Israel

Israel

Introduction

Background

Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories Israel occupied since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. Israel and Palestinian officials signed on 13 September 1993 a Declaration of Principles (also known as the “Oslo Accords”) guiding an interim period of Palestinian self-rule. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In April 2003, US President BUSH, working in conjunction with the EU, UN, and Russia – the “Quartet” – took the lead in laying out a roadmap to a final settlement of the conflict by 2005, based on reciprocal steps by the two parties leading to two states, Israel and a democratic Palestine. However, progress toward a permanent status agreement was undermined by Israeli-Palestinian violence between September 2003 and February 2005. In the summer of 2005, Israel unilaterally disengaged from the Gaza Strip, evacuating settlers and its military while retaining control over most points of entry into the Gaza Strip. The election of HAMAS to head the Palestinian Legislative Council froze relations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA). Ehud OLMERT became prime minister in March 2006 and presided over a 34-day conflict with Hizballah in Lebanon in June-August 2006 and a 23-day conflict with HAMAS in the Gaza Strip during December 2008 and January 2009. OLMERT, who in June 2007 resumed talks with PA President Mahmoud ABBAS, resigned in September 2008. Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU formed a coalition in March 2009 following a February 2009 general election. Direct talks launched in September 2010 collapsed following the expiration of Israel’s 10-month partial settlement construction moratorium in the West Bank. Diplomatic initiatives to revive the negotiations through proximity talks began at the end of 2010.

Geography

Location

Middle East, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, between Egypt and Lebanon

Geographic coordinates

31 30 N, 34 45 E

Map references

Middle East

Area

total: 20,770 sq km
country comparison to the world: 154 land:20,330 sq km
water:440 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly larger than New Jersey

Land boundaries

total: 1,017 km
border countries:Egypt 266 km, Gaza Strip 51 km, Jordan 238 km, Lebanon 79 km, Syria 76 km, West Bank 307 km

Coastline

273 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf:to depth of exploitation

Climate

temperate

hot and dry in southern and eastern desert areas

Terrain

Negev desert in the south

low coastal plain

central mountains

Jordan Rift Valley

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Dead Sea -408 m
highest point:Har Meron 1,208 m

Natural resources

timber, potash, copper ore, natural gas, phosphate rock, magnesium bromide, clays, sand

Land use

arable land: 15.45%
permanent crops:3.88%
other:80.67% (2005)

Irrigated land

2,250 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

1.7 cu km (2001)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.05cu km/yr (31%/7%/62%)
per capita:305cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

sandstorms may occur during spring and summer

droughts

periodic earthquakes

Environment – current issues

limited arable land and natural freshwater resources pose serious constraints

desertification

air pollution from industrial and vehicle emissions

groundwater pollution from industrial and domestic waste, chemical fertilizers, and pesticides

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:Marine Life Conservation

Geography – note

Lake Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) is an important freshwater source

there are about 355 Israeli civilian sites including about 145 small outpost communities in the West Bank, 41 sites in the Golan Heights, and 32 in East Jerusalem (2010 est.)

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Israeli(s)
adjective:Israeli

Ethnic groups

Jewish 76.4% (of which Israel-born 67.1%, Europe/America-born 22.6%, Africa-born 5.9%, Asia-born 4.2%), non-Jewish 23.6% (mostly Arab) (2004)

Languages

Hebrew (official), Arabic (used officially for Arab minority), English (most commonly used foreign language)

Religions

Jewish 75.6%, Muslim 16.9%, Christian 2%, Druze 1.7%, other 3.8% (2008 census)

Population

7,473,052 (July 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97 note:approximately 296,700 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank (2009 est.)

approximately 19,100 Israeli settlers live in the Golan Heights (2008 est.)

approximately 192,800 Israeli settlers live in East Jerusalem (2008 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 27.6% (male 1,057,113/female 1,008,978)
15-64 years:62.2% (male 2,358,858/female 2,292,281)
65 years and over:10.1% (male 331,034/female 424,788) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 29.4 years
male:28.7 years
female:30.1 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

1.584% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73

Birth rate

19.24 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98

Death rate

5.47 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Net migration rate

2.08 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Urbanization

urban population: 92% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:1.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

