The land variously called Israel and Palestine at different times in history is a small, (10,000 square miles at present) land at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. During its long history, its area, population and ownership varied greatly. The present state of Israel formally occupies all the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean ocean, bounded by Egypt in the south, Lebanon in the north, and Jordan in the East. The recognized borders of Israel constitute about […]
Jerusalem Israel's capital is the seat all the main Government offices. Jerusalem is known, too, for its excellent Hebrew University. Apart from the political importance of the city, it represents a “Mecca” for tourists who come to Israel because of its rich history (over 2000 years) and its overwhelming importance to the three great monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Population: approx 692,000. Tel Aviv Without doubt, Tel Aviv is the center of commercial, financial life and leisure in Israel. […]
Judea and Samaria are biblical names of the territory roughly corresponding to the area now usually referred to as the West Bank. Samaria and Judea also roughly corresponds to the territory of the ancient Kingdoms of Israel and Judah, also known as the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms. The Judea and Samaria area is administered by the Israel Defense Forces Central Command, and Military law is applied. Administrative decisions are subject to the Command's chief. The future status of the […]
>> Ancient Maps The Kingdom of David and Solomon (1077-997 BC) King David ruled Israel from 990 BC to 968 BC; and his son Solomon ruled after him until 928 BC. David enlarged his kingdom and brought it to the peak of political and military power. Solomon “ruled over all the kingdoms west of the Euphrates River from Tiphsah to Gaza; he was at peace with all his neighbors” (I Kings, 4:24). Click on picture to enlarge The Herodian Period (30 […]
The area in the north which came under Israeli control as a result of the 1967 Six Day War, and popularly referred to as the 'Golan Heights', is actually composed of two geologically distinct areas (divided by Nahal Sa'ar): the Golan Heights proper (1,070 sq. km.) and the slopes of the Mt. Hermon range (approx. 100 sq. km.). After the War of Independence (1948), the Syrians built extensive fortifications on the Heights. They used these to systematically shell civilian targets […]
Israel’s struggle for “defensible borders” is unique in international diplomacy. It emanates from both the special legal and strategic circumstances that Israel faced in the aftermath of the 1967 Six-Day War, when the Israel Defense Forces captured the West Bank and other territories in a war of self-defence. There continues to be a compelling strategic logic underpinning the idea of defensible borders. Israel is in an anomalous situation. It is an embattled democracy that historically has had to defend itself […]