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Total Area:
20,770 sq. km Population:
7,112,359 (July 2008 est.) Ethnicity:
Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004) Language:
Hebrew (official), Arabic used officially for Arab minority, English most commonly used foreign language Religion:
Jewish 76.4%, Muslim 16%, Arab Christian 1.7%, other Christian 0.4%, Druze 1.6%, unspecified 3.9% (2004) Government Type:
Parliamentary Democracy Capital:
Jerusalem Population Below Poverty Line:
21.6% (2005) |
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Israel, which was formed in 1948, is a secular and democratic state that upholds religious freedom. Its national religion is Orthodox Judaism. The Jewish people have suffered tremendous ethnic and religious persecution for centuries. In spite of this, militant elements within the Israeli population consistently work to pass legislation to ban missionary activities and to restrict evangelistic activities and conversions to Christianity. Violent attacks, taunts, and demonstrations against Messianic believers and/or their property occur sporadically. In May 2008, a group of ultra-Orthodox Jewish youth set fire to hundreds of copies of the New Testament in the town of Or Yehuda. Ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups have also vandalized church buildings.