Yisra’el Israel Fighting for peace and security
Geography Mediterranean, Dead Sea Diverse Landscape Desert, Coastal Plain, Central Mountains Mediterranean, Dead Sea Diverse Landscape Desert, Coastal Plain, Central Mountains
Climate Hot and Dry 16% Arable Land Sandstorms Natural Resources TimberPotash Copper oreNatural gas Phosphate rockMagnesium bromide ClaysSand
Economics Limited Natural Resources Exports: Cut Diamonds, High Technology, and Agricultural Products GDP: $154.5 billion (2005) 21.6% below poverty line
Government Parliamentary Democracy Knesset or Parliament President selects Prime Minister Legislative elected by popular vote British Mandate Jewish, Christian, Muslim legal system
Major Issues 3 No’s
Time Line WWI Ottoman Empire collapses and enables Zionist movement British Mandate ( ) May 14, 1948 Israel declares independence Law of Return (1950) and Western Influence Six Day War (1967) and Yom Kippur War (1973) Golan Heights Law extends Israeli governance (1981)
Time Line cont. Israel withdraws from Sinai, pursuant to Israeli-Egypt peace treaty, but invades Lebanon (1982) Madrid Conference between Israel, Palestine, and Syria (1991) Osolo Accords and Palestinian self-rule (1993) Israeli-Jordan peace treaty (1994)
Time Line cont. Israel withdraws from southern Lebanon (2000) Israel withdraws settlers and military from the Gaza Strip (2005) Palestine elects Hamas (2006) Conflict with Lebanon following Kidnapping (2006) Israel attacks potential Syrian nuclear project (2007)
Relationship with the US
Atmosphere
Culture