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Israel is a Middle Eastern country located on the southeastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea. It shares its borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Egypt.
Israel's new government, led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was sworn in on April 1, 2009. After forming a coalition with the Labor Party and three right-wing parties, Netanyahu assembled the largest cabinet in Israeli history.Los Angeles Times: In Israel, Netanyahu and super-sized Cabinet sworn in (April 1, 2009)
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Fast Facts
- Capital: Jerusalem
- Population: 6.9 million (UN, 2007)
- Area: Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics cites 22,072 sq km (8,522 sq miles)
- Currency: New Israeli shekel (NIS)
- Major languages: Hebrew, Arabic
- Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
- President: Shimon Peres
- GNI per capita: US $18,620 (World Bank, 2006)
- Major religions: Judaism, Islam
- Life expectancy: 79 years (men), 83 years (women) (UN)
- Main exports: Computer software, military equipment, chemicals, agricultural products
- International dialing code: +972
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February 2009 Elections
Israel held a general election when Kadima leader Tzipi Livni failed to form a new government after the departure of Ehud Olmert. After the final vote count it was announced on February 12, 2009, that Livini won the vote count. However, both Livini and her opponent, Benjamin Netanyahu, failed to get the majority needed to govern. President Shimon Peres designated Netanyahu as prime minister because he believed he had a better chance to form a coalition. Netanyahu had until April 3, 2009, to form a coalition. He was sworn in on April 1, 2009, after forming a coalition with the central Labor Party led by Ehud Barak, and three other right-wing parties.Los Angeles Times: In Israel, Netanyahu and super-sized Cabinet sworn in (April 1, 2009) -
Prisoner Release
On Wednesday, February 18, 2009, Israel's security cabinet began discussing the possibility of releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Corporal Gilad Shalit. The cabinet is in the midst of trying to determine a long-term truce with Hamas, and may actually require that Shalit be released as part of the truce.BBC News: [Israel leaders mull prisoner swap http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7896506.stm] (February 18, 2009) -
Occupied Territories
The West Bank and Gaza Strip have been occupied by Israel since 1967; they are partially administrated by the Palestinian Authority and Hamas, respectively. Another occupied territory, the Golan Heights, constitutes Israel's border with Syria and has been a point of contention between the two nations. Under the Golan Heights Law the territory was placed under civilian Israeli law, administration and jurisdiction. All three territories were captured from Egypt, Jordan and Syria during the Six Day War of 1967. -
History of Israel
The origins of the state of Israel date back to the end of World War II. Following the war, the United Kingdom withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN in a move rejected by the Arab League and Arab Higher Committee, partitioned the area into separate Arab and Jewish states. A series of wars followed between Israel and its neighbors including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. The deep tensions between Israel and its neighbor states have punctuated the history of the region since. -
December 2008 Attacks
Hamas ended a six-month ceasefire by launching rockets into southern Israeli towns on December 27, 2008. Consequently, Ehud Barak declared an "all-out war against Hamas and its branches."FoxNews: Israel At 'War to the Bitter End'...(September 29, 2008) In retaliation, Israeli military forces attacked the Gaza Strip.A unilateral cease fire was announced by Israel on January 17, 2009; hours later Hamas also announced a cease fire. On January 19, 2009, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said that they intended to be completely withdrawn from Gaza by the time of the inauguration of American president Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.International Herald Tribune: Israel hopes to complete Gaza troop withdrawal by Tuesday (January 19, 2009) Israeli military officials said the last troops were removed before dawn on Wednesday, January 21, 2009.FOXNews.com: Israel Withdraws All Troops From Gaza Strip (January 21, 2009)
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Related Pages on Mahalo
Jerusalem Vacation | Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Israeli Defense Forces | Arab League-Israel Talks | Israel-Lebanon Conflict | Shimon Peres | The West Bank | Gaza Strip | Ehud Olmert | Fatah | Hamas | Jerusalem | Palestine | Judaism | Dead Sea | Sea of Galilee | Israel Attacks Gaza Strip | Tzipi Livni | Benjamin Netanyahu | Ark of The Covenant -
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CIA World Factbook: Israel
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BBC Country Profile: Israel and Palestinian territories
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Los Angeles Times: In Israel, Netanyahu and super-sized Cabinet sworn in
latimes.com (April 01, 2009) -
Wikipedia: Israel
en.wikipedia.org -
U.S. Library of Congress: "A Country Study: Israel"
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Official Tourism Site: Israel Wonders
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Official Site: Israeli Government Portal
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CIA World Factbook: Israel
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Israel on Twitter Powered by Twitter
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What is this anti-Jewish nonsense. Israel sold out to Rockefeller and NWO after WWII instead of exposing him. Now Israel is tool of NWO
@wakeup1442 | July 04, 2009 12:33 PM -
Throughout Kings the Bible says the King sinned and caused Israel to sin.
