General info about Israel

Location:

Israel is located in the Middle East, along the eastern coastline of the Mediterranean Sea, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. It lies at the junction of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.

 

Geography:

Long and narrow in shape, the country is about 290 miles (470  km)  in length and 85 miles (135 km) in width at its widest point. Although small in size, Israel have the varied topographical features of an entire continent – ranging from forested highlands to fertile green valleys to mountains and deserts. Approximately half of the country’s land area is semi-arid.

 

Technology:

The creative and diverse Israelis have strong determination to push past the boundaries of possibility and facing challenges head-on. It is no wonder that Israel is now the world’s leading innovation country with the highest number of startups in the world, earning it the title “Start-Up Nation”.

 

Religions:

This is the center of the world’s three great monotheistic faiths: The Promise Land of milk and honey to the Jews, the scene of Christ’s Ministry, Crucifixion and Resurrection to the Christians, and to the Muslims, the site of the prophet Mohammad’s night ascent to heaven.

 

 

Climate:

Israel’s climate is characterized by much sunshine, with a rainy season from November to April. Total annual precipitation ranges from 20-30 inches (50-70 cm) in the north to about an inch (2.5 cm) in the far south. Regional climatic conditions vary considerably: hot, humid summers and mild, wet winters on the coastal plain; dry, warm summers and moderately cold winters, with rain and occasional light snow, in the hill regions; hot, dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley; and semi-arid conditions, with warm to hot days and cool nights, in the south.

 

Flora and Fauna:

The rich variety of Israel’s plant and animal life reflects its geographical location as well as its varied topography and climate. Over 500 kinds of birds, some 200 mammal and reptile species, and 2,600 plant types (150 of which are endemic to Israel) are found within its borders. Over 150 nature reserves and 65 national parks, encompassing nearly 400 square miles (almost 1,000 sq. km), have been established throughout the country.

 

 

Water:

The scarcity of water in the region has generated intense efforts to maximize the use of the available supply and to seek new resources. In the 1960s, Israel’s freshwater sources were joined in an integrated grid whose main artery, the National Water Carrier, brings water from the north and center to the semi-arid south. Ongoing projects for utilizing new sources include cloud seeding, recycling of sewage water, and the desalination of seawater.

 

Population:

Israel is a country of immigrants. Its 9.1 million inhabitants comprise a mosaic of people with varied ethnic backgrounds, lifestyles, religions, cultures, and traditions. Today Jews comprise some 76% of the country’s population, while the country’s non-Jewish citizens, mostly Arabs, number about 24%.

 

Lifestyle:

About 92% of Israel’s inhabitants live in some 200 urban centers, some of which are located on ancient historical sites. About 5% are members of unique rural cooperative settlements – the kibbutz and the moshav.

Moshav: A unique type of cooperative farmer’s village invented in Israel in the early 1900s. The members of the Moshav enjoy relatively large economic autonomy while still benefiting from communal assistance.

Kibbutz: A unique form of collective community based on socialist ideology and the promotion of the Zionist idea. Members of a Kibbutz are usually a close-knit group with shared property, labor, and the provision for all the needs of its members.

 

 

Main Cities:

1. Jerusalem, Israel’s capital (population 900,000), has stood at the center of the Jewish people’s national and spiritual life since King David made it the capital of his kingdom some 3000 years Today it is a flourishing, vibrant metropolis, the seat of the government, and Israel’s largest city.
2. Tel Aviv-Yafo (population 440,000), which was founded in 1909 as the first Jewish city in modern times, is today the center of the country’s industrial, commercial, financial, and cultural life.
3. Haifa (population 280,000), a known coastal town since ancient times, is a major Mediterranean port and the industrial and commercial center of northern Israel.
4. Be’er Sheva (population 207,000), named in the Bible as an encampment of the patriarchs, is today the largest urban center in the It provides administrative, economic, health, education and social services for the entire southern region.

 

System of Government:

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The head of state is the president, whose duties are mostly ceremonial and formal; the office symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of the state. The Knesset, Israel’s legislative authority, is a 120-member unicameral parliament which operates in plenary session and through 15 standing committees. Its members are elected every four years in universal nationwide elections. The government (cabinet of ministers) is charged with administering internal and foreign affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is collectively responsible to the Knesset.

 

 

Education and Science:

School attendance is mandatory from age five, and free through age

18. Almost all three-years-olds and four-year-olds attend some kind of preschool program.

Israel’s institutions of higher education include universities, offering a wide range of subjects in science and humanities, and serving as research institutions of worldwide reputed colleges providing academic courses and vocational schools. The country’s high level of scientific research and development and the application of R&D compensate for the country’s lack of natural resources.

 

Health:

The National Health Insurance Law, in effect from January 1995, provides for a standardized basket of medical services, including hospitalization, for all residents of Israel. All medical services continue to be supplied by the country’s four health care organizations. Life expectancy is

82.2 years for women and 78.5 years for men; the infant mortality rate is 4 per 1,000 live births. The ratio of physicians to population and the number of specialists compare favorably with those in most developed countries.

 

Social Welfare:

The social service system is based on legislation which provides for workers’ protection and a broad range of national and community services, including care of the elderly, assistance for single parents, programs for children and youth, adoption agencies, as well as prevention and treatment of alcoholism and drug abuse.

