Ancient and Modern

The modern state of Israel has its roots in the Land of Israel, a concept central to Judaism for over three thousand years. After World War I, the League of Nations approved the British Mandate of Palestine with the intent of creating a "national home for the Jewish people." In 1947, the United Nations approved the partition of the Mandate of Palestine into two states, one Jewish and one Arab.

The Arab League rejected the plan, but on May 14, 1948, Israel declared its independence.

In its Basic Laws Israel defines itself as a Jewish and Democratic State; it is the world's only Jewish-majority state.