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8—Supplement to The Jewish News—March 16, 1973

Israel: Factual Data on State and People

Israel, on the western edge of Asia, is land-bridge
between Europe and Africa. Its major Mediterranean
ports are at Haifa and Ashdod. Eilat, on the Red Sea, is
an ever-wider gateway to East Africa and Asia. Israel
shares frontiers with Lebanon in the north, Syria in the
northeast, Jordan in the east and Egypt in the south-
west, determined at present by the cease-fire agreement
of June 1967.

The People

Of the 2,999,000 inhabitants, 2,560,000 are Jews,
326,000 Moslems, 76,000 Christians, and 36,000 Druzes.
Since June 1967, 960,000 more Moslems, 40,000 Christians
and 5,000 Druzes have come under Israel , adminsitration.

Where They Live

There are 26 cities and towns in Israel: six have
mixed Arab and Jewish population, two are entirely Arab.
There are 50 other urban centers, 700 Jewish villages,
and Arab and Druze villages.
The major cities are: Jerusalem, the capital, with
a population of 283,000; Tel-Aviv-Yafo, the commercial
center (392,000); Haifa, the principal port and industrial
center (214,500); Beersheba, capital of the Negev (74,-
500); Nazareth (32,900) and the new Mediterranean port
town of Ashdod (35,000). Other urban centers under Is-
rael jurisdiction are Gaza, El-Arish, Nablus (Shekhem),
Hebron, Bethlehem and Ramallah.
A number of new towns help to populate all parts
of the country evenly. They serve as the urban hubs of
rural development districts and, for the most part, are
inhabited by recent arrivals.

Religious Communities

There are Jews and Moslems, Christians of differ-
ent churches, Druzes and Bahais, Karaites, Samaritans
and others. All are free to worship in their own way, to
maintain their own religious and charitable institutions
and administer their domestic affairs.
The protecton of Holy Places and freedom of access
to them are inviolably assured by statute.
The law guarantees to every denomination the right
to observe its own holy days and weekly rest day; the
Sabbath (Saturday) and Jewish fesivals are official holi-
days.
Matters of personal status are within the jurisdic-
tion of the religious courts of the respective communities.

System of Government

Israel is a republic and a parliamentary democracy.
The Knesset, a one-chamber 120-seat legislature, is elect-
ed every four years (as are the municipalities and local
councils) by secret ballot, according to the system of
proportional representation, on a country-wide party
basis. Every citizen of 18 years and up has the franchise
and from the age of 21, the right to be a candidate.
Supreme legislative authority is vested in the Knes-
set. The president is elected once in five years by the
Knesset; he may not serve for more than two consecu-
tive. terms. He receives and appoints diplomats, signs
treaties and legislation and, as necessary, after consult-
ing all Knesset parties, calls upon the leader of the
largest party to form a government.
Executive power is vested in the coalition cabinet,
which is responsible to the Knesset.

PEACE

The best of good

wishes for the

years ahead.

MEL DURBIN • RON GALPERIN

The

DURBIN
COMPANY

The Economy

Israel's is a free economy, with private and coopera-
tive enterprises operating side by side. Seventy per cent
of the labor force is employed in private undertakings,
12 per cent is state concerns and the rest in coopera-
tively-owned plants. Over 80 per cent of mixed farming
is done by cooperative villages.
Rapid and continuing expansion—especially in in-
dustry —ha s been the cardinal feature. Over 1950-1969,
the Gross National Product rose by an average of 9 per
cent a year. Agriculture accounts for 8.2 per cent of
the GNP, industry for about 25 per cent.

REALTORS

851-1300 559-8181

6346 ORCHARD LAKE RD.

28200 SOUTHFIELD RD.

Just No. of Maple Rd.

Bet. 11 and 12 Mile

645-1630

4068 W. MAPLE — BIRMINGHAM

PERRY

perry

Drug Stores

Salute

The State of Israel

On Her 25th Anniversary

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