The National Insurance Institute provides all permanent residents (including non-citizens) with a broad range of benefits, including unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, survivors’ benefits,

 

 

maternity grants and allowances, child allowances, income support payments and more.

 

Economy :

• GDP $354 billion

 

• Exports, goods, and services $60.6 billion
• Imports, goods, and services $66.8 billion

Industry:

Israel’s industry concentrates on manufacturing products with a high added value that are primarily based on technological innovation. These include medical electronics, agrotechnology, telecommunications, computer hardware and software, solar energy, food processing and, fine chemicals.

 

Agriculture:

Israel’s agricultural successes are the result of a long struggle against harsh, adverse conditions and of making maximum use of scarce water and arable land. Today, agriculture represents some 2.5% of GNP and 2.2% of exports. Israel produces 93% of its own food requirements, supplemented by imports of grain, oil seeds, meat, coffee, cocoa, and sugar, which are more than offset by the wide range of agricultural products for export.

 

Foreign Trade:

Trade is conducted with countries on six continents. Some 49% of imports and 33% of exports are with Europe, boosted by Israel’s free trade agreement with the EU (concluded in 1975). A similar agreement was signed with the United States (1985), whose trade with Israel accounts for 12.4% of Israel’s imports and 38% of its exports.

 

 

Culture:

With thousands of years of history, the ingathering of the Jews from over 70 countries, a society of multi-ethnic communities living side by side, and an unending flow of international input via satellite and cable – have contributed to the development of an Israeli culture which reflects worldwide elements while striving for an identity of its own. Cultural expression through the arts is as varied as the people themselves, with literature, theater, concerts, radio and television programming, entertainment, museums, and galleries for every interest and taste.

 

Gender:

People in the Middle East often greet each other with a kiss – men to men and women to women, but rarely to the opposite gender unless they are family. Purity is highly valued. While most Americans are accustomed to hugging, this is rare in the Holy Land. Public displays of affection, in general, may be different or even non-existent. In some areas, men and women do not socialize publicly – making prolonged eye contact with someone from the opposite gender is even considered inappropriate.

 

Languages:

The official languages of the country are Hebrew and Arabic, but in the country’s streets, many other languages can be heard. Hebrew, the language of the Bible, long restricted to liturgy and literature, was revived a century ago, accompanying the renewal of Jewish life in the Land.

 

Israeli Cuisine:

From European dishes to the Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, Israel’s rich diversity is strongly represented by its cuisine as well. A big part of the daily meal includes delicacies such as locally grown fruits and vegetables, olive oil, hummus, tahini, and more.

 

 

Due to religious dietary laws such as the Jewish Kosher laws and Muslim Hallal laws, pork is not common in Israel (though it can still be found in more Christian or secular places). Kosher laws also restrict combining meat and dairy products in many restaurants and most hotels.

Entertainment:

Entertainment in Israel, much like its population, is very diverse, yet still manages to be distinguished as its own entity. From live music and concerts to operas, dances, and sketch comedies, it brings people from different backgrounds together. Theaters perform Hebrew remakes of world-famous plays as well as original content. Cinemas and TV enjoy Hebrew subtitles over Hebrew dubbing (unless for preschoolers). Creative Israelis also brought forth original movies and shows both in Hebrew and Arabic that are loved world-wide today.

 

Shopping:

Shopping is a popular pastime in Israel from luxurious malls to crowded and lively marketplaces in every major city. We recommend visiting the Mahne Yehuda farmers market in Jerusalem for a local authentic shopping experience – welcome to the “Walmart” of Jerusalem!

Bethlehem – the city of Jesus’ birth – also has many souvenir shops. You can find everything from gold jewelry sets, to oil lamps, to olive-wood statues and other artifacts. Name any biblical character or animal, and there is an impressive olive-wood statue for you! Favorites included Samson pushing the pillars, David slaying Goliath and, of course, Nativity scenes of every shape, size and price—from a few bucks to a few thousand.

 

 

Sports:

From skiing on Mt Hermon to scuba diving in the Red Sea, Israelis enjoy a variety of sports for hobbies as well as professions. Soccer (called Football / Kadoor Regel) just edges basketball as the most popular sport in Israel, with teams competing nationally as well as internationally. Most notable are Maccabi Haifa and Betar Jerusalem. When it comes to basketball, Maccabi Tel Aviv’s very own Omri Caspi became the first Israeli to join the NBA. Israel also prides itself on its Olympic success, and even hosts its own version called the Maccabiah Games for Jews from all over the world every four years – one of only seven worldwide competitions recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

 

Soldiers:

The IDF, founded in 1948, ranks among the most battle-tested armed forces in the world, having had to defend the country in six major wars. The IDF’s security objectives are to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Israel, deter all enemies, and curb all forms of terrorism that threaten daily life.

Compulsory Service: All eligible men and women are drafted at age

18. Men serve for three years, women for two years. Deferments may be granted to qualified students at institutions of higher education. New immigrants may be deferred or serve for shorter periods of time, depending on their age and personal status on entering the country.

Reserve Duty: Upon completion of compulsory service, each soldier is assigned to a reserve unit and may serve up to the age of 51.

Career Military Service: Veterans of compulsory service meeting current IDF needs may sign up as career officers or NCOs. The career service constitutes the command and administrative backbone of the IDF. Graduates of officers’ or pilots’ schools or special military technical schools are required to sign on for periods of career service.