--- title: Israel — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 6 description: Wikipedia's «Israel», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in the Southern Levant region of West Asia. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/6/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Israel # Israel · page 6 From Wikipedia, [«Israel»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/5/) **6** [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/7/) [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/8/) Israel is widely believed to [possess nuclear weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_weapons_and_Israel)[\[502\]](../../page/8/#ref-502 "note 502") and per a 1993 report, chemical and biological [weapons of mass destruction](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_and_weapons_of_mass_destruction).[\[503\]](../../page/8/#ref-503 "note 503")[457](../../457/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has not signed the [Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_on_the_Non-Proliferation_of_Nuclear_Weapons)[\[504\]](../../page/8/#ref-504 "note 504") and maintains a [policy of deliberate ambiguity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Policy_of_deliberate_ambiguity) towards its nuclear capabilities.[\[505\]](../../page/8/#ref-505 "note 505")[458](../../458/ "tree and pragmatics") The Israeli Navy's [Dolphin submarines](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin-class_submarine) are believed to be armed with nuclear missiles offering [second-strike](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_strike) capability.[\[506\]](../../page/8/#ref-506 "note 506")[459](../../459/ "tree and pragmatics") Since the [Gulf War](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_War) in 1991, all homes in Israel are required to have a reinforced security room, [Merkhav Mugan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merkhav_Mugan), impermeable to chemical and biological substances.[\[507\]](../../page/8/#ref-507 "note 507")[460](../../460/ "tree and pragmatics") Since Israel's establishment, military expenditure constituted a significant portion of the country's [gross domestic product](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gross_domestic_product), with peak of 30.3% of GDP in 1975.[\[508\]](../../page/8/#ref-508 "note 508")[461](../../461/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2021, Israel ranked 15th in the world [by total military expenditure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures), with $24.3 billion, and 6th by defence spending as a percentage of GDP, with 5.2%.[\[509\]](../../page/8/#ref-509 "note 509")[462](../../462/ "tree and pragmatics") Since 1974, the United States has been a particularly notable contributor of [military aid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel–United_States_military_relations#Military_aid_and_procurement).[\[510\]](../../page/8/#ref-510 "note 510")[463](../../463/ "tree and pragmatics") Under a [memorandum of understanding](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorandum_of_understanding) signed in 2016, the U.S. is expected to provide the country with $3.8 billion per year, or around 20% of Israel's defence budget, from 2018 to 2028.[\[511\]](../../page/8/#ref-511 "note 511")[464](../../464/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel ranked 8th globally for [arms exports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arms_industry) in 2020–2024.[\[512\]](../../page/8/#ref-512 "note 512")[465](../../465/ "tree and pragmatics") The majority of Israel's arms exports are unreported for security reasons.[\[513\]](../../page/8/#ref-513 "note 513")[466](../../466/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel is consistently rated low in the [Global Peace Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Peace_Index), ranking 134th out of 163 nations in 2022.[\[514\]](../../page/8/#ref-514 "note 514")[467](../../467/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Legal system Main article: [Judiciary of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judiciary_of_Israel), [Israeli law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_law) Israel has a [three-tier court system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_judicial_system).[468](../../468/ "tree and pragmatics") At the lowest level are [magistrate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magistrate) courts, situated in most cities across the country.[469](../../469/ "tree and pragmatics") Above them are [district courts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_court), serving as both [appellate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appeal) courts and [courts of first instance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_court); they are situated in five of Israel's six [districts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Districts_of_Israel).[470](../../470/ "tree and pragmatics") The third and highest tier is the [Supreme Court](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Israel), located in Jerusalem; it serves a dual role as the highest court of appeals and the [High Court of Justice](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Court_of_Justice_%28Israel%29).[471](../../471/ "tree and pragmatics") In the latter role, the Supreme Court rules as a court of first instance, allowing both citizens and non-citizens to petition against the decisions of state authorities.