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
- Eisenkot announces split from Gantz's National Unity partyon June 30, 2025
“Member of Knesset Lt. Gen. (res.) Gadi Eisenkot informed National Unity Party chairman Benny Gantz of his intention to leave the party and return his mandate to it,” the party said.
- Is West Bank terror threat reduced or concealed? - analysison June 30, 2025
The main challenge for the IDF in the West Bank is whether it's maintaining peace by preventing Israeli extremist attacks on Palestinians, or if the terror threat has just been hidden.
- Israel, Syria talks hit roadblock over issue of IDF operating in Syrian territoryon June 30, 2025
Israel and Syria are in security talks with major challenges, aiming for peace but facing hurdles that could lead to a 'cold peace' rather than full reconciliation.
- MK Gadi Eisenkot announces split from Gantz's National Unity partyon June 30, 2025
Eisenkot reportedly said the party's primaries "do not reflect the principles of democratization that I believe are necessary for a ruling party."
- Netanyahu to visit Washington on Monday, source tells 'Post'on June 30, 2025
Israel will wait to hear about Dermer's meetings in Washington before considering additional significant steps in Gaza.
- Israeli airstrike on popular Gaza beachside cafe leaves at least 30 dead – video reportby Guardian Staff on June 30, 2025
At least 30 people including women, children and a local journalist were killed on 30 June in an Israeli airstrike on a beachfront cafe in Gaza City, medics have said. Israeli missiles killed at least 60 people across Gaza in some of the heaviest attacks in weeks as Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by Donald Trump. Israeli […]
- Iranian cyberattacks remain a threat despite ceasefire, US officials warnby David Klepper on June 30, 2025
The FBI and federal cybersecurity officials are warning that the threat of cyberattacks linked to pro-Iranian groups continues despite a ceasefire between Iran and Israel
- Yair Netanyahu summoned to give testimony in diplomatic passports investigationon June 30, 2025
The police are expected to summon additional people who received diplomatic passports during Cohen’s time in office as part of the investigation.
- Israeli settler and West Bank aid group file first court bid to overturn UK sanctionson June 30, 2025
“The UK’s decision reflects a misunderstanding of the reality on the ground. We are confident the legal process will correct this injustice," said a spokesman for Hashomer Yosh.
- Palestine Action spraying paint is not terrorism. As ministers abuse their powers, I feel a duty to speak out | Juliet Stevensonby Juliet Stevenson on June 30, 2025
We have laws to deal with crimes linked to protest. What this is really about is a government complicit in the Gaza atrocities seeking to silence dissentJuliet Stevenson is an award-winning actorStrongly worded emails are not doing it. Appeals to MPs are not doing it. Taking to the streets in our hundreds of thousands with banners and placards is not […]
- Blue-and-white duo crowned European footvolley championson June 30, 2025
Ben Yishai and Haas are also reigning champions of the “Ya’az” Tel Aviv–Jaffa Footvolley League. They will now return home to compete in the upcoming domestic season, set to begin Saturday, July 12.
- Israel launches waves of Gaza airstrikes after new displacement ordersby Jason Burke in Jerusalem and Malak A Tantesh in Gaza on June 30, 2025
Scores of Palestinians reported killed as senior Netanyahu adviser due to arrive in Washington for ceasefire talks Middle East crisis – live updatesIsrael ramped up its offensive in Gaza on Monday, with new displacement orders sending tens of thousands of people fleeing the north of the devastated territory and waves of airstrikes killing about 60 […]
- MK Vaturi asks Trump to impose sanctions on A-G Baharav-Miaraon June 30, 2025
"I think it's appropriate to impose sanctions on anyone trying to carry out a coup in a country that is a very close ally of the US," Vaturi said.
- IDF securing GHF sites critical for stifling Hamas control of population in Gazaon June 30, 2025
This comes amid fierce allegations and footage of live bullets shot at Palestinians at the GHF sites, which the UN has called a humanitarian catastrophe, where hundreds have been reportedly killed.
- Yaron Goldman and Israel’s Under-19 hoopsters stand tall in Switzerland - interviewon June 30, 2025
“First of all, during a time like this, there’s even more pride and a sense of responsibility, especially since this is a World Championship,” Goldman said.
- Israel continues deadly Gaza attacks ahead of potential US talks on ceasefire – as it happenedby Tom Ambrose (now); Yohannes Lowe and Joe Coughlan (earlier) on June 30, 2025
At least 38 people have been killed on Monday as Israeli officials are due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by the USHere are some of the latest images being sent to us over the newswires from Gaza:As we mentioned in a previous post, Israel is continuing its relentless bombardment of Gaza after tens of thousands of Palestinians fled eastern parts of […]
- UK’s sale of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel is lawful, high court rulesby Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor on June 30, 2025
Rights group loses challenge despite government accepting they could be used in breach of humanitarian law in GazaMiddle East crisis – live updatesUK politics live – latest updatesBritain’s decision to allow the export of F-35 fighter jet components to Israel, despite accepting they could be used in breach of international humanitarian law in Gaza, […]
- Former hostage Liri Albag to return to IDFon June 30, 2025
Albag's father stated that she would not be returning to her role as an observer, the position she held for about a week before she was kidnapped by Hamas.
- Is it safe to travel to Jordan? Your rights amid ongoing conflict in Middle Eastby Natalie Wilson on June 30, 2025
What to know if you are planning on travelling to Jordan following hostilities in the Middle East
- Bat Yam holds memorial for Ukrainian family slain by Iranian missileon June 30, 2025
Addressed by representatives of the Ukrainian mission to Israel as well as Bat Yam mayor Zvika Brut, mourners viewed the five coffins on display in front of the crash site.
- Covert Wings: The hidden transfer of Israeli aircrafts hours before Operation Rising Lionon June 30, 2025
Hours before Operation Rising Lion, Israel was making additional preparations -- secretly moving its fleet of planes from Ben-Gurion to airports in Cyprus, Greece, and the US.
- Smotrich says he'll oppose ending Gaza war 'with all his heart'on June 30, 2025
"I can tell you with all my heart that it won’t happen. I’m talking to [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu about it, and I don’t get the impression that he’s on his way there," Smotrich said.
- Trust in UN’s nuclear watchdog is broken, Iranian president saysby Patrick Wintour Diplomatic editor on June 30, 2025
European nations defend IAEA chief as Tehran accuses him of failing to condemn Israeli and US attacks on nuclear sitesTrust in the UN nuclear inspectorate is broken inside Iran, the country’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has told Emmanuel Macron, as European nations issued a statement in defence of its head.The two men spoke as Iranian officials said the […]
- 'Qaani is not our spy': Mossad-linked X account denies rumours of ties to Iranian generalon June 30, 2025
The six-word post — “قاآنی جاسوس ما نیست.” (“Qaani is not our spy.”) — appeared under the handle @MossadSpokesman early Monday afternoon.
- Palestine Action in High Court showdown to overturn government banby Anahita Hossein-Pour on June 30, 2025