History - Facts about Israel
This section covers the history of the State of Israel and of the British Mandate of Palestine. I will concentrate on the events that caused a change in borders, illustrating the above changes with maps whenever possible.
Since there's so much to cover, I might skip certain events or be extremely short on the description of others - I will then link to other sites that might go into more details.
I have to start somewhere, so I'll start just after the First World War, where a major territorial change occurs: the French and the English now occupy the Middle East which previously was part of the Ottoman Empire.
Since there's so much to cover, I might skip certain events or be extremely short on the description of others - I will then link to other sites that might go into more details.
I have to start somewhere, so I'll start just after the First World War, where a major territorial change occurs: the French and the English now occupy the Middle East which previously was part of the Ottoman Empire.
1918 - The British Palestine Mandate
So it's 1918, the end of the First World War, which France and England have just won: among other things the French get the northern part of the Middle East, where today we have Lebanon and Syria, while the English now have the Palestine Mandate (show below in blue and yellow).
Please note that the above is not a Palestinian State, it is a region controlled by the English, called the Palestine Mandate - both Arab and Jewish residents live in this area.
1922 - Jordan becomes independent
In 1922, Transjordan (later the State of Jordan) is created in 75% of the Palestine British Mandate. What remains of the Palestine British Mandate is outlined below in blue:
1947 - A United Nations resolution on two States
Now, in 1947, things start to get interesting. The U.N. votes on the creation of two States: one for the Jewish inhabitants of the Palestine Mandate, and a second one for the Arab inhabitants. The Jewish residents accept, but the Arabs and Palestinians refuse the two State solution and the 1948 war is under way.
1948 - Israel's war of Independance
After Israel declared its independence in May of 1948, the Arabs living in the Palestine Mandate (today's Palestinians) and the Arab States refuse the two state compromise and declare war on the new Jewish State. Armies from Lebanon, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt attack the new Jewish State as shown below:
Israel wins its war of Independence and the Palestinians miss their first chance on getting a State of their own. The borders of 1948 are shown below with Israel outlined in green, while the West Bank (under Jordan control) and Gaza (under Egyptian control) are shown in brown:
Palestinian Refugees
During Israel's war of independance and after Israel won the war and became a reality, some Arab residents left Israel and moved to the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq and Egypt:
After over 50 years, none of the above Arab States have yet given citizenship to some of these Palestinians, causing the refugee problem - they live in camps with few or no rights (see stats for more information on the numbers).
A Muslim woman votes
in the Israeli Elections
It is ironic to note that Palestinians that stayed in Israel have rights: they received full Israeli citizenship. As of 2/2002 there were 980,000 Arab Israeli Citizens (mostly Muslim, some are Christian) who have the right to vote and have parties of their own represented in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. It is also ironic to note that neither Jordan nor Egypt gave the Palestinians the option of an independant state, but Israel did in October 2000 (more on that later).
1956 - Suez Canal War
The 1948 armistice held up until the war of 1956: raids and reprisals between the Arabs and Israel, and Egypt's seizure of the Suez Canal, led to Israel's invasion of the Sinai Peninsula. While French and British troops took control of the canal, the Israelis took Gaza and Sharm el Sheikh at the tip of the Sinai Peninsula that controls access to the Gulf of Aqaba and the Indian Ocean. Israel withdrew in 1957 after its access to the gulf was guaranteed by the United Nations. Since no major territory changes occured I won't show any maps.
1967 - The Six Day War
The next major war occured in 1967, also known as the six day war. I have family and friends who lived through the period leading up to the war, and they thought that this was going to be the end of Israel and its Jewish citizens - the fear was immense.
In May 1967, Egypt closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping and began mobilizing its forces to attack Israel. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq also mobilized and sent troops. In response, Israel launched a strike. Starting June 5, the Israeli air force destroyed Egypt's planes on the ground. Enabled by air superiority throughout the region, Israeli tank columns and infantry captured the Sinai Peninsula in three days. Elsewhere, the Israelis overran the Golan Heights, the West Bank, including the Old City of Jerusalem, and Gaza as shown below:
In May 1967, Egypt closed the Gulf of Aqaba to Israeli shipping and began mobilizing its forces to attack Israel. Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Iraq also mobilized and sent troops. In response, Israel launched a strike. Starting June 5, the Israeli air force destroyed Egypt's planes on the ground. Enabled by air superiority throughout the region, Israeli tank columns and infantry captured the Sinai Peninsula in three days. Elsewhere, the Israelis overran the Golan Heights, the West Bank, including the Old City of Jerusalem, and Gaza as shown below:
Note that from 1948 to 1967 both the West Bank and Gaza were not under Israeli administration. The West Bank was administered by Jordan, yet no Palestinian State was created. Similarly, the Gaza strip was under Egyptian control, yet no Palestinian State came into being. Also note that the amount of territory gained by Israel is relatively big, specially the Sinai Peninsula (4 times the size of existing Israel).
