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Facts About Israel

These facts are compiled by Lori K Actor, Bureau of Jewish Education Israel Experiences Coordinator. Sources are www.Israel21c.org and 1001 Facts by Mitchell Bard & Moshe Schwartz.

79. Over 60 different cultures have contributed to the vibrant fabric and strength of the current Israeli Society. Come see for yourself what Israel is all about!

78. Modern Jerusalem is like any other modern city, with its wide boulevards and highways. In 1860 Jerusalem was encouraged to expand outside the old city walls. During the British Mandate (1918-48), the city slowly changed from a small provincial town of the Ottoman Empire into a flourishing metropolis, with many new residential neighborhoods, each reflecting the character of the particular group living there. Today Jerusalem is Israel's largest city with over 650,000 people. It is still the seat of government, home to the Knesset, and the Supreme Court. Numerous archeological and historical sites, museums, beautiful parks,and shopping are just a few of the many things to see and do in this most famous of Jewish cities.

77. The Old City of Jerusalem is a walled city made up of four areas or quarters - Jewish, Muslim, Armenian, and Christian. Its narrow, winding streets are lined with shops where merchants sell foodstuffs and traditional handicrafts. Homes are clustered around courtyards surrounded by high walls. Today there are fascinating ruins of ancient synagogues and palaces as well as holy sites to Jews, such as the Kotel or Western Wall, as well as holy sites to Christians and Moslems.

76. The holy city of Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Located in the Judean Hills in the heart of the country, Jerusalem has been and continues to be the historical, spiritual, and national center of the Jewish people since the time of Kind David over 3,000 years ago. There are two areas of the city, the "Old City" dating back to biblical times and "Modern or New" Jerusalem.

75. Yom Ha'Atzmaut is Israel's Independence Day, celebrated each year on the fifth of Iyar on the Hebrew calendar (generally the first week of May). The holiday begins at the immediate conclusion of Yom Ha'Zikaron. The celebration begins in the evening at Mt. Herzl when the speaker of the Knesset lights 12 torches, symbolizing the 12 tribes of Israel. The day is marked by fireworks, music, and dancing in the streets, military displays, and official ceremonies. Jews around the world recite special prayers for Israel and hold celebrations to commemorate this historic special day.

74. Yom Ha'Zikaron is Israel's Memorial Day. It was originally established to remember those who fell in battle during the many wars that Israel has endured. Today it also includes Israelis who were victims of terror. The national holiday begins at sunset when air raid sirens are sounded throughout the nation. Flags are flown at half-mast and memorial candles are lit. Places of entertainment are closed. During the day, a national 2-minute moment of silence is marked with everyone stopping what they are doing where ever they are, even on the roadways.

73. The "Green Line" denotes the armistice line between Israel and Jordan at the end of the Six Day War in 1967. The name came about because someone used a green pen on the map of the armistice agreement to draw the border. Today there is a peace treaty between Israel and Jordan which was signed in 1994.

72. The Israel Defense Forces also known as the IDF was established in 1948 when the new government transformed the Haganah into its new army. The full Hebrew name of the IDF is Zeva Haganna le-Israel or Tzhal for short, which corresponds to the first letter of the three Jewish underground organizations (the Haganah, along with the Irgun and the Lehi). The IDF is made up of ground forces, the air force, and the navy. The IDF is based on compulsory, regular (voluntary) and reserve service.

71. Israel has the highest percentage in the world of home computers per capital.


70. TEVA, an Israeli comapny, is one of the top makers in the world of antibiotics as well as generic drugs.

69. Israel has a vibrant music and art scene reflecting Israel's diverse culture. Music has been a uniting factor for Israelis of every background. The Israel Philharmonic was founded in 1936 by professional musicians escaping the difficulties arising in Europe. The Mizrachi music was created by immigrant Jews from the Arab world and Israel's first successful rock band was The Churchills. Founded in 1906, the renowned Bezezal Academy of Art in Jerusalem was the first art school in Israel. In addition, there are 12 film schools and seven international film festivals. Israel has more museums per capita than any other country in the world.

