Will voters buy in?on April 2, 2025
Naftali Bennett returns to politics with a new party, aiming to attract pragmatic right-wing voters while overcoming past controversies.
- Lebanese army significantly improved anti-Hezbollah enforcement, IDF sources sayon April 2, 2025
Israel Katz told The Jerusalem Post that the destroyed villages prevent Hezbollah and civilians from returning to southern Lebanon for up to five years.
- Thousands march in Jerusalem to protest haredi draft exemptionon April 2, 2025
Thousands march in Jerusalem for equal military service burden, demanding government action for widespread recruitment. "We bear the burden, but we demand immediate change," protesters say.
- '10 years of idiotic press statements’: Case 4000 defense hearings end, Case 1000 to beginon April 2, 2025
The prosecution levied 315 items of evidence against the prime minister.
- IDF completes encirclement of Tel al-Sultan area in Rafahon April 2, 2025
Troops kill dozens of terrorists and locate multiple rocket launchers as the military expands Gaza operations with third division joining the fight.
- A Long Winter: A summary of the Knesset winter sessionon April 2, 2025
From a political standpoint, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition still appears stable - but will that stay the case?
- From the firing of the Shin Bet head to 'Qatargate' - What's happening with Israeli politicson April 2, 2025
The 'Post''s political correspondent Eliav Breuer sat down with domestic affairs and economics correspondent Eve Young to explain.
- Hamas admits 72% of deaths are combat-aged men as it quietly reduces civilian death tollon April 2, 2025
Approximately 72% of fatalities are aged 13-55 and are men - the demographic category aligns with Hamas combatants.
- Arkia to launch new flights to Eilat, pushing for airline equality in Ben Gurion's terminalson April 2, 2025
With the approval of the operation of additional flights from Terminal 1 at Ben Gurion from the Transportation Ministry, the additional flights may operate as soon as May 2025.
- Pressing reform? Knesset advances restructuring of broadcasting landscapeon April 2, 2025
Opposition MK Shelly Tal Meron described the reform, which proponents say will promote access to diverse viewpoints, as “revolution designed to seize control over the free press”
- Economic concerns cloud Passover celebrations as cost of living crisis deepens in Israelon April 2, 2025
Survey reveals Israelis cutting food budgets as household expenses jump NIS 1,644 monthly. Despite personal struggles, 42% still plan to donate holiday meals to those in need.
- Reporter's Notebook: After Shin Bet embarrassment, Eli Sharvit will sail away unscathedon April 2, 2025
Sharvit will sail through this choppy water and emerge unscathed. • It is less clear if those responsible for the rescinded offer end the same.
- Likud MK: Government should consider dropping haredi IDF exemption attemptson April 2, 2025
The former principal warned that failure to lessen the burden will lead to the IDF's reservist system collapse.
- Hebrew University's centennial: Einstein's legacy and the guardian of a scientific iconon April 2, 2025
Einstein's letters, theories, and Jewish legacy will live on in the hills of Jerusalem at the Hebrew University.