History of Israel

History of Israel

Israel is a country in the Middle East, bordered by Syria, Jordan, Egypt, and Lebanon. Its history goes back thousands of years and is long and complex. 

Ancient History

A people called Canaanites were one of the earliest known inhabitants of Israel. Small city-states formed on which they lived, and their religion was of nature worship. In about 1800 BCE, the Israelites, led by Abraham, emigrated from Mesopotamia to Canaan. One God they believed in and, as God's chosen people, became a very strong sense of identity. In the 11 century BCE, the tribes of Israel made a kingdom united under King Saul. The two future kings, King David and his son Solomon, then led the captivity by taking and expanding the territory they controlled, during the reigns of King David and his son Solomon, and these two future kings also built the first temple Jerusalem.

Conquest and Exile

Three centuries later, in 722 BCE, the Assyrians conquered the northern kingdom of Israel and scattered its people throughout their empire. Conquered in 586 BCE by the Babylonians, the southern kingdom of Judah survived another few hundred years before that collapse. It marked the start of the time when Babylon exiled many Jews and made them live among them in Babylon.

Return and Revolt

In 539 BCE, Babylon fell to the Persians, who let the Jews return to the land. After being conquered by Persian rule, they rebuilt their temple and their religious practices. But this period was brief, as the Greeks, again at the head of Alexander the Great, conquered Israel in 332 BCE. After Alexander's death, they divided the empire, and Israel became the province of the Seleucid Dynasty. The Maccabees led a revolt against the oppressive grasp of rule and got Jerusalem back under their thumb.

The Roman Rule and Jewish Diaspora

Israel was subject to Roman rule when the empire expanded in 63 BCE. The Jews had a certain amount of autonomy, but in 66 CE, the Romans put an end to that when a major revolt broke out against Roman rule. It was ultimately suppressed in 70 CE with the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

Jewish Diaspora 

The Second Temple in Jerusalem, sacred to Jews, was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE. This is where the Jewish diaspora — when Jews are forced out of their homeland to settle elsewhere — began. Persecuted and discriminated against for decades, they were able to hold onto their cultural identity and traditions.

Zionism 

In the last part of the 19th century, Zionism was the name of a movement to create a Jewish state in Palestine (today's Israel). It took off after World War I when Britain assumed rule over Palestine from the Ottoman Empire. In 1947, the United Nations gave its blessing to a plan to share Palestine as a Jewish state and an Arab state. The outcome was the founding of Israel on May 14, 1948.

Arab-Israeli Conflict 

When many Arab countries started to establish the state of Israel, they opposed it because they believed that the land was theirs. The outcome led to a series of conflicts between Israel and its neighboring countries, including the Arab-Israeli War in 1948 and the Six-Day War in 1967.The conflicts have separated Israelis and Palestinians and have caused them to suffer and to be displaced.

Etymology 

Israel comes from the Bible and the Hebrew words for "The Struggle with God" and "God perseveres." That importance is reflected by religion in the history and the country's identity. Israel is a diverse nation nowadays; it has a population of Jews, Arabs, Christians and other Groups.

Bronze and Iron Ages 

There was the Empire of the Egyptian New Kingdom, the Hittites, then Assyrians, Babylonians, the Persians, and the Greeks, all of whom ruled over Israel in the Bronze and Iron Ages. During these very periods, great structures, such as King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, were constructed, and new cultural influences were spread. 

Classical antiquity 

The Greeks brought Greek culture to the region when, in the 4th century BCE, their conqueror Alexander the Great captured Israel. Following his death, Israel became a part of the Seleucid Empire. In this period, Judaism had come under the oppression of Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The result was the Maccabean Revolt, during which Jews won brief Jewish independence. 

Roman and Byzantine rule 

The Roman Empire conquered Israel in 63 BCE, which stayed under the Romans' control for a while. But in 313 CE, Constantine the Great officially made Christianity an empire religion, marking an end to Judaism. This was also a time of many important events in Israel: the birth of Jesus Christ and the spreading of Christianity.

Late antiquity and the medieval period

Following the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Israel was under domination by a series of Islamic empires, including the Umayyads and the Abbasids. This time then made Jerusalem a site holding holy ground for Muslims and Christians, and conflicts over who would control the city ensued. During the Crusades of the 11th century, Christians were trying to win back control of Jerusalem before Muslims eventually triumphed. 

Modern period

Growing anti-Semitism made way for a great wave of Jewish immigration to Palestine in the 19th century. The latter ultimately resulted in the formation of Zionism—and Israel as a Jewish state. Since then, the country has been constantly at war with their Arab neighbours but has witnessed great development in technology, agriculture, tourism, etc. 

British Mandate for Palestine 

As a mandate in Palestine, we were occupied by the 'League of Nations after World War I. This was met with opposition. Arabs and Jews both had different aspirations for the region. Both groups had tension because the British tried to limit Jewish immigration. 