68. Menachem Begin was a statesman, an underground commander, and the 6th Prime Minister of Israel. Born in Poland, he was active in the Betar youth movement and was briefly imprisoned for his Zionist activities. In 1942, Begin moved to Palestine where he eventually became a leader in the Irgun, a militant organization that opposed the British Mandate. Under Begin's tenure as Prime Minister, he signed The Camp David Accords, an historic peace agreement with Egypt, thus becoming the first Premier to make peace with an Arab neighbor. Begin also ordered the air strike that destroyed Iraq's nuclear reactor in 1981 and began rescue operations to bring Ethiopian Jews

67. TransChip, an Israeli company developed the first high resolution camera that fits on a single electronic chip for use in cell phones.

66. The Kinneret, also known as the Sea of Galilee, is the largest fresh water lake in Israel and the lowest freshwater lake in the world. It is located in the northern part of the Jordan River Valley. Some people say ti gets its name from its harp-like shape (Kinnor is Hebrew for harp) but actually it is named for an ancient biblical city that was once on the northwestern shore. Water from the Kinneret is used for drinking and agriculture and is pumped across the country through the National Water Carrier. Today, the Kinneret is a popular vacation and tourist spot for water sports and fishing.

65. Tel Aviv was the first all Jewish city built in Israel during modern times. Originally founded as Ahuzat Bayit in 1909, its name changed to Tel Aviv, meaning "Hill of Spring" in 1910. Located along the Mediterranean cost, Tel Aviv began as a suburb of Jaffa, one of the oldest port cities in the world. Today, Tel Aviv is the cultural and financial center of Israel. It is home to Israel's Stock Exchange and the Diamond Exchange. It is the main hub for the country's bus and rail transportation. Tel Aviv is the second largest city in Israel. It is known for its sandy beaches along the tayelet (boardwalk), its exciting night life, and great shopping. Its nickname is "the city that never stops."

64. Zim (Israel Navigation Company, Ltd.) was established in June, 1945 to create a domestic fleet to eventually be independent of foreign shipping. In 1965, the Israeli-constructed ship, the Esther, was built in Haifa and delivered to Zim. Today, Zim is the tenth-largest container shipping company in the world, operating more than 80 vessels.

63. One of the most fascinating archeological sites in Israel is Megiddo, which dates back 5,000 years. Megiddo is a tel (hill or mound)which has the remains of 30 ancient cities built one on top of another. The city was continuously inhabited for more than 3,500 years. Located in the western part of the Jezreel Valley, Megiddo's strategic location is at the crossroads of several major trade routes, thus enabling it to witness several major battles between ruling powers and nations throughout history. Excavations at Tel Megiddo began in 1903 and continue today under the auspices of Tel Aviv University. James Michner's book, The Source, is based on this interesting site.

62. Emergency care is available through the Magen David Adom (Red Shield of David). This organization corresponds to the Red Cross in America. It provides public ambulance service, mobile intensive care units and emergency treatment at first aid stations all over Israel and maintains a network of blood banks.

61. Israel is a diverse country with many ethnic groups making up its Jewish population, not to mention the 15 distinct religious groups recognized by the Israeli government. Each religious community is guaranteed their right to practice and administer their religions.

60. Haifa, the third largest city in Israel, is located on a natural bay in the north, on the Mediterranean coastline. Built on the slopes of Mount Carmel, the city has beautiful scenic views in all directions. Haifa has a long history dating back to Biblical times. Today, it is home to Israel's only subway, as well as headquarters for Israel's Railways and Israel's Navy. The city was traditionally an industrial center based around the port and oil refinery. Today, Haifa plays an important role in Israel's hi-tech industry including MATAM Industrial Center, Intel, Elbit, and Elscint. The Bahai Gardens are a major tourist attraction.

59. Medical Innovations: An Israeli company has developed a simple blood test that distinguishes between mild and more severe cases of Multiple Sclerosis. Israeli stem-cell technology is being used in the U.S. to regenerate heart tissue.

58. Yitzchak Rabin, politician and General, was Israel's 5th Prime Minister and the first native-born Israeli to hold office. He was born in Jerusalem in 1922 and became active in the Palmach early on in life. Rabin rose quickly through the ranks, first as Major-General, and then on to Chief of Staff of the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). He oversaw Israel's victory in the Six-Day War. During his first term as Prime Minister, Rabin focused on improving the economy, solving social problems, and strengthening the IDF. Operation Entebbe occurred under his administration.
His second term as Prime Minister was marked by being awarded the Noble Peace Prize for his efforts towards peace which culminated in signing the Oslo Accords by Israel and the Palestinians. A peace agreement signed between Israel and Jordan followed. On November 4, 1995, Rabin was assassinated while leaving a peace rally in Tel Aviv.