Unfortunately, after initating another war and being defeated once again by the Israeli army, the Arab/Muslims still did not accept the existence of Israel and wish for peace. The Khartoum Arab Summit in 1967 took place one month after the six days war and resulted in three NOs: NO peace with Israel, NO recognition of Israel, and NO negotiations with Israel.
1973 - The Yom Kipur War
The next war occured in 1973 when the Arab States attacked Israel by surprise on the holiest day of the year for Jews: Yom Kipur. This is a day where even many non-religious jews choose to fast as their orthodox counterparts do. Israel won this war as well, but many Israelis lost their lives - again since no major territory changes occured I won't show a map.
1978 - Peace with Egypt!
The next major change in the region occured not after a war, but after peace! In 1978, Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty that formally ended the state of war that had existed between them for 30 years.
The Sinai was bigger than Israel itself and contained oil reserves but in return for Egypt's recognition of Israel's right to exist, Israel returned it to Egypt.
It is also interesting to note that Israel wanted to return the Gaza Strip as well (since Egypt occupied it between 1948 and 1967), but Egypt refused.
1982 - The Lebanon War
After numerous terrorist attacks from Arafat's PLO against Israeli civilians living in the North, Israel entered Lebanon and created a security zone, as shown below:
During the Lebanon war, the massacre of Sabra and Shatila occured: a Lebanese Phalangist militia murdered hundreds of Palestinians (estimates vary between 460 to 800 victims). click here for more details.
Israel pulled out of the security zone on May 24, 2000 - unfortunately, this pullout was not achieved after a peace treaty with Lebanon and Syria, but was an unilateral move on Israel's part. For more information on the Lebanon War, check this page.
Israel pulled out of the security zone on May 24, 2000 - unfortunately, this pullout was not achieved after a peace treaty with Lebanon and Syria, but was an unilateral move on Israel's part. For more information on the Lebanon War, check this page.
In 1991, during the Gulf War, Sadam Hussein and Iraq
fired Scud missiles on Israeli civilian centers.
Israel never retaliated.
1993 - The Oslo Peace Process
In the beggining of the 90's the Oslo peace process between Palestinians and Israel got underway and in the next few years after a series of negotiations, the Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza finally got some taste of independance (given to them by Israel). Although a State has not been declared, for the first time in history an authonomy exists for Palestinians as shown below:
1994 - Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty!
Another major breakthrough happened in 1994 when King Hussein, representing Jordan, and Ytzhak Rabin, representing Israel, signed a peace treaty. This brought the number of Arab countries that recognized Israel and now have diplomatic relations with the Jewish country to two (Egypt and Jordan). Let's hope more will follow! Click here to see the announcement on Israel's gov. site or click here to get the details from the Jordanian's perspective.
October 2000 - Palestinians reject an independent Palestinian State
In October of 2000 with the help of President Clinton, Palestinian Chairman Arafat and Israel's prime minister Ehud Barak tried to reach a final agreement in Camp David. In exchange for peace, Israel offered Arafat an independent Palestinian State, 95% of the West Bank and Gaza and half of Jerusalem as shown below:
The Palestinian response was negative. The talks broke down because of Jerusalem and the Palestinian right of return with no agreement reached.
October 2000 until today - Palestinian Terror
When Arafat refused Barak's offer, the Palestinians missed their second chance for an independent Palestinian State, and decided instead to continue their armed struggle through terrorist attacks against civilians. These attacks include random shootings against women, children and passers-by in any street in Israel or suicide bombers who attach kilograms of explosives to their bodies and blow themselves up in malls or busy streets.
For a list of victims of Palestinian terrorism, click here, and for a list of homicide bombings executed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Arafat's Al-Aksa brigades, click here.
For a list of victims of Palestinian terrorism, click here, and for a list of homicide bombings executed by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and Arafat's Al-Aksa brigades, click here.
May 2003 - The "Roadmap" to peace
In May 2003, the United States, the European Union, the United Nations, and Russia, released a "roadmap to peace" between the State of Israel and the Palestinians. I quote the introduction:
The following is a performance-based and goal-driven roadmap, with clear phases, timelines, target dates, and benchmarks aiming at progress through reciprocal steps by the two parties in the political, security, economic, humanitarian, and institution-building fields, under the auspices of the Quartet [the United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia]. The destination is a final and comprehensive settlement of the Israel-Palestinian conflict by 2005, as presented in President Bush’s speech of 24 June, and welcomed by the EU, Russia and the UN in the 16 July and 17 September Quartet Ministerial statements.
A two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will only be achieved through an end to violence and terrorism, when the Palestinian people have a leadership acting decisively against terror and willing and able to build a practicing democracy based on tolerance and liberty [...]
So far, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Hamas, and Arafat's Al-Aksa brigades have rejected the roadmap and responded with homicide bombings and the deliberate murder of Israeli women and children. It's too early to tell, but one thing is clear: unless the Palestinians realize that such racist violence will lead them nowhere, the "roadmap" will be blocked and its implementation will be impossible. Under these circumstances, there will be no peace, and there will be no Palestinian State.
For the full text of the "roadmap to peace", click here.
For the full text of the "roadmap to peace", click here.
