Israel completes its withdrawal from the Sinai Peninsula per the Camp David Accords.

Israel, officially known as the State of Israel (in Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; in Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل, Dawlat ʾIsrāʾīl), is a captivating country nestled in Western Asia. Its unique geographical position places it along the southeastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern expanse of the Red Sea, making it a crucial crossroads of continents. The nation shares its land borders with Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest. Additionally, it is uniquely bordered by the Palestinian territories of the West Bank to its east and the Gaza Strip to its west.

While Tel Aviv thrives as Israel's vibrant economic and technological heart, the seat of government is firmly established in Jerusalem, a city revered by billions worldwide. However, it's important to note that while Israel proclaims Jerusalem as its capital, its sovereignty over East Jerusalem, specifically, remains widely unrecognized by the international community.

A Land Forged by Millennia: Israel's Ancient Roots

The land that is now Israel boasts an extraordinary historical narrative, evidenced by some of the earliest traces of hominid migrations out of Africa, suggesting a profound connection to humanity's dawn. Further into antiquity, the region became a cradle for civilization, with Canaanite tribes making their archaeological presence known since the Middle Bronze Age. It was during the Iron Age that powerful kingdoms began to emerge: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. These nascent states laid foundational stones for the area's later cultural and religious identity.

However, the tides of empire would soon sweep across the land. The northern Kingdom of Israel fell to the might of the Neo-Assyrian Empire around 720 BCE, leading to its destruction. Centuries later, in 586 BCE, the Kingdom of Judah was incorporated into the burgeoning Neo-Babylonian Empire. This conquest led to a significant event in Jewish history: the exile of a portion of the Judean population to Babylon. Yet, this period of displacement eventually concluded with a remarkable return, facilitated by Cyrus the Great, who conquered the region and allowed the exiles to rebuild their lives and their temple.

A spirit of independence re-emerged with the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid Greek rule, culminating in the establishment of an independent Hasmonean kingdom by 110 BCE. This Jewish sovereign entity, however, eventually became a client state of the expanding Roman Republic in 63 BCE. By 37 BCE, the Romans had installed the Herodian dynasty, and in 6 CE, the former kingdom was fully absorbed into the Roman Empire as the province of Judaea (Latin: Iudaea). A series of significant and often tumultuous Jewish revolts against Roman dominion, notably in the first and second centuries, ultimately proved unsuccessful. These uprisings led to devastating consequences, including the destruction of Jerusalem, the widespread expulsion of many Jews (a pivotal moment known as the Diaspora), and a symbolic renaming of the province from Iudaea to Syria Palaestina by the Romans, an act often interpreted as an attempt to diminish the Jewish connection to the land.

Successive Empires: Medieval and Early Modern Eras

The 7th century CE marked another profound shift in the region's control. The Byzantine-ruled Levant, encompassing what is now Israel, was conquered by Arab forces and integrated into the rapidly expanding Rashidun Caliphate, ushering in centuries of Muslim rule. This control persisted until the First Crusade, which erupted between 1096 and 1099, saw the re-establishment of a Christian sovereign presence in the form of Crusader states. While Crusader control was partially challenged and dismantled by Saladin's Ayyubid forces in 1187, it ultimately endured in various forms until 1291.

By the close of the 13th century, the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt extended its formidable control over the region, maintaining its dominance until its defeat by the formidable Ottoman Empire in 1516. For the next four centuries, until the early 20th century, the land became an integral part of the vast Ottoman realm, profoundly shaping its cultural and administrative landscape.

A New Chapter: Zionism, Mandate, and Independence

The 19th century witnessed a powerful national awakening among Jewish communities across the globe, giving rise to Zionism. This significant political movement championed the return of Jewish people to their ancestral homeland, often referred to as Palestine or the Land of Israel, advocating for the establishment of a sovereign Jewish state. This burgeoning movement spurred waves of immigration by diaspora Jews, beginning to re-establish a significant Jewish presence in the region.

Following the conclusion of World War I, the entire territory comprising what is now Israel, the Palestinian territories, and Jordan came under British administration as a League of Nations mandate. This period, known as the British Mandate for Palestine, lasted until after World War II. In 1947, the newly formed United Nations, grappling with the complexities of the region, adopted the Partition Plan for Palestine. This seminal plan recommended the creation of independent Arab and Jewish states, with Jerusalem designated as an internationalized city, a special status intended to protect its multi-religious significance.

The Partition Plan received acceptance from the Jewish Agency, representing the Jewish community in Palestine, but was met with rejection by Arab leaders. This divergence of views ignited a civil war within Mandatory Palestine between the Jewish community (Yishuv) and Palestinian Arab forces. As the British Mandate drew to a close, Israel declared its independence in May 1948. This declaration swiftly escalated the conflict into the 1948 Arab–Israeli War, involving Israel and several surrounding Arab states. The war concluded with the 1949 Armistice Agreements, which saw Israel establish control over most of the former mandate territory, while the West Bank and Gaza Strip came under the administration of Jordan and Egypt, respectively.

