The State of Israel is a Middle Eastern country with a long shoreline with the Red Sea. Bordering countries include Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Under Israel's control are the disputed Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
The modern State of Israel was formed in the late 1940s, in the wake of World War II, but Israelis have a long history in the land. The kingdoms of Israel and Judah came about in the Iron Age, although its first nation was destroyed by the Neo-Assyrians in 720 BC, and Judah was occupied by the Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenist empires, existing only as autonomous Jewish provinces.
The founders of modern Israel viewed the country they were creating as a reincarnation of the Promised Land of Abraham and Moses, and the ancient kingdom of David and of Solomon. Although Jewish people have been on the land for more than 3,000 years, the Jewish diaspora was massive. For many, bringing them home has been a significant priority.
Over the years, many Jews had found their way back to Israel, and still others dreamed of being able to return one day. In the late 1800s, a nationalist movement began, with the goal of creating a home for the Jewish people in Israel, then part of the Ottoman Empire. This became known as the Zionist movement.
Most of the immigrants prior to the creation of the State of Israel in 1948 were Ashkenazi Jews, but the biggest wave of immigrants during the first decade of statehood were from the Arab controlled areas in the Middle East.
Not everyone was pleased with Israel's statehood, however. To the Palestinian Arabs, Israel's independence is known as the Catastrophe, the moment when their own dreams of statehood were superseded. Even among the Jews, there were anti-Zionists. Many ultra-Orthodox Jews viewed the founding of Israel as arrogance, and a preempting of God's plan. Worse, in their view, the new state was clearly secular in nature.
Slightly more than 75% of the Israeli people are Jewish, tracing their roots back several generations on local soil. Others are more recent immigrants from several countries. Several Jews came from Russia in 1882. Over the next couple of decades, others arrived from Russia and Eastern Europe, founding collective villages or socialist communes known as kibbutzim. In the early 1900s, about 40,000 Jews settled in the region. These were mostly Orthodox Jews, although they also included some socialist groups.
During World War I, Britain stated its intention of creating a national home for the Jewish people, and the Jewish Legion assisted in the British conquest of Palestine. Arab opposition led to the creation of a Jewish militia. In 1922, the League of Nations gave Britain a mandate over Palestine which included the promise of a home for the Jewish people, as well as similar provisions for the Arab Palestinians.
The persecution of the Jewish people in Europe, centered around Nazi Germany, in the 1930s, brought an influx of additional Jews to the region. This led to an Arab revolt in 1936, in which British troops fought alongside Jewish militias. Although British put restrictions on additional Jewish immigration to the region in 1939, Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust were turned away from other countries, so a clandestine movement was created to bring them to the region.
Following World War II, Jewish militias fought against British restrictions on immigration and, in 1947, Britain announced its withdrawal. That year, the United Nations resolved to create an independent Arab State, an independent Jewish State, and an international Jerusalem. The Jewish Agency agreed to the plan, but the Arab League rejected it.
In 1948, the State of Israel was created. Although there have been a series of peace agreements and talks, Israel has been involved in civil wars over the Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, as well as in other regions, and its boundaries have shrunken, and been expanded.
Arabs make up just over 20% of Israel's population, while non-Arab Christians and those who claim no religion comprise just over 4% of the population, and the majority of its people are ethnic Jews. By Israeli law, anyone with Jewish ancestry are given the right of Israeli citizenship.
Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. Arab is spoken by Israel's Arab minority, with Hebrew taught in Arab schools. Many languages are in use in Israel, however. Although English is no longer an official language, most of the Israeli people are conversant in English. Russian, Amharic, and French are also common.
Although Israel is Holy Land to the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim people, among others, nearly half its population is secular. Muslims make up just under 18% of the population, being Israel's largest religious minority, after Judaism.
