Izrael

Izrael, commonly referred to in English as Israel, is a country in the Middle East on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest; it has a coastline along the Mediterranean and a naval presence near its southern waters. The capital and seat of government is Jerusalem, though the international status of the city remains disputed and many foreign missions are in Tel Aviv. The population is about 9.7 million, with a Jewish majority and a significant Arab minority; official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, and English is widely used in public life.

Israel is a parliamentary democracy. The Knesset, a 120-seat unicameral parliament, is elected every four years; the president serves as a largely ceremonial head of state, while the prime minister is the head of government. The legal system blends civil and common law traditions with religious courts for personal status matters. Security and regional security arrangements are central to policymaking.

Founded in 1948, Israel emerged from the end of the British Mandate for Palestine and has fought several wars. It signed peace treaties with Egypt (1979) and Jordan (1994) and has since moved to normalize relations with multiple states in the 2020s; the status of the Israeli-occupied territories remains a core issue in peace negotiations.

Israel has a highly developed economy with a strong technology sector and diversified services. Immigration, including Jews under the Law of Return, has shaped its demography. The country features varied geography—from Mediterranean coastal plains to the Negev desert—with climates ranging from temperate to arid.