Israel: flag, capital, currency and history

Israel, officially the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, Asia. Its capital is Jerusalem. The currency is the Israeli new shekel. Languages spoken include Arabic and Hebrew.

Quick facts about Israel

Official name: State of Israel
Capital: JerusalemThe status of Jerusalem is disputed. Most countries keep their embassies in Tel Aviv.
Region: Asia, Western Asia
Currency: Israeli new shekel (ILS, ₪)
Languages: Arabic, Hebrew
Calling code: +972
Internet domain: .il
Area: 20,770 km² (8,019 sq mi)
Land borders: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria
Demonym: Israeli

Flag of Israel

Download the flag of Israel as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇮🇱.

SVG (vector)

History of Israel

The land of Israel was home in antiquity to the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and later came under Babylonian, Persian, Greek and Roman rule. Arab Muslim forces took the region in the 7th century, and it was later ruled by Crusader states, the Mamluks and, from 1517, the Ottoman Empire. After the First World War it became the British Mandate for Palestine. In 1947 the United Nations proposed a partition plan, and the State of Israel declared independence in 1948, followed by war with neighbouring states. Israel is a parliamentary republic, and the status of Jerusalem and of territories occupied since 1967 remains disputed.

Key dates

1517The Ottoman Empire conquers the region from the Mamluk Sultanate.
1917British forces capture Jerusalem during the First World War.
1922The League of Nations confirms the British Mandate for Palestine.
1947The UN General Assembly adopts a partition plan for Palestine.
1948Israel declares independence on 14 May, and a war with neighbouring Arab states follows.
1967The Six-Day War leads to Israeli control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Sinai.
1979Israel and Egypt sign a peace treaty.