| 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
- Preparations for Tel Aviv Pride Parade begin as police close roads along routeon June 12, 2026
Police have begun closing off roads throughout Tel Aviv to accommodate the event, Israeli media reported.
- Missile fragments hit Carmel, damaging unique white lily preservation plot - interviewon June 12, 2026
“We still don’t know how many bulbs were destroyed. It could be hundreds, it could be thousands. Only in months or even years will we know the full extent of the damage.”
- High school student's killer accepts plea deal, sentenced to 25 years in prisonon June 12, 2026
The defense emphasized that Khlo was not accused of shooting or driving the vehicle, as the prosecution was unable to determine who involved had shot and killed the student.
- Likud, Netanyahu dropping in public eyes amid Iran war, contentious legislation - pollon June 12, 2026
This is Likud’s lowest figure since August 2025, when it received 21 seats in a Maariv poll. However, the coalition bloc maintained its strength from last week at 50 seats.
- Gazan doctor accused of Hamas affiliation held without charge in Israel appears before High Courton June 12, 2026
The media were briefly allowed into the courtroom before being ushered out as proceedings got underway.
- Loggerhead turtle rescued off the coast of Haifa after sea pollution, fishing line caused injuryon June 12, 2026
"Halil, the sea turtle that was rescued off the coast of Haifa, reminds us all of how beautiful, exciting, and vulnerable the nature around us is," said Haifa's Mayor, Yona Yahav.
- Annual Tel Aviv Pride Parade to take place as normal, despite security concernson June 12, 2026
Israel Police announced that over 1,000 police officers, undercover and Border Police officers, and volunteers will be deployed throughout the event to ensure the safety of all participants.
- Goldknopf protests 'exclusion' of haredi West Bank communities from budget in letter to Netanyahuon June 11, 2026
"How is it possible that the budgets, development, and benefits that reach the other communities never reach the ultra-Orthodox population centers in Judea and Samaria?" Goldknopf asked.
- Iran expert warns Israel-US relation similar to Iran's relation with terror proxy groupson June 11, 2026
Beni Sabti, an Iranian researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), said that “President Trump is playing into their [Iran] hands because he is creating South Lebanon or Vietnam.
- IDF pushes deeper in into Lebanon to neutralize threat of Hezbollahon June 11, 2026
IDF assessments have determined that they can't fully disarm the terror organization but can push them back far enough into Lebanon to significantly reduce the risk to Israeli citizens.
- Four children admitted to Jerusalem hospital with unspecified illness, investigation is ongoingon June 11, 2026
First responders are on scene at the residential building complex have yet to determine what caused the children to get sick.
- Chief prosecutor warns police watchdog must remain independent as reform faces court challengeon June 11, 2026
Mahash is the body responsible for investigating suspected criminal offenses by the police, including cases involving alleged police violence, corruption, and abuse of authority, among other things.
- IDF widows, orphans receive over NIS 2m. in scholarships, grantson June 11, 2026
The IDF Widows and Orphans Organization awarded 478 scholarships and grants at its annual “Ruach Ahat” ceremony, held in the presence of Orna Zamir, wife of IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir.
- Netanyahu vows to restore security in northern Israel as gov't approves NIS 4 b. to help Northon June 11, 2026
The decision comes as leaders of northern local authorities have sharply criticized the government for failing to provide adequate support and aid to residents amid the ongoing security threat.
- 'If order given, we will take over Beirut': IDF Golani cmndr. tells 'Post' about Wadi Saluki op.on June 11, 2026
Cmdr. M explained that, since they were among the first to invade, his battalion encountered periodic Hezbollah resistance and engaged in close-range fighting.
- WATCH: Haredi draft protests shut down highways, trains for two hours, scuffle with policeon June 11, 2026
One 21-year-old haredi protester was hit by a car on Highway 1, and one 93-year-old civilian man was injured in the protests.
- New PM military secretary and Washington attaché join IDF General Staffon June 11, 2026
The IDF promoted Guy Markizeno and Tal Politis to the General Staff, placing them in two of Israel's most influential security positions amid ongoing regional challenges.
- Some 25 hesder yeshivot boycott IDF's tank corps over new pilot to incorporate womenon June 11, 2026
The Yeshivot Heseder leaders believe that mingling between men and women in such a small, secluded space would compromise modesty.
- IED explosion wounds two IDF soldiers during counterterrorism operation in Jeninon June 11, 2026
Army Radio reported that IDF forces had been operating in a refugee camp in Jenin. Troops located a suspicious object and picked it up, apparently leading to the explosion.
- Reichman University awards diplomas to 2,600 graduates amid ongoing waron June 11, 2026
About 20% of graduates came from 90 countries through the Raphael Recanati International School, with many remaining in Israel despite the conflict.
- Nirim – Changing the lives of high-risk youth in Israelon June 11, 2026
“It doesn’t matter where you came from, whether you have a criminal record, or what mistakes you have made. If you are willing to work hard and change, the sky is the limit."
- Pioneering Israeli rock singer-songwriter Astar Shamir dies at 71on June 11, 2026
ACUM, the Israeli composers, authors, and music publishers’ rights organization, mourned Shamir as “a creator, author, singer, ACUM board member, and extraordinary woman.”
- Netanyahu aide Urich indicted for passing on classified informationon June 11, 2026
Urich's charges were added to the broader 'Bild' case indictment, which includes charges against former Prime Minister's Office spokesman Eli Feldstein and IDF reservist Ari Rosenfeld.
- Jerusalem’s next chapteron June 11, 2026
The bid to turn the holy city into the Middle East’s economic capital
- Suspect arrested after photographing influencer naked in changing room also accused of rapeon June 11, 2026
The additional allegation followed a complaint filed by another woman after the suspect's photograph was published by police.