August 2005 - Israel moves out of the Gaza Strip
In August 2005, Israel decided to move out all of its troops and citizens out of the Gaza strip. Removing the Jewish communities from the Gaza Strip and northern Samaria meant:
■ 42 day-care centers, 36 kindergartens, seven elementary schools, and three high schools were closed
■ 5,000 schoolchildren needed to find new schools
■ 38 synagogues were dismantled
■ 166 Israeli farmers lost their livelihoods - plus some 5,000 of their Palestinian workers
■ 48 graves in the Gush Katif Cemetery, including those of six residents murdered by terrorists, were exhumed and moved to Israel.
Disengagement cost Israel an estimated $2 billion - about 3.5 percent of the 2005 state budget.
■ The cost of family relocation alone was estimated to be nearly $1 billion. This came from an annual state budget of about $59 billion.
■ In addition, the IDF spent some $500 million to remove military bases and equipment from the Gaza Strip.
■ To cite just one example of the costs entailed, the demolition and removal of rubble from some 3,000 homes and public buildings cost an estimated $25 million.
■ In the context of Israel’s 2005 state budget, the estimated $2b. cost of disengagement was equivalent to about half the country's annual health budget or approximately one third of the budget for education.
It is important to note that Israel decided to get out of Gaza unilaterally. This was not the result of a peace treaty with the Palestinians, but was a decision by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his cabinet: they came to the conclusion that it is in Israel's interest to remove its troops and citizens from Gaza.
It took a few days for the Israeli Army and Police to remove over 9,000 civilians in 21 different towns. My thoughts were with the families moving out of Gaza and the young soldiers and policemen that had to confront them.
It took a few days for the Israeli Army and Police to remove over 9,000 civilians in 21 different towns. My thoughts were with the families moving out of Gaza and the young soldiers and policemen that had to confront them.
A map of the Israeli towns that were evacuated by
the Israeli army as part of the "Gaza Disengagement plan"
Click here for more information on the "Gaza Disengagement Plan", or click here for an article that shows why it was a good idea for Israel to move out of the Gaza strip.
Democracy
"Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East" - this sentence is often heard, but what does it really mean? While desiging FactsOfIsrael.com I had to ask myself the above question, and I did some research to come up with an answer.
Raymod Aron, a contemporary french philosopher, describes in his "Introduction a la philosophie politique" 4 main ingredients that are needed in a true Democracy. I will describe those ideas and see how they are applicable in the case of the State of Israel.
In a Democracy, the idea of freedom is introduced. Furthermore, 4 different ideas of freedom are needed:
In a Democracy, the idea of freedom is introduced. Furthermore, 4 different ideas of freedom are needed:
Political freedom
To have political freedom is to be able to participate in elections or to be part of the ruling party. On 2/2002 Israel had 15 parties in the "Knesset", its parliament. Every Israeli citizen has the right to vote or to be a candidate, including its 980,000 Muslim citizens.
Israel has an electoral system based on country-wide proportional representation. For the purpose of elections Israel is a single voting area, and the number of seats each party receives in the Knesset is determined on the basis of its proportion of the total vote. The only limitation is the 1.5% qualifying threshold, by which a party must receive at least 1.5% of the vote to be elected. According to this system, the voters elect a party slate and not a particular candidate.
Israel has an electoral system based on country-wide proportional representation. For the purpose of elections Israel is a single voting area, and the number of seats each party receives in the Knesset is determined on the basis of its proportion of the total vote. The only limitation is the 1.5% qualifying threshold, by which a party must receive at least 1.5% of the vote to be elected. According to this system, the voters elect a party slate and not a particular candidate.
The Knesset in solidarity with the U.S.
after the heinous 9/11 attacks
Below we can see the results of the last 1999 elections. I also include a description of all parties from the Israeli political spectrum, the party lists, the left, the center and the right, the religious parties, the Sephardic (immigrants from Northern Africa) parties, the Immigrant parties, the Arab Parties and more. Note that the Israeli political spectrum changes extremely fast, click here for example to get details on the parties running in 1996.
None of Israel's Arab neighboors have free democratic elections (Mauritahnia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia - see maps for locations).
None of Israel's Arab neighboors have free democratic elections (Mauritahnia, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Kahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Djibouti, Somalia - see maps for locations).
Party
|
Percentage
|
Number of Votes
|
Mandates
(120 Total) |
20.20%
|
670484
|
26
| |
14.10%
|
468103
|
19
| |
13%
|
430676
|
17
| |
7.60%
|
253525
|
10
| |
5.10%
|
171705
|
6
| |
5%
|
167748
|
6
| |
5%
|
165622
|
6
| |
4.20%
|
140307
|
5
| |
3.70%
|
125741
|
5
| |
3.40%
|
114810
|
5
| |
3%
|
100181
|
4
| |
2.60%
|
87022
|
3
| |
2.60%
|
86153
|
4
| |
1.90%
|
66103
|
2
| |
1.90%
|
64143
|
2
|
Figures taken from the Knesset's web site Here's a description of most Israeli parties that passed the 1.5% qualifying threshold in the 1999 elections. I will describe the parties going from left to right of the political spectrum.
