Tag: Israel

Israel is a small but geopolitically significant country located in the Middle East

By Shashikant Nishant Sharma

Israel is a small but geopolitically significant country located in the Middle East, at the eastern end of the Mediterranean Sea. Despite its size, Israel plays a major role in global politics, economics, and culture, largely due to its historical, religious, and strategic importance. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Historical Background

Israel’s history stretches back thousands of years, making it one of the most historically rich regions in the world. The land has deep significance for three of the world’s major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

  1. Ancient Israel: The ancient history of Israel dates back to the Biblical period, where the region was home to the ancient Hebrews. The formation of the Kingdom of Israel is recorded in the Old Testament, with Jerusalem as its capital. After a period of conquest and exile, particularly by the Babylonians, and later occupation by the Romans, the Jewish presence in Israel diminished.
  2. Diaspora and Return: Over centuries, Jews were dispersed across the world in what is called the Jewish Diaspora. The longing for a return to their ancient homeland became central to Jewish identity. This aspiration eventually led to the Zionist movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, aimed at establishing a modern Jewish state in the historical land of Israel.
  3. Creation of Modern Israel (1948): The creation of the modern state of Israel occurred on May 14, 1948, after the United Nations voted in 1947 to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. This decision led to the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, as neighboring Arab nations opposed the establishment of Israel. Despite this, Israel survived and expanded its territory during the war.

Geography and Demographics

Israel is a small country, roughly 20,770 square kilometers in size, making it comparable to the U.S. state of New Jersey. Despite its small area, the country’s geography is diverse:

  • Mediterranean Coast: Israel’s western border is defined by the Mediterranean Sea, home to major cities like Tel Aviv, a global hub for technology, finance, and culture.
  • Negev Desert: The Negev, a vast arid desert in the south, makes up about 60% of Israel’s landmass.
  • Jordan Rift Valley: To the east, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea mark the lowest point on Earth’s surface.
  • Mountain Ranges: In the north, the Golan Heights and Mount Carmel form part of Israel’s highlands.

Israel’s population is approximately 9.5 million (as of 2024). It is a highly diverse society:

  • Jews: About 74% of the population identifies as Jewish. Jews in Israel come from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds, including Ashkenazi Jews (from Europe), Sephardic Jews (from Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East), and Mizrahi Jews (from Arab countries).
  • Arabs: Around 21% of Israel’s citizens are Arab, including both Muslims and Christians.
  • Other Groups: There are also smaller communities of Druze, Bedouins, and other minorities.

Government and Politics

Israel is a parliamentary democracy, often referred to as the only democracy in the Middle East. It operates under a system of proportional representation, where the Knesset (Israel’s parliament) is the legislative body with 120 members. The Prime Minister serves as the head of government, while the President of Israel is a largely ceremonial head of state.

  • Prime Minister: The Prime Minister holds executive power and is responsible for running the government. Israel has had a number of notable leaders, including David Ben-Gurion (Israel’s first Prime Minister) and Benjamin Netanyahu, one of the longest-serving Prime Ministers.
  • Political Landscape: Israel’s political scene is characterized by numerous parties representing a broad spectrum of ideologies—from right-wing nationalist to left-wing liberal, as well as religious and secular groups. Major parties include Likud (a right-wing party), Yesh Atid, and Labor.

Economy

Israel has a highly developed and technologically advanced economy, often referred to as the “Start-Up Nation” due to its thriving tech sector. It is one of the world’s leaders in technology innovation, with major achievements in sectors such as cybersecurity, biotechnology, medical equipment, and agriculture. Some key aspects of Israel’s economy include:

  • High-Tech Industry: Israel is home to a booming high-tech industry, with many tech giants such as Google, Intel, and Microsoft establishing significant operations in the country. Israel has also produced numerous successful startups, particularly in the areas of software, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
  • Agriculture: Despite its arid climate, Israel is renowned for its agricultural innovations, such as drip irrigation, which has enabled efficient farming in desert conditions.
  • Natural Resources: In recent years, the discovery of large natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean has bolstered Israel’s economy, making it a key player in the regional energy market.
  • Tourism: Tourism is a major industry, with millions of visitors each year attracted by Israel’s religious and historical sites, such as Jerusalem, Nazareth, and the Dead Sea.