Tel Aviv-Yafo 3.219 million

Haifa 1.027 million

JERUSALEM (capital) 768,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years:1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.78 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

7 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 157

Infant mortality rate

total: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 200 male:4.3 deaths/1,000 live births
female:3.94 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 80.96 years
country comparison to the world: 17 male:78.79 years
female:83.24 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.7 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75

Health expenditures

9.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 36

Physicians density

3.633 physicians/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 24

Hospital bed density

5.83 beds/1,000 population (2007)
country comparison to the world: 28

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.2% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

7,500 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109

HIV/AIDS – deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Obesity – adult prevalence rate

22.9% (2001)
country comparison to the world: 15

Education expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 30

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:97.1%
male:98.5%
female:95.9% (2004 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 15 years
male:15 years
female:16 years (2008)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 14.7%
country comparison to the world: 78 male:15.7%
female:13.9% (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: State of Israel
conventional short form:Israel
local long form:Medinat Yisra’el
local short form:Yisra’el

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Capital

name: Jerusalem
geographic coordinates:31 46 N, 35 14 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time:+1hr, begins first Friday in April

ends the Sunday between the holidays of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur
note:Israel proclaimed Jerusalem as its capital in 1950, but the US, like all other countries, maintains its Embassy in Tel Aviv

Administrative divisions

6 districts (mehozot, singular – mehoz)

Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern, Tel Aviv

Independence

14 May 1948 (from League of Nations mandate under British administration)

National holiday

Independence Day, 14 May (1948)

note – Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May

Constitution

no formal constitution

some of the functions of a constitution are filled by the Declaration of Establishment (1948), the Basic Laws of the parliament (Knesset), and the Israeli citizenship law

note – since May 2003 the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee of the Knesset has been working on a draft constitution

Legal system

mixed legal system of English common law, British Mandate regulations, and Jewish, Christian, and Muslim religious laws

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

withdrew acceptance of ICCt jurisdiction in 2002

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Shimon PERES (since 15 July 2007)
head of government:Prime Minister Binyamin NETANYAHU (since 31 March 2009)
cabinet:Cabinet selected by prime minister and approved by the Knesset
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:president largely a ceremonial role and is elected by the Knesset for a seven-year term (one-term limit)

election last held 13 June 2007 (next to be held in 2014 but can be called earlier)

following legislative elections, the president, in consultation with party leaders, assigns the task of forming a governing coalition to a Knesset member who he or she determines is most likely to accomplish that task
election results:Shimon PERES elected president

number of votes in first round – Shimon PERES 58, Reuven RIVLIN 37, Colette AVITAL 21

PERES elected president in second round with 86 votes (unopposed)

Legislative branch

unicameral Knesset (120 seats

political parties are elected by popular vote and assigned seats for members on a proportional basis

members serve four-year terms)
elections:last held on 10 February 2009 (next scheduled election to be held in 2013)
election results:percent of vote by party (preliminary) – Kadima 23.2%, Likud-Ahi 22.3%, YB 12.1%, Labor 10.2%, SHAS 8.8%, United Torah Judaism 4.5%, United Arab List 3.5%, Hadash 3.4%, National Union 3.4%, New Movement-Meretz 3%, The Jewish Home 3%, Balad 2.6%

percent of vote by party (final) – Kadima 22.5%, Likud-Ahi 21.6%, YB 11.7%, Labor 9.9%, SHAS 8.5%, United Torah Judaism 4.4%, United Arab List 3.4%, Hadash 3.3%, National Union 3.3%, New Movement-Meretz 3%, The Jewish Home 2.9%, Balad 2.6%

seats by party – Kadima 28, Likud-Ahi 27, YB 15, Labor 13, SHAS 11, United Torah Judaism 5, United Arab List 4, National Union 4, HADASH 4, The Jewish Home 3, New Movement-Meretz 3, Balad 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (justices appointed by Judicial Selection Committee – made up of all three branches of the government

mandatory retirement age is 70)

Political parties and leaders

Balad [Jamal ZAHALKA]

Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (HADASH) [Muhammad BARAKEH]

Independence [Ehud BARAK]

Kadima [Tzipora "Tzipi" LIVNI]

Labor Party [Eitan CABEL]

Likud [Binyamin NETANYAHU]

National Union [Yaakov KATZ]