Contemporary Challenges: Conflict, Occupation, and Pathways to Peace

Since its independence, Israel has engaged in several significant conflicts with Arab nations. A pivotal moment was the Six-Day War in June 1967, which resulted in Israel occupying several territories. Today, Israel continues to occupy the Golan Heights and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. However, the exact legal status of Gaza as occupied territory following the Israeli disengagement in 2005 remains a point of international dispute. Israel has effectively annexed East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights; however, these actions are widely regarded by the international community as illegal under international law. Furthermore, the establishment of Israeli settlements within these occupied territories is also considered illegal by the international community.

Despite persistent efforts and numerous diplomatic initiatives, a final peace agreement to resolve the complex Israeli–Palestinian conflict has yet to be reached. Nevertheless, Israel has made significant strides in regional diplomacy, having signed historic peace treaties with both Egypt (in 1979) and Jordan (in 1994). More recently, a series of normalization agreements, known as the Abraham Accords, have fostered new diplomatic ties with a number of other Arab countries, signaling a changing geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.

A Modern State: Governance, Economy, and Quality of Life

In its foundational Basic Laws, Israel unequivocally defines itself as both a Jewish and a democratic state, serving as the nation-state for the Jewish people globally. The country operates as a robust liberal democracy, characterized by a parliamentary system of government, proportional representation in its elections, and universal suffrage ensuring every citizen's right to vote. The Prime Minister serves as the head of government, leading the executive branch, while the Knesset, a unicameral legislature, holds the legislative power.

Israel stands as a highly developed country and is a proud member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). With a population exceeding 9 million people as of 2021, it commands the world's 31st-largest economy by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Notably, it is recognized as the most developed country currently experiencing ongoing conflict. The standard of living in Israel is widely considered the highest in the Middle East, and the nation consistently ranks very high on the global Human Development Index (HDI) list.

Beyond its economic prowess, Israel distinguishes itself through various global metrics. It ranks among the world's top countries for the percentage of citizens with military training, reflecting its unique security needs. Similarly, it boasts a high percentage of citizens holding tertiary education degrees, underscoring its commitment to knowledge and innovation. Its substantial research and development (R&D) spending as a percentage of GDP positions it as a global leader in innovation. Furthermore, Israel receives high marks for women's safety, life expectancy, overall innovativeness, and the reported happiness of its citizens, painting a comprehensive picture of a vibrant and forward-looking society.

Pivotal Diplomacy: The Camp David Accords

The Camp David Accords represent a monumental achievement in Middle East diplomacy, comprising a pair of political agreements signed on September 17, 1978. These agreements were the culmination of twelve intense and secret days of negotiations held at Camp David, the rustic country retreat of the President of the United States in Maryland. The key signatories were Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, with US President Jimmy Carter acting as a crucial mediator and witness to the signing ceremonies at the White House.

The Accords consisted of two framework agreements. The second, titled "A Framework for the Conclusion of a Peace Treaty between Egypt and Israel," directly paved the way for the historic 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty, the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab nation. For their groundbreaking efforts in achieving this peace, President Sadat and Prime Minister Begin were jointly awarded the 1978 Nobel Peace Prize. However, the first framework, "A Framework for Peace in the Middle East," which aimed to address the broader issue of the Palestinian territories, was drafted without the participation of Palestinian representatives and subsequently faced condemnation from the United Nations.

Frequently Asked Questions About Israel

What is the official name of Israel?
The official name of the country is the State of Israel (Hebrew: מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, Arabic: دَوْلَة إِسْرَائِيل).
Where is Israel located geographically?
Israel is situated in Western Asia, specifically on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
What is Zionism?
Zionism is a political movement that advocates for the establishment and development of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, historically known as the Land of Israel.
What is the status of Jerusalem?
While Israel proclaims Jerusalem as its capital and its seat of government is there, its sovereignty over East Jerusalem is not recognized by the international community. Jerusalem holds significant religious importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
What are the Israeli-occupied territories?
Following the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied the Golan Heights and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. The international community largely considers the annexation of East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights, as well as the establishment of settlements in these territories, to be illegal under international law.
Has Israel signed peace treaties with Arab nations?
Yes, Israel signed peace treaties with Egypt in 1979 and with Jordan in 1994. More recently, it has normalized relations with several other Arab countries through the Abraham Accords.
What type of government does Israel have?
Israel is a liberal democracy with a parliamentary system, proportional representation, and universal suffrage. It defines itself as a Jewish and democratic state.
What were the Camp David Accords?
The Camp David Accords were a pair of political agreements signed in 1978 by Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin, mediated by US President Jimmy Carter. They famously led to the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty, for which Sadat and Begin received the Nobel Peace Prize.