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Middle East and North Africa

Country information

Full Country Name: The State of Israel
Area: 21,000 sq km (pre-1967 borders)
Population: 7.5m
Capital City: Israel maintains that Jerusalem is its capital city, a claim not recognised by the UK and the international community. The UK locates its embassy in Tel Aviv.
People: Jews (76%), Muslims (16.1%), Christians (3.4%), and Druze
Languages: Hebrew, Arabic. English and Russian widely spoken
Religion(s): Judaism, Islam, and Christianity
Currency: New Israeli Shekel (NIS)
Political parties: Kadima, Likud, Israel Beitenu, Labour, Shas, United Torah Judaism (UTJ), Meretz, National Union, Jewish Home, United Arab List, Hadash, Balad.
Government: Coalition government led by Likud with Israel Beitenu, Shas, Independence, UTJ, and Jewish Home.
Head of State: President Shimon Peres
Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu
Foreign Minister: Avigdor Lieberman
Defence Minister: Ehud Barak
Membership of international groups/organisations: United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, OECD and World Trade Organisation.

Country information

See also

• Annual Report on Human Rights 2009
• Middle East Peace Process

Useful links

• UK in Israel
• UK in Jerusalem
• Britain-Israel Research and Academic Exchange (BIRAX)
• UK Trade & Investment Country Profile: Israel