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The
State of Israel (Hebrew: מְדִינַת
יִשְׂרָאֵל);
Medinat Yisra'el; Arabic: دَوْلَةْ
إِسْرَائِيل,
Dawlat Isrā'īl) is a country in Western Asia on the
southeastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It is a parliamentary
democracy and the world's only Jewish state.
מדינת
ישראל
Medīnat Yisrā'el
دولة
إسرائيل
Dawlat Isrā'īl
State of Israel
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Flag
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Coat
of arms
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Motto:
none
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Anthem:
Hatikvah
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Capital
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Jerusalem
31°47′N
35°13′E
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Largest city
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Jerusalem
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Official language(s)
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Hebrew,
Arabic
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Government
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Parliamentary
democracy
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President
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Moshe
Katsav
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Prime Minister
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Ehud
Olmert
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Independence
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From
the UK
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Declaration
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14
May 1948 (05 Iyar 5708)
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Area
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Total
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22,145 km˛ (149th)
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8,019 sq mi
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Water (%)
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~2%
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Population
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May 2006 est.
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7,026,0001 (99th)
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1995 census
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5,548,523
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Density
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304/km˛ (18th)
787/sq mi
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GDP
(PPP)
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2005
estimate
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Total
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$163.45
billion (53rd)
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Per capita
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$23,416 (28th)
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HDI
(2003)
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0.915 (23rd) – high
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Currency
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New
Israeli sheqel (ILS)
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Time
zone
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IST
(UTC+2)
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Summer (DST)
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(UTC+3)
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Internet
TLD
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.il
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Calling
code
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+972
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Name
The
name "Israel" is rooted in the Hebrew Bible, where Jacob is
renamed Israel after wrestling with a mysterious adversary. The biblical
nation fathered by Jacob was then called "The Children of
Israel" or the "Israelites". Citizens of the modern State
of Israel are referred to, in English, as "Israelis".
In
an interlinear, literal translation of Genesis 32:28, the first mention of
the word "Israel" in the Bible reads as follows:
"And-he-is-saying not Jacob he-shall-be-said further name-of-you but
rather Israel that you-are-upright with Elohim and with mortals
and-you-are-prevailing." Thus one literal translation of ישראל,
Israel, is "Upright (with) God" (ישר-אל;
Ishr-al).
History
Historical
roots
The
earliest known mention of the name 'Israel', probably referring to a group
of people rather than to a place, is the Egyptian Merneptah Stele dated to
about 1211 BCE. For over 3,000 years, Jews have regarded the Land of
Israel as their homeland, both as a Holy Land and as a Promised land. The
land of Israel holds a special place in Jewish religious obligations,
encompassing Judaism's most important sites — including the remains of
the First and Second Temples, as well as the rites concerning those
temples. Starting around 1200 BCE, a series of Jewish kingdoms and states
existed intermittently in the region for more than a millennium.
Under
Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek,
Roman, Byzantine, and (briefly) Sassanian rule, Jewish presence in the
province dwindled due to mass expulsions. In particular, the failure of
the Bar Kochba Revolt against the Roman Empire resulted in the large-scale
expulsion of Jews. It was during this time that the Romans gave the name
Syria Palaestina to the geographic area, in an attempt to erase Jewish
ties to the land. The Mishnah and Jerusalem Talmud, two of Judaism's most
important religious texts, were composed in the region during this period.
The Muslims conquered the land from the Byzantine Empire in 638 CE. The
area was ruled by various Muslim states (interrupted by the rule of the
Crusaders) before becoming part of the Ottoman Empire in 1517.
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Frank
Kruschandl
7
Spring Close
Wish
Hill
Eastbourne
BN20
9HD
Nancy
Pelosi
Speaker
Elect
House
pf Representatives
Airmail Recorded
United
State Congress
Capitol
Hill
Washington
DC USA
4 December 06
Dear
Ms Pelosi
Middle
East Woes - IRAQ - PALESTINE (part 3)
**
US Policy could lead to Nuclear War
Iran/Israel
IRAQ
: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is viewed by the US as a 24 carat
upholder of democracy. In reality he is afflicted by a maelstrom of
emotions - like the majority of Iraqis. The Kurds, themselves mostly
Sunni, are consumed by their recently found Freedom and a de facto
Homeland of their own. Achieved by Saddams downfall. Well done
the US and the Coalition! Residually, Iraq comprises Sunnis -
former Masters of Iraq abd Shi'ites their former vassals. The
sects simply loathe one another.
Democracy
- the shoe to fit all - fits no-one in particular! A
subtle acquiescing in Shia militia murder and mayhem, on the part of
Houri al-Maliki, has become exacerbated in that the reisn have
redically 'slipped' in respect of imported terrorism. Sunnis,
numerically inferior, reciprocally follow the sectarian path.
Their concerns being Survival - Retaliation in a holding of their
position - the equitable distribution of Oil
Revenue. This last notably absent from the area of their
predominance. It is therefore wholly illogical for such
disparate groups to be collectively wedded to Democracy. The
Kurds are relatively insulated. Keeping a 'watching brief' in
protection of their Homeland interests. Sharp eyes watch the
(southern) Sunni/Shi'ite fiasco. Razor sharp where outsiders
are concerned, eg. the coalition but particularly Iran.
Autonomous
Sates - is surely the realistic solution - held together within
a Federation of States. External defence could be guaranteed by the
US - Coalition - UN - NATO.
Such posture would keep the foxes from the chickens. Proceeds
from Oil Revenue to be shared upon a
percapita basis. The States being responsible for their
use. Each State with its own police force and armed military
Detachments. Maintaining Security and eliminating Terrorism.
PALESTINE
: Fused for a future Nuclear War
starting with Iran/Israel. Israeli
'special status' supported by the US in their monopoly on
power must end! Equal treatment + financing should become
endemic! External defence guaranteed to Israelis and
Palestinians - after a style set out viz Iraq
in the foregoing. It is the absence of impartiality
which is the Road Block (forget the road map) which encourages
abuse. Palestinians are hungry - not the Israelis!
Sincerely
yours
Frank
Kruschandl
[The
above views are not necessarily those of the website owners, but are
the views of the writer concerned - Please address all comments
accordingly]
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Israel:
thoughts for the future - independent comment
LINKS
General
information
Government
History
-
Resources
> Modern Period > 20th Cent. > History of Israel > State
of Israel The Jewish History Resource Center, Project of the Dinur
Center for Research in Jewish History, The Hebrew University of
Jerusalem
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The
birth of Israel from the BBC
-
Israel
Museum, Jerusalem
-
Historical
documents from the Israeli Ministry of Public Affairs
-
Authentic
historical Recordings - UN Partition Vote of 1947, Arab Rejection,
"First" Hatikva, David Ben-Gurion - On Independence, Arab
Countdown to Six Day War, Moshe Dayan - Six Day War, Gen. Ariel Sharon
- "Move forward!", Nasser's Infamous Phonecall, Gen. Yitzhak
Rabin - Six Day War, Abba Eban's "Stalingrad" Speech
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