Current status 

Israel is a booming nation with a strong economy and diverse populace. Even though it faces challenges and conflicts, it still tries to achieve peace and interaction with its neighbours. And the country has stayed true to its ancient roots.

State of Israel 

The first Prime Minister of Israel, David Ben, declared the State of Israel on May 14, 1948. This was a milestone in Jewish history as an earthly dream of a land for the Jewish people, was realized. However, this has also caused conflict with Arab nations and is still an issue. 

Establishment and early years 

Early years of independence for Israel were also characterized by a war with its Arab neighbours, as well as accommodating an influx of Jewish immigrants. It also saw advancements in agriculture, technology, and education. Today, it is a developed nation with a very high standard of living and remains a pioneer in innovation and technology. 

Arab–Israeli conflict 

This conflict has been extending since the establishment of Israel, and more than one war and clash has gone through between the sides. The main roots of the conflict are disputes over whose land it was and differences in religion. Despite peace negotiations having been made, it still very much insists on a violent region.

Peace process 

Over the last few years, the Arab-Israeli conflict has been the subject of several tries to resolve it through diplomacy and negotiation. Nevertheless, none of them made these efforts to bring a long-lasting solution. The way to peace in the region is still a never-ending journey.

21st century 

Israel is experiencing terrorism and the continuing settling of issues with neighboring countries in the 21st century. However, it has also developed greatly in several sectors, enough to be known as a powerful country in the Middle East. Israel is still home to so much innovation and technology and wrestles with their problems politically and socially to this very day. 

Geography 

Israel, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is a very small country with varied topography sampled from mountains, valleys and deserts. Lebanon is located to the north, while Syria and Jordan are to the east. Gaza and the West Bank are to the west, while Egypt is to the southwest. Along its eastern border is the Dead Sea, with its high salt concentration, therapeutic properties, and generous sharing of bits and pieces of its neighbors with us.

Tectonics and seismicity 

Due to being on a Dead Sea Transform Fault, Israel is prone to earthquakes. A major earthquake hit the country in 1927, damaging the country and resulting in a big loss of life. After that, Israel implemented strict safety rules on which buildings can be built and on what safety measures should be taken to minimize the impact of future earthquakes.

Climate 

Israel experiences short, mild, rainy winters and long, hot, dry summers due to its Mediterranean climate. In the southern regions, deserts experience extremely high temperatures and minimal rainfall. In contrast, areas closer to the mountains receive more precipitation and tend to be cooler than other parts of the country.

Government and politics 

The legislative body of Israel operates under a semi-presidential parliamentary system, featuring a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The country is famous for its continuous vibrant democracy with free and fair elections at regular intervals. Nevertheless, Israel's political landscape is complex: It's a nation of diverse people and wars are still being fought.

Administrative divisions 

Jerusalem is split into six administrative districts; the biggest and most crowded is Jerusalem. The country also hosts over 100 municipalities ruled by their local government. Land and resources division continues to be a hugely controversial issue in Israel, like the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Israeli citizenship law 

One of the requirements one must satisfy to become a citizen of Israel is a citizenship test and residency requirements. Every Jewish person in the world has the right to immigrate to Israel and obtain citizenship automatically. Some Palestinians displaced when the state was founded have criticized this, however.

Israeli-occupied territories 

Since the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel has occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and claims that there are disputes over control and ownership of land. The United Nations regard these territories as under Israeli military occupation, but Israel says it has legitimate claims to the land.

International opinion 

Around the world, there has been much controversy about the resolution of Israel and its conflicts. Israel has strong Western allies but strong Middle East opponents to its (very) existence. The Arab-Israeli conflict still calls for reactions from an international community that is trying to deal with the problem through a peaceful solution.

Accusations of Apartheid 

In recent years, much has been made of the fact that Israel has been running apartheid policies towards Palestinians in the occupied territories. Critics say Israeli settlements are built in the same way, and roadblocks impede Palestinian movement and access to resources, as was the apartheid system in South Africa.

Foreign relations 

To an extent, Israel is viewed as part of the whole, joining many countries throughout the world, such as the United States of America and Europe. But its ties with neighboring Arab countries remain tense as conflicts have continued. In recent years, Israel has also been strengthening ties with other non-Arab countries of Asia and Africa.

Foreign aid 

From the United States and other countries, Israel has received great amounts of foreign aid. This aid has been used to help absorb a large number of Jewish immigrants and in furtherance of both military and economic purposes. But it has also faced criticism from those who say its use is contributing to an ongoing conflict with Palestinians.

Military 

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the military organization that has served Israel since its establishment. Made up by ground, navy, and air forces and with mandatory military service for both men and women. The IDF is famous for its weaponry, technology, and highly trained soldiers.

Legal system 

Israel's legal system combines Ottoman Turkish, British and Jewish law. Its courts comprise civil and religious courts, dealing with the religious personal status of Jews, Muslims and Christians, such as marriage and divorce. Israel's Supreme Court is the nation's highest judicial authority.

