Jewish organizations are attempting to visit Benedict XVI Israel Among the topics discussed were the Vatican's position on the sovereignty of Israel over a period of time, the struggle for the recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of the Hebrew state and the position with West Bank and Gaza and the Golan Heights, according to the news portal Aruzt Sheva. Participants called for the cancellation of the visit of Benedict XVI to Israel by the above points and also the resignation of the president, Shimon Peres, the requirement to Interior Minister Eli Ishai passing the disputed territories and the tomb of King David to the Church , something with which the official religious guidance, do not agree. For other uses, see Israel (disambiguation).
Israel (Hebrew:'''''''''', Yisra'el, Arabic:''''''', Isr'''l), officially State of Israel ('''''''' ' '''''''', Medinat Yisra'el :''''''''''''''''''', Dawlat Isr'''l Arabic) is a Middle East which is on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Bordered to the north by Lebanon, east by Syria, Jordan, West Bank, on the west by the Mediterranean Sea and the Gaza Strip, to Egypt to the southwest and south by the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea). With a population of around 7.35 million, most of whom are Jews, Israel is the world's only Jewish state. It is also home to Arab Muslims, Christians, Druze and Samaritans, as well as other religious groups and ethnic minorities.
The modern state of Israel identifies its roots to the ancient Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), a concept central to Judaism for over 3,000 years. After the First World War, the League of Nations approved the British Mandate Palestine with the intention of creating a "national home for the Jewish people.." In 1947, the United Nations approved the partition of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arabic. 14 May 1948 the state of Israel declared its independence, which was followed by the Arab-Israeli war of 1948 with the neighboring Arab states, who refused to accept the UN plan. Successive victories in a subsequent series of wars confirming their independence and expanded the borders of the Jewish state beyond what was agreed in the partition plan of the United Nations. Since then, Israel has been in conflict with many neighboring Arab countries, with several wars and decades of violence that continues to this day. Since its foundation, the borders of Israel and even the very right to exist state has been subject to controversy, especially among its Arab neighbors. However, Israel has signed peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan, and efforts are being made to reach a permanent agreement with the Palestinian National Authority .
Israel is a democracy with a parliamentary system and universal suffrage. Prime Minister acts as head of government and the Knesset as Israel's legislative body. In terms of gross domestic product, its economy is ranked 45 according to the International Monetary Fund. In turn, Israel is highly placed among the Middle Eastern countries in human development, freedom of expression, and economic competitiveness. The capital, seat of government of the country and largest city is Jerusalem, but the main economic and financial center is located in Tel Aviv.