[\[515\]](../../page/8/#ref-515 "note 515")[472](../../472/ "tree and pragmatics") The legal system combines three legal traditions: [English common law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_law), [civil law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civil_law_%28legal_system%29), and [Jewish law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halakha).[\[315\]](../../page/8/#ref-315 "note 315")[473](../../473/ "tree and pragmatics") It is based on the principle of [stare decisis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stare_decisis) (precedent) and is an [adversarial system](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adversarial_system).[474](../../474/ "tree and pragmatics") Court cases are decided by professional judges.[\[516\]](../../page/8/#ref-516 "note 516")[475](../../475/ "tree and pragmatics") [Marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_in_Israel) and divorce are under the jurisdiction of the religious courts: [Jewish](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beth_din), [Muslim](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sharia), Druze, and Christian.[476](../../476/ "tree and pragmatics") The election of judges is carried out by a [selection committee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_Selection_Committee_%28Israel%29) chaired by the [justice minister](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Justice_%28Israel%29) (currently [Yariv Levin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yariv_Levin)).[\[517\]](../../page/8/#ref-517 "note 517")[477](../../477/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel's [Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Law:_Human_Dignity_and_Liberty) seeks to defend [human rights and liberties in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Israel).[478](../../478/ "tree and pragmatics") The [United Nations Human Rights Council](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Human_Rights_Council) and Israeli human rights organisation [Adalah](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adalah_%28legal_center%29) have highlighted that this law does not in fact contain a general provision for equality and non-discrimination.[\[465\]](../../page/8/#ref-465 "note 465")[\[518\]](../../page/8/#ref-518 "note 518")[479](../../479/ "tree and pragmatics") As a result of "[Enclave law](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enclave_law)", large portions of Israeli civil law are applied to Israeli settlements and Israeli residents in the occupied territories.[\[519\]](../../page/8/#ref-519 "note 519")[480](../../480/ "tree and pragmatics") Israeli law is seldom enforced in the occupied territories, with 96% of police investigations into settler violence in the West Bank from 2020 to 2025 ending without an indictment.[481](../../481/ "tree and pragmatics") No one has been charged in the killings of at least 1,100 Palestinian civilians by Israeli soldiers and settlers since 2020.[\[520\]](../../page/8/#ref-520 "note 520")[482](../../482/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Economy Main article: [Economy of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Israel) Israel is considered the most advanced country in [West Asia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Asia) and the Middle East in economic and industrial development.[\[521\]](../../page/8/#ref-521 "note 521")[\[522\]](../../page/8/#ref-522 "note 522") as of 2023 10, the IMF estimated its GDP at 521.7 billion dollars and GDP per capita at 53.2 thousand ([ranking 13th worldwide](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29_per_capita)).[\[523\]](../../page/8/#ref-523 "note 523")[483](../../483/ "tree and pragmatics") It is the third richest country in Asia [by nominal per capita](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_GDP_%28nominal%29_per_capita) income[\[524\]](../../page/8/#ref-524 "note 524") and has the highest average [wealth per adult](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_wealth_per_adult) in the Middle East.[\[525\]](../../page/8/#ref-525 "note 525")[484](../../484/ "tree and pragmatics") [The Economist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist) ranked Israel as the fourth most successful economy among the developed countries for 2022.[\[526\]](../../page/8/#ref-526 "note 526")[485](../../485/ "tree and pragmatics") It has the [most billionaires](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_number_of_billionaires) in the Middle East and the 18th most in the world.[\[527\]](../../page/8/#ref-527 "note 527")[486](../../486/ "tree and pragmatics") In recent years, Israel had one of the highest growth rates in the developed world.[\[528\]](../../page/8/#ref-528 "note 528")[487](../../487/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2010, it joined the [OECD](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OECD).[\[529\]](../../page/8/#ref-529 "note 529")[\[530\]](../../page/8/#ref-530 "note 530")[488](../../488/ "tree and pragmatics") The country is ranked 35th on the [World Bank](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Bank)'s [Ease of Doing Business index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ease_of_doing_business_index).[\[531\]](../../page/8/#ref-531 "note 531")[489](../../489/ "tree and pragmatics") Economic data covers the economic territory of Israel, including the Golan Heights, East Jerusalem and Israeli settlements in the West Bank.[\[369\]](../../page/8/#ref-369 "note 369")[490](../../490/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite limited natural resources, intensive development of the [agricultural](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture_in_Israel) and industrial sectors over the past decades has made Israel largely self-sufficient in food production, apart from grains and beef.