Economy 

Regarding the economy, Israel is one of the world's most developed and technologically advanced nations and recognizes science, technology, and entrepreneurship. The country's economy is also diverse as it includes high-tech industries, agriculture, and tourism to contribute to its GDP.

Science and technology 

Israel is growing in its progressions in science and innovation, to some degree in drugs, farming, and cybersecurity. The country has given us a huge number of Nobel Prize winners and houses many successful startups and research institutions.

Energy 

Israel's natural resources are small, so the energy sources are heavily imported. Nevertheless, it has spent a lot to develop renewable energy, starting with solar energy, and wants to become more self-sufficient in this segment.

Transport 

The country's transportation system is well developed, including highways, railways, and ports, to link it internationally and domestically. The main international airports are at Ben-Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, and the smaller ones are for domestic flights.

Tourism 

Millions of visitors come to Israel yearly, which accounts for a big portion of the economy. It is known for its beautiful beaches and natural land and features historical and religious sites for Jews, Christians and Muslims. Tourism to Israel has also suffered from the lasting conflicts in the region.

Real estate 

Israel's real estate market is competitive and dynamic, with buoyant demand for residential and commercial premises. Addressing affordability, land scarcity, and access to basic building finance should directly contribute to achieving the construction sector's potential in the country's economy.

Demographics

Apart from being Jewish, which is the largest ethnic group in Israel, there are Arabs. The country is home to several minority communities, such as Druze, Bedouin, and Circassian.

Major urban areas 

Located in the heart of Tel Aviv, Israel's largest and most populous city, it is today famous for its energetic cultural atmosphere and economic activity. Jews, Christians, and Muslims all believe Jerusalem is of religious importance and it's a major tourist hot spot. Other major urban areas include Haifa, Be'er Shiva (or Beer Shiva), and Netanya.

Language 

Israeli Hebrew is the most spoken and official language of Israel, with most speaking it as their first language. The people of the Arab world speak Arabic, which is one of their official languages. But Russian, Amharic and French are other commonly spoken languages of Israel.

Religion 

The religion followed is Judaism, followed by an overwhelming majority of the population, including Islam, Christianity, Druze, and many other religious groups. Religion and politics in Israel are heavily influenced by religious identity. Some religious communities are further given special legal status in the country.

Education 

Israel boasts a very good education system; nearly all children attend primary and secondary school. It is a literary country with several well-known universities in the country, such as the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and the Technicon - Israel Institute of Technology.

Culture 

It has a very diverse and rich culture through the several races and the history Israel lies to. There are traditional Jewish customs and celebrations here, in addition to the modern arts, music, and culinary scene. 

Literature

The history of Hebrew literature goes back to antiquity. Hebrew literature is modern and contains works of both native Israelis and Jewish immigrants. There are Israeli authors who have been internationally recognized for a long time, and their work has also been translated into various languages.

Music and dance 

Israeli culture boasts music and dance parts with Jewish and Middle Eastern impacts. Klezmer is a popular studio genre along with Mizrahi music and the Israeli folk dance 'hora.' There are several music festivals in the country as well.

Cinema and theatre 

Israel boasts an ever-growing film industry that has produced such critically acclaimed directors as Amos Gitai and Ari Folman. It also has a flourishing theatre scene—traditional Jewish plays and contemporary works.

Arts 

The art of Israel blends traditional and modern elements. One of the world's largest collections of Jewish art is housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, while modern art in Tel Aviv is busy.

Architecture

Israel's architecture combines ancient with modern and is greatly influenced by civilizations that, throughout history, have walked (or driven) through its lands. In Tel Aviv, you can see plenty of Bauhaus-style buildings, also called "International Style", that is why it's widely referred to as "The White City".

Media 

Israel has a diverse media landscape that includes both private and public outlets. The country's newspapers, television channels, and radio stations cover almost all spheres of life, from politics and finance to entertainment. But Israelis also turn to social media for incredibly skewed news and to stay connected.

Museums 

Numerous museums in Israel provide insights into the country’s rich history and culture. In Jerusalem, the Israel Museum, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, and the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial are the most visited museums.

Cuisine 

The cuisine of Israel combines many different traditions from Culinary Middle Eastern, Mediterranean as well as Ashkenazi Jewish. The highly popular falafel, hummus, shakshuka, or schnitzel are instantly catapulted into small batches and served to every customer, whether alone or in large groups. The country has a very active wine industry, a few of which are great for their award wins.

Sports 

Football (soccer) is among the most popular sports in Israel and a widely enjoyed pastime. They also enjoy basketball, tennis and swimming. The country has also produced Olympic medalists and world champions.

Environmental sustainability 

It is known that Israel employs innovative approaches to achieve environmental sustainability. The country's used technologies like desalination plants and drip irrigation systems and has been a water conservation and management leader. Israel also hopes to reach renewable energy goals, making it more self-sufficient in solar power and other renewable sources.