SHAS [Eliyahu YISHAI]

The Jewish Home (HaBayit HaYehudi) [Daniel HERSCHKOWITZ]

The New Movement-Meretz [Haim ORON]

United Arab List-Ta’al [Ibrahim SARSUR]

United Torah Judaism or UTJ [Yaakov LITZMAN]

Yisrael Beiteinu or YB [Avigdor LIEBERMAN]

Political pressure groups and leaders

B’Tselem [Jessica MONTELL, Executive Director] monitors human rights abuses

Peace Now [Yariv OPPENHEIMER, Secretary General] supports territorial concessions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

YESHA Council of Settlements [Danny DAYAN, Chairman] promotes settler interests and opposes territorial compromise

Breaking the Silence [Yehuda SHAUL, Executive Director] collects testimonies from soldiers who served in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

International organization participation

BIS, BSEC (observer), CE (observer), CERN (observer), CICA, EBRD, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW (signatory), OSCE (partner), Paris Club (associate), PCA, SECI (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Michael B. OREN
chancery:3514 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 364-5500
FAX:[1] (202) 364-5607
consulate(s) general:Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Daniel B. SHAPIRO
embassy:71 Hayarkon Street, Tel Aviv 63903
telephone:[972] (3) 519-7575
FAX:[972] (3) 516-4390
consulate(s) general:Jerusalem

note – an independent US mission, established in 1928, whose members are not accredited to a foreign government

Flag description

white with a blue hexagram (six-pointed linear star) known as the Magen David (Shield of David) centered between two equal horizontal blue bands near the top and bottom edges of the flag

the basic design resembles a Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), which is white with blue stripes

the hexagram as a Jewish symbol dates back to medieval times

National symbol(s)

Star of David

National anthem

name: “Hatikvah” (The Hope)
lyrics/music:Naftali Herz IMBER/traditional, arranged by Samuel COHEN
note:adopted 2004, unofficial since 1948

used as the anthem of the Zionist movement since 1897

the 1888 arrangement by Shmuel COHEN is thought to be based on the Romanian folk song “Carul cu boi” (The Ox Driven Cart)

Economy

Economy – overview

Israel has a technologically advanced market economy. It depends on imports of crude oil, grains, raw materials, and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources, Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are the leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable trade deficits, which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government’s external debt is owed to the US, its major source of economic and military aid. Israel’s GDP, after contracting slightly in 2001 and 2002 due to the Palestinian conflict and troubles in the high-technology sector, grew about 5% per year from 2004-07. The global financial crisis of 2008-09 spurred a brief recession in Israel, but the country entered the crisis with solid fundamentals – following years of prudent fiscal policy and a series of liberalizing reforms – and a resilient banking sector, and the economy has shown signs of an early recovery. Following GDP growth of 4% in 2008, Israel’s GDP slipped to 0.2% in 2009, but reached 3.4% in 2010, as exports rebounded. The global economic downturn affected Israel’s economy primarily through reduced demand for Israel’s exports in the United States and EU, Israel’s top trading partners. Exports of goods and services account for about 40% of the country’s GDP. The Israeli Government responded to the recession by implementing a modest fiscal stimulus package and an aggressive expansionary monetary policy – including cutting interest rates to record lows, purchasing government bonds, and intervening in the foreign currency market. The Bank of Israel began raising interest rates in the summer of 2009 when inflation rose above the upper end of the Bank’s target and the economy began to show signs of recovery.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$219.4 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52 $209.8 billion (2009 est.)
$208.1 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$213.1 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

4.6% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 78 0.8% (2009 est.)
4.2% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$29,800 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $29,000 (2009 est.)
$29,300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 2.4%
industry:32.6%
services:65% (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.147 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 2%
industry:16%
services:82% (September 2008)

Unemployment rate

6.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62 7.6% (2009 est.)

