ISRAEL

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Middle East. It lies on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Its capital is Jerusalem, though many foreign governments maintain their embassies in Tel Aviv and the status of Jerusalem remains a subject of international dispute. The country has a varied climate and landscapes, from the Negev Desert in the south to the Galilee in the north.

Israel declared independence in 1948 following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine. It has fought several wars with neighboring states and has since developed a diversified economy anchored in technology and services. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains central to its domestic and foreign policy. Peace treaties were signed with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994); in 2020 the Abraham Accords established diplomatic relations with several Arab states.

Government: Israel is a parliamentary democracy. The Knesset, a 120-seat legislature, passes laws. The prime minister is the head of government; the president serves a largely ceremonial role.

Population and society: as of the early 2020s, about 9 to 10 million people live in Israel. The Jewish community forms a majority; Arab citizens, including Muslims, Christians, and Druze, comprise a significant minority. Hebrew is the main language; Arabic has a recognized status; English is widely used.

Economy and culture: Israel has a highly developed economy with strengths in technology, cybersecurity, life sciences, agriculture, and manufacturing. It is noted for innovation, research and development, and a large startup ecosystem. The country has a rich cultural scene, with cuisine, music, and literature reflecting diverse communities and historic sites.