Quick note: in Israel, the terms 'right' and 'left' seldom refer to economics or the welfare system. 'Right' usually means approaching negotiations with suspicion and supporting settlements in the disputed lands. 'Left' means a good-hearted eagerness to negotiate with the Palestinians, an attitude that may be revived eventually but in October 2002 is so unpopular that it seems almost quaint.
United Arab List:: (5 mandates) An Arab party which includes Abdel Wahab Darawshe, who had been a member of the Labor Party. In the elections to the 14th Knesset it ran together with part of the Islamic Movement, and together they won four seats.
Quick note: in Israel, the terms 'right' and 'left' seldom refer to economics or the welfare system. 'Right' usually means approaching negotiations with suspicion and supporting settlements in the disputed lands. 'Left' means a good-hearted eagerness to negotiate with the Palestinians, an attitude that may be revived eventually but in October 2002 is so unpopular that it seems almost quaint.
United Arab List:: (5 mandates) An Arab party which includes Abdel Wahab Darawshe, who had been a member of the Labor Party. In the elections to the 14th Knesset it ran together with part of the Islamic Movement, and together they won four seats.
Mahameed, an Arab Muslim
Member of Israel's Parliament
National Alliance:: (2 mandates) An Arab party formed before the elections to the 14th Knesset. It demands that Israel become a state of all its citizens, rather than define itself as a Jewish state. In the elections to the 14th Knesset it ran together with Hadash and had two Knesset seats.
Democratic Front:: (3 mandates) The Israel Communist Party, together with other political groups. A predominantly Arab party, though No. 3 on its list is a Jewish woman. In the elections to the 14th Knesset (1996) it ran together with Balad and together they won 5 seats.
Democratic Front:: (3 mandates) The Israel Communist Party, together with other political groups. A predominantly Arab party, though No. 3 on its list is a Jewish woman. In the elections to the 14th Knesset (1996) it ran together with Balad and together they won 5 seats.
Yossi Sarid
Leader of the Meretz Party
Meretz:: (10 mandates) A left-wing Zionist party, which places emphasis on human rights, social welfare, the separation of religion and state, and the peace process. It was formed through the merging of three parties: Ratz (Citizens' Rights, established by Shulamit Aloni), the socialist Mapam, and the liberal Shinui. In the 14th Knesset (1996) it had nine seats.
Shimon Peres
Leader of the Labor Party
Labor Party: - part of One Israel (26 mandates). A social-democratic party, with roots going back to the early days of Zionism. Its recent leaders were Yitzhak Rabin and Shimon Peres. Under the leadership of Ehud Barak, Israel's previous prime minister, it redefined itself as "New Labor." It had 34 seats in the 14th Knesset (1996) and ran in the elections to the 15th Knesset in the framework of "One Israel" -- an alignment with Gesher and Meimad.
David Levy
Leader of the Gesher Party
Gesher: - part of One Israel (26 mandates). An ethnic Moroccan party formed before the elections to the 14th Knesset (1996) by David Levy, formerly a prominent member of the Likud. In the elections to the 14th Knesset it ran in a single list with the Likud and Tsomet, and was represented in the Knesset by four members. It was a member of the 14th Knesset government, but left it. In the elections to the 15th Knesset it ran in a single list with Labor and Meimad.
Meimad: - part of One Israel (26 mandates). A moderate national-religious party formed before the elections to the 13th Knesset. Meimad is a dovish party which favors a modification of the religious status quo. In the elections to the 13th Knesset (1992) it failed to pass the 1.5% qualifying threshold. It ran in the elections to the 15th Knesset (1999) in a single list, One Israel, with Labor and Gesher.
Center Party: (6 mandates). A new centrist party, most of whose founding members left the Likud, but which was joined by several former members of the Labor Party and new figures in Israeli politics. It is headed by former defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai, who is also ran for prime minister. There were six MKs (Members of the Knesset) -- former members of the Likud, Tsomet, Gesher, and the Labor Party -- who were candidates of the new party.
Shinui: (6 mandates). A small liberal party that demands that Haredi parties be left out of the next government, which is led by media personality Tommy Lapid and MK Avraham Poraz, formerly from Meretz. Lapid has pitched the party as the leader in a populist crusade to stem the growing influence of the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox parties on Israeli society and politics.
Meimad: - part of One Israel (26 mandates). A moderate national-religious party formed before the elections to the 13th Knesset. Meimad is a dovish party which favors a modification of the religious status quo. In the elections to the 13th Knesset (1992) it failed to pass the 1.5% qualifying threshold. It ran in the elections to the 15th Knesset (1999) in a single list, One Israel, with Labor and Gesher.
Center Party: (6 mandates). A new centrist party, most of whose founding members left the Likud, but which was joined by several former members of the Labor Party and new figures in Israeli politics. It is headed by former defense minister Yitzhak Mordechai, who is also ran for prime minister. There were six MKs (Members of the Knesset) -- former members of the Likud, Tsomet, Gesher, and the Labor Party -- who were candidates of the new party.
