About Israel

The State of Israel is central to modern Jewish identity. Its main language is Hebrew, its public culture is Jewish, national holidays celebrate Jewish festivals and historical events, and the national debate is focused on the fate of the Jewish people.

Created as the Jewish homeland in 1948, Israel, in its 60 years of existence, has become home to the largest and strongest Jewish community in the world.
Nearly twenty percent of the total Israeli population—over one million people—is comprised of non-Jewish citizens, including Muslim and Christian Arabs, Bedouin, and Druze who are full citizens with full civil and political rights protected by law. No other state in the Middle East grants and protects such freedoms to its minority citizens. At the same time, social and economic disparities do exist between Israel's Jewish and Arab citizens.

Israel is also in conflict with some of its neighbors, some of whom wish to see Israel destroyed. Israel is at peace with two important neighbors—Egypt and Jordan—while pursuing peace with other neighbors, particularly the Palestinians.

Quick Facts

  • Israel is 1/8 of 1% of the Middle East. It is 290 miles long and between 9-85 miles wide.
  • There has been a continuous Jewish presence in Israel for over 3,000 years.
  • Israel became an independent state in 1948. In 1979, Israel returned the Sinai and saw peace with Egypt. In 1994, peace with Jordan was declared.
  • Today, Israel has the fourth-largest high-tech economy. Israel invests more of its GDP in research and development than any other nation.
  • 80% of Israelis are Jews of different ethnicities and races who have come from over 80 countries around the globe. Refugees from Muslim countries and their descendants make up about half of Israel’s Jewish population.
  • Israeli-Arabs make up almost 20% of Israel’s population and have full and equal political and civil rights. They are Druze, Bedouin, Muslims, and Christian Arabs.
  • Israel officially recognizes over 15 religions, from Islam and Christian denominations to the Baha’i Faith.
     

Israeli Media

  • YnetnewsPost— www.ynetnews.com
    The English-language version of Ynet, Israel’s most popular online news website. It is affiliated with the media group that produces Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel’s most widely-read daily newspaper.
  • Jerusalem Post— www.jpost.com
    An Israeli daily newspaper providing news and analysis about Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world
  • Ha'aretz— www.haaretz.com
    An independent daily newspaper with a broadly liberal outlook both on domestic issues and on international affairs
  • Arutz— www.camera.org
    The Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting in America is a media-monitoring, research and membership organization devoted to promoting accurate and balanced coverage of Israel and the Middle East.
  • Palestinian Media Watch— http://pmw.org.il
    Palestinian Media Watch was established in 1996 to gain an understanding of Palestinian society through the monitoring of the Palestinian Arabic language media and schoolbooks.
  • Memri— www.memri.org
    The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) explores the Middle East through the region's media.
  • HonestReporting— www.honestreporting.com
    HonestReporting monitors the media, exposes cases of bias, promotes balance, and effects change through education and action
  • JAT Action List— JAT.Action-subscribe@topica.com
    The Jewish Action Taskforce list helps counter anti-Israel actions and misinformation and get the truth told about Israel.
  • Israel Insider— www.israelinsider.com/index.htm
    A compilation of news and articles from several of Israel’s leading newspapers.
  • Israel Ministry of Tourism— www.goisrael.com
    Israel’s official North American Tourism web site! An excellent resource for helping to plan a trip to Israel. Includes a virtual walking tour of the old city of Jerusalem.