[491](../../491/ "tree and pragmatics") Imports, totalling $96.5 billion in 2020, include raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, and consumer goods.[\[315\]](../../page/8/#ref-315 "note 315")[492](../../492/ "tree and pragmatics") Leading exports include machinery, equipment, software, [cut diamonds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond_industry_in_Israel), agricultural products, chemicals, textiles, and apparel; in 2020, exports reached $114 billion.[\[315\]](../../page/8/#ref-315 "note 315")[493](../../493/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Bank of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_of_Israel) holds $201 billion of foreign-exchange reserves, the 17th highest in the world.[\[315\]](../../page/8/#ref-315 "note 315")[494](../../494/ "tree and pragmatics") Since the 1970s, Israel has received [military aid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel–United_States_military_relations) from the United States, as well as loan guarantees, which account for roughly half of Israel's external debt.[495](../../495/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has [one of the lowest](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_external_debt) external debts in the developed world, and is a lender in terms of net external debt ([assets vs. liabilities abroad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Net_international_investment_position)), which as of 2015 stood at a surplus of $69 billion.[\[532\]](../../page/8/#ref-532 "note 532")[496](../../496/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has the second-largest number of startup companies after the United States[\[533\]](../../page/8/#ref-533 "note 533") and the third-largest number of [NASDAQ-listed companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_companies_quoted_on_the_Nasdaq).[\[534\]](../../page/8/#ref-534 "note 534")[497](../../497/ "tree and pragmatics") It is the world leader for number of start-ups per capita[\[535\]](../../page/8/#ref-535 "note 535") and has been dubbed the "[Start-Up Nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Start-up_Nation)".[\[536\]](../../page/8/#ref-536 "note 536")[\[537\]](../../page/8/#ref-537 "note 537")[\[538\]](../../page/8/#ref-538 "note 538")[\[539\]](../../page/8/#ref-539 "note 539")[498](../../498/ "tree and pragmatics") [Intel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel)[\[540\]](../../page/8/#ref-540 "note 540") and [Microsoft](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft)[\[541\]](../../page/8/#ref-541 "note 541") built their first overseas [research and development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_and_development) facilities in Israel, and other high-tech multinational corporations have opened [research and development centres in the country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multinational_companies_with_research_and_development_centres_in_Israel).[499](../../499/ "tree and pragmatics") The days which are allocated to working times are Sunday through Thursday (for a five-day workweek), or Friday (for a six-day workweek).[500](../../500/ "tree and pragmatics") In observance of [Shabbat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shabbat), in places where Friday is a work day and the majority of population is Jewish, Friday is a "short day".[501](../../501/ "tree and pragmatics") Several proposals have been raised to adjust the work week with the majority of the world.[\[542\]](../../page/8/#ref-542 "note 542")[502](../../502/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Science and technology Main article: [Science and technology in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_technology_in_Israel), [List of Israeli inventions and discoveries](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_inventions_and_discoveries) Israel's development of cutting-edge technologies in software, communications and the life sciences have [evoked comparisons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Wadi) with [Silicon Valley](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicon_Valley).[\[543\]](../../page/8/#ref-543 "note 543")[\[544\]](../../page/8/#ref-544 "note 544")[503](../../503/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel is first in the world in [expenditure on research and development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_research_and_development_spending) as a percentage of GDP.[\[545\]](../../page/8/#ref-545 "note 545")[504](../../504/ "tree and pragmatics") It is ranked 14th in the [Global Innovation Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Innovation_Index) in 2025,[\[546\]](../../page/8/#ref-546 "note 546")[\[547\]](../../page/8/#ref-547 "note 547") and 5th in the 2019 [Bloomberg Innovation Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloomberg_Innovation_Index).[\[548\]](../../page/8/#ref-548 "note 548")[505](../../505/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has 140 scientists, technicians, and engineers per 10,000 employees, the highest number in the world[\[549\]](../../page/8/#ref-549 "note 549")[\[550\]](../../page/8/#ref-550 "note 550") and has produced six [Nobel Prize-winning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_Nobel_laureates) scientists, mostly in chemistry, since 2004[\[551\]](../../page/8/#ref-551 "note 551") and has been frequently ranked as one of the countries with the highest ratios of [scientific papers](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_papers) per capita.