Religious and Cultural Significance

  1. Jerusalem: Jerusalem is the most significant city for Israel and holds profound religious importance for Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike. The Western Wall (also known as the Wailing Wall) is one of Judaism’s holiest sites. The Temple Mount is a focal point of both Jewish and Muslim reverence, housing the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
  2. Christianity: For Christians, Israel is home to many sacred sites, including Nazareth (where Jesus grew up) and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, traditionally believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection.
  3. Islam: Israel is also significant to Muslims, with the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem being one of the holiest places in Islam.

Security and Conflict

Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has faced ongoing security challenges, including wars, conflicts with neighboring Arab states, and internal tensions with the Palestinian population.

  1. Arab-Israeli Wars: Israel has fought several wars with neighboring Arab countries, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War of 1967, and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. These conflicts resulted in significant territorial changes and enduring regional tensions.
  2. Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is one of the world’s most enduring and complex political disputes. The roots of the conflict lie in competing claims to the land of Israel/Palestine, particularly over Jerusalem and the territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Numerous peace initiatives have been attempted, but a lasting resolution remains elusive.
  3. Gaza Conflict: Israel and the militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, have engaged in multiple rounds of violence, including rocket attacks, airstrikes, and ground invasions. This ongoing conflict has led to significant humanitarian challenges for both Israelis and Palestinians.

Diplomatic Relations

Israel maintains diplomatic relationships with many countries, particularly in the West. Its closest ally is the United States, which provides significant military and economic aid. In recent years, Israel has also normalized relations with several Arab nations, such as the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan through the Abraham Accords.

However, Israel still faces tensions with some neighboring countries and factions, particularly in relation to the Palestinian issue and its regional politics with Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Conclusion

Israel is a country of contrasts: ancient history meets cutting-edge technology, a diverse society with deep cultural and religious significance, and a place of both conflict and innovation. Despite its challenges, Israel remains a key player in global affairs, with its dynamic economy, strong military, and unique position in world history and religion.

References

Bright, J. (2000). A history of Israel. Westminster John Knox Press.

Ben-Israel, M. (1987). The hope of Israel. Liverpool University Press.

Friedlander, D., & Goldscheider, C. (1979). The population of Israel. Columbia University Press.

Sykes, C. (2022). Crossroads to Israel. Plunkett Lake Press.

India-Israel Friendship – Beginning of a New Era of Industrial Research and Development Cooperation

 In a momentous milestone in S&T cooperation between India and Israel, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Industrial Research and Development Cooperation was signed between the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) of the Republic of India and the Directorate of Defense Research and Development (DDR&D), under the Ministry of Defense of the State of Israel.

Dr N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR thanked the Hon’ble Minister of State(IC), Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, GoI and Vice President, CSIR Society for gracing the meeting and his continued support to CSIR. She welcomed the dignitaries and gave an overview of CSIR, showcasing its technological and research prowess as also the ongoing collaboration discussions with DDR&D, Israel in Aerospace, Healthcare, Energy. Sharing CSIR’s priority topics she concurred to the interest of DDR&D for furthering collaboration with Israel in high technology areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Quantum and semiconductors, synthetic biology etc.

Acknowledging the ongoing cooperation efforts of CSIR and his team, Dr. Daniel Gold, Head, DDR&D envisioned that the CSIR-DDR&D cooperation would be beneficial for the welfare of both the countries. He added that DDR&D welcomes collaboration not only with R&D organizations but also with start-ups and companies, venture capitals on both sides. He apprised that AI and photonics are strengths of Israel and welcomed cooperation with CSIR in High Technology sectors which would pave the way for building a better future.

Stressing the successful completion of three decades of India-Israel successful diplomatic relations, Mr. Naor Gilon, Ambassador of Israel to India emphasised the close friendly relations between Israel and India, which have culminated into a strategic partnership after the complimentary visits of Prime Ministers of both the countries in 2018. The present CSIR-DDR&D cooperation would add another feather and be a milestone for India-Israel relations.

Dr N Kalaiselvi and Dr. Daniel Gold signed the CSIR-DDR&D MoU in the august presence of Hon’ble Minister of S&T, Government of India and Vice President, CSIR Society, Dr Jitendra Singh.

The MoU shall enable cooperation in the industrial R&D programs in mutually agreeable industrial technology fields through implementation of specific projects. The collaboration would encompass some of the key industrial sectors including Healthcare; Aerospace & Electronics Instrumentation; Civil, Infrastructure & Engineering; Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Sustainable Energy including Energy Devices; Ecology, Environment, Earth & Ocean Sciences and Water; Mining, Minerals, Metals & Materials; Agriculture, Nutrition & Biotechnology. The collaboration through the MoU would be steered and the execution monitored by a Joint Steering Committee led by the heads of the CSIR and DDR&D for taking forward mutually benefiting Industrial and technology cooperation.

