State of Israel

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Revision as of 14:07, 1 September 2009 by imported>Howard C. Berkowitz
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The State of Israel is the modern government of a geographic area of Biblical origins, established as a country in 1948 by a United Nations resolution that partitioned the British Mandate of Palestine, and obtained disputed territorial gains in several wars, especially the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. It is a Western-oriented parliamentary democracy, identified as a Jewish state under the political philosophy of Zionism.

Its current government is headed by Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu; President of Israel Shimon Peres is head of state. Netanyahu's coalition is centered on his Likud party.

Security

Israel contends with terrorism inside the country and unstable violence in the Occupied Territories. It has engaged in several major conventional wars beginning with its war of independence in 1948, and the Israeli Defense Forces are rated as among the most potent militaries in the world. The national security apparatus also includes police and highly regarded intelligence and covert operations organizations.

Economics

While there are excellent agricultural products, the core of the economy is high technology.