Shinui: (6 mandates). A small liberal party that demands that Haredi parties be left out of the next government, which is led by media personality Tommy Lapid and MK Avraham Poraz, formerly from Meretz. Lapid has pitched the party as the leader in a populist crusade to stem the growing influence of the Jewish Ultra-Orthodox parties on Israeli society and politics.
Arieh Deri
For years, leader of the Shas Party
Convicted of fraud and jailed
Shas: (17 mandates). A Sephardi Haredi party, founded before the elections to the 11th Knesset (1984). Sephardim are Jews from Northern Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and Haredim are Jewish religious Ultra-Orthodox. It has been actively engaged in the battle against the involvement of the High Court of Justice in religious matters. The positions of its spiritual leader, Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, regarding the peace process are moderate, but most of the party's supporters are right-wingers. It had 10 seats in the 14th Knesset and is a member of the current government. The recent convinction and sentencing of party leader Aryeh Deri for bribery and fraud had a significant effect on support for the party. The 'Deri effect' had increased the party's standing amongst the Sephardi electorate, and it won 17 seats in the 1999 elections, becoming Israel's third party (in size).
United Torah Judaism: (5 mandates). A haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) party, which has existed since the beginning of the century. It is primarily concerned with religious issues and in the battle against the drafting of yeshiva students to the IDF.
United Torah Judaism: (5 mandates). A haredi (Ultra-Orthodox) party, which has existed since the beginning of the century. It is primarily concerned with religious issues and in the battle against the drafting of yeshiva students to the IDF.
Natan Sharansky
Leader of the Yisrael Ba'aliya Party
Spent years fighting for Jewish freedom in Russia
Yisrael Ba'aliya: (6 mandates). A new immigrants party founded by Natan Sharansky before the elections to the 14th Knesset (1996) - its main concern is immigrants welfare. In its political positions it is moderate Right. In the 14th Knesset it had seven seats and all its members were from the former Soviet Union. In its new slate for the 15th Knesset there was Ethiopian representation as well.
Ariel Sharon
Leader of the Likud Party
Currently Israel's Prime Minister
Likud: (19 mandates). A right-wing party formed in 1973 through the fusion of Menachem Begin's Herut Movement, the Liberal Party, and several other political groups. In the past it was the most right-wing party in the Knesset, but since 1977 has become much more pragmatic. It was led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who also became Israel's prime minister. It had 22 seats in the 14th Knesset (1996) under the Likud-Gesher-Tsomet alignment of 32 seats. It is Ariel Sharon's (Israel's Prime Minister as of 4/2002) party as well.
National Religious Party: (5 mandates). A religious Zionist party, with roots going back to the early days of Zionism. Since the mid-70s it has shifted to the extreme Right, and is an advocate of keeping the West Bank and Gaza. It has recently moved a little more to the center. It had nine seats in the 14th Knesset (1996).
National Religious Party: (5 mandates). A religious Zionist party, with roots going back to the early days of Zionism. Since the mid-70s it has shifted to the extreme Right, and is an advocate of keeping the West Bank and Gaza. It has recently moved a little more to the center. It had nine seats in the 14th Knesset (1996).
Moshe Katsav from the Likud
Currently Israel's President
Israel Our Home: (4 mandates). A new immigrants' party recently founded by Avigdor Lieberman, who was a member of the Likud and director-general of the Prime Minister's Office. The party is extreme right-wing and expresses displeasure with the country's legal system.
National Unity: (4 mandates). An extreme right-wing party that is an advocate of keeping the West Bank and Gaza.
National Unity: (4 mandates). An extreme right-wing party that is an advocate of keeping the West Bank and Gaza.
Rehavam Ze'evi
Leader of the Moledet/National Unity party
Mr. Ze'evi was Israel's Minister of Tourism
when he was killed by Palestinian terrorists on 10/2001
One Nation: (2 mandates). An extreme right-wing party that advocates the voluntary transfer of the Palestinians from Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.
The Jerusalem Post also had a good site on the Israeli elections of 1999. Click here for more information on Israeli political parties.
Raymond Aron also listed three additional pre-requisites for a Democracy: Security (freedom from persecution from the majority), Social freedom, and Autonomy freedom. I won't go into detail on the above until my next big update of the site, but it is clear that Israel meets all of the above requirements.
An Israeli Soldier. All single women serve 2 years in Israel's army.
A Jewish Habani woman
Ein Shemer immigrant's camp (1/9/1950)
Jewish Refugees in the Arab World
1948 and 2000 - click on image to enlarge
(Thanks to Jill S. for the map)
The Jerusalem Post also had a good site on the Israeli elections of 1999. Click here for more information on Israeli political parties.
Raymond Aron also listed three additional pre-requisites for a Democracy: Security (freedom from persecution from the majority), Social freedom, and Autonomy freedom. I won't go into detail on the above until my next big update of the site, but it is clear that Israel meets all of the above requirements.
