| 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
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Sudan will be third Arab country to broker normalization deal with Israel
on October 23, 2020
US President Donald Trump announced a third US-brokered peace deal.
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Israel will not oppose US sale of F-35s to UAE
on October 23, 2020
Joint statement by the PM's Office and Defense Minsitry says Gantz's trip to Washington secured Israel's QME despite sale of advanced stealth fighter
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Sudan and Israel agree US-brokered deal on normalising relations
by Jason Burke and Oliver Holmes on October 23, 2020
Donald Trump seeks to score points from deal; Palestinians call it ‘a new stab in the back’Israel and Sudan have agreed to work towards normalising relations in a deal brokered by the US that would make Sudan the third Arab country to set aside hostilities with Israel in the past two months.Donald Trump sealed the agreement in a phone call on Friday […]
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PM Benjamin Netanyahu's supporters celebrate his birthday across Israel
on October 23, 2020
A group known as "Netanyahu's loyalist" flew a helicopter draped with a banner wishing the PM a happy birthday.
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Hadassah flyover to thank coronavirus medical staff
on October 23, 2020
As part of the surprise, Hadassah's CEO, Prof. Zeev Rotstein, a veteran pilot, was among the 6 aircrafts pilot who circled in an organized structure above the hospital.
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Israel’s secret weapon: 800 channels on social media
on October 23, 2020
Relations with Arab world, country’s global standing improve thanks to social media department deep within Foreign Ministry.
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New coronavirus awareness campaign launches in ultra-Orthodox community
on October 23, 2020
The campaign features posters labeled the same way obituary posters are typically labeled and emphasizing the different rates of infection in the different populations.
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Yair Netanyahu: The rise of the son
on October 23, 2020
How much influence does the prime minister’s controversial progeny have on Israel?
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Abused women, women's orgs. 'horrified' by MKs' comments on anti-abuse bill
on October 23, 2020
"What the Members of Knesset said is horrifying," said Amalia, a mother of three who lives in a shelter for abused women. "It is horrifying that there are people like that who sit in the Knesset."
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Why is the once rising Joint List falling fast in polls?
on October 23, 2020
NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Ayman Odeh’s Joint List would fall from the 15 seats it received in the last elections to 11 if Israelis headed to the polls today.
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Sick with COVID-19, Saeb Erekat’s organs start to deteriorate
on October 23, 2020
Erekat was admitted to the hospital earlier this week after suffering from coronavirus for the last month.
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Erekat’s Hadassah care must be top priority for Israel - comment
on October 23, 2020
Treating chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat in a Jerusalem hospital should serve as a reminder of what it means to be a Jewish state.
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Never Alone: Prison, Politics, and My People
on October 23, 2020
Natan Sharansky's memoir explores his struggles within the USSR, and during his Israeli political career.
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Netanyahu’s lead over Bennett rises to 10 seats in new poll
on October 23, 2020
The gap between Likud and Yamina grew from a low of five seats in an October 8 Panels Research poll and seven last week.
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How Izhar Shay got Blue and White to step up political, pandemic influence
on October 23, 2020
POLITICAL AFFAIRS: "I actually am optimistic."
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IDF strikes Gaza after two rockets fired towards southern Israel
on October 23, 2020
This was the third time within a week that rockets have been fired from the Gaza Strip towards Israel.
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Israel, UAE initiate academic partnership following Abraham Accords
on October 23, 2020
This agreement will open the door to joint research projects and databases, as well as publications.
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Berkowitz: Biden win could harm normalization deals with Israel
on October 23, 2020
“I am nervous, if I am just being completely honest,” said Avi Berkowitz, special representative for international negotiations to US President Donald Trump.
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Hospital flyover to salute COVID-19 frontline workers around Israel
on October 23, 2020
Lt. Col. (Res.) Dan Sion, the lead pilot for the flyover, thanked MDA for their "endless giving in difficult conditions."
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Gantz, Esper sign declaration to ensure Israel's qualitative military edge
on October 22, 2020
Both Gantz and Esper delivered remarks on the importance of the meeting.
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Israeli journalists attacked while covering COVID-19 haredi communities
on October 22, 2020
Members of Israel’s haredi Orthodox minority increasingly blame the media for their ills, including stringent lockdown conditions.
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Maccabi Tel Aviv aims to get back on track
on October 22, 2020
After three straight Euroleague losses, yellow-and-blue on the road to face Khimki Moscow
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Courage in Motion ride not slowed by coronavirus
on October 22, 2020
Despite travel difficulties, annual Beit Halochem cycling event to benefit disabled IDF veterans takes place in Israel and Canada.
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Moshe Lion powers through the coronavirus bazaar
on October 22, 2020
Lion is convinced that only through talks can he get things moving and obtain the best results.
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Republicans in Israel: Extend US pledge not to uproot settlers to outposts
on October 22, 2020
"President Trump has already recognized Israel's legal right to settle in Judea and Samaria," said Marc Zell, who hopes that formalizing outposts will follow.
