What is Israel?

Geography

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country located in West Asia, situated at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea.[1] It shares borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.[1] Israel also controls the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.[1] Its proclaimed capital is Jerusalem, although this status is not widely recognized internationally.[1] Tel Aviv is its largest urban area and economic center.[1]

History

Israel's geography is diverse, encompassing a lengthy coastal plain, highlands in the north and central regions, and the Negev desert in the south.[2] The country has a relatively diverse topography, with a narrow coastal plain, highlands, and the Negev desert.[3] The Dead Sea, located between Israel and Jordan, is the lowest point on Earth's surface.[3] The country is also home to a variety of geographic features, from the Negev desert in the south to the inland fertile Jezreel Valley, with mountain ranges of the Galilee, Carmel and towards the Golan in the north.[4]

The region that is now Israel has a rich history dating back to prebiblical times.[2] The area was part of the Roman and Byzantine Empires before falling under the control of the Islamic caliphate in the 7th century CE.[2] The desire for a Jewish homeland prompted Jewish immigration to Palestine, which grew dramatically during the 20th century due to increased persecution and the Holocaust.[2] This influx of Jewish immigrants caused tension with the native Palestinian Arabs, leading to violence and the United Nations plan to partition Palestine.[2] Israel declared statehood on May 14, 1948.[2]

People and Culture

The ancient history of the land of Israel includes many centuries during which the land was governed by the Jewish people.[5] Beginning in approximately 1000 BCE, under King Saul, David, and Solomon, the entire land of Israel was under a unified Jewish kingdom.[5] The Unified Kingdom was divided in approximately 931 BCE into the Kingdom of Israel (Northern Kingdom) and the Kingdom of Judah (Southern Kingdom).[5]

Government and Politics

Israel is the only Jewish nation in the modern period.[2] The population is about 74% Jewish, with most of the rest being Muslim.[3] About two-thirds of the population were born in Israel, with the rest coming from over 100 different countries.[3] The country has a diverse population, with Jews from various diaspora communities bringing their cultural and religious traditions.[4]

Significance of the Balfour Declaration

Israel is a parliamentary democracy.[3] The country is governed by a 120-member parliament, known as the Knesset.[4] The leader of the largest party becomes prime minister.[3] Israel's Basic Laws function as an uncodified constitution.[4]

The Six-Day War's Impact

The Balfour Declaration of 1917, which supported the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine, was a significant event in the history of Israel.[2] The British government hoped that the formal declaration would encourage support for the Allies in World War I.[6]

The main objective of the Oslo Accords was to establish mutual recognition and limited Palestinian self-governance in parts of the West Bank and Gaza.[2]

Oslo Accords' Objective

The Six-Day War of 1967 had a significant impact on Israel, as it took control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem.[2]

Israel faces challenges regarding its diverse population, including the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as religious and cultural differences.[2] Arab citizens of Israel, who comprise a significant portion of the population, face discrimination and socioeconomic disadvantages.[7]

Challenges of a Diverse Population