Statistics
This section will cover the demographics of Israel, and the West Bank and Gaza (where a large number of Palestinians live). Please note that the numbers cannot be 100% accurate, but I have verified them with multiple sources. I list the sources when they are available, but please let me know if you feel some of these stats are wrong: please make sure you back up your claims with links or books.
Population - Israel
Let's start with a breakdown of the total population for Israel proper (not including the West Bank and Gaza, see the history page for details), by religion. We will include the numbers for 1948 and September 2001, we have:
| 1948 | 2001 | |||
| Religion | Population | Population | ||
| Jewish | 646,000 | 80.1% | 5,240,000 | 81.3% |
| Muslim | 160,000 | 19.9% | 980,000 | 15.2% |
| Christian | N/A | N/A | 130,000 | 2.1% |
| Druze | N/A | N/A | 110,000 | 1.6% |
| Total | 806,000 | 100% | 6.46 Million | 100% |
Figures taken from Israel's Central Bureau of Statistics and here. For more details check this page.
An Israeli Soldier. All single women serve 2 years in Israel's army.
Population - West Bank and Gaza
Now let's check the total population for the West Bank and Gaza, see the history page for details), by religion. We will include the numbers for 1948 and September 2000:
| 1948 | 2001 | |||
| Religion | Population | Population | ||
| Jewish | 182,900 | 5.5% | ||
| Muslim | 570,000 | 100% | 3,268,832 | 94.5% |
| Total | 570,000 | 100% | 3.45 Million | 100% |
Israeli Settlements
After Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza in 1967, some Israelis started to live on the land. These Israelis created villages and whole cities (such as Ariel, today with a population of over 10,000) and settled in these disputed territories. These territories are named the West Bank (of the Jordan river) and Gaza, or Judea and Samaria (the official Israeli names).
When you hear about the Israeli Settlers, it is in reference to the above israelis. There are today about 200,000 of them in the West Bank and Gaza as shown in the picture below (the blue dots in the West Bank represent an Israeli settlement - town or city):
When you hear about the Israeli Settlers, it is in reference to the above israelis. There are today about 200,000 of them in the West Bank and Gaza as shown in the picture below (the blue dots in the West Bank represent an Israeli settlement - town or city):
It is interesting to note that the 200,000 Jews that live in the West Bank and Gaza are called "settlers", while the 980,000 Muslim Arabs that live in Israel are "Israeli Citizens".
Population - Palestinian Refugees
As mentioned in the history page, many Arab residents left the area after Israel won its war of independence.
These Palestinians fled to the West Bank and Gaza, but also to other Arab countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, etc... Since the Palestinians refused to accept an independent state of their own in 1948 and in October 2000, and the Arab states mentioned above never gave them citizenship, these Palestinians are refugees. Here's how their numbers break down:
These Palestinians fled to the West Bank and Gaza, but also to other Arab countries such as Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, etc... Since the Palestinians refused to accept an independent state of their own in 1948 and in October 2000, and the Arab states mentioned above never gave them citizenship, these Palestinians are refugees. Here's how their numbers break down:
| 1948 | 2001 | |
| Country/Area | Palestinian Refugees | Palestinian Refugees |
| West Bank | 380,000 | 652,855 |
| Gaza | 190,000 | 766,124 |
| Lebanon | 100,000 | 408,008 |
| Syria | 75,000 | 444,921 |
| Jordan | 70,000 | 1,741,796 |
| Iraq | 4,000 | 74,284 |
| Egypt | 7,000 | 40,468 |
| Total | 826,000 | 4,128,456 |
Figures taken from Palestinians sources in the Jerusalem Post article, "Deciphering the refugee code" of 2/8/2002. Since I only had data for the above countries for 1948, I have not included Palestinian refugees in 2001 from other countries such as Saudi Arabia (274,762), Kuwait (34,370), Other Gulf States (105,578), Other Arab States (5,544), the US (173,050) and Other Countries (220,361).
Population - Jewish Refugees
In 1948 there were over one million Jews living in various Arab Muslim countries. Many of their communities dated back 2,500 years. Throughout 1947 and 1948 these Jews were persecuted and their property and belongings were confiscated. There were anti-Jewish riots in Yemen, Egypt, Lybia, Syria, and Iraq (in Iraq, Zionism was even made a capital crime).
| 1948 | 2000 | |
| Country | Jewish Refugees | Jewish Refugees |
| Morocco | 265,000 | 5,800 |
| Algeria | 140,000 | 100 |
| Tunisia | 105,000 | 1,300 |
| Libya | 38,000 | 0 |
| Egypt | 75,000 | 200 |
| Lebanon | 6,000 | 0 |
| Syria | 30,000 | 200 |
| Iraq | 150,000 | 100 |
| Iran | 100,000 | 12,500 |
| Afghanistan | 5,000 | 2 |
| Pakistan | 2,000 | 300 |
| Yemen | 63,000 | 200 |
| Ethiopia | 23,270 | 100 |
| Total | 1,002,270 | Most Jewish Refugees in the Arab World went to Israel after having their money and property confiscated |
Aproximately 600,000 Jews sought refuge in the State of Israel (Howe & Gershman, op. cit., p. 168.) They lost everything they had and arrived in Israel destitute.