57. Israel has the world's highest per capita rate of university degrees. Some of the universities are: Ben Gurion University (Beer Sheva), The Hebrew University (Jerusalem), Technion University (Haifa), University of Haifa, Tel Aviv Uniersity and Bar-Ilan University (Tel Aviv).

56. The Government of Israel is a parliamentary democracy consisting of executive (Prime Minister), legislative (Knesset) and judical (the courts) branches.
The parliament of Israel is called the Knesset which means "assembly" in Hebrew. There are 120 members of the Knesset representing many political parties. Members of the Knesset make laws, approve the national budget, and make policy decisions. Elections are held every 4 years. In an election, Israeli citizens vote for their favorite political party. The more votes each party has, the more seats the party holds in the Knesset. Traditionally, Israel's two main parties are Likud and Labor, however, there are close to 40 very diverse, registered political parties in Israel.
The executive branch consists of the Prime Minister and his/her Cabinet. The leader of the party with the most Knesset members is given the opportunity to become the Prime Minister. This person, in turn, selects his/her Cabinet which is usually composed of a coalition of political parties. The Cabinet must be approved by the Knesset. The Knesset can bring down the goovernment with a vote of "no-confidence" thus requiring new, early elections.
The judicial branch consists of the courts. It is independent and serves as a watchdog for civil and human rights. It also has jurisdiction to review military actions. Marriage, divorce, and adoption issues are not regulated by civil law, therefore each religious group (including Druze, Moslem,Christian) has its own "religious courts" to decide these issues. There is no trial by jury in Israel.
The President is the head of state. The office symbolizes the unity of the state, above and beyond party politics. The President is elected every 5 years by members of the Knesset. The responsibilities of this position include appointing judges, justices, and diplomats based on recommendations of the Knesset.

55. Mitzpe Ramon, also known as the Ramon Crater, is located in the central part of the Negev. This maktesh is actually not an impact crater from a meteorite. Erosion created this valley which is surrounded by steep walls and drained by a single riverbed or wadi. It is the world's largest maktesh measuring 25 miles long, 5 miles wide, and 1,300 feet deep. The 154 square miles exposes layers of the earth that date back over 200 million years. It was discovered after the 1948.

54. Israeli research shows that we can find out more about what is buried beneath the earth's surface by launching a satellite into the sky. On September 19, 1988, Israel became the first Middle East country to launch a satellite.

53. The Negev is the largest and southernmost region of Israel. The word Negev means south in Hebrew. Until recently, portions of this barren, hot, dry desert have begun to "bloom" thanks to the ingenuity and hard work of Israeli scientists. Beersheba is considered the capital of the Negev, but its most famous city is Eilat.

52. Israeli researchers have developed "bone glue" that stimulates speedy bone and cartilage repair, and enables faster and improved healing of injuries.

51. Theodore Herzl was a successful journalist with little Jewish background. He adopted the Zionist cause after covering the Alfred Dreyfus case in Paris in 1894 and watched an increase in anit-Semitism. Immediatly, Herzl dreamed that the Jews should have a homeland of their own. Herzl became an advocate to help spread the idea of Zionism and established the World Zionist Movement. He organized the first Zionist Congress in 1897 at which the decision was made to establish a Jewish state. His motto was, "If you will it, it is no dream." Herzl died in 1904 but his dream became a reality in 1948. Herzl's remains were later brought to Mount Herzl in Jerusalem for burial among the great leaders of the State of Israel.

50. Moshe Dayan was an Israeli military warrior who became a crusader for peace. He played a key role in four wars, but also helped negotiate the historic Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty. Dayan fought with the Haganah and the British army, in which he was wounded fighting Vichey forces during WWII in Syria. During this war he lost his left eye and began wearing the black eye patch which became his trademark. Dayan served as Commander of the Jerusalem Front in 1948, Commander in Chief of the army during the Sinai Campaign, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Defense during the Six Day War and the Yom Kippur War, and a member of the Knesset. Many Israelis regard Dayan as their country's greatest military and political leader.

