Israel

People Populations 8,230,000 76% Jewish, 21% Arab, 3% other Hebrew and Arabic

Economy $286 Billion GDP $35,658 per capita (25 th ) exports electronics, software, computerized systems, communications technology, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, fruits, chemicals, military technology, and diamonds exports $64.74 billion

Origins Israel means Jacob in reference to the Patriarch "struggle with God" [ [ Twelve Tribes of Israel Jacob From Canaan were forced by famine to go into Egypt for four generations until Moses lead the Exodus.

Government Unitary Parliamentary Republic Knesset 120 members Universal Suffrage PM is Head of Government President performs ceremonial duties Basic Law of Israel, un-codified constitution Unstable coalitions Judicial System - English Common Law and Jewish Law Marriage and divorce are under religious courts: Jewish, Muslim, Druze, and Christian

19 th Knesset

Zionism nationalist movement that supports the creation of a Jewish homeland in the territory defined as the Land of Israel Late 19 th C in Eastern and Central Europe Zionist Congress Aliyah, Immigration waves, (1884), (1904–14), (1919–1923), (1924–1929) 1903, declined a British offer to establish a homeland in Uganda. WWII 33% increase of Jews in Palestine fear that American Jews would encourage the USA to support Germany in WW I resulted in Balfour Declaration

Occupied Territories 1967, West Bank, East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip Sinai returned to Egypt and 2000 South Lebanon civilian law in the Golan and EJ incorporated as sovereign territory

Settler Communities 382,031 West Bank, 300,000, East Jerusalem 20,000 in the Golan Heights Considered illegal by international community UN Vote, 158 of 166, 160 of 171

Gaza 2005,unilateral disengagement plan, Israel removed all of its settlers and forces from the territory. does not consider Gaza to be occupied territory and declared it a "foreign territory" Hamas elections border crossings by land sea an air heavily restricted Egyptian border 2014 Gaza Campaign

Military Israeli Defence Force 3 rd highest ratio of GDP to military spending MID, Mossad and Shaback Conscription Men 3 years, Women 2 176,500 active troops and an additional 445,000 reservists US is expected to provide the country with $3.15 billion per year from 2013–2018 Global Peace Index, ranking 145th out of 153 Has not signed Non-proliferation treaty

Foreign Affairs US has provided $68 billion in military assistance and $32 billion in grants since 1967 diplomatic relations with 157 countries, 3 members of the Arab League Egypt and Jordan, Mauritania recognise Israel India, strong military, trade and technological partnerships Azerbaijan, Billion arms deal, 5 th largest trading partner