[\[552\]](../../page/8/#ref-552 "note 552")[\[553\]](../../page/8/#ref-553 "note 553")[\[554\]](../../page/8/#ref-554 "note 554")[506](../../506/ "tree and pragmatics") [Israeli universities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Israeli_universities_and_colleges) are ranked among the top 50 world universities in computer science ([Technion](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technion) and [Tel Aviv University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tel_Aviv_University)), mathematics ([Hebrew University of Jerusalem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem)) and chemistry ([Weizmann Institute of Science](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weizmann_Institute_of_Science)).[\[555\]](../../page/8/#ref-555 "note 555")[507](../../507/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2012, Israel was ranked ninth in the world by the Futron's [Space Competitiveness Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Competitiveness_Index).[\[556\]](../../page/8/#ref-556 "note 556")[508](../../508/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Israel Space Agency](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Space_Agency) coordinates all space research programmes with scientific and commercial goals, and have designed and built at least 13 commercial, research and spy satellites.[\[557\]](../../page/8/#ref-557 "note 557")[509](../../509/ "tree and pragmatics") Some satellites are ranked among the world's most advanced space systems.[\[558\]](../../page/8/#ref-558 "note 558")[510](../../510/ "tree and pragmatics") [Shavit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shavit_2) is a space [launch vehicle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Launch_vehicle) produced by Israel to launch small satellites into [low Earth orbit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Low_Earth_orbit).[\[559\]](../../page/8/#ref-559 "note 559")[511](../../511/ "tree and pragmatics") It was first launched in 1988, making Israel the [eighth nation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_first_orbital_launches_by_country) to have a space launch capability.[512](../../512/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2003, [Ilan Ramon](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilan_Ramon) became Israel's first astronaut, serving on the [fatal mission](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia_disaster) of [Space Shuttle Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Shuttle_Columbia).[\[560\]](../../page/8/#ref-560 "note 560")[513](../../513/ "tree and pragmatics") The [ongoing water shortage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Israel) has spurred innovation in water conservation techniques, and a substantial [agricultural modernisation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agricultural_research_in_Israel), [drip irrigation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drip_irrigation), was invented in Israel.[514](../../514/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel is also at the technological forefront of desalination and water recycling.[515](../../515/ "tree and pragmatics") The Sorek desalination plant is the largest seawater [reverse osmosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis) desalination facility in the world.[\[561\]](../../page/8/#ref-561 "note 561")[516](../../516/ "tree and pragmatics") By 2014, desalination programmes provided roughly 35% of the drinking water, and it is expected to supply 70% by 2050.[\[562\]](../../page/8/#ref-562 "note 562") as of 2015, over 50 per cent of the water for households, agriculture and industry is artificially produced.[\[563\]](../../page/8/#ref-563 "note 563")[517](../../517/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2011, Israel's water technology industry was worth around $2 billion per year with annual exports of products and services in the tens of millions of dollars.[518](../../518/ "tree and pragmatics") As a result of innovations in reverse osmosis technology, Israel is set to become a net [exporter of water](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_export).[\[564\]](../../page/8/#ref-564 "note 564")[519](../../519/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has embraced [solar energy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_power_in_Israel); its engineers are on the cutting edge of solar energy technology,[\[565\]](../../page/8/#ref-565 "note 565") and its solar companies work on projects around the world.[\[566\]](../../page/8/#ref-566 "note 566")[\[567\]](../../page/8/#ref-567 "note 567")[520](../../520/ "tree and pragmatics") Over 90% of homes use solar energy for hot water, the highest per capita.[\[338\]](../../page/8/#ref-338 "note 338")[\[568\]](../../page/8/#ref-568 "note 568")[521](../../521/ "tree and pragmatics") According to government figures, the country saves 8% of its electricity consumption per year because of its solar energy use in heating.[\[569\]](../../page/8/#ref-569 "note 569")[522](../../522/ "tree and pragmatics") The high annual incident solar irradiance at its geographic latitude creates ideal conditions for what is an internationally renowned solar research and development industry in the Negev.[\[565\]](../../page/8/#ref-565 "note 565")[\[566\]](../../page/8/#ref-566 "note 566")[\[567\]](../../page/8/#ref-567 "note 567")[523](../../523/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel had a modern electric car infrastructure involving a countrywide network of charging stations;[\[570\]](../../page/8/#ref-570 "note 570")[\[571\]](../../page/8/#ref-571 "note 571")[\[572\]](../../page/8/#ref-572 "note 572") however, its electric car company [Better Place](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Place_%28company%29) shut down in 2013.