Transcript Lecture 9 File

Israel
People
• Populations 8,230,000
• 76% Jewish, 21% Arab,
3% other
• Hebrew and Arabic
Economy
• $286 Billion GDP
• $35,658 per capita (25th)
• exports electronics, software, computerized
systems, communications technology, medical
equipment, pharmaceuticals, fruits,
chemicals, military technology, and diamonds
• exports $64.74 billion
Origins
• Israel means Jacob in
reference to the
Patriarch "struggle with
God"[
• Twelve Tribes of
Israel Jacob
• From Canaan were
forced by famine to go
into Egypt for four
generations until Moses
lead the Exodus.
Government
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Unitary Parliamentary Republic
Knesset 120 members
Universal Suffrage
PM is Head of Government
President performs ceremonial duties
Basic Law of Israel, un-codified constitution
Unstable coalitions
Judicial System - English Common Law and Jewish
Law
• Marriage and divorce are under religious
courts: Jewish, Muslim, Druze, and Christian
19th Knesset
Zionism
• nationalist movement that supports the
creation of a Jewish homeland in the
territory defined as the Land of Israel
• Late 19th C in Eastern and Central
Europe
• Zionist Congress
• Aliyah, Immigration waves, (1884),
(1904–14), (1919–1923), (1924–1929)
• 1903, declined a British offer to
establish a homeland in Uganda.
• WWII 33% increase of Jews in Palestine
• fear that American Jews would
encourage the USA to support Germany
in WW I resulted in Balfour Declaration
Occupied Territories
• 1967, West Bank, East
Jerusalem, Golan Heights,
Gaza Strip
• Sinai returned to Egypt.
• 1982 and 2000 South
Lebanon
• civilian law in the Golan and
EJ incorporated as sovereign
territory
Settler Communities
• 382,031 West Bank,
300,000, East Jerusalem
20,000 in the Golan
Heights
• Considered illegal by
international
community
• UN Vote, 158 of 166,
160 of 171
Gaza
• 2005,unilateral disengagement plan, Israel
removed all of its settlers and forces from the
territory.
• does not consider Gaza to be occupied
territory and declared it a "foreign territory".
• 2007 Hamas elections border crossings by
land sea an air heavily restricted
• Egyptian border
• 2014 Gaza Campaign
Military
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Israeli Defence Force
3rd highest ratio of GDP to military spending
MID, Mossad and Shaback
Conscription Men 3 years, Women 2
176,500 active troops and an additional 445,000
reservists
• US is expected to provide the country with
$3.15 billion per year from 2013–2018
• Global Peace Index, ranking 145th out of 153
• Has not signed Non-proliferation treaty
Foreign Affairs
• US has provided $68 billion in military
assistance and $32 billion in grants since 1967
• diplomatic relations with 157 countries,
• 3 members of the Arab League Egypt and
Jordan, Mauritania recognise Israel
• India, strong military, trade and technological
partnerships
• Azerbaijan, 2012 1.6 Billion arms deal, 5th
largest trading partner