The capital of Israel is Jerusalem, a city of profound historical and religious significance to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. While Israel officially declared Jerusalem as its capital in 1980, its status remains a subject of international debate and diplomatic complexity, owing to competing claims and historical conflicts.
The flag of Israel was formally adopted on October 28, 1948, shortly after the nation’s establishment. This flag prominently features the Star of David, a well-known symbol associated with Judaism. It consists of a white background with a blue hexagram (a six-pointed star), also known as the Magen David or Shield of David. Two horizontal blue stripes near the top and bottom edges create a design reminiscent of a traditional Jewish prayer shawl (tallit) with white and blue stripes. The Star of David, a key symbol of Judaism, graces the flag’s center. In Jewish symbolism, blue signifies purity, glory, and severity, while white represents Divine Benevolence (chesed).
Israel officially adopted its national flag just five months after gaining independence in 1948. The flag’s official dimensions are 160 by 220 cm, with proportions of 8:11. The flag’s design finds its roots in the Zionist Movement of 1891. Remarkably, in 2007, an enormous flag measuring 2,170 feet by 330 feet and weighing 5.2 tonnes was displayed near Masada, an ancient fortress significant in Jewish history, setting a world record as the largest flag.
Israel’s national emblem features a blue shield with a menorah at its center, flanked by olive branches on both sides. Below the menorah is the word “Israel.” The menorah draws inspiration from the ancient Arch of Titus’ menorah and symbolizes universal enlightenment, while the olive branches represent peace. The winning design for this emblem was submitted by Gabriel and Maxim Shamir in a competition held in 1948.
The national anthem of Israel is “Hatikvah” (The Hope). Composed by Bedrich Smetana, this anthem sets a 19th-century Jewish poem to music and reflects hope for the restoration of the Land of Israel. It was first adopted in 1897 by the First Zionist Congress and became Israel’s official national anthem in 2004.
The currency of Israel is the Israeli new shekel, coded as ILS, formerly known as the New Israeli Sheqel (NIS). Represented by the symbol ₪, it combines two Hebrew words: shekel and hadash. Coins come in various denominations, ranging from 1 agora to 10 shekels, with some coins phased out over time. Banknotes are available in ₪20, ₪50, ₪100, and ₪200 denominations, each featuring different designs that pay tribute to Israeli poets.
Prior to the shekel, Israel used the Israeli pound from 1952 to 1980. From 1980 to 1985, the old shekel was in use before being replaced by the new shekel due to hyperinflation. The Bank of Israel played a pivotal role in managing Israel’s monetary system and introducing new currencies, contributing to a strong and fully convertible currency through responsible monetary and fiscal policies.
Situated in the Middle East, Israel boasts a diverse geographical landscape that reflects its rich history, culture, and political complexities. It shares borders with several countries, including Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Palestinian territories to the east and west.