Israel

Israel is a country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, established in 1948. Its capital is Jerusalem, whose status is disputed internationally.

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Zionism: A Jewish national movement advocating a homeland in the historic Land of Israel. It organized support for a Jewish homeland before Israel’s establishment.
Parliamentary system: A system in which the government is formed from, and remains accountable to, a legislature. Israel’s government depends on support in its elected parliament.
Golda Meir: An Israeli politician who served as prime minister from 1969 to 1974. She led Israel during the Yom Kippur War and a period of political upheaval.
Israeli–Palestinian conflict: A national and territorial conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over land, sovereignty, security, and rights. It is the central unresolved conflict involving Israel.
State of Palestine: A state proclaimed by the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1988 and recognized by many countries. Its competing claim to sovereignty overlaps with Israel’s control and territorial claims.
British Mandate for Palestine: A League of Nations mandate under British administration from 1920 to 1948. British rule shaped the political conditions preceding Israel’s founding.
Knesset: Israel’s unicameral national legislature, consisting of 120 members. The Knesset elects the president, legislates, and sustains or dismisses governments.
Menachem Begin: An Israeli prime minister and leader of the Likud party, in office from 1977 to 1983. His election ended decades of Labor-led governments and preceded peace with Egypt.
Six-Day War: The 1967 war in which Israel fought Egypt, Jordan, and Syria and captured several territories. The occupation and territorial changes that followed remain consequential.
Jerusalem: A city claimed as a capital by Israel and Palestine, with a status disputed internationally. Israel designates Jerusalem its capital, while Palestinian claims and international positions contest its status.