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
- 'I will keep fighting' to bring everyone home, Noa Argamani says at Time Magazine galaon April 26, 2025
Argamani, who survived 246 days of captivity in Gaza before being rescued during Operation Arnon, has been named to Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people.
- Iran and the US prepare for expert talks in Oman over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programby Jon Gambrell on April 26, 2025
Iran and the United States are preparing to start in-depth negotiations in Oman over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program, talks that likely will hinge on the Islamic Republic’s enrichment of uranium
- Body of invading Oct. 7 terrorist found with grenades and condomson April 26, 2025
Shlomo Efrati recounted how a bomb disposal team had to be called after he was delivered the body of a terrorist for identification by mistake.
- Matan Angrest is being electrocuted, tortured by Hamas, released hostage details in new testimonyon April 26, 2025
After being near silent since his November release, Ron Krivoi shared his testimony of Hamas abuses in hopes that it can help bring Matan Angrest home.
- IDF intercepts missile from Yemen, rocket sirens sound in Beersheba, Negev areaon April 25, 2025
Missile launch towards Israel came hours after reports of US airstrikes in Houthi-controlled western Yemen.
- 'The Right to Happiness': Moving fiction about Holocaust survivorson April 25, 2025
While they are firmly grounded in the hearts and souls of the survivors and their families, these tales tell a universal story of love and loss that will appeal to any reader.
- IDF used AI to eliminate Hamas official, locate hostageson April 25, 2025
The technology was implemented and developed by Unit 8200 engineers, who used it to track Hamas terrorist Ibrahim Biari.
- Three artists, three questions: Sound, light, and glasson April 25, 2025
I turned to a multimedia artist, an installation artist, and a glass sculptor, whose artworks are currently displayed at museums, galleries, and public sites.
- College journalists wrestle with transparency as students fear deportation for speaking outby Christine Fernando on April 25, 2025
College journalists across the U.S. are navigating a surge in requests to remove previously published content amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on student protesters and what critics describe as unprecedented attacks on campus speech
- In reverse of a longtime stance, US says UN Palestinian refugee agency isn't immune from lawsuitsby Eric Tucker on April 25, 2025
The Trump administration has decided that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees is not immune from being sued, reversing the U.S. government’s longstanding position that the organization was protected from civil liability
- Stuart Hershkowitz: The man quietly transforming Jerusalem’s futureon April 25, 2025
At the Table: Stuart Hershkowitz talks to us about his work, which consists of sitting on a myriad of boards, spanning education, philanthropy, community-building, and economic development.
- New Syrian foreign minister attends UN Security Council in first US appearance since Assad's fallby Abby Sewell and Farnoush Amiri on April 25, 2025
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani attended a U.N. Security Council briefing after raising his country’s new flag at the international body
- Hamas terror cell fires RPG rocket at IDF soldiers - and is swiftly eliminatedon April 25, 2025
The IDF responded swiftly, and an IAF aircraft eliminated the threat, neutralizing the terrorist cell. The operation concluded without any IDF casualties
- ‘We are not numbers’: Journalist who lost over 21 family members in Gaza releases new book of Palestinian voicesby Maira Butt on April 25, 2025
Over 51,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the vast majority being women and children
- UN food agency says its foods stocks in Gaza have run out under Israel's blockadeby Via AP news wire on April 25, 2025
The World Food Program says its food stocks in Gaza have run out under Israel’s nearly 8-week-old blockade, ending a main source of sustenance for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the territory
- Coming-of-age sea adventure brings suspense, drama to the Medon April 25, 2025
Sari Azoulay Turgeman’s film is a well-made, atmospheric drama about a teen girl who sails off alone one night destined for Cyrpus.
- What to Watch: From Marvel's first Israeli superhero to Last of Us second seasonon April 25, 2025
Last of Us features the extremely graphic violence that the series is known for matched with philosophical asides, pop culture references, and comic moments.
- Remembering their journey, honoring their sacrifice: Ronny Ganizate and Ilan Cohenon April 25, 2025
The stories of two Masa alumni who gave their lives in Israel’s defense remind us of the deep bonds between global Jewry and the State of Israel.
- Trump: I didn't stop Israel from attacking Iran's nuclear siteson April 25, 2025
In a TIME interview, Trump predicted Saudi Arabia would join the Abraham Accords and discussed the possibility of military action against Iran.
- A-G Baharav-Miara denies personal relationship with current, previous Shin Bet chiefson April 25, 2025
"They are not visitors to my home," Baharav-Miara added.
- Where memory meets meaning: The Museum of Tolerance Jerusalem’s vision for a better tomorrowon April 25, 2025
The museum’s “6:29” exhibit on Oct. 7 and upcoming Remembrance Day event inspire visitors to confront hate and embrace humanity.
- Grapevine April 25, 2025: Days of Rememberanceon April 25, 2025
Movers and shakers in Israeli society
- Israel's oldest survivor passes away on Holocaust Remembrance Day at age 110on April 25, 2025
Her son said his mother had lived through the worst of humanity and survived, raising her children with the message that hatred cannot win.
- 'Gaza today is Auschwitz of the 21st century,' Hamas claims after Netanyahu speechon April 25, 2025
"Those who weep for the victims of Nazism are now the masters of genocide in our time," the statement added.
- Sa’ar praises Paraguay for designating IRGC, Hamas, Hezbollah as terror orgs.on April 25, 2025
"More countries should follow suit and join the fight against Iranian aggression and terrorism," Sa'ar added.