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
- ‘Famine is setting in’: UN court orders Israel to unblock Gaza food aidby Peter Beaumont, and Lorenzo Tondo in Jerusalem on March 28, 2024
Judges issue unanimous decision and say Palestinians are in urgent need of humanitarian assistanceThe international court of justice has ordered Israel to allow unimpeded access of food aid into Gaza, where sections of the population are facing imminent starvation, in a significant legal rebuke to Israel’s claim it is not blocking aid deliveries.A panel […]
- Olly Alexander urged by 450 queer artists to boycott Eurovision over Israel participationby Kevin E G Perry on March 28, 2024
Actor Maxine Peake, band Goat Girl and novelist Sarah Schulman are among the open letter’s signatories
- UN’s top court orders Israel to ensure ‘unhindered’ food aid into Gaza: ‘Famine is setting in’by Chris Stevenson on March 28, 2024
Judges at the International Court of Justice issue unanimous decision and say Palestinians are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance
- What US government insiders and Israeli officials really think of Netanyahuby Andrew Feinberg and Bel Trew on March 28, 2024
Andrew Feinberg and Bel Trew report on what’s being said behind the scenes
- Patriot missile intercepts drone over Safed; Hamas fires on IDF in Shifa emergency roomon March 28, 2024
IDF shoots down Hezbollah drone, engages in Gaza operations, and initiates aid fund for soldiers' families amid escalating tensions.
- Queer artists call on Olly Alexander to boycott Eurovision over Israel participationby Nadeem Badshah on March 28, 2024
Maxine Peake and Sarah Schulman among signatories of open letter asking singer to withdraw from contest More than 450 queer artists, individuals and organisations have called on the UK’s Eurovision contestant, Olly Alexander, to boycott this year’s competition in solidarity with Palestine.The actor Maxine Peake and the novelist and playwright Sarah […]
- UN top court orders Israel to open more land crossings for aid into Gazaby Via AP news wire on March 28, 2024
The top United Nations court has ordered Israel to take measures including opening more land crossings to allow food, water, fuel and other supplies into Gaza to tackle crippling shortages in the war-ravaged enclave
- World Court unanimously orders Israel to ensure Gaza humanitarian aidon March 28, 2024
The International Court of Justice orders Israel to ensure Gaza aid amid dire conditions, responding to South Africa's genocide accusations.
- Israel Prize winners announced, among them Netanyahu critic Eyal Waldmanon March 28, 2024
After this year's prize ceremony being roiled in controversy, Education Minister Yoav Kisch announces the full list of winners of Israel's most prestigious prize.
- After Netanyahu's U-turn: US yet to confirm date of Israeli delegation's visiton March 28, 2024
"The tone throughout here has been businesslike and it's been professional and we expect that it's going to stay that way," said spokesman John Kirby.
- Heavy fighting reported around Gaza’s al-Shifa and Nasser hospitalsby Peter Beaumont on March 28, 2024
Israeli forces also blockading al-Amal hospital amid mounting concern for the safety of patients, civilians and medical staffHeavy fighting took place around two key hospitals in Gaza on Thursday, while a third was reportedly under Israeli siege, amid mounting international concern for the safety of patients, civilians and remaining medical staff in the […]
- Israeli-Druze social activist: Israeli society will recoveron March 28, 2024
Lorena Khateeb spoke at The Jerusalem Post's Women Leaders Summit.
- Pro-Palestine protesters occupy government department over ‘arming of Israel’by Oliver Browning on March 28, 2024
Pro-Palestine protesters occupied the entrance to a government department in Whitehall on Thursday 28 March over its perceived links to the supply of arms to Israel.
- Middle East crisis: US and Israel in talks to revive Washington trip to discuss Rafah – as it happenedby Rachel Hall (now) and Sammy Gecsoyler (earlier) on March 28, 2024
Israeli PM had cancelled officials’ US visit to discuss planned offensive in southern Gaza after the US refused to veto a UN security council vote on a ceasefireSee all of our Israel-Gaza war coverage hereThe Palestinian Authority has announced the formation of a new Cabinet as it faces international pressure to reform, Associated Press reports.President […]
- Women's swimwear 2024- Jack Cubaon March 28, 2024
- US human rights official resigns and tears into Biden’s Gaza policy ‘betrayal’by Stuti Mishra on March 28, 2024
Annelle Sheline wrote that America’s credibility as an ‘advocate for human rights has almost entirely vanished since the war began’
- Australian officials scrambled to understand allegations before Unrwa funding suspended, documents showby Daniel Hurst Foreign affairs and defence correspondent on March 28, 2024
Exclusive: Dfat official said there was ‘precious nothing in the public domain’ on claims against aid agency hours before pause announcedGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAustralian officials scrambled to “understand what the allegations are” against Unrwa staff and complained of “precious nothing in the […]
- The Latest | Death toll climbs after airstrikes and rocket fire on Lebanon-Israel borderby The Associated Press on March 28, 2024
A series of Israeli airstrikes across southern Lebanon has killed at least 16 people, including paramedics
- MDA warns of national blood shortage for all blood typeson March 28, 2024
Magen David Adom (MDA) warned that they have been having significant challenges in obtaining the proper amount of blood required to treat patients.
- IDF on manhunt for terrorist who wounded three, including child, in Jordan Valleyon March 28, 2024
The wounded arrived at Hadassah Hospital for treatment • Two armored busses carrying students were also hit, none wounded • Public figures react.
- An airstrip is being built on a Yemeni island during the ongoing war, with 'I LOVE UAE' next to itby Jon Gambrell on March 28, 2024
As Yemen’s Houthi rebels continue to target ships in a Mideast waterway, satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press show what appears to be a new airstrip being built at an entrance to that crucial maritime route
- Doctors visiting a Gaza hospital are stunned by the war's toll on Palestinian childrenby Wafaa Shurafa and Kareem Chehayeb on March 28, 2024
An international team of doctors was prepared for the worst before visiting a hospital in central Gaza
- New institution tells the story of Tel Avivon March 28, 2024
The museum is the joint initiative of the Tel Aviv Foundation and Municipality of Tel Aviv-Jaffa.
- Knesset committee approves draft law allowing sentencing of minors below 14 for terror offenseson March 28, 2024
This will primarily affect those arrested for terror offenses between the ages of 12 and 14.
- Ireland backs bid to include blocking of aid in definition of genocideby Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent on March 27, 2024
Dublin joins South Africa’s case in the international court of justice, arguing that stopping delivery of essentials may constitute ‘genocidal intent’Ireland is to seek to widen the definition of genocide to include blocking humanitarian aid in a landmark international court of justice (ICJ) case against Israel.The Irish government will intervene in […]