Israeli Culture and Society

Israel is the first Jewish state to be established in about two millennia. For many Jews, the country signifies both the restoration of their historical homeland after centuries of diaspora and a safe sanctuary for the Jewish people. A history of immigration has shaped Israeli society, which has been heavily influenced by persecution and prejudices toward Jews in other nations. Since the country's inception in 1948, around 3.2 million individuals have immigrated from all over the world. 1 European Jews have contributed to some of Israel's major waves of immigration in its history. Significant migration occurred from North Africa and other parts of the Middle East. This long history of travel, combined with ongoing immigration to Israel (aliyah), means that the country has a very ethnically, religiously, and linguistically varied population.

Israel is also considered one of the most innovative countries in the world, a significant player in the high-tech industry, and boasts one of the world's most technologically knowledgeable populations. Indeed, Tel Aviv is regarded as the world's second most important hi-tech city (after the silicon valley in California).