Specific collaboration on Hydrogen and Aerospace currently under discussed between CSIR and DDR&D were briefed by Dr Abhay Pashilkar, Director, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), and Dr Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL); they welcomed collaboration on futuristic technologies in these domains, including in High Altitude Platform, Hydrogen Valley programs of CSIR, respectively.

Specific collaboration on Therapeutics between CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT) and M/s 101 Therapeutics for conducting clinical trials of a COVID-19 drug having enormous therapeutic potential was briefed; if successful this would prove to be highly appropriate and effective for preparation of future pandemics. The cooperation MoU between CSIR-IICT and M/s 101 Therapeutics was also signed during the meeting.

 

In his remarks, Dr Jitendra Singh said that it is a very important year in the S&T sphere of India under the leadership of  PM of India as India is holding G20 presidency, celebrating the International year of Millets, as also India and Israel completed 30 years of successful diplomatic relations.

He apprised that CSIR has specialized laboratories in almost all the identified priority sectors therefore assured appropriate competence for this cooperation. For e.g. indigenous Hydrogen Fuel Cell bus by CSIR-NCL, purple revolution (Lavender cultivation) by CSIR-IIIM. He welcomed technology partnership with Israel and congratulated both sides for for their efforts to strengthen the India-Israel relationship.

Dr. Rama Swami Bansal, Head, International S&T Affaris Directorate (ISTAD), CSIR thanked the Hon’ble Minister for his continued support to CSIR, the team from Israel for building and formalizing the cooperation and her colleagues from CSIR and MEA for their kind and gracious presence during the MoU signing meeting today.

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India signs a three-year work program for cooperation in Agriculture with Israel

On 24th May 2021, India signed a three-year work program agreement with a vision for the development of Agriculture cooperation with Israel. “INDO-ISRAEL Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence” are also implemented by India and Israel.

The work program aims to improve existing Centres of Excellence, build new centres, increase CoE’s value chain, bring the Centres of Excellence into the self-sufficient mode, and encourage private sector companies and collaboration.

This programme will help boost the bilateral relationships among both governments. Cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture will benefit the farming community. India and Israel have had bilateral relations since 1993 in the agricultural sector. It is the 5th IIAP(Indo-Israel Agriculture Action Plan).

India has 29 operational Centres of Excellence (COEs) across India in 12 States. Centres of excellence implement Advanced-Intensive agriculture farms with Israeli Agro-Technology suitable to local conditions.

The Centres of Excellence helps to impart knowledge, demonstrate best practices and train farmers. Every year, these COEs produce more than 25 million quality vegetable seedlings, more than 387 thousand quality fruit plants and train more than 1.2 lakh farmers regarding the latest technology in horticulture.

INDO-ISRAEL Villages of Excellence(IIVOE) aims at creating a model ecosystem in agriculture across eight states, alongside 13 Centers of Excellence within 75 villages. It has the vision to incorporate a large-scale and complete value chain approach based on the principles of Israeli novel technologies and methodologies dissemination of the CoE’s, tailored to local conditions. IIVOE will focus on Modern Agriculture infrastructure, Capacity Building, Market linkage.

“So far, we have successfully completed 4 action plans. This new work programme will further strengthen the bilateral relations and mutual cooperation between the two countries in the field of agriculture for the benefit of the farming community. The COEs established under these Israeli-based action plans are playing an important role in doubling farmers’ income. The exchange of technology between India and Israel will greatly improve the productivity and quality of horticulture, thereby increasing the income of farmers” were the words of Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Shri Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare said, “These Centers of Excellence established under Indo-Israel Agriculture Action Plan (IIAP) have become epicentres of transformation in the horticulture sector. Our focus during the new work programme will be to convert the villages surrounding these COEs into Villages of Excellence through massive outreach programmes”.

Ambassador Dr Ron Malka said, “The three-year work program (2021-2023) reflects the strength of our growing partnership and will benefit local farmers both through the Centers of Excellence and the Villages of Excellence”.

The work program signing ceremony was also attended by Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shri Parshottam Rupala and Shri Kailash Choudhary along with Senior officers of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and Ministry of Agriculture & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India.