The Establishment of the Israeli War of Independence The Six Day War Yom Kippur War Geography and Population Israel’s Government Israel’s Major Cities Israel Defense Forces (IDF) State of Israel May 1948-July 1949 The Six Day War started the morning of June 5, On Yom Kippur (the holiest day of the Jewish Israel lies at the junction of three continents: Israel is a parliamentary democracy with Jerusalem, Israel’s capital has stood at the center The IDF, founded in 1948, ranks among the The Proclamation of the Establishment of the On May 19, 1948, less than 24 hours after Israel 1967 when the Israeli Defense Forces launched year) in 1973, Egypt and Syria launched a Europe, Asia and Africa. legislative, executive and judicial branches. of the Jewish people’s national and spiritual most battle-tested armed forces in the world, State of Israel was signed on May 14, 1948. declared Independence, she was attacked by a pre-emptive strike against Egypt. Over the surprise attack. The Yom Kippur War lasted The head of the state is the president, whose life since King David made it the capital of his having had to defend the country in six major course of six days, Israel fought Jordan, Egypt, three weeks and claimed 2,688 Israeli lives. Israel’s direct neighbors are Lebanon and Syria duties are mostly ceremonial and formal; the kingdom some 3000 years ago. Today it is a wars. 6 Arab armies- Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, to the north, Jordan to the east and Egypt to the The United States of America was the first Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. Israel defeated all 6 Arab Syria and Lebanon. At the end of the Six Day Initially Syria and Egypt were winning the war, office symbolizes the unity and sovereignty of flourishing, vibrant metropolis, the seat of the country to recognize the State of Israel. President War, the IDF took control of Jerusalem and the but by the end Israel advanced to the western West. Israel is only 1/6 of 1% of the landmass of the state. Israel’s President is Shimon Peres. government and Israel’s largest city. The IDF’s security objectives are to defend the armies, but lost 1% of their population (6,000 the Middle East. Israel is surrounded by 22 Arab sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State Harry S. Truman recognized the State of Israel Israelis.) West Bank from Jordan, the Sinai Peninsula and side of the Suez Canal and came close to eleven minutes after it declared itself a nation. the Gaza Strip from Egypt, and the Golan Heights Damascus. Israel withdrew from parts of the countries, with 300 million people. The Knesset, Israel’s legislative authority, is Jerusalem of Israel, deter all enemies, and curb all forms “Let us not be intoxicated with victory. Too from Syria. The Six Day War is the second territories they captured during the war. a 120-member unicameral parliament which The Old City of Jerusalem is divided into four of terrorism that threaten daily life. Israel has less than 1/1000th of the world’s operates in plenary session and through 12 major sections – the Christian Quarter, Armenian many people and not only among ourselves, it shortest war in history. population. The United States has 40 times To ensure its success, the IDF’s doctrine would appear to be a miracle: a small nation of standing committees. Its members are elected Quarter, Muslim Quarter and the Jewish Quarter. “Our airmen, who struck the enemies’ planes so Israel’s population. Israel’s population is every four years in universal nationwide at the strategic level is defensive, while its 700,000 persons (at the outset of the campaign 8,018,000. Israel’s population has almost was founded in 1909 as the first Jewish tactics are offensive. Given the country’s there were only 640,000) stood up against six accurately that no one in the world understands elections. Tel Aviv how it was done and people seek technological doubled since 1990 when it was 4,821,700. city in modern times. Today it is the center of the lack of territorial depth, the IDF must take nations numbering 30 million. However, none 75% of Israel’s population is Jewish, 17.3% The government (cabinet of ministers) is country’s industrial, commercial, financial and the initiative when deemed necessary and, if of us knows whether the trial by bloodshed has explanations or secret weapons; our armored troops who beat the enemy even when their Muslim, 2% Christian and 1.7% Druze. charged with administering internal and foreign cultural life. The United States has our embassy attacked, quickly transfer the battleground yet ended. The enemy forces in the neighboring affairs. It is headed by a prime minister and is in Tel Aviv. Many of Israel’s cities start with the to the enemy’s land. Though it has always