Israel
Obama to face Syria scrutiny in Jordan
Mar 22, 2013 05:19 EDT
A day after challenging Israelis to embrace peace with Palestinians, US President Barack Obama Friday will face scrutiny over his strategy on Syria during an overnight stay in Jordan.
Palestinians invoke civil rights on Obama tour
Mar 22, 2013 04:49 EDT
Palestinians sour at Barack Obama's perceived failure to honour their historical struggle have invoked the US civil rights movement and South Africa's apartheid in a bid to win his sympathy.
Pro-Assad cleric among 42 killed in Damascus bombing
Mar 21, 2013 23:10 EDT
A suicide bomb attack on a central Damascus mosque has killed 42 people, including Syria's most prominent pro-regime Sunni cleric, wounding dozens of others, the health ministry said.
Obama in direct peace appeal to young Israelis
Mar 21, 2013 21:04 EDT
In a powerful direct appeal to Israelis, President Barack Obama insisted that a two-state peace with the Palestinians could still be forged and is their only hope of true security.
Cyprus convicts Hezbollah man over anti-Israel plot
Mar 21, 2013 19:36 EDT
A Cypriot court has found guilty a self-confessed Hezbollah militant who had been accused of involvement in a plot to attack Israeli interests on the Mediterranean island popular with tourists.
'No indication' Syria rebels used chemical weapons: US
Mar 21, 2013 18:34 EDT
The United States has found no evidence to support a Syrian government allegation that opposition rebels used chemical weapons in an attack this week, a US official said Thursday.
Gaza hardline Islamists claim rocket attack
Mar 21, 2013 17:36 EDT
A hardline Islamist group claimed a rocket attack against southern Israel on Thursday, in a statement that condemned a historic visit by US President Barack Obama to the region.
Capello plays down Chelsea link
Mar 21, 2013 17:29 EDT
Russia coach Fabio Capello insists he has had no contact with Chelsea after being linked with a move to the Premier League club.
Obama in direct appeal to young Israelis on peace
Mar 21, 2013 17:16 EDT
In a powerful direct appeal to Israelis, President Barack Obama Thursday insisted a two-state peace with the Palestinians could still be forged and was their only hope of true security.
Abbas welcomes Obama peace speech: Palestinian negotiator
Mar 21, 2013 16:30 EDT
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Thursday welcomed a speech to young Israelis in which US President Barack Obama appealed for a two-state peace with the Palestinians, a senior Palestinian official said.
Iran leader hints at first direct US nuclear talks
Mar 21, 2013 13:25 EDT
Iran's supreme leader on Thursday signalled openness for the first time to US offers to hold direct talks on his country's disputed nuclear drive, but voiced pessimism over the chances of a breakthrough.
Syria rebels gain ground in Golan: watchdog
Mar 21, 2013 12:58 EDT
Syrian rebels have gained ground in the Golan Heights, which is partly occupied by Israel, launching coordinated attacks in the area and in nearby Daraa province, a watchdog said on Thursday.
Syria rebels 'gain ground in Golan': watchdog
Mar 21, 2013 11:35 EDT
Syrian rebels have gained ground in the Golan Heights, which is partly occupied by Israel, launching coordinated attacks in the area and in nearby Daraa province, a watchdog said on Thursday.
Obama says Assad must go so Syria's future can begin
Mar 21, 2013 11:12 EDT
US President Barack Obama used a major speech in Israel on Thursday to issue a new call on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down so his country's "future can begin."
Iran will 'annihilate' cities if Israel attacks: Khamenei
Mar 21, 2013 11:09 EDT
Iran will "annihilate" the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if it comes under attack by the Jewish state, supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Thursday.
Obama tells Abbas: 'Two-state solution still viable'
Mar 21, 2013 10:40 EDT
US President Barack Obama insisted on Thursday a two-state solution was still viable, but disappointed his Palestinian hosts by failing to take a clear stance on freezing settlement activity.
Abbas tells Obama 'no talks without freeze'
Mar 21, 2013 10:03 EDT
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Thursday told US President Barack Obama there could be no talks with Israel without a freeze on settlement construction.
Gaza rockets 'hit south Israel during Obama visit'
Mar 21, 2013 09:59 EDT
Two rockets fired by militants in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip on Thursday hit southern Israel, police said, sparking a top-level condemnation from visiting US President Barack Obama.
Iran will wipe out cities if Israel attacks: Khamenei
Mar 21, 2013 09:48 EDT
Iran will "annihilate" the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if it comes under attack by the Jewish state, the Islamic republic's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned on Thursday.
Obama says Israel settlement work 'not constructive'
Mar 21, 2013 08:33 EDT
US President Barack Obama on Thursday condemned Israel's ongoing settlement building as unhelpful to the pursuit of peace.
Facts from the Wikipedia page:
| State of Israel
מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל (Hebrew)
Medīnat Yisrā'el دَوْلَةُ إِسْرَائِيلَ (Arabic) Dawlat Isrā'īl | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||
| Anthem: Hatikvah The Hope | ||||||
 | ||||||
| Capital (and largest city) | Jerusalem[1] 31°47′N 35°13′E / 31.783°N 35.217°E | |||||
| Official languages | Hebrew, Arabic[2] | |||||
| Ethnic groups | 75.4% Jewish, 20.6% Arab, 4% minority groups[3] | |||||
| Demonym | Israeli | |||||
| Government | Parliamentary republic[2] | |||||
| - | President | Shimon Peres | ||||
| - | Prime Minister | Benjamin Netanyahu | ||||
| - | Knesset Speaker | Reuven Rivlin | ||||
| - | Supreme Court President | Dorit Beinisch | ||||
| Independence | from British Mandate of Palestine | |||||
| - | Declaration | May 14, 1948 | ||||
| Area | ||||||
| - | Total 1 | 20,770 / 22,072 km2 (151st) 8,019 / 8,522 sq mi | ||||
| - | Water (%) | ~2% | ||||
| Population | ||||||
| - | 2009 estimate | 7,465,0002[4] (96th) | ||||
| - | 1995 census | 5,548,523 | ||||
| - | Density | 356.8/km2 (34th) 839/sq mi | ||||
| GDP (PPP) | 2008 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $202.562 billion[5] (50th) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $28,473[5] (31st) | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | 2009 estimate | |||||
| - | Total | $215.727 billion[5] (42nd) | ||||
| - | Per capita | $29,671[5] (29th) | ||||
| Gini (2005) | 38.6[2] | |||||
| HDI (2007) | ▲ 0.935[6] (high) (27th) | |||||
| Currency | Shekel (₪) (ILS or NIS) | |||||
| Time zone | IST (UTC+2) | |||||
| - | Summer (DST) | IDT (UTC+3) | ||||
| Drives on the | right | |||||
| Internet TLD | .il | |||||
| Calling code | 972 | |||||
| 1 | Excluding / Including the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem; see below. | |||||
| 2 | Includes all permanent residents in Israel proper, the Golan Heights and East Jerusalem. Also includes Israeli population in the West Bank. Excludes non-Israeli population in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. | |||||
