ISRAEL.

Israel, officially known as the State of Israel, is a small country located in the Middle East. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. With a population of over nine million people, Israel is a vibrant and dynamic nation with a rich history, culture, and diverse society.

History Israel has a long and complex history that stretches back thousands of years. The country is often referred to as the "Holy Land" because of its importance to the three Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times, and it has been ruled by various empires and civilizations throughout history.

In ancient times, Israel was home to the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, which were ruled by Jewish monarchs. In 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem and exiled many Jews from the region. Over the centuries, the land was ruled by various empires, including the Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamluks, and Ottomans. In the late 19th century, Zionism, a movement dedicated to the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine, gained momentum. After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain a mandate to administer the region, which included present-day Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. In 1947, the United Nations approved a plan to partition Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab. The plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership but rejected by the Arab states, leading to a war between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Israel emerged victorious and expanded its territory beyond the borders established by the UN partition plan. Since then, Israel has fought several wars with its Arab neighbors, including the Six-Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israel has also faced ongoing conflict with the Palestinian people, who seek their own independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Culture

Israel is a culturally diverse nation that blends traditions from around the world. Jewish immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and the former Soviet Union have all contributed to the country's unique cultural landscape. Israel is also home to Arab and Christian communities, as well as smaller groups of Bedouins, Druze, and Circassians. One of Israel's most distinctive cultural features is its food. Israeli cuisine draws on Jewish and Arab traditions, as well as European and Mediterranean influences. Popular dishes include hummus, falafel, shakshuka, and schnitzel. Israel is also known for its wine industry, which produces high-quality wines from local grape varieties.

Music and dance are also important parts of Israeli culture. The country has a thriving music scene, with artists like Idan Raichel, Rita, and Shlomo Artzi achieving international fame. Israeli folk dancing is also popular, with groups performing traditional dances at festivals and events. Religion Israel is home to three major religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Judaism is the dominant religion, with around 74% of the population identifying as Jewish. Christianity is the second-largest religion, with about 2% of the population, and Islam is the third-largest, with about 17%.

Jerusalem, one of the oldest cities in the world, is considered a holy city by all three religions. The Western Wall, or Wailing Wall, is the holiest site in Judaism, while the Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a major Christian pilgrimage site. The Dome of the Rock, located on the Temple Mount, is a sacred site in Islam.

Politics

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with a president as a ceremonial head of state.