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Adv. Lucy Meir - Divorce lawyer in Israel
The Lucy Meir Divorce and Family Law Office provides legal counsel and support in the fields of divorce and family law.
https://www.lucymeir.co.il/about-us/
Offering guided and private tours throughout Israel, including day tours, multi-day tours, Jewish heritage tours, Bar or Bat Mitzvah tours, family tours, or Christian tours, conducted by trained guides. The licensed tour operator has been in operation since 2012. His biography is set forth, with a gallery of photographs, video testimonials, client testimonials, and a blog, as well as details of its packaged tours and tour options.
http://www.private-tours-in-israel.com/
Established by Tomer Camus in 1995, the gallery features the work of Tomer and Ketti Camus, both well-known Israeli artists, as well as other Israeli artists. Represented artists are featured, along with photographs of the gallery and some of the works the gallery, which include paintings, sculpture, jewelry, and Judaika. Tour information, directions, and contacts are also included.
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Institute for National Security Studies
The Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) is an organization dedicated to studying Israel's security and the Middle East generally. You can find information about the Israeli military generally, as well as research data, and publications that comment on Middle Eastern politics. Journalists can also contact academic experts if they have a question on Israel or the Middle East, or view a calendar of events.
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International Institute for Counter Terrorism
The International Institute for Counter Terrorism is an organization that studies the phenomenon of terrorism. The site has a variety of studies on this international political problem. The site also has access to its database of analysis data and articles on different countries, including Pakistan. The site also collects news reports on terrorist events, a gallery of photographs, video, and internship opportunities.
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The IDF represents the military forces of the State of Israel, which includes ground forces, air forces, and naval forces. A history of the IDF is put forth, including wars and operations and past general chiefs of staff, its code of ethics and mission, an overview of military medals and decorations. IDF unit, special forces, and humanitarian missions are included, along with several photographs and other details.
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The site offers a history of Israel that focuses on the Biblical origins of Israel and the Israeli people, and not with its more recent formation after World War II, although that is covered as well. Maps of Palestine and Israel, a Bible study guide, a media page, and links to Bible study discussion forums are set forth. Other topics include the Twelve Tribes of Israel, Ancient Mesopotamia, and Jerusalem. Book recommendations are included.
http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/
Created by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, located in Jerusalem, this site is available in several languages. An overview of the country is put forward, as well as information about planning a trip to Israel, its Jewish and Christian themes, a tourism guide, scheduled events, suggested itineraries, and other resources, including a guide to accommodations and other services within the country.
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https://www.balas.org.il/about-us/
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Established in 1935, the gallery features the works of Israeli artists to museums and private collections, including Israeli and international art. Featured artists are highlighted, with addresses and contacts, and available artwork may be found by browsing artist categories or by searching by artist, medium, subject, or price range. Purchases may be made through the site. Artwork is shown in photographs.
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In business for more than forty years, the Stern Gallery specializes in the work of established Israel artists and international Jewish art, also operating a restoration studio for the private restoration of art on canvas and paper. Classic and contemporary Israeli art, international Jewish art, and art from the Holy Land are featured, along with a schedule of exhibitions, participating artists, and contacts.
http://www.sternart.com/
The Israeli National Trail is a hiking path that crosses Israel, with its norther end at Dan, near the Lebanese border, and its southern terminus at Eilat, at the Red Sea. The site serves as a reference for English-speaking people who may be interested in hiking the trail, offering photographs, video, trail maps, trip reports, suggestions, a trip preparation guide, contacts, and other resources.
https://www.israeltrail.net/
Comprised of people from throughout the world who are committed to the success of Israel, the purpose of the site is to build a network of pro-Israel activists, to provide educational programs, and to promote unity with the people, government, and land of Israel. Topics include the Arab-Israeli conflict, Islamic terror, global Israel, and Israel's relationships with the United States and other countries. Its projects are highlighted, and promotional video is included.
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Maintained by a group of volunteers who believe that a national homeland for the Jewish people is a human right, that Israel has a right to exist, and that Jewish nationalism is as legitimate as that of any other people, the site offers several articles on Zionism and anti-Zionism. The history of Zionism and Israel is set forth, along with biographies, definitions, and maps. A bibliography of books dealing with the subject is included.
http://www.zionism-israel.com/
