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The State of Israel
Declarationof Independence:
14th May 1948
Flag:
The colours blue and white
were chosen according to the
colours of the‘Tallit’– the Jewish
prayer shawl. The Star of David
has been a Jewish symbol for
many centuries.
State emblem:
The Menorah –
a candelabrium and olive
branches representing peace.
Official languages:
Hebrew, Arabic.
Currency
:
The New Israeli Shekel (NIS),
which is divided into 100 Agorot.
Capital:
Jerusalem.
Governing system:
Democratic - Parliamentary.
Legislative branch:
The Knesset is the Parliament
of the State of Israel.It is located
in Jerusalem and has 120
members. The present Knesset
is the 20th and was elected on
17 March 2015.
Executive branch:
Includes the Government and
Government Ministries.
The Judiciary:
Includes the system of courts:
the Supreme Court, the District
Courts,Magistrates Courts,Courts
for Local Affairs,Religious Courts,
Traffic Courts, Labour Courts,
Juvenile Courts, etc.
Israel in numbers
Facts about the State of Israel
T
he Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael) is the birthplace of the Jewish
people.It is in Israel where a significant part of the nation’s history
was enacted and its cultural, religious and national identity
was formed; and there, its physical presence has been maintained
through the centuries, even after the majority was exiled.
President
:
The President is elected by the
Knesset every seven years and his
main duties are representational.
The incumbent President, Mr.
Reuven Rivlin, was sworn into
office on 10th June 2014.
The Prime Minister:
The incumbent PrimeMinister,Mr.
Binyamin Netanyahu, has been
in office since 31st March 2009.
Local authorities:
Municipalities, local councils
and regional councils. These
authorities have governmental
and administrative powers in
their areas of jurisdiction and
are responsible for provision of
services to their constituencies.
All mayors are directly elected to
serve a five-year term.
Location:
The State of Israel is located on
the southwest tip of the Asian
continent, on the eastern basin
of the Mediterranean Sea. The
State of Israel lies at a latitude
between 29° and the 33° north
of the Equator.
Area of the country:
22,072 sq. km. (as of - 1967
including East Jerusalem and
as of 1982 - including the Golan
Heights).
Land area:
21,643 sq. km.
Area of lakes:
429 km. (Sea of
Galilee - 164 sq. km., the Dead
Sea - 265 sq. km.)
Land border:
Total length of border: 857 km.
Coastline:
Length of Mediterranean Sea
Coast 194 km.
Length of Red Sea Coast:About
12 km.
Population:
in 2016, the population of Israel
had reached 8.6 million. The
population of Israel comprises
the following ethnic groups:
Jews 75%
Arabs 20.7%
Others: 4.3%
Largest Cities (2016):
Population
1
Jerusalem 865,720
2
Tel Aviv-Yafo 432,890
3
Haifa
278,900
4
Rishon
LeZiyyon
243,970
5
Petah Tiqwa 230,980
6
Ashdod 220,170
7
Netanya 207,950
8
Be’er Sheva 203,600
9
Holon
188,830
10
Bene Beraq 182,800
The Knesset - Israel's Parliament
View of Tel Aviv
The Symbol of the State of Israel
photo by: © Yehuda Bernstein
Jerusalem wall
photo by: © Beny Shlevich,
Wikimedia Commons
photo by: ©Wrangel
photo by: © Eldadcarinm
photos: Dreamstime.com