State of Israel

Minorities:

* Islam ☪
* Christianity ✝
* Others ❔

**Israel** *(Hebrew: Yīsrāʾēl - יִשְׂרָאֵל)*, officially called the **State of Israel** *(Hebrew: Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl - מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל)*, is a country in West Asia . It is bordered by ***Republic of Lebanon*** to the north, by ***Syrian Arab Republic*** to the northeast, by ***Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan*** to the east, by ***Arab Republic of Egypt*** to the southwest, and by the ***State of Palestine*** – ***Area A and B of the West Bank*** along the east and the ***Gaza Strip*** along the southwest.

The area of Israel is ***22,072 km2*** (including ***East Jerusalem***, and the ***Golan Heights***, excluding the ***West Bank*** and the ***Gaza Strip***).

## History

**Israel**, also known as the **Land of Israel** *(Hebrew: ארץ ישראל)*, **Canaan** *(Hebrew: כנען)*, **Holy Land** *(Hebrew: ארץ הקודש)*, or **Palestine** *(Hebrew: פלשתינה)*, has a long and complex history that spans thousands of years. From the ancient era to the modern era, the region has been inhabited by various groups, each leaving their mark on the land and its people.

## Economy

Israel's economy is considered to be a developed, diversified, and technologically advanced market economy. It has been ranked as one of the most innovative economies in the world, with a highly skilled workforce, modern infrastructure, and a vibrant high-tech sector.

The country has a dynamic business sector, which is dominated by several large corporations and numerous small and medium-sized enterprises. Israel's extensive network of industrial parks and technology incubators has contributed to its success as a start-up nation, with thousands of new companies emerging every year. In addition to its innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, Israel's economy also benefits from its natural resources, tourism industry, and robust agriculture sector. The country's climate and topography provide ideal conditions for farming, and it is now a world leader in producing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Israel's largest trading partners are the United States, China, and the European Union, and the country has trade agreements with several countries around the world. Its exports include high-tech products, pharmaceuticals, diamonds, and agricultural goods. Despite its small size and relative instability in the region, Israel has achieved impressive economic growth in recent years, with a low unemployment rate and a high standard of living. The government has implemented policies to promote free enterprise, attract foreign investments, and encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.

However, Israel does face several economic challenges, including a high cost of living, income inequality, and a large public debt. The ongoing conflict with the Palestinians and regional security concerns also present potential risks to the country's economy. Overall, Israel's economy is one of the most robust and diverse in the Middle East, and its global reputation is that of a vibrant and innovative nation that is constantly pushing the boundaries of technological advancement.

## Jerusalem

### *Ancient Era*

King David established Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish Kingdom, and it remained so until the Babylonians conquered the city in 586 BCE. King Solomon built the First Temple in Jerusalem, which was considered a masterpiece of architecture and engineering.

### *Persian Era*

After the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, Cyrus the Great allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild the Temple. The Second Temple was established, which became the focus of Jewish worship.

### *Hellenistic Period*

Alexander the Great conquered Judea and brought it under Hellenistic rule. The Jewish population was allowed to maintain their religion, but tensions arose between the Greeks and the Jews.

### *Roman Rule*

The Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem in 63 BCE, and during the reign of Herod the Great, the Second Temple was rebuilt and expanded. The Jews revolted against the Roman Empire in 66 CE, leading to the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE.

### *Byzantine and Islamic Rule*

The Byzantine Empire ruled Jerusalem until it was conquered by Muslim forces led by Caliph Omar in 634 CE. Islam became dominant in Jerusalem, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock were constructed on the Temple Mount, on the ruins of the first and second Jewish Temples. During the Crusades, Jerusalem was conquered by European Christians, leading to harsh treatment of the Jews.

### *Ottoman Empire Rule*

The Ottoman Empire ruled Jerusalem from the early 1500s until the end of World War I. The Jews, who were majority in the city, were allowed to live there. However, tensions with the Arab population grew.

### *British Mandate*

After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I by the British Empire, Jerusalem was placed under British rule. The Balfour Declaration promised to support the establishment of a Jewish homeland in the region of Palestine, leading to increased immigration to the region and tensions with the Arab population.

### *Modern State of Israel*

After the Israeli independence war, Jerusalem was divided between Israel and Jordan, and Jews were prohibited from visiting the holy sites in the city, contrary to the ceasefire agreements in 1949. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel reoccupied East Jerusalem, including the Old City, and reunited the city under Israeli control. The Knesset passed the Jerusalem Law in 1980, which declared United Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Today, Jerusalem remains a religious and cultural center for Jews, with significant religious and historical sites, including the Western Wall and the Temple Mount. However, tensions between Israelis and Palestinians over control of the city remain a significant issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

## Districts (Provinces)

There are 7 ***(Not including Gaza)*** main administrative **Districts of Israel**, known in Hebrew as ***Mekhozot*** (Hebrew: מְחוֹזוֹת). The present division into districts was established in 1953, to replace the divisions inherited from the British Mandate. It has remained substantially the same ever since; a second proclamation of District boundaries issued in 1957 – which remains in force as of 2023 – only affirmed the existing boundaries in place.

## Palestinian Authority

The Palestinian National Authority is a semi-autonomous entity that control 90% of the Palestinian population in the West Bank since 1996. Since the establishment of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, Fatah has become the ruling party and many of its people have found work in the Palestinian Authority's mechanisms (security and civil). Formally, the Palestinian Authority also controls the Gaza Strip, but in practice it lost this control when the terror organization Hamas took control in the Strip in 2007. After the Israeli Disengagement from Gaza in 2005, the entire Gaza Strip is under Palestinian control.

The administrative division established after the Oslo Accords divides the Palestinian Authority into 16 governorates, of which 11 are in the West Bank and 5 in the Gaza Strip. As part of the Oslo Accords, the territories of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip were divided into three categories:

* **Area A**: 18% of the West Bank; Areas under civilian and security control of the Palestinian Authority.

* **Area B**: 22% of the West Bank; Areas under civilian control of the Palestinian Authority (Including policing), with a security control of Israel.

* **Area C**: 60% of the West Bank; Areas under civilian and security control of Israel, including the settlements. According to the agreement, the area was supposed to be transferred to the Palestinian Authority within five years, but following security conflicts and the rise of the Second Intifada, it didn't happen.

In the second intifada (2000-2005) the position of the Palestinian Authority was severely damaged. Israel claimed that the Palestinian Authority did not fight terrorism and even took an active part in organizing and financing terrorist attacks against Israelis.

In 2002, the Israeli Defense Forces captured the cities in Area A in Operation Protective Wall, damaged the Palestinian Authority's infrastructure and arrested dozens of its operatives who were involved in terrorism. After the end of the Intifada, Israel changed its policy towards the Palestinian Authority according to the progress of the political process. The Palestinian Authority controls Area A in the West Bank and receives partial cooperation with Israel in Area B, especially in the security and administrative fields.

On November 29, 2012, the United Nations General Assembly approved by a large majority Resolution 67/19 regarding the addition of the "State of Palestine" to the organization as an Observer State that is not a full member.