Population below poverty line

23.6%
note:Israel’s poverty line is $7.30 per person per day (2007)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 2.5%
highest 10%:24.3% (2008)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

39.2 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 69 35.5 (2001)

Investment (gross fixed)

17.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147

Budget

revenues: $61 billion
expenditures:$69.08 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Public debt

74.6% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 24 77.9% of GDP (2009 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 92 3.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

6.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130 1.01% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.492% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175 3.7% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$31.24 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58 $26.21 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$208.8 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38 $195.7 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$175.6 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40 $154.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$218.1 billion (31 December 2010)
country comparison to the world: 31 $182.1 billion (31 December 2009)
$134.5 billion (31 December 2008)

Agriculture – products

citrus, vegetables, cotton

beef, poultry, dairy products

Industries

high-technology products (including aviation, communications, computer-aided design and manufactures, medical electronics, fiber optics), wood and paper products, potash and phosphates, food, beverages, and tobacco, caustic soda, cement, construction, metals products, chemical products, plastics, diamond cutting, textiles, footwear

Industrial production growth rate

7.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47

Electricity – production

53.04 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46

Electricity – consumption

47.16 billion kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48

Electricity – exports

3.666 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity – imports

3.666 billion kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

4,029 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97

Oil – consumption

238,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 52

Oil – exports

86,010 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67

Oil – imports

282,200 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40

Oil – proved reserves

1.94 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas – production

1.55 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Natural gas – consumption

3.25 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116

Natural gas – imports

1.7 billion cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49

Natural gas – proved reserves

198.2 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45

Current account balance

$6.699 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 $7.063 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$55.67 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51 $45.9 billion (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

machinery and equipment, software, cut diamonds, agricultural products, chemicals, textiles and apparel

Exports – partners

US 32.1%, Hong Kong 6.3%, India 5.1%, Belgium 5.1% (2010)

Imports

$58.04 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46 $45.99 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

raw materials, military equipment, investment goods, rough diamonds, fuels, grain, consumer goods

Imports – partners

US 12.8%, China 8.1%, Germany 6.3%, Belgium 5.8%, Switzerland 4.6%, Italy 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$70.91 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27 $60.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$112.4 billion (30 June 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39 $106.1 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – at home

$77.82 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43 $69.16 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment – abroad

$64.97 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30 $57.37 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Exchange rates

new Israeli shekels (ILS) per US dollar -
3.739 (2010)
3.93 (2009)
3.588 (2008)
4.14 (2007)
4.4565 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

48 (2010)
country comparison to the world:92

Airports – with paved runways

total: 30
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:5
1,524 to 2,437 m:6
914 to 1,523 m:11
under 914 m:6 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 18
1,524 to 2,437 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:3
under 914 m:14 (2010)

Heliports

3 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 211 km

oil 442 km

refined products 261 km (2010)

Railways

total: 975 km
country comparison to the world: 89 standard gauge:975 km 1.435-m gauge (2010)

Roadways

total: 18,290 km
country comparison to the world: 115 paved:18,290 km (includes 146 km of expressways) (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 10
country comparison to the world: 113 by type:cargo 2, container 8
registered in other countries:51 (Bermuda 3, Cyprus 1, Georgia 1, Honduras 1, Liberia 31, Malta 5, Marshall Islands 1, Moldova 4, Panama 1, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa

Military

Military branches

Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Israel Naval Forces (IN), Israel Air Force (IAF) (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for compulsory (Jews, Druzes) and voluntary (Christians, Muslims, Circassians) military service

both sexes are obligated to military service

conscript service obligation – 36 months for enlisted men, 21 months for enlisted women, 48 months for officers

pilots commit to 9 years service

reserve obligation to age 41-51 (men), 24 (women) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,797,960
females age 16-49:1,713,230 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,517,510
females age 16-49:1,446,132 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 62,304
female:59,418 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

7.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 6

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

West Bank and Gaza Strip are Israeli-occupied with current status subject to the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement – permanent status to be determined through further negotiation

Israel continues construction of a “seam line” separation barrier along parts of the Green Line and within the West Bank

Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip and from four settlements in the West Bank in August 2005

Golan Heights is Israeli-occupied (Lebanon claims the Shab’a Farms area of Golan Heights)

since 1948, about 350 peacekeepers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) headquartered in Jerusalem monitor ceasefires, supervise armistice agreements, prevent isolated incidents from escalating, and assist other UN personnel in the region

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs: 150,000-420,000 (Arab villagers displaced from homes in northern Israel) (2007)

Illicit drugs

increasingly concerned about ecstasy, cocaine, and heroin abuse

drugs arrive in country from Lebanon and, increasingly, from Jordan

money-laundering center