49. An Israeli company has developed technology that allows users to play computer games without the need for a controller. The ZCam, which is based on 3DV's camera technology, could soon transform the gaming industry with its ability to perceive depth and recognize human gestures, translating movements in the physical world into on-screen action.

48. In 1965, the Israeli company, Netafim, invented drip irrigation as a uniquely effective way of delivering water and fertilizers to crops. This innovation was followed by many others, and led to drip irrigation gaining worldwide acceptance, even in regions with marginal and harsh water.

47. A major water conservancy initiative of the government of Israel was the National Water Carrier. Completed in 1962, it transports water from the northern part of the country to the southern regions where water is scarce. During the rainy season, water is collected in reservoirs to provide water in the summer when there is no rain. The water is used for daily needs as well as for irrigation.

46. The Six Day War broke out on June 5, 1967. It was the result of disagreements with Syria over water sources and the closing of the Straits of Tiran in the south and naval embargo by Egypt. The war lasted for 6 days during which the Israel Defense Force (IDF) captured the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula (from Egypt), the West Bank including East Jerusalem (from Jordan), and the Golan Heights (from Syria).

45. Israeli currency is called shekels. It comes in coins and bills. The shekel is divided into 100 smaller units of money called agorot. Today, one Israeli New Shekel is worth approximately 28 cents in American dollars. Shekels are more than 5000 years old. In Biblical times, gold and silver shekel coins were used, for example, when the patriarch Abraham purchased the Cave At Machpelah for "400 shekels of silver." In modern times, Jews began usiing shekels in 1897, 51 years before the establishment of the State of Israel. In 1970 the shekel became Israel's official currency.

44. Israel is ranked #2 in the world for venture capital funds right behind the U.S.


43. Petach Tikva is a city located 6 miles east of Tel Aviv. The name is symbolic and originates from the Biblical passage, "I gave her vineyards and avalley for "Petach Tivkva" or door of hope." (Hosea 2:17) The city was established on swampland in 1878 by a group of religious Jews from Jerusalem. Petach Tikva was among the first Jewish settlements in Israel during the independence period and it is known as "The Mother of the Settlements."

42. Golda Meir was a stateswoman, diplomat and Prime Minister of Israel. She was born in Kiev, Russia and moved with her family to the United States. In 1921, she immigrated to Israel with her husband, Morris Meyerson and joined a kibbutz. They changed their name from Meyerson to Meir meaning "giver of light." Golda Meir became active in politics and was elected to head the Histadrut, Israel's central labor union. She was the first woman to serve as Israel's ambassador to the Soviet Union. She served as Prime Minister during the Yom Kippur War in 1973.

41. The flag of Israel was designed by David Wolffsohn in 1887 for the first Zionist Congress. He used the blue and white stripes of the tallit and added a Magen David (the star on the shield of King David) in the center. Wolffsohn said "When we see the Israeli flag, we remember the faith and the prayers of the many generations of Jews who longed for the return to their homeland."

40. The Jewish National Fund, also known as Keren Kayemet LeYisrael, was founded in 1901 to buy and develop land in Palestine for Jewish settlements. Today, JNF's tree planting continues to combat desertification and create green spaces for Israel's communities. Due to JNF's re-forestation efforts, Israel is believed to be one of the few countries, if not the only country, to end the twentieth century with more trees than it began.

39. In response to serious water shortages, Israeli engineers and agriculturalists developed a revolutionary drip irrigation system to minimize the amount of water used to grow crops.

38. Israel has more than 150 nature reserves protecting roughly 2,500 types of indigenous wild plants, 400 breeds of birds, 70 varieties of mammals and 20 species of freshwater fish. The Israel Nature and National Parks Protection Authority, who manages the reserves and parks, is also re-introducing wild species back into the region that were previously extinct from the region.

37. The Hebrew term for immigration to Israel is aliyah which means "going up." There were five different waves of aliyah prior to World War II when Jews from around the world joined the Jews who were already living there. During these years, the primary reasons Jews made aliyah were due to persecution, anti-Semitism, a desire for religious freedom as well as to build the homeland. In recent years, Jews from the former Soviet Union, Argentina, and Ethiopia continue to make aliyah for the same reasons.

36. Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with a net gain in its number of trees.