[\[573\]](../../page/8/#ref-573 "note 573")[524](../../524/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Energy Main article: [Energy in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Energy_in_Israel) Israel [began producing natural gas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_gas_in_Israel) from its own offshore gas fields in 2004.[525](../../525/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2009 [Tamar gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamar_gas_field) was discovered near the coast, and [Leviathan gas field](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan_gas_field) was discovered in 2010.[\[574\]](../../page/8/#ref-574 "note 574")[526](../../526/ "tree and pragmatics") The natural gas reserves in these two fields could make Israel energy-secure for more than 50 years.[527](../../527/ "tree and pragmatics") Commercial production of natural gas from the Tamar field began in 2013, with over 7.5 billion cubic metres (bcm) produced annually.[\[575\]](../../page/8/#ref-575 "note 575")[528](../../528/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel had 199 billion bcm of proven reserves of natural gas as of 2016.[\[576\]](../../page/8/#ref-576 "note 576")[529](../../529/ "tree and pragmatics") The Leviathan gas field started production in 2019.[\[577\]](../../page/8/#ref-577 "note 577")[530](../../530/ "tree and pragmatics") [Ketura Sun](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketura_Sun) is Israel's first commercial solar field.[531](../../531/ "tree and pragmatics") Built in 2011 by the [Arava Power Company](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arava_Power_Company), the field will produce about 9 GW.h of electricity per year,[\[578\]](../../page/8/#ref-578 "note 578") sparing the production of some 125,000 t of carbon dioxide over 20 years.[\[579\]](../../page/8/#ref-579 "note 579")[532](../../532/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Transport Main article: [Transport in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transport_in_Israel) As of 2016, Israel has 19224 km of paved [roads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roads_in_Israel)[\[580\]](../../page/8/#ref-580 "note 580") and 3 million motor vehicles.[\[581\]](../../page/8/#ref-581 "note 581")[533](../../533/ "tree and pragmatics") The [number of motor vehicles per 1,000 persons](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_vehicles_per_capita) is 365, relatively low among developed countries.[\[581\]](../../page/8/#ref-581 "note 581")[534](../../534/ "tree and pragmatics") The country aims to have 30% of vehicles on its roads powered by electricity by 2030.[\[582\]](../../page/8/#ref-582 "note 582")[535](../../535/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel has 5,715 buses on scheduled routes,[\[583\]](../../page/8/#ref-583 "note 583") operated by several carriers, the largest and oldest of which is [Egged](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egged_%28company%29), serving most of the country.[\[584\]](../../page/8/#ref-584 "note 584")[536](../../536/ "tree and pragmatics") [Railways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Israel) stretch across 1277 km and are operated by government-owned [Israel Railways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Railways).[\[585\]](../../page/8/#ref-585 "note 585")[537](../../537/ "tree and pragmatics") Following major investments beginning in the early to mid-1990s, the number of train passengers per year has grown from 2.5 million in 1990, to 53 million in 2015; railways transport 7.5 e6t of cargo per year.[\[585\]](../../page/8/#ref-585 "note 585")[538](../../538/ "tree and pragmatics") Israel is served by three international [airports](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airports_in_Israel): [Ben Gurion Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Gurion_Airport), the country's main hub for international air travel; [Ramon Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramon_Airport); and [Haifa Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haifa_Airport).[539](../../539/ "tree and pragmatics") Ben Gurion handled over 21.1 million passengers in 2023.[\[586\]](../../page/8/#ref-586 "note 586")[540](../../540/ "tree and pragmatics") There are three main ports: the [Port of Haifa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Haifa), the oldest and largest; [Ashdod Port](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Ashdod); and the [Port of Eilat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_of_Eilat) on the [Red Sea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Sea).[541](../../541/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tourism Main article: [Tourism in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_Israel) See also: [List of archaeological sites in Israel and Palestine](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_archaeological_sites_in_Israel_and_Palestine) Tourism, especially [religious tourism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_tourism), is an important industry, with [beaches](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_beaches_in_Israel), [archaeological](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archaeology_of_Israel), other [historical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_in_Israel) and [biblical](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_biblical_places) sites, and unique geography also drawing tourists.