2012 Edition

Background

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the "Oslo Accords") guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. Progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. Israel in 2005 unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS to head the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006 froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). In 2006 Israel engaged in a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006 and a 23-day conflict with HAMAS in the Gaza Strip during December 2008 and January 2009. Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU formed a coalition in March 2009 following a February 2009 general election. Direct talks with the PA launched in September 2010 collapsed following the expiration of Israel's 10-month partial settlement construction moratorium in the West Bank.

Area

20,770 sq km 20,330 sq km 440 sq km

total

20,770 sq km

water

440 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than New Jersey

Climate

temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Coastline

273 km

Elevation extremes

Dead Sea -408 m Har Meron 1,208 m

highest point

Har Meron 1,208 m

lowest point

Dead Sea -408 m

Environment - current issues

limited arable land and natural freshwater resources pose serious constraints; desertification; air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions; groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%) 305 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

305 cu m/yr (2000)

total

2.05 cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%)

Geographic coordinates

31 30 N, 34 45 E

Geography - note

Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source; the Dead Sea is the second saltiest body of water in the world (after Lake Assal in Djibouti); there are about 355 Israeli civilian sites including about 145 small outpost communities in the West Bank, 41 sites in the Golan Heights, and 32 in East Jerusalem (2010 est.)

Irrigated land

2,250 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

1,017 km Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

border countries

Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

total

1,017 km

Land use

15.45% 3.88% 80.67% (2005)

arable land

15.45%

other

80.67% (2005)

permanent crops

3.88%

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

12 nm to depth of exploitation

continental shelf

to depth of exploitation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes

Natural resources

timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Terrain

Negev desert in the south; low coastal plain; central mountains; Jordan Rift Valley

Total renewable water resources

1.7 cu km (2001)

Age structure

27.5% (male 1,067,967/ female 1,019,451) 62.2% (male 2,395,998/ female 2,326,884) 10.3% (male 342,620/ female 437,838) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

27.5% (male 1,067,967/ female 1,019,451)

15-64 years

62.2% (male 2,395,998/ female 2,326,884)

65 years and over

10.3% (male 342,620/ female 437,838) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

18.97 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Death rate

5.5 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

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)

Health expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,500 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

5.83 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

4.07 deaths/1,000 live births 4.25 deaths/1,000 live births 3.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

3.89 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

4.07 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)

Life expectancy at birth

81.07 years 78.88 years 83.36 years (2012 est.)

female

83.36 years (2012 est.)

total population

81.07 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97.1% 98.5% 95.9% (2004 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

95.9% (2004 est.)

male

98.5%

total population

97.1%

Major cities - population

Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.219 million; Haifa 1.027 million; JERUSALEM (capital) 768,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

29.5 years 28.9 years 30.3 years (2012 est.)

female

30.3 years (2012 est.)

male

28.9 years

total

29.5 years

Nationality

Israeli(s) Israeli

adjective

Israeli

noun

Israeli(s)

Net migration rate

1.94 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2001)

Physicians density

3.633 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

7,590,758 (July 2012 est.) approximately 325,500 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2011); approximately 18,700 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2011); approximately 186,929 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2010)

Population growth rate

1.541% (2012 est.)

Religions

Jewish 75.6%, Muslim 16.9%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.7%, other 3.8% (2008)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

rural

100% of population

total

100% of population

urban

100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

15 years 15 years 16 years (2008)

female

16 years (2008)

male

15 years

total

15 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.03 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.78 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.67 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

14.7% 15.7% 13.9% (2009)

female

13.9% (2009)

total

14.7%

Urbanization

92% of total population (2010) 1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

92% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

6 districts (mehozot, singular - mehoz); Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv

Capital

Jerusalem 31 46 N, 35 14 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) +1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins first Friday in April; ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur

geographic coordinates

31 46 N, 35 14 E

name

Jerusalem

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

no formal constitution; some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law; note - since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution

Country name

State of Israel Israel Medinat Yisra'el Yisra'el

conventional long form

State of Israel

conventional short form

Israel

local long form

Medinat Yisra'el

local short form

Yisra'el

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO 71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903 [972] (3) 519-7575 [972] (3) 516-4390 Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government

chief of mission

Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO

consulate(s) general

Jerusalem; note - an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government

embassy

71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903

FAX

[972] (3) 516-4390

telephone

[972] (3) 519-7575

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Michael B. OREN 3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 364-5500 [1] (202) 364-5607 Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco

chancery

3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Michael B. OREN

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 364-5607

telephone

[1] (202) 364-5500

Executive branch

President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007) Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009) Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member who he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)

cabinet

Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset

chief of state

President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)

election results

Shimon PERES elected president; number of votes in first round - Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21; PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)

elections

president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit); election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier); following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member who he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task

head of government

Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009)

Flag description

white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag; the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes; the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002

International organization participation

BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee - made up of all three branches of the government; mandatory retirement age is 70)

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws

Legislative branch

unicameral Knesset (120 seats; political parties are elected by popular vote and assigned seats for members on a proportional basis; members serve four-year terms) last held on 22 January 2013 (next to be held in 2017) percent of vote by party - Likud-Ahi 23.3%, Yesh Atid 14.3%, Labor 11.4%, The Jewish Home 9.1%, SHAS 8.7%, United Torah Judaism 5.2%, The Movement 5%, Meretz 4.5%, United Arab List 3.6%, Hadash 3%, Balad 2.6%, Kadima 2.1%; other 2.5%; seats by party - Likud-Ahi 31, Yesh Atid 19, Labor 15, The Jewish Home 12, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 7, The Movement 6, Meretz 6, United Arab List 4, HADASH 4, Balad 3, Kadima 2 Ehud BARAK and four others on 17 January 2011 split from the Labor Party and formed the Atzmaut (Independence) Party; the Labor Party holds 8 seats in the Knesset and the Independence Party holds 5 seats; Aztmaut did not submit a candidate list for the election on 22 January 2013

election results

percent of vote by party - Likud-Ahi 23.3%, Yesh Atid 14.3%, Labor 11.4%, The Jewish Home 9.1%, SHAS 8.7%, United Torah Judaism 5.2%, The Movement 5%, Meretz 4.5%, United Arab List 3.6%, Hadash 3%, Balad 2.6%, Kadima 2.1%; other 2.5%; seats by party - Likud-Ahi 31, Yesh Atid 19, Labor 15, The Jewish Home 12, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 7, The Movement 6, Meretz 6, United Arab List 4, HADASH 4, Balad 3, Kadima 2

elections

last held on 22 January 2013 (next to be held in 2017)

National anthem

"Hatikvah" (The Hope) Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948; used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897; the 1888 arrangement by Samuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song "Carul cu boi" (The Ox Driven Cart)

lyrics/music

Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN

name

"Hatikvah" (The Hope)

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note - Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May

National symbol(s)

Star of David

Political parties and leaders

Atzmaut (Independence) Party [Ehud BARAK]; Balad [Jamal ZAHALKA]; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]; Kadima [Shaul MOFAZ]; Labor Party [Shelly YECHIMOVICH]; Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]; National Union Uri ARIEL]; SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]; The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Naftali BENNETT]; The Movement (Hatnuah) [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]; The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]; United Arab List-Ta'al [Ibrahim SARSUR]; United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]; Yesh Atid [Yair LAPID]; Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

B'Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses; Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip; YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise; Breaking the Silence [Yehuda SHAUL, Executive Director] collects testimonies from soldiers who served in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

citrus, vegetables, cotton; beef, poultry, dairy products

Budget

$62.64 billion $72 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$72 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$62.64 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

2.75% (31 December 2011 est.) 2.02% (31 December 2010 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.8% (31 December 2012 est.) 5.54% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.579 billion (2012 est.) $1.873 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$104.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $102.6 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39.2 (2008) 35.5 (2001)

Economy - overview

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. Its major imports include crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals are among the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by tourism and other service exports, as well as significant foreign investment inflows. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals - following years of prudent fiscal policy and a resilient banking sector. The economy has recovered better than most advanced, comparably sized economies. In 2010, Israel formally acceded to the OECD. Israel's economy also has weathered the Arab Spring because strong trade ties outside the Middle East have insulated the economy from spillover effects. Natural gasfields discovered off Israel's coast during the past two years have brightened Israel's energy security outlook. The Leviathan field was one of the world's largest offshore natural gas finds this past decade, and production from the Tama field is expected to meet all of Israel's natural gas demand beginning mid-2013. In mid-2011, public protests arose around income inequality and rising housing and commodity prices. The government formed committees to address some of the grievances but has maintained that it will not engage in deficit spending to satisfy populist demands.

Exchange rates

new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar - 3.903 (2012 est.) 3.5781 (2011 est.) 3.739 (2010 est.) 3.93 (2009) 3.588 (2008)

Exports

$64.74 billion (2012 est.) $64.19 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Exports - partners

US 28.8%, Hong Kong 7.9%, Belgium 5.6%, UK 5%, India 4.5%, China 4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

2.5% 31.4% 66.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

2.5%

industry

31.4%

services

66.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$32,200 (2012 est.) $32,000 (2011 est.) $31,200 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.9% (2012 est.) 4.6% (2011 est.) 5.7% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$246.8 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$247.9 billion (2012 est.) $240.8 billion (2011 est.) $230.2 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.5% 24.3% (2008)

highest 10%

24.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.5%

Imports

$77.59 billion (2012 est.) $72.03 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Imports - partners

US 11.8%, China 7.4%, Germany 6.2%, Belgium 6.1%, Switzerland 5.4%, Italy 4.2% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

2% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.1% (2012 est.) 3.5% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

3.269 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

2% 16% 82% (September 2008)

agriculture

2%

industry

16%

services

82% (September 2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$145 billion (31 December 2011) $218.1 billion (31 December 2010) $182.1 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

23.6% Israel's poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2007)

Public debt

74.4% of GDP (2012 est.) 72.6% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$75.24 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $74.87 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$208.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $195.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$74.53 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $69.83 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$73.07 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $66.57 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$180.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $178 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$30.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $30.21 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

6.3% (2012 est.) 5.6% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

70.32 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

224,400 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

100 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

11.8 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

45.59 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

3.783 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

99.7% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

12.07 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

53.55 billion kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

3.65 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

2.1 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

1.55 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

270.7 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

238,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

71,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

50,490 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

242,100 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state broadcasting network, operated by the Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA), broadcasts on 2 channels, one in Hebrew and the other in Arabic; 5 commercial channels including a channel broadcasting in Russian, a channel broadcasting Knesset proceedings, and a music channel supervised by a public body; multi-channel satellite and cable TV packages provide access to foreign channels; IBA broadcasts on 8 radio networks with multiple repeaters and Israel Defense Forces Radio broadcasts over multiple stations; about 15 privately-owned radio stations; overall more than 100 stations and repeater stations (2008)

Internet country code

.il

Internet hosts

2.483 million (2012)

Internet users

4.525 million (2009)

Telephone system

most highly developed system in the Middle East good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

domestic

good system of coaxial cable and microwave radio relay; all systems are digital; four privately-owned mobile-cellular service providers with countrywide coverage

general assessment

most highly developed system in the Middle East

international

country code - 972; submarine cables provide links to Europe, Cyprus, and parts of the Middle East; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

3.5 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.2 million (2011)

Airports

47 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

5 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

11

over 3,047 m

2

total

29

under 914 m

5 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

14 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

18

under 914 m

14 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Merchant marine

cargo 1, container 7 48 (Bermuda 3, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 34, Malta 3, Moldova 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)

registered in other countries

48 (Bermuda 3, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 34, Malta 3, Moldova 2, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)

total

8

Pipelines

gas 211 km; oil 442 km; refined products 261 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

Railways

975 km 975 km 1.435-m gauge (2008)

total

975 km

Roadways

18,290 km 18,290 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2008)

total

18,290 km

Manpower available for military service

1,797,960 1,713,230 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,713,230 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,797,960

Manpower fit for military service

1,517,510 1,446,132 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,446,132 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,517,510

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

62,304 59,418 (2010 est.)

female

59,418 (2010 est.)

male

62,304

Military branches

Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Force (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)

Military expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2006)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service; both sexes are obligated to military service; conscript service obligation - 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers; pilots commit to 9 years service; reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2012)

Disputes - international

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement - permanent status to be determined through further negotiation; Israel continues construction of a "seam line" separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank; Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005; Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab'a Farms area of Golan Heights); since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region

Illicit drugs

increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse; drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan; money-laundering center

Refugees and internally displaced persons

31,119 (Eritrea); 9,000 (Sudan) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

31,119 (Eritrea); 9,000 (Sudan) (2011)