Isreal

1948 Independence of Israel

The creation of the State of Israel in 1948 after the end of the British Mandate and the declaration of independence which led to war with neighboring Arab states.

2018 Nation State Law

A Basic Law declaring Israel the nation state of the Jewish people and emphasizing Jewish identity in the state.

Abraham Accords

Normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab countries signed in 2020.

Aliyah (Jewish immigration waves)

The immigration of Jews to Israel from around the world in different historical waves.

Arab Israelis (Palestinian Citizens of Israel)

Palestinians who remained in Israel after 1948 and became Israeli citizens.

Area A B and C

Divisions of the West Bank created by the Oslo Accords with varying levels of Israeli and Palestinian control.

Ashkenazim

Jews of European descent who historically held major influence in Israel.

Attorney General (Israel)

The government’s chief legal advisor who oversees legality of government actions.

Basic Laws of Israel

Laws that function as Israel’s constitution since Israel has no single written constitution.

Benjamin Netanyahu

Long serving Israeli Prime Minister and leader of the Likud party.

Borders confrontation states

Neighboring countries historically involved in conflict with Israel such as Egypt Syria Jordan and Lebanon.

British Mandate (Pre 1948)

The period when Britain controlled Palestine before Israel’s independence.

Central Elections Committee

The body responsible for overseeing Israeli elections.

Checks and balances (limited)

Israel has weaker separation of powers because the executive usually controls parliament through coalitions.

Chief Rabbinate

The official Jewish religious authority overseeing religious matters such as marriage and divorce.

Civil society organizations (e.g. Peace Now)

Independent groups that advocate for causes like peace human rights or settlement policies.

Coalition Government

A government formed by multiple political parties because no single party usually wins a majority.

Collective responsibility

The principle that cabinet ministers must publicly support government decisions.

Constructive Vote of No Confidence

The Knesset can only remove a government if it agrees on a replacement government.

Council of Ministers (Cabinet)

The main executive decision making body led by the Prime Minister.

David Ben Gurion

Israel’s first Prime Minister and a founding leader of the state.

Declaration of Independence (1948)

The document announcing the creation of Israel and outlining democratic principles.

Druze

An Arabic speaking religious minority in Israel with high military participation.

Electoral threshold (3.25%)

The minimum percentage of votes needed for a political party to enter the Knesset.

Freedom of Occupation (Basic Law)

A Basic Law protecting the right to work in any profession.

Green Line

The armistice line established after the 1948 war often considered Israel’s pre 1967 border.

Haredim

Ultra Orthodox Jewish communities known for conservative religious practices.

High Court of Justice (Bagatz)

The branch of the Supreme Court that hears petitions against government actions.

Histadrut

Major labor union organization that historically shaped Israel’s economy and politics.

Holocaust (context for state formation)

The genocide of six million Jews during World War II which strengthened support for a Jewish state.

Human Dignity and Liberty (Basic Law)

A Basic Law protecting civil rights and human freedoms.

IDF (Tzahal)

The Israel Defense Forces responsible for national defense.

Iron Dome

A missile defense system designed to intercept short range rockets.

Israeli Palestinian conflict

The ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians over land statehood and security.

Judicial independence activism

The Israeli judiciary is known for independence and active involvement in politics.

Judicial reform debates (2023 to 2024)

Controversial proposals to limit Supreme Court powers that sparked mass protests.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to review and possibly strike down laws or government actions.

Judicial Selection Committee

The committee responsible for appointing judges in Israel.

Kibbutz

A collective farming community based on socialist ideals.

Knesset

Israel’s unicameral parliament made up of 120 members.

Law of Return

A law granting Jews worldwide the right to immigrate to Israel and gain citizenship.

Legislative process (three readings)

Bills must pass three readings in the Knesset before becoming law.

Mandate Period (1920 to 1948)

The era of British rule over Palestine before Israeli independence.

Mizrahim

Jews from Middle Eastern and North African countries.

Mossad

Israel’s foreign intelligence agency.

National Religious (Dati Leumi)

A religious Zionist movement combining Orthodox Judaism with support for Israel.

National Security Council (NSC)

A body advising the Prime Minister on security and foreign policy.

Nationwide Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats based on their share of the national vote.

Oslo Accords

1990s peace agreements between Israel and the PLO that created Palestinian self rule in some areas.

Parliamentary sovereignty

The idea that parliament holds supreme political authority.

Party List

Voters choose political parties rather than individual candidates.

President (Nasi)

The mostly ceremonial head of state in Israel.

Prime Minister (Rosh HaMemshala)

The head of government and most powerful political leader in Israel.

Proportional Representation System

An electoral system giving parties seats based on vote percentages.

Rabbinical Courts

Religious courts handling Jewish marriage and divorce cases.

Reasonableness Standard

A legal principle allowing courts to overturn extremely unreasonable government decisions.

Religion and state relations

The close relationship between religion and politics in Israel.

Security pressures

Ongoing regional threats that strongly shape Israeli politics and policy.

Separation of powers (flexible)

Israel’s executive and legislative branches overlap because the government comes from parliament.

Settlement policy (West Bank)

The construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank which is internationally controversial.

Shin Bet (Shabak)

Israel’s internal security and intelligence agency.

Six Day War (1967)

A war in which Israel captured the West Bank Gaza Sinai Peninsula and Golan Heights.

Snap Elections

Early elections held before the normal election schedule usually after coalition collapse.

Speaker of the Knesset

The official who manages debates and procedures in parliament.

State Comptroller

An independent official who audits government agencies and investigates corruption.

Status Quo Agreement

An agreement balancing religious and secular interests in Israel.

Supreme Court

The highest court in Israel and a major political institution.

The Cabinet

The group of ministers led by the Prime Minister that directs government policy.

The Law of Return

A law allowing Jews worldwide to immigrate to Israel and gain citizenship.

The Security Barrier

A barrier built by Israel in and around the West Bank for security purposes.

Two State Solution

A proposal for independent Israeli and Palestinian states existing side by side.

Vote of No Confidence

A parliamentary vote attempting to remove the government.

White Paper of 1939

A British policy limiting Jewish immigration to Palestine before World War II.

Zionism

A political movement supporting the establishment and development of a Jewish homeland in Israel.