[542](../../542/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2017, a record 3.6 million tourists visited Israel, yielding a 25 per cent growth since 2016 and contributed NIS 20 billion to the economy.[\[587\]](../../page/8/#ref-587 "note 587")[\[588\]](../../page/8/#ref-588 "note 588")[543](../../543/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Real estate Main article: [Housing in Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housing_in_Israel) Housing prices are listed in the top third of all countries,[\[589\]](../../page/8/#ref-589 "note 589") with an average of 150 salaries required to buy an apartment.[\[590\]](../../page/8/#ref-590 "note 590")[544](../../544/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2022, there are about 2.7 million properties in Israel, with an annual increase of over 50,000.[\[591\]](../../page/8/#ref-591 "note 591")[545](../../545/ "tree and pragmatics") However, demand for housing exceeds supply, with a shortage of about 200,000 apartments as of 2021.[\[592\]](../../page/8/#ref-592 "note 592")[546](../../546/ "tree and pragmatics") As a result, by 2021 housing prices rose by 5.6%.[\[593\]](../../page/8/#ref-593 "note 593")[547](../../547/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2021, Israelis took a record of NIS 116.1 billion in mortgages, an increase of 50% from 2020.[\[594\]](../../page/8/#ref-594 "note 594")[548](../../548/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Demographics Main article: [Demographics of Israel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Israel), [Israelis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israelis) Israel has the largest Jewish population in the world and is the only country where [Jews](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israeli_Jews) are the majority.[\[595\]](../../page/8/#ref-595 "note 595")[549](../../549/ "tree and pragmatics") As of April 2025, the population was an estimated 10,094,000.[\[596\]](../../page/8/#ref-596 "note 596")[550](../../550/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2025, the government recorded of the population as Jews, as [Arabs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_citizens_of_Israel), and as "Others" (non-Arab Christians and people who have no religion listed).[\[16\]](../../page/8/#ref-16 "note 16")[551](../../551/ "tree and pragmatics") Over the last decade, large numbers of migrant workers from Romania, Thailand, China, Africa, and South America have settled in Israel.[552](../../552/ "tree and pragmatics") Exact figures are unknown, as many of them are living in the country illegally,[\[597\]](../../page/8/#ref-597 "note 597") but estimates run from 166,000 to 203,000.[\[598\]](../../page/8/#ref-598 "note 598")[553](../../553/ "tree and pragmatics") By June 2012, approximately 60,000 [African migrants](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_immigration_from_Africa_to_Israel) had entered Israel.[\[599\]](../../page/8/#ref-599 "note 599")[554](../../554/ "tree and pragmatics") About 93% of Israelis live in urban areas.[\[600\]](../../page/8/#ref-600 "note 600")[555](../../555/ "tree and pragmatics") 90% of Palestinian Israelis reside in 139 densely populated towns and villages concentrated in the Galilee, [Triangle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_%28Israel%29) and Negev regions, with the remaining 10% in [mixed cities](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mixed_cities) and neighbourhoods.[\[601\]](../../page/8/#ref-601 "note 601")[556](../../556/ "tree and pragmatics") The OECD in 2016 estimated the average life expectancy at 82.5 years, the [6th-highest in the world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy).[\[602\]](../../page/8/#ref-602 "note 602")[557](../../557/ "tree and pragmatics") Israeli Arab life expectancy lags by 3 to 4 years[\[603\]](../../page/8/#ref-603 "note 603")[\[604\]](../../page/8/#ref-604 "note 604") and is higher than in most Arab and Muslim countries.[\[605\]](../../page/8/#ref-605 "note 605")[\[606\]](../../page/8/#ref-606 "note 606")[558](../../558/ "tree and pragmatics") The country has the highest [fertility rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate) in the OECD and the only one which is above the replacement figure of 2.1.[\[607\]](../../page/8/#ref-607 "note 607")[559](../../559/ "tree and pragmatics") Retention of Israel's population since 1948 is about even or greater, when compared to other countries with mass immigration.[\[608\]](../../page/8/#ref-608 "note 608")[560](../../560/ "tree and pragmatics") Jewish emigration from Israel (called [yerida](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerida)), primarily to the United States and Canada, is described by demographers as modest,[\[609\]](../../page/8/#ref-609 "note 609") but is often cited by Israeli government ministries as a major threat to Israel's future.[\[610\]](../../page/8/#ref-610 "note 610")[\[611\]](../../page/8/#ref-611 "note 611")[561](../../561/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/2/) [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/3/) [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/4/) [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/5/) **6** [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/7/) [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/8/) - ← previous: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/5/) - next →: [page 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Israel/page/7/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)