A Jewish Habani woman
Ein Shemer immigrant's camp (1/9/1950)
They were absorbed into the society and became full Israeli citizens and an integral part of the state. This is in contrast to the Palestinians refugees who never received citizenship or rights from the above Arab States. Since the Palestinians did not accept a State of their own in 1948 nor in 2000, they are still stateless and refugees.
Jewish Refugees in the Arab World1948 and 2000 - click on image to enlarge
(Thanks to Jill S. for the map)
Palestinian Terror - 2000-2002
Since the Palestinians started their current terrorist campaign on October 2000 (see the history page for details), there were 10,582 attacks on Israeli targets:
| Description | Number of Incidents |
| Shootings at military installations | 5,748 |
| Shootings at vehicles | 1,513 |
| Grenades | 922 |
| Shootings at towns and villages | 762 |
| Bombs (detonated, including suicide bombers in civilian areas) | 500 |
| Mortar Bombs | 491 |
| Anti-Tank Missiles | 360 |
| Bombs Found (but not detonated) | 234 |
| Assaults / Stabbings | 34 |
| Hit and Runs | 12 |
| Rockets | 6 |
These numbers are true up to February 2002, more incidents have happened since I last recorded the above table. The majority of these attacks are terrorit incidents where the targets are unarmed civilians, including children and elderly. For a complete list of Israeli victims of Palestinian terrorism, click here.
I got these stats from Israel's Defense Forces site . For more graphs and stats check http://www.idf.il/geut/english/main.html
I got these stats from Israel's Defense Forces site . For more graphs and stats check http://www.idf.il/geut/english/main.html
Creation of States
As noted in the history page, Israel's independence occured on May 15th, 1948. Many states in the region also became independent only in the 20th century. The following states were all under the control of the Turks and part of the Ottoman Empire before they became independent:
| Country | Year of Independence |
| Saudi Arabia | 1913 |
| Lebanon | 1920 |
| Iraq | 1932 |
| Syria | 1941 |
| Jordan | 1946 (Transjordan 1922) |
| Israel | 1948 |
| Kuwait | 1961 |
| Palestine | Palestine is not and has never been an independent State. Palestinians refused a State of their own twice: in 1948 and in 2000. |
Population - Israel and Middle East Neighbors
Here are the population stats for Israel and her neighbors (source: CIA website, July 2000) :
| Country/Area | Population |
| Egypt | 68,359,979 |
| Iran | 65,619,636 |
| Iraq | 22,675,617 |
| Saudi Arabia | 22,023,506 |
| Syria | 16,305,659 |
| Jordan | 4,998,564 |
| Lebanon | 3,578,036 |
| Palestinian (West Bank+Gaza) | 3,152,361 |
| Total | 206,713,358 |
| Israel | 5,842,454 |
Area - Israel and Middle East Neighbors
Here are the total area stats for Israel and her neighbors:
| Country/Area | Total Area | |
| Square Kilometers | Square Miles | |
| Saudi Arabia | 1,960,582 | 756,982 |
| Iran | 1,648,000 | 636,294 |
| Egypt | 1,001,450 | 386,660 |
| Iraq | 437,072 | 168,753 |
| Syria | 185,180 | 71,498 |
| Jordan | 89,213 | 34,445 |
| Lebanon | 10,400 | 4,015 |
| West Bank+Gaza | 6,220 | 2,401 |
| Total | 5,338,117 | 2,061,048 |
| Israel | 20,770 | 8,019 |
Armed Forces - Israel and Middle East Neighbors
Here are the total number of armed forces (soldiers) for Israel and her neighbors:
| Country/Area | Armed Forces | ||
| Active | Reserves | Total | |
| Iraq | 429,000 | 650,000 | 1,079,000 |
| Iran | 545,600 | 350,000 | 895,600 |
| Syria | 316,000 | 396,000 | 712,000 |
| Egypt | 450,000 | 254,000 | 704,000 |
| Saudi Arabia | 105,000 | 57,000 (National Guard) | 162,000 |
| Jordan | 104,000 | 35,000 | 139,000 |
| Lebanon | 67,900 | 0 | 67,900 |
| Palestinian | 40,000 (Police Force) | 0 | 40,000 |
| Total | 2,057,500 | 1,742,000 | 3,799,500 |
| Israel | 173,000 | 425,000 | 598,000 |
Why was FactsOfIsrael.com created?
My name is David Melle and I decided to create this site after realizing that although many people are passionate about the Israeli/Palestinian/Arab conflict, many are also clueless about the history, stats, and even the basic facts on Israel and the Middle East.
I lived in Israel for 10 years, from 1987 to 1997. In December of 1997 I moved to San Francisco, CA, home of the San Francisco 49ers, Giants, and where hundreds of technology companies innovate every day in the Silicon Valley.
An Israeli solidarity demonstration with the U.S.
after the heinous attacks of 9/11.