35. Be'er Sheva is a large city in the southern part of Israel. It is often referred to as the "Capital of the Negev." The Negev is the large desert region in Israel. Be'er Sheva is home to the Ben Gurion University. This university is known for its research and technology, especially in the areas of desert farming, desert agriculture, and solar energy.

34. The largest collection of books, manuscripts, documents, and microfilms of works written by or pertaining to Jews is housed in The Jewish National & University Library of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. There are over 3,000,000 volumes of books, periodicals, as well as thousands of items in the special collections.

33. Golan Heights is a mountainous region which over-looks northern Israel and southeast Syria. From 1948-1967, the area served as a Syrian base for attacks on Israeli settlements. In 1967, Israel captured it. It is only at most 15 miles wide and 45 miles long and towers 3,000 feet above the Kinneret.

32. A new acne treatment developed in Issrael, the ClearLight device, produces a high-intensity, ultraviolet-light-free, narrow-band blue light that causes acne bacteria to self destruct - all without damaging surrounding skin or tissue.

31. A new generation of "Sesame Street" programs aimed at teaching tolerance is being produced and broadcast in Israel, Jordan, and in the Palestinian Authority.

30. The emblem of the State of Israel which was adopted in 1949, is the seven branch menorah. This candelabrum is an ancient symbol of the Jewish people as seen in relief on the Arch of Titus in Rome. The emblem's menorah is surrounded by two olive branches representing the ancient yearning of the Jewish people for peace. The olive branch itself has been synonymous with peace since the dove brought one back to Noah after the great flood. (Genesis/Bereshit 8:11)

29. About one-third of the current Israeli population emigrated from over seventy different countries.

28. Masada is the ruins of a large fortress situated on a flat mountaintop in the Judean Desert on the shore of the Dead Sea. It was built by King Herod around 37 B.C.E. In 70 C.E. Rome conquered Jerusalem. Many Jews were captured and taken back to Rome, but some Jews escaped to the stronghold of Masada. There, the Jews defended themselves from the Romans for over 2 years. In 73 C.E. the Roman army finally invaded Masada. The Jews decided they would rather die by their own hands than by the Romans. When the Romans finally entered the fortress, they found all 960 Jews, men, women, and children, dead. Today, Masada continues to be a symbol of strength and freedom.

27. Chaim Weizmann was the first president of Israel and a well-known scientist. He was influential in the Balfour Declaration (1917) in which the British government declared the land of Israel as a national home for the Jewish people. The Weizmann Science Institute, located in Rechovot, is named in his memory.

26. The Israeli film "Sweet Mud" won the jury prize for world cinema at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It also won a major prize in the youth division at the Berlin Film Festival.

25. Deganyah was the first kibbutz established in Palestine in October, 1910 on one of the first parcels of land purchased by the Jewish National Fund. It is located just south of the Kinneret. During the War for Independence, Deganyah successfully halted the Syrian advance into Israeli territory. A Syrian tank abandoned in Deganyah's perimeter remains as a monument to the hard-fought battle.

24. Medical innovations: An Israeli company developed a blood test that via the telephone can diagnose heart attacks. An Israeli doctor headed the Merck team that developed a vaccine against cervical cancer.

23. Eilat is located on the southernmost tip of Israel. It is a tourist destination with beautiful beaches surrounded by desert. It is also known for its water sports and snorkeling. The coral reefs are the most northern reefs in the world and are a part of the Coral Beach Nature Reserve. On most days you can see Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia from nearby mountain peaks.

22. Israel's Given Imaging developed the first ingestible video camera, so small it fits inside a pill. Used to view the small intestine from the inside, the camera helps doctors diagnose cancer and digestive disorders.

21. The Maccabiah Games, held in Israel every four years, are the third-largest sporting event in the world after the Olympics and the Commonwealth Games. They are named after the Jewish warrior Judah Maccabee who led the revolt against the ancient Greeks. Many notable athletes have competed in the Maccabiah Games including Mark Spitz, Lenny Krayzelburg, Mitch Gaylord, Ernie Grunfeld, Herb Brown, Dick Savitt, and Corey Pavin.