@Schescke | July 04, 2009 12:30 PM -
'Iran nuke could wipe Israel off map in seconds' And will the way Obama's going. http://bit.ly/v3nhr
@GeorgieP | July 04, 2009 12:29 PM -
@mcflyharry Harry!- i want to ask you something- why don't you want to come Israel? we are all love you so much! just why?- please replay me
@Gal1DD1 | July 04, 2009 12:29 PM -
Today I am giving my former wife a going away party; she moves to Israel July 27. Amazing.
@alanweinkrantz | July 04, 2009 12:27 PM
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Israel Recent News | Add a Link
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Int'l Herald Tribune: Israel hopes to complete Gaza troop withdrawal by Tuesday
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BBC News: No deal in Israel coalition talks
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Al Jazeera English: Livni wins Israel final vote tally
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Los Angeles Times: Israel election: Centrist Kadima party narrowly wins...
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The New York Times: Israel and Hamas Rebuff U.N. Cease-Fire Call
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WeltOnline: Israel rejects U.N. resolution, pounds Gaza
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The Los Angeles Times: Israel shows interest in 48-hour Gaza truce
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CBS News: Israel Defends Gaza Attacks
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USA Today: U.S. calls for 'cease-fire' as Israel pounds Gaza (December 29. 2008)
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ABC News: Israel Sends Aid to Gaza Amid Invasion Fears
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BBC News: Israel to ease blockade of Gaza
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AFP: Israel brands Gaza 'hostile entity' as Rice visits
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WashingtonPost.com: Netanyahu, Livni Locked in Tight Race
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HuffingtonPost: Israeli Election Results: Kadima Ahead in Exit Polls
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BBC NEWS: Polls close in Israeli election
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Reuters: TIMELINE - Israeli-Hamas violence since ceasefire ended
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Al Jazeera: Who will save the Palestinians?
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FOXNews.com: Israeli Cabinet to Vote Saturday on Proposal to Halt Gaza Attacks
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CNN.com: Agreement made on Gaza cease-fire resolution, diplomats say
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USA Today: Thousands take to the streets to protest Israel's air assault
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The Jerusalem Post: Ashkenazi: IDF prepared for Gaza
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CNN: Bush calls for 'painful' Mideast concessions
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Int'l Herald Tribune: Israel hopes to complete Gaza troop withdrawal by Tuesday
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Questions and Answers About Israel | View All | Ask a Question
View All Israel Questions (40) | Ask a QuestionAnybody got a holiday home in Ireland for rent at a great rate or know where I can find one? (1 Answer)I can't rent you a location, but I can suggest that you look into maybe renting a room at a B&B. The litter Ireland and are very inexpensive, they also ... read moreWho are the good guys in the Israel / Gaza war? (15 Answers)http://www.cbsnews.com/images/2009/01/07/image4703865.gif Ooo, I don't think it's that easy to just choose sides. Israel is fighting Hamas, who are the radical political group (democratically elected) who control the Gaza Strip. In ... read more
Ask a Question about Israel 140 characters
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Israel on Amazon | View All
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New 3x5 Israeli Flag National Flags of Country Israel - $19.99
The flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the state's establishment. It depicts a blue Star of David on a white background, between two horizontal blue stripes. The blue color is mandated only as "dark sky-blue" ...
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Israel Grounded Adapter Plug - GUL - $7.75
Grounded Adaptor plug changes your appliance plug to fit Israeli outlets...
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Israel: Birth of a Nation - $24.95
Sir Martin Gilbert hosts this compelling look at Israel's first three years, featuring never-before-seen footage and eyewitness accounts of the nation's birth. <table cellpadding="4" border="0" cellspac...
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The Late Great State of Israel: How Enemies Within and Without Threaten the Jewish Nation's Survival - $25.95
Israel is dying. And those responsible are not just the terrorists plotting its destruction, but also the political elites within its borders.Drawing on in-the-field reporting and research that has brought him to the front lines of the Midd...
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Facing Future - $16.99
There's a smart balance of traditional Hawaiiana and contemporary tunes on this CD. There's heart-tugging warmth along with unexpected chuckles. The end result is a candid, honest reinforcement of his vocal breadth.
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Israel Government and Politics | Add a Link
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Israel Maps and Geography

- Merriam-Webster's Atlas: Map of Israel
- My Israel Source: Israel Geography
- Geology.com: Israel Map
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