countries and in the world at large have not yet equipment was inferior to his; our soldiers in Israel is the 100th smallest country in the world. all other branches... who overcame our enemies collectively responsible to the Knesset. Israel’s word “Tel.” Tel means “hill.” been outnumbered by its enemies, the IDF despaired of their scheme to annihilate Israel in Israel is about 290 miles in length and 85 miles Prime Minister is Benjamin Netanyahu. maintains a qualitative advantage by deploying its own land or at least to pare away its borders, everywhere, despite the latter’s superior numbers in width at its widest point. To put this into Haifa a known coastal town since ancient times, and fortifications-all these revealed not only advanced weapons systems, many of which and we do not yet know whether the recent war, perspective: 34 political parties participated in Israel’s is a major Mediterranean port and the industrial are developed and manufactured in Israel for which we fought in the Negev and which ended coolness and courage in the battle but...an 2013 elections. and commercial center of northern Israel. understanding that only their personal stand • Israel would fit into the United States its specific needs. The IDF’s main resource, in victory for the IDF, is the last battle or not, however, is the high caliber of its soldiers. and as long as we cannot be confident that we against the greatest dangers would achieve (Alaska & Hawaii included) 768 times. When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Be’er Sheva named in the Bible as an have won the last battle, let us not glory.”- Prime victory for their country and for their families, • Israel could fit into Texas 33 times. Israel in 1969, she became the world’s second encampment of the patriarchs, is today the Compulsory Service: All eligible men and Minister Ben Gurion Five days after the War of and that if victory was not theirs the alternative • Israel is approximately the size of New Jersey. elected female leader in modern times. largest urban center in the south. It provides women are drafted at age 18. Men serve for Independence ended. was annihilation.” Yitzhak Rabin three weeks administrative, economic, health, education and three years, women for two years. Deferments after the war ended on the reasoning behind cultural services for the entire southern region. may be granted to qualified students at Israel’s success. institutions of higher education. Reserve Duty: Upon completion of compulsory service, each soldier is assigned to a reserve unit and may serve up to the age of 51. Israel spends more money per capita for security than any other country in the world. The Knesset An Egyptian artillery piece captured With an aerial arsenal of over 250 F-16s, Israel by battalion 53 of the Givati Brigade has the largest fleet of the aircraft outside of the US. Captain Avraham “Bren” Adan raising the Ink Flag (handmade An Israeli M60 Patton tank destroyed in the Sinai. Israeli flag) in Eilat, marking the end of the War of Independence. Jerusalem Tel Aviv Abandoned Syrian T-62 tanks on the Golan Heights Benjamin Netanyahu - Israel’s Prime Minister Haifa Paratroopers at the Western Wall Israeli civilians dig trenches in anticipation of attack at Sde Warburg Egyptian forces crossing the Suez Canal on October 7. Courtesy of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jewish residents of Jerusalem fleeing during the Israel’s President Shimon Peres with Pastor John and Diana Hagee Jordanian offensive. Israeli troops examine destroyed Israeli women and children in Egyptian aircraft. a bomb shelter at Kfar Maimon near the Egyptian border. Be’er Sheva Source- Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs ISRAELI PRIME MINISTERS David Ben-Gurion Moshe Sharett David Ben-Gurion Levi Eshkol Golda Meir Yitzhak Rabin Menachem Begin Yitzhak Shamir Shimon Peres Yitzhak Shamir Yitzhak Rabin Shimon Peres Benjamin Netanyahu Ehud Barak Ariel Sharon Ehud Olmert Benjamin Netanyahu (1948-54) (1954-55) (1955-63) (1963-69) (1969-74) (1974-77) (1977-83) (1983-84) (1984-86) (1986-92) (1992-95) (1995-96) (1996-99) (1999-01) (2001-06) (2006-2009) (2009-Present) *Yitzhak Rabin was Israel’s only Prime Minister to be assassinated. He was murdered on November 4, 1995 at a large peace rally in Tel Aviv. Fast Facts about Israel • Israel’s currency is the Shekel. • Israel’s Maccabi basketball team won the European championships in 2001. • The only research and development center for Microsoft outside of the USA is located in Haifa. • The flag of the State of Israel is based on the design of the Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), with a blue Shield of • Israeli tennis player Anna Smashnova is the 15th ranked female player in the world.