I made many friends: bright, educated, and simply fun people to be with. My problem, and the reason for this site to exist, is that a few times I ran into some folks who hated Israel with a passion. They fully supported the Palestinian/Arab cause no matter what happened in the past or in the present, and some didn't even acknowledge the right for the State of Israel and its people to exist!
I entered into many arguments with my friends, and after much fear, anger and anxiety, I realized that some didn't know anything about the conflict. They had seen a few headlines that mentioned the occupied territories or the settlements, or they had been reading an anti-Israeli magazine such as "The Economist", and now they felt that they were experts on the issue, and the world would be a better place without the State of Israel and Israelis.
If you hate Israel so much that the above lines already made you angry, stop here - you are probably not interested in facts and you'll dismiss this site as Israeli fascist propaganda anyway. But if you are looking for some basic facts on Israel and the Middle East, continue on.
I entered into many arguments with my friends, and after much fear, anger and anxiety, I realized that some didn't know anything about the conflict. They had seen a few headlines that mentioned the occupied territories or the settlements, or they had been reading an anti-Israeli magazine such as "The Economist", and now they felt that they were experts on the issue, and the world would be a better place without the State of Israel and Israelis.
If you hate Israel so much that the above lines already made you angry, stop here - you are probably not interested in facts and you'll dismiss this site as Israeli fascist propaganda anyway. But if you are looking for some basic facts on Israel and the Middle East, continue on.
Please note that the amount of information on the State of Israel and the Middle East is enormous. There are many sites out there and dozens of books that will go into far more details than what you'll find at FactsOfIsrael.com.
I took my best shot at presenting what I felt was important and relevant for someone that wishes to better understand the conflict. These pages are made of facts: facts about the State of Israel, facts about people and armies, facts about the borders and the political structure of the Middle East.
Although this site covers facts, FactsOfIsrael.com is subjective. It is my point on view on how and which information should be presented. I tried to make this site consise and to the point, similar to an "Israel for dummies" book if such a book existed. I built this site from what I knew on Israel and the Middle East and from additional research, but please let me know if you have any remarks on the facts listed here (be sure to back up your claims with links or books).
Whenever I could, I linked back to a site or book that would confirm the fact. Use the menu on the left to access any of the sections included in FactsOfIsrael.com. Here's a quick overview of what is covered:
I took my best shot at presenting what I felt was important and relevant for someone that wishes to better understand the conflict. These pages are made of facts: facts about the State of Israel, facts about people and armies, facts about the borders and the political structure of the Middle East.
Although this site covers facts, FactsOfIsrael.com is subjective. It is my point on view on how and which information should be presented. I tried to make this site consise and to the point, similar to an "Israel for dummies" book if such a book existed. I built this site from what I knew on Israel and the Middle East and from additional research, but please let me know if you have any remarks on the facts listed here (be sure to back up your claims with links or books).
Whenever I could, I linked back to a site or book that would confirm the fact. Use the menu on the left to access any of the sections included in FactsOfIsrael.com. Here's a quick overview of what is covered:
| Section | Description |
| Main | The main page updated daily with articles on Victims of Palestinian Terrorism, News, Opinions, Humor, Anti-Semitism, Multimedia, Newsletters, Announcements, and Jewish History . |
| Introduction | This page - a short introduction on FactsOfIsrael.com and how it came about. |
| Maps | Maps of Israel including a size comparison with other countries and the Arab World. |
| History | A history of the British Mandate, the State of Israel and more. |
| Stats | Stats on the region, population, armies and more. |
| Palestine | This is not FactsOfPalestine.com, but I list here some info on Arafat, the Palestinians and the West Bank and Gaza. |
| Democracy | Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East - this section will cover its political spectrum. |
| Screen Saver | Want to remember some of these facts? Download our screen saver and you'll have this information on the tip of your screen's fingertips. |
| Books | One or more books I recommend if you'd like to get more information on Israel and the Middle East. |
| Newsletter | Signup up for the newsletter and I'll email you one fact of Israel a week. It's free - you can't beat that. |
| Links | Links to sites with more information on Israel and the region. |
| Contact Us | It takes time and money to keep this site up - if you'd like to support me in my efforts, check this page. |
| View Guestbook | View what visitors had to say about FactsOfIsrael.com |
| Sign Guestbook | Sign the FactsOfIsrael.com and let me know what you think of the site. |
Please note that FactsOfIsrael.com is not affiliated with any government, company, or institution. This is simply a personal attempt to give information on Israel and the Middle East.
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Posted: 14 Dec 2015 12:16 PM PST
The Monash archives provided a picture of Turkish soldiers hurrying into the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem's Old City on December 9, 1917, "driven from the outlying hills by our men," the caption reads. From the Old City they continued their retreat toward the Dead Sea. But the photo was not very clear. The Ottoman Archives photo below is so clear that viewers can see the writing on the building on the left, "Bezalel" in Hebrew and English. The Bezalel pavilion was built outside of the Jaffa Gate in 1912 to sell souvenirs and crafts made at the Bezalel Academy of Arts. The structure was demolished in 1918 by the British.
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