Israel
Zionism
Zionism is the national self-determination movement of the Jewish people. Zionism calls for the return of the Jewish Nation to Israel. The modern political movement was founded by Theodor Herzl in the late 1800s, when he became appalled at the blatant anti-Semitism prevalent in France.
Political Zionism has the same aims as - although the means are different to - its religious counterpart, which has been a core belief of Judaism for Judaism's two millennia of exile.
The following is an excellent resource containing more details and articles about Zionism:
Israel: A Brief History
130 years ago, when much of Ottoman Palestine was barren marshland, the first Zionist pioneers settled. They lived alongside their Arab neighbours, where they drained swamps and built roads & infrastructure. Simultaneously, the Jewish National Fund bought land off absentee landowners and used it for kibbutz agriculture and the settlement of towns and cities, such as Tel Aviv and Rishon L'Zion.
With the passage of time and successive aliyot (ascensions), the infrastructure necessary for a country was established, with schools, hospitals and local government institutions being run by the Jewish Agency and the Histadrut trade union. The yishuv media was also established.
David Ben-Gurion reads the Proclamation of the State of Israel, Tel Aviv Museum With the approval of the UN Partition Plan in 1947 and the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel (Listen) in 1948, the State of Israel was established out of the ashes of the Holocaust, ending the British Mandate. The Jewish National Home was a reality, with David Ben-Gurion the first Prime Minister.
Immediately following her establishment, Israel was attacked by her Arab neighbours, yet the fledgling state was able to fend off her enemies and win the War of Independence, with crucial territorial gains. Wars were again raged against Israel in 1956, 1967 and 1973, yet these attacks were all unsuccessful. Israel has since established peace with Egypt and Jordan.
Modern-day Israel
Corner of Allenby and Rotschild streets, Tel AvivModern-day Israel, with its feats and inadequacies, is a vibrant democracy and a land of fantastic diversity. Wedged in the Middle East and at the crossroads of Africa, Asia and Europe, the country is an eclectic mix of Middle Eastern and European cultures.
Israel has a flourishing technological sector and is the world leader in irrigation and desalination technologies. Intel computer chips are developed in Israel.
The country's business and financial hub is in Tel Aviv, while her religious and political centre is Jerusalem. Eilat is a popular destination for European holidaymakers.
Israeli Culture
Because of the large variety of countries from which Israel draws its citizens, the society is rich in cultural diversity and artistic creativity.
Ben Yehuda Street, JerusalemDespite the security risks they face, Israelis love nightlife and to shop & eat out. The unofficial national foods are hummos and shwarma. (Not to generalise!)
The Israeli film industry is experiencing a revival, with films such as Walk On Water and Yossi & Jagger being recent international hits. If you want a taste of the action, the AICE hosts the Israeli Film Festival in Sydney and Melbourne each year.
The Israel Museum, Jerusalem covers every aspect of the small country in great detail. Mandatory conscription means that Army service is a prominent cultural aspect.
Demographics
Israeli has a population of 6.8 million, with its citizens being drawn from almost every country on earth, making Israel one of the most multicultural countries in the world.
| Religion |
% of population
|
|---|---|
| Jewish |
76.4
|
| Muslim |
16.9
|
| Christian |
2.1
|
| Druze |
1.6
|
| Unclassified |
3.8
|
| Total |
100
|
