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
- Yair Netanyahu: Bennett, Lapid to blame for not eliminating heads of Hamason September 8, 2024
Similar accusations have been made by various individuals against his own father, Prime Minister Netanyahu.
- Antony Blinken to visit UK for talks on Ukraine and Middle Eastby Agence France-Presse in Washington on September 7, 2024
US secretary of state will be most senior US official to have travelled to London since Labour’s election victoryThe US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, will head to London next week to discuss the Middle East and Ukraine, the state department announced on Saturday, in advance of a US visit by prime minister Keir Starmer.Blinken’s visit to London on […]
- West Bank residents tell of teargas then shots before US woman’s deathby Julian Borger and Sufian Taha in Beita and Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem on September 7, 2024
Palestinians say they have no faith in Israel Defense Forces inquiry into killing as US officials insist Gaza ceasefire is nearUS officials have insisted that a ceasefire in Gaza is close even as fighting rages unabated in the blockaded Palestinian territory and violence spirals in the occupied West Bank, where witnesses told the Observer an […]
- How has Israel's Druze community been faring after the Majdal Shams attack?on September 7, 2024
The ‘Magazine’ checks in on the community in the aftermath of the Madjal Shams attack, with good news to report on technological advances and empowerment
- Calls for probe into ‘deeply disturbing’ killing of US-Turkish woman in occupied West Bankby Andy Gregory on September 7, 2024
UN and United States call for investigation into fatal shooting of Aysenur Ezgi Eygi by Israeli forces
- Man accused of plotting NYC terror attacks allegedly envisioned three-way strike on Jewish targetsby Graig Graziosi on September 7, 2024
Muhammad Shahzeb Khan allegedly hoped a smuggler would help him cross the Canada-US border, but was stopped 12 miles from the boundary by Canadian officials
- Israel-Gaza war: US and UK spy chiefs ‘working ceaselessly’ for ceasefire deal – as it happenedby Tom Ambrose on September 7, 2024
This live blog is now closed, you can read more of our Israel-Gaza war coverage hereCIA director William Burns, the chief US negotiator trying to help secure a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages by Hamas, said a more detailed proposal on the ceasefire would be made in the coming days.“We will make this more detailed proposal, I hope in the next […]
- Ayşenur Eygi’s family demand independent inquiry into West Bank deathby Agence France-Presse in Jerusalem on September 7, 2024
Family of Turkish-American woman shot dead during protest against settlements says Israeli investigation ‘not adequate’The family of a Turkish-American woman shot dead while demonstrating against Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank have demanded an independent investigation into her death.Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was “shot in the head” […]
- Palestinian driver rams into empty police car in West Bank in attempted terror attackon September 7, 2024
In February, there was a terror attack in Eli in which two Israelis were murdered and the three terrorists who perpetrated the attack were killed.
- Gaza enters its 2nd school year without schooling. The cost could be heavy for kids' futuresby Wafaa Shurafa and Lee Keath on September 7, 2024
Palestinian children in Gaza are now entering their second school year with no chance of going to school
- American killed in West Bank was longtime activist ‘bearing witness to oppression’, friends sayby Sam Levin in Los Angeles on September 6, 2024
Ayşenur Eygi ‘was not a naive traveler – This experience was the culmination of all her years of activism’, says professorAyşenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old American activist killed while protesting in the occupied West Bank, was remembered by friends and former professors as a dedicated organizer who felt a strong moral obligation to bring attention […]
- ‘Deeply disturbed’ White House calls for inquiry into killing of Ayşenur Eygiby Léonie Chao-Fong on September 6, 2024
Eygi, 26, was protesting against settlements in occupied West Bank when she was killed by Israeli troops, witnesses sayAyşenur Eygi’s family demand independent inquiry into deathThe White House said it was “deeply disturbed” by the death of an American woman who, according to Palestinian officials and witnesses, was shot in the head by Israeli troops […]
- Grapevine: Local languageon September 6, 2024
Movers and shakers in Israeli society.
- Former Shin Bet head, Nadav Aragaman, calls Netanyahu's speech 'hollow'on September 6, 2024
Argaman explained that there is no connection between the smuggling of ammunition to Gaza and the Philadelphi corridor, as Netanyahu claimed in his speech.
- Israeli swimmer Ami Dadaon wins Paralympic bronze, his 4th Paris medal and Israel’s 10thon September 6, 2024
Israeli swimmer Ami Dadaon won bronze in the men’s 50-meter freestyle S4 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, earning his fourth medal.
- Footage shows rush to help US-Turkish woman fatally shot in West Bank – videoon September 6, 2024
Video footage shows the moments after an American-Turkish woman was shot in the head during a protest against Israeli settlements in Beita, near Nablus, in the West Bank. Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, died from her wounds after being transported to Rafidia hospital, where doctors tried to resuscitate her. Eygi was a volunteer with the anti-occupation […]
- Israel's Amb. Herzog skips vigil for hostages after denied request to speakon September 6, 2024
The organizers of the event said the families were not interested in having representatives of the Israeli government speak at the ceremony.
- American-Turkish woman shot dead at anti-settler protest in West Bankby Bethan McKernan in Jerusalem on September 6, 2024
Witnesses say Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, was fired at by Israel Defense Forces soldiers positioned in nearby fieldAn American-Turkish dual national has been shot dead – reportedly by Israeli troops – while participating in a protest against settler expansion in the occupied West Bank.Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a 26-year-old volunteer with the anti-occupation […]
- Keir Starmer has united Israelis and Palestinians – both hate his arms exports policy | Jonathan Freedlandby Jonathan Freedland on September 6, 2024
The UK government’s partial ban reflects its belief in the rule of law. But supporting Israel while defending Palestinians is a tricky balance to achieveDoes an early Nobel peace prize beckon for Keir Starmer? Could the new prime minister be poised to surpass the achievement of Barack Obama, who bagged the award less than 10 months after taking office? […]
- Expert to TML: US prefers a dependent Israel over a self-sustaining allyon September 6, 2024
The US and Israel face diplomatic tensions in the 11th month of war after six hostages were executed in Gaza.
- Campaigners press US to ban Israel arms sales after UK’s partial haltby Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor on September 6, 2024
Activists say Britain’s decision bolsters case for Congress to follow suit and may embolden opposition to Biden policyThe UK decision to suspend some arms exports to Israel has bolstered the case for Congress to follow the example of its ally, US campaigners for a ban have said.The campaigners are pressing the US Senate and the house to pass a joint […]
- Woman arrested after throwing sand at Ben-Gvir during Tel Aviv beach visiton September 6, 2024
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was confronted at Tel Aviv's Geula Beach by a protester who threw sand at him.
- Israel-Gaza war: US woman reportedly dies after being shot by Israeli troops at anti-settler protest – as it happenedby Tom Ambrose (now) and Sammy Gecsoyler (earlier) on September 6, 2024
Palestinian news agency says that woman died after taking part in protest near Nablus in the West BankSee all our coverage of the Israel-Gaza warThe Associated Press spoke to a resident living in Jenin after Israeli forces left the West Bank city after a 10-day raid.In the quiet morning Friday, Jenin residents took advantage of the lull to rummage through […]
- American-Turkish activist killed by Israeli forces at West Bank proteston September 6, 2024
American-Turkish activist Aysenur Ezgi Eygi, 26, died from IDF gunfire during a protest against West Bank settlement expansions.
- 'Khamenei wants to arm Judea and Samaria just as he armed Gaza,' Katz tells German FMon September 6, 2024
On Wednesday, FM Baerbock said on X/Twitter that there is “no military solution” for both Gaza and the situation in the West Bank.