20. The Dead Sea, which is the lowest spot on the earth, is more than 1,373 feet below sea level. It is located in Central Israel near the fortress of Masada and the oasis of Ein Gedi. It is 50 miles long and 11 miles wide. Its name was coined by the Romans due to the large amount of salt in the water making it incapable of sustaining life. In Hebrew, it is called Yam Ha Melach (Sea of Salt) as its water possesses the world's highest concentration of salt and other minerals. The Dead Sea is quickly evaporating due to the diversion of water that would normally feed into the sea.

19. Israel is fast becoming known as the technological center for the world. Israel hosts IBM's largest Research & Development facilities outside the United States as well as Motorola.

18. Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited towns in the world. Located 4.5 miles west of the Jordan River, it is a natural desert oasis. The town never had a Jewish community largely due to the biblical prohibition against Jews residing there.

17. "Hatikva" (the Hope) is Israel's national anthem. It was written as a poem in the 1800's by Naphtali Imber and set to music by Samuel Cohen. It first served as the anthem of the Zionist Movement and was included in the ceremonial singing at the first Zionist Congress. "Hatikva" was sung at the opening ceremony marking the singing of the Declaration of the State of Israel, accompanied by the Palestine Symphony Orchestra.

16. Relative to its population, Israel is the largest immigrant-absorbing nation on earth. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedom, and economic opportunity.

15. The Green Line was the demarcation between the 1967 borders of Israel and the West Bank territories captured in the Six-Day War. The name came from the color of the ink used on the map of the armistice agreement with Jordan to draw the border.

14. Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers was produced by Haim Saban, an Israeli whose family fled persecution in Egypt.

13. Golda Meir was born in Kiev and immigrated to the United States in 1906 and then to Palestine in 1921. She was one of the signers of Israel's Declaration of Independence in 1948. Shortly afterwards, Meir was issued with Israel's first passport, and went to the United States to raise money for the new, fledgling nation. When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the world's second elected female leader in modern times.

12. In proportion to its population, Israel has the largest number of startup companies in the world. In absolute terms, Israel has the largest number of startup companies than any other country in the world, except the USA (3,500 companies mostly in hi-tech).

11. Sabras are native-born Israelis. the word comes from the name of a prickly cactus plant whose fruit is tough on the outside and soft on the inside, similar to an Israeli's character.

10. Yemin Moshe was the first neighborhood outside of the walled city of Jerusalem. In 1860, Sir Moses Montefiore funded the first housing complex outside the Old City called Mishkenot Sha'ananim. Mishkenot Sha'ananim eventually expanded and grew into the neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, named after its benefactor. Near the entrance of Yemin Moshe stands a windmill built to serve the community. However, it was never used because of a lack of wind.

9. Israel's $100 billion economy is larger than all of its immediate neighbors combined.


8. On June 24, 2007,( the 8th of Tammuz 5767) professional baseball began in Israel with 6 teams: Bet Shemesh Blue Sox, Modi'in Miracle, Netanya Tigers, Ra'anana Express, Petach Tikva Pioneers, and Tel Aviv Lighting. The game varies slightly from American baseball. Games are seven innings, with a home run hitting contest (a "home-run derby") to decide a tie. For more information, click here.
7. Eliezar Ben-Yehuda (1858-1922) was an early Zionist leader who emigrated from Lithuania to Palestine. Disturbed by the sentiment that Jews could not become a single nation due to a lack of a common language, Ben-Yehuda spearheaded the movement to revive Hebrew as a living language. Through his efforts, Hebrew is a vibrant, culturally-rich language today. Hebrew along with Arabic are the two official languages in Israel.

6. Some 500 million birds representing 300 species migrate across Israel's skies twice a year in the autumn and spring along the Great Valley Rift.

5. Israel was declared an independent country on Friday, May 14, 1948, several hours before the British Mandate for Palestine came to an end. The Declaration of Independence was read by David Ben-Gurion who subsequently became Israel's first Prime Minister.

4. The technology for AOL Instant Messenger was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis.


3. The area of the State of Israel is 7,850 square miles which is roughly the size of New Jersey. The State of Texas is approximately 33 times larger than the State of Israel.

2. NASA is interested in knowing what Israeli researchers can learn about conditions on Mars by studying the Negev desert.

1. The walls of the Old City of Jerusalem have 11 gates of which only seven remain open. The open gates are: Jaffa, Zion, Lion's, New, Dung, Herold's, and Damascus. The closed gates are Single, Double,Triple,and Golden, or Mercy Gate.