Israel

Israel is a country in the Levant region of the Middle East, in Western Asia by the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Lebanon and Syria to the north, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the south and the Mediterranean to the west. Israel was established as a state in 1948, becoming the first and only predominantly Jewish state in the modern era. Israel has a population of nearly 9 million (2018). Of these 9 million, approximately 75% are Jewish, 20% are Arab, and 5% belong to other ethnic minorities. The most widely spoken languages in the country are Hebrew and Arabic, though Russian, French, and English are widely spoken as well. Israel is quite small geographically - its territory covers about 21,000 square kilometers (8,100 square miles). Despite its size, its topography is varied, ranging from a dry desert climate to mountains and forests. Israel has four distinct geographic regions: the Negev Desert, the Great Rift Valley, the Mediterranean coastal valley, and the mountainous regions in the north. The Dead Sea, the lowest dry-land point on Earth, is on the border between Israel and Jordan. Jerusalem, Israel’s declared though internationally-disputed capital, houses the country’s government buildings. Israel is a democratic republic with a 120-seat parliament (called the Knesset), a prime minister who is head of government and a president whose job is largely ceremonial. Upon its establishment Israel declared itself both Jewish and Democratic. Israel was established in order to be a “safe haven” for the Jewish people. In the years subsequent to its establishment it received an influx of Jewish immigrants and refugees from war-torn Europe and various countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Though originally established as a state with socialist values, the right-winged Likud party has now been in power for over forty years, since former prime minister Menahem Begin took office in 1977. The judicial system in Israel is three-tiered, with the Supreme Court being the top-standing authority on most cases. Religious courts have complete jurisdiction over annulment of marriages. Israel started off as an isolated entity in the predominantly Arab-Muslim Middle East. In 1979, Israel signed a peace treaty with Egypt, and in 1994 it signed one with Jordan. Though ties between Israel and much of the Arab world remain hostile, its relationships with countries such as Saudi Arabia have been improving in recent years as the common Iranian threat improves cooperation between the countries. The United States is Israel’s strongest ally. Relations between the two countries have remained relatively constant since Israel’s establishment, with both countries prioritizing the relationship regardless of which administrations are in office. Israel has been in an ongoing conflict with its Palestinian neighbors for decades. It spends a large proportion of its budget on security and defense, and the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) is the largest and strongest military in the Middle East. Israel has a mandatory military draft for most 18-year-old Israeli men and women. Israel has earned itself the nickname “Startup nation” due to the multitude of high-tech companies and scientific startups within its borders.`

Trump, Israel confront Tehran directly through Operation Epic Fury - opinion

Trump and Israel confront Iran directly with Operation Epic Fury, targeting military and proxy networks.

MARCH 24, 2026|ByGABRIEL ROSENBERG

A still image released by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which accompanied a press release describing the operation dubbed "Epic Fury", an attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, shows a rocket launch from a ship, in this picture obtained from social media released on February 28, 2026.

Smoke billows over northern Israel after rockets were fired from Lebanon, amid ongoing cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, by Israel's border with Lebanon, May 17, 2024.

Resilience on the frontlines: A year after returning to Kibbutz Dafna - opinion

In Kibbutz Dafna, life under sirens and rockets continues, but residents remain steadfast.

MARCH 24, 2026|ByEYAL DROR

An illustration of US-Iranian negotiatons.

Chances of US-Iran deal 'very small,' Israeli officials tell 'Post'

An American source told the Post that “the strikes are continuing as planned," and Israeli officials also said there has been no change in coordination with the US military or in operational plans.

MARCH 24, 2026|ByAMICHAI STEIN

Former Israeli Foreign Minister Moshe Arens (R) and former Ambassador to the United States Zalman Shoval listen to a question as they attend an event at the National Press Club in Washington, February 15, 2001.

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The unsung architect of Israel's home front resilience - opinion

How Moshe Arens reshaped Israel’s defense doctrine by placing the civilian home front at its center

MARCH 24, 2026|ByNACHMAN SHAI

Israel's endurance buys Iranian isolation - editoral

Israelis face mounting costs from the war with Iran, but regional signals suggest Tehran is becoming more isolated across the Middle East.

MARCH 24, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

People walk past a mural drawn by the "Grafitiyul" graffiti art group depicting Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on a street in the Israeli coastal city of Tel Aviv on July 22, 2025.

Iranian-backed militias fire rockets from Iraq at Syrian base

Rockets launched from Iraq targeted a Syrian Army base in Hasakah, with Iranian-backed militias suspected behind the cross-border attack.

MARCH 23, 2026BySETH J. FRANTZMAN

A Syrian government soldier stands outside SDF controlled Al Aktan prison which holds ISIS detainees, as the Syrian amry takes possession of the nearby SDF military base in the city of Raqa on January 19, 2026.

'Status quo is dead’: Opposition slams passing law expanding rabbinical courts’ powers amid war

The Knesset debates a bill expanding rabbinical courts’ powers, with critics warning of broader legal and social implications

MARCH 23, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Opposition leader Yair Lapid slams passing law expanding rabbinical courts’ powers amid war at a party press conference in the Knesset on Monday, March 23, 2026.

Political, economic pressures mount as US-Israel war with Iran continues - opinion

An extended conflict in Iran may shift control of the war away from Israel and the US.

MARCH 23, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and US President Donald Trump (illustrative)

US is not rushing to fully open Hormuz with force, ground troops, sources say

Despite weeks of speculation, a US operation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is not imminent, as officials weigh risks and alternative strategies.

MARCH 23, 2026ByYONAH JEREMY BOB

Lightning occurs when META 4, an Oil Products Tanker, sails into Muscat Anchorage on March 21, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman.President Donald Trump had threatened to attack Iran's energy infrastructure if it did not end its de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz by March 23.

Birthright travelers look different after October 7, but the effect remains the same, study shows

“Many of the applicants live in communities where they hear frequent criticism of Israel,” a Brandeis University researcher said. "Their perspective on the conflict lacks context.”

MARCH 23, 2026ByANDREW LAPIN/JTA

Participants on a Birthright Israel program.

Israel must strengthen public diplomacy to fight modern information wars - opinion

Israel risks losing the battle of narratives; a national public diplomacy authority is urgently needed.

MARCH 23, 2026ByNOA RAKEL PERUGIA

US Embassy organizes bus departures from Israel via Jordan crossing

The US Embassy has begun organizing bus departures for Americans from Israel to Amman via Jordan, offering an overland exit option amid ongoing security concerns.

MARCH 23, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF