Portal:Israel

Welcome to the Israel Portal
מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, and Egypt to the southwest. Israel's western coast lies on the Mediterranean Sea, its southern tip reaches the Red Sea, and to the east is Earth's lowest point near the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is the government seat and proclaimed capital, while Tel Aviv is Israel's largest urban area and economic centre.

Israel is located in a region known in Jewish tradition as the Land of Israel, synonymous with Canaan, Palestine, and the Holy Land. In antiquity it was home to the Canaanite civilisation, followed by the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Situated at a continental crossroad, the region experienced demographic changes under the rule of empires from the Romans to the Ottomans. European antisemitism in the late 19th century galvanised Zionism, which sought to establish a homeland for the Jewish people in Palestine and gained British support with the Balfour Declaration. After World War I, Britain occupied the region and established Mandatory Palestine in 1920. Increased Jewish immigration in the lead-up to the Holocaust and British foreign policy in the Middle East led to intercommunal conflict between Jews and the Arab-majority population, which escalated into a civil war in 1947 after the United Nations (UN) proposed partitioning the land between them. (Full article...)

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The Green Line, or 1949 Armistice border, is the demarcation line set out in the 1949 Armistice Agreements between the armies of Israel and those of its neighbors (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria) after the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. It served as the de facto borders of the State of Israel from 1949 until the Six-Day War in 1967, and continues to represent Israel's internationally recognized borders with the two Palestinian territories: the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Strip borders Egypt while the West Bank borders the country of Jordan.

The Green Line was intended as a demarcation line rather than a permanent border. The 1949 Armistice Agreements were clear (at Arab insistence) that they were not creating permanent borders. The Egyptian–Israeli agreement, for example, stated that "the Armistice Demarcation Line is not to be construed in any sense as a political or territorial boundary, and is delineated without prejudice to rights, claims and positions of either Party to the Armistice as regards ultimate settlement of the Palestine question." Similar provisions are contained in the Armistice Agreements with Jordan and Syria. The Agreement with Lebanon contained no such provisions, and was treated as the international border between Israel and Lebanon, stipulating only that forces would be withdrawn to the Israel–Lebanon border. (Full article...)

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This is a Featured picture that the Wikimedia Commons community has chosen as one of the highest quality on the site.

Image 1An aerial view of Makhtesh Ramon, a geological feature of Israel's Negev desert. Located some 85 km south of the city of Beersheba, the landform is not an impact crater from a meteor nor a volcanic crater formed by a volcanic eruption, but rather is the world's largest "erosion cirque" (steephead valley or box canyon).
Image 2Dead Tree in Sea of Life is an installation artwork from 2017 by Amiram Dora, a travel guide from the nearby city Arad. The work consists of a tree planted on a salt pile in the Dead Sea. The purpose of the work is to show that as opposed to its common name, the Dead Sea is actually a place of rich tourist activity, healing and relaxation.
Image 3An aerial view of Masada in the Judaean Desert, with the Dead Sea and Jordan in the distance
Image 4The Jerusalem Railway Station c. 1900. The locomotive on the turntable is "Ramleh" (J&J No. 3), a Baldwin 2-6-0. The station was the terminus of the Jaffa–Jerusalem railway until its closure in 1998. Today, the station is abandoned and suffering from neglect and vandalism, although it is one of 110 buildings selected for preservation in Jerusalem.
Image 5A view of Jaffa, from the beachfront of Tel Aviv
Image 6A more recent section of the Israel-Egypt barrier fence, north of Eilat, June 2012. It is a border barrier built by Israel along its border with Egypt. It was originally an attempt to curb illegal migrants from African countries.^[1] Construction was approved on 12 January 2010^[2] and began on 22 November 2010.^[3]
Image 7Paratroopers at the Western Wall, an iconic photograph taken on June 7, 1967 by David Rubinger.
Image 8Northeast exposure of Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, in the Old City of Jerusalem. Considered to be the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina.
Image 9Reading Power Station, built in Tel Aviv in 1938, was named for Rufus Isaacs, the 1st Marquess of Reading. Reading Light is pictured on the left.
Image 10Southern aerial view of the Temple Mount, a hill located in the Old City of Jerusalem that for thousands of years has been venerated as a holy site, in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Image 11David Ben-Gurion's room at Ben-Gurion's Hut, the retirement home of Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion and his wife Paula (Pola) from the years 1953 until Ben-Gurion's death in 1973.
Image 12A view of Jerusalem from southeast, showing the Walls of Jerusalem, the Dome of the Rock, and the Al-Aqsa Mosque. This image was taken sometime between 1900 and 1940.
Image 13Young Nubian ibex (Capra nubiana) on a stone wall by the edge of Makhtesh Ramon in Mitzpe Ramon.
Image 14Ceramic tile on the Dome of the Rock, an Islamic shrine located on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem
Image 15"The Nile and the Sinai, to Israel and beyond. One sweeping glance of human history." Caption by astronaut Chris Hadfield on board the International Space Station.
Image 16Diving tourism site on the southern coast of Eilat, around a horseshoe-shaped reef. Many animal species are found in the area, including dolphins.
Image 17Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur, an 1878 painting by Maurycy Gottlieb

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Did you know - show different entries

...that the Jaffa Road (pictured) is one of the oldest and longest streets in Jerusalem?
...that the symbol of Fatima's hands, while widespread in Middle Eastern Islamic societies, is not officially condoned by Islam?
...that religious identity in Israel for Jews differs strikingly from that recognized in the Jewish diaspora?

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WikiProject Israel – WikiProject Jewish history – WikiProject Judaism – WikiProject Jewish culture – WikiProject Hebrew

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This is a Good article, an article that meets a core set of high editorial standards.

Mamilla (Hebrew: ממילא) is a neighbourhood of Jerusalem that was established in the late 19th century outside the Old City, west of the Jaffa Gate. Until 1948 it was a mixed Jewish–Arab business district. Between 1948 and 1967, it was located along the armistice line between the Israeli and Jordanian-held sector of the city, and many buildings were destroyed by Jordanian shelling. The Israeli government approved an urban renewal project for Mamilla, apportioning land for residential and commercial zones, including hotels and office space. The Mamilla Mall opened in 2007. (Full article...)

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Gahnun served with oven-baked egg, fresh grated tomato and zhug

Gachnun or gahnun (Hebrew: גַחְנוּן, Hebrew pronunciation: ['d͡ʒaχnun], ['d͡ʒaħnun]) is a Jewish enriched bread, originating from the Adeni Jews, and traditionally served on Shabbat morning, with resek agvaniyot (a freshly grated tomato dip), hard-boiled eggs, and zhug (a type of spicy green herbal condiment).

With the flight of Yemeni Jews, Gachnun persists in Israeli cuisine, where it is served in homes (usually on Shabbat), as fast food at roadside stalls, and in restaurants, events, and dining halls. (Full article...)

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The following are images from various Israel-related articles on Wikipedia.

Image 1Breads in Mahane Yehuda market (from Culture of Israel)
Image 2Portion of the Temple Scroll, one of the Dead Sea Scrolls written by the Essenes (from History of Israel)
Image 3David Ben-Gurion proclaiming the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948 (from History of Israel)
Image 4Neo-Assyrian Empire at its greatest territorial extent (from History of Israel)
Image 5Tiles in the Bezalel style, 1920s (from Culture of Israel)
Image 6Ofek-7 satellite launch through Shavit vehicle (from Culture of Israel)
Image 7Detail of the Siloam inscription (from History of Israel)
Image 8The opening ceremony of The Hebrew University of Jerusalem visited by Arthur Balfour, 1 April 1925 (from History of Israel)
Image 9Heraclius returning the True Cross to Jerusalem, 15th-century painting by Miguel Ximénez (from History of Israel)
Image 10Aerial view of the Temple Mount showing the Dome of the Rock in the center and the al-Aqsa mosque to the south (from History of Israel)
Image 11Tzofim Israeli scout movement fire ceremony in Tel Aviv (from Culture of Israel)
Image 12Hiking near Lake Kinneret (from Culture of Israel)
Image 13"Hezekiah ... king of Judah" – Royal seal written in the Paleo-Hebrew alphabet, unearthed in Jerusalem (from History of Israel)
Image 14Skhul Cave (from History of Israel)
Image 15Menahem Zion synagoge, Jewish Quarter of Jerusalem (from Culture of Israel)
Image 16Habimah Theatre in Tel Aviv (from Culture of Israel)
Image 17Sermon on the Mount. The New Testament was authored by Christian Jews during Roman-ruled Judea (from Culture of Israel)
Image 18Shrine of the Book, Israel Museum, Jerusalem (from Culture of Israel)
Image 19Remains of the Roman theatre in Caesarea Maritima (from Culture of Israel)
Image 20Jewish symbols in Israeli artworks (from Culture of Israel)
Image 21Silver coin (gerah) minted in the Persian province of Yehud, dated c. 375–332 BCE. Obv: Bearded head wearing crown, possibly representing the Persian Great King. Rev: Falcon facing, head right, with wings spread; Paleo-Hebrew YHD to right. (from History of Israel)
Image 22Obverse of Yehud silver coin (from History of Israel)
Image 23Tel Aviv Cinematheque (from Culture of Israel)
Image 24Jewish youth dancing the Horah in the kibboutz Ein Harod in 1936 (from Culture of Israel)
Image 25Intel core i7-940. Intel developed its dual-core Core Duo processor at its Israel Development Center in Haifa. (from Culture of Israel)
Image 26Jewish Brigade headquarters under both Union Flag and Jewish flag (from History of Israel)
Image 27Ecclesiastes is known for its incipit vanity of vanities; all is vanity and concepts of Vanitas (from Culture of Israel)
Image 28Simulated view of a black hole. Jacob Bekenstein predicted and co-discovered black hole entropy (from Culture of Israel)
Image 29Jewish workers in Kerem Avraham neighbourhood of Jerusalem (c. 1850s) (from History of Israel)
Image 30A portion of the Isaiah Scroll. One of the earliest known manuscripts of biblical literature (from Culture of Israel)
Image 31Supply convoy on its way to besieged Jerusalem, April 1948 (from History of Israel)
Image 32The Bahri Mamluk dynasty 1250–1382 (from History of Israel)
Image 33Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, 2006 (from Culture of Israel)
Image 34The route of the exiles to Babylon (from History of Israel)
Image 35David dictating the Psalms. The practice of psalms is referred to as a philosophical and theological problem (from Culture of Israel)
Image 36Hasmonean coin of Antigonus II Mattathias, depicting the Temple menorah (from History of Israel)
Image 37Occupied Enemy Territory Administration, 1918 (from History of Israel)
Image 38The Arch of Titus in Rome depicts the Roman triumph celebrating the fall of Jerusalem in 70 CE (from History of Israel)
Image 39United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine, 1947 (from History of Israel)
Image 40Cultural map of the world according to the World Values Survey, describing Israel as a whole at parity in "Rational-Secular Values" and also at parity in "Self-expression values". (from Culture of Israel)
Image 41Illustration for the Song of Songs. Along with the Book of Esther, the ancient poem is an example of an ancient Israeli literature with no mention of God, and is traditionally read as an allegory of the relationship between God and Israel (from Culture of Israel)
Image 42Israeli breakfast (from Culture of Israel)
Image 43Jewish Settlement Police members watching the settlement Nesher during 1936–1939 Arab revolt (from History of Israel)
Image 44Jewish Yemenite bride in traditional bridal vestment, adorned with a henna wreath, 1958 (from Culture of Israel)
Image 45Masada fortress overlooking the Dead Sea, the location of a 1st-century Roman siege (from History of Israel)
Image 46Painting of the siege of Jerusalem during the First Crusade (1099) (from History of Israel)
Image 47First modern art exhibition in Israel at the Ohel Theatre 1926, organized primarily by the Histadrut art studio (from Culture of Israel)
Image 48Hebrew ulpan in Dimona, 1955 (from Culture of Israel)
Image 49The Merneptah Stele, dated c. 1209 BCE, is the earliest textual reference to Israel (from History of Israel)
Image 50A Bookplate done for Martin Buber; The plate is adorned with the walls of Jerusalem in the shape of a Shield of David, viewed from above (from Culture of Israel)

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Israel News

November 11, 2026 – Gaza war: Israel launches an airstrike against the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, killing six Palestinians, including a surgeon, and wounding over 20 more. Four more people are also killed in other airstrikes in the Gaza Strip. (Al Jazeera) (Reuters)
November 8, 2026 – Gaza war protests: Three people are arrested as pro-Palestine protesters are confronted by pro-Israel counterprotesters in Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, amidst a boycott of six Jewish-owned restaurants targeted by a cycling club over their support of Israel. (NBC News); More than 200,000 people march in Amsterdam, Netherlands, to protest against Israel's genocide in Gaza and the Dutch government's support of the Israeli military. (Al Jazeera)
November 7, 2026 – 2026 Israeli legislative election: Israeli president Isaac Herzog selects Yashar party leader Gadi Eisenkot to attempt to form a coalition government following inconclusive Knesset elections. Eisenkot will have 28 days to secure sufficient support in the Knesset. (ABC News Australia) (The Times of Israel)
November 3, 2026 –: The Israeli cruise ship MS Crown Iris is targeted by a false bomb threat, and is searched on Syros, Greece. (Reuters)

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This is a list of recognized content, updated weekly by JL-Bot (talk · contribs) (typically on Saturdays). There is no need to edit the list yourself. If an article is missing from the list, make sure it is tagged (e.g. {{WikiProject Israel}}) or categorized correctly and wait for the next update. See WP:RECOG for configuration options.