Overview
Israel is a sovereign nation located in the Middle East, bordered by Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt. Its history is deeply intertwined with the ancient Land of Israel, a region central to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and has been a focal point of millennia of religious and political contention. The Zionist movement advocated for the establishment of a Jewish homeland. Israel's existence and borders remain a subject of intense international debate and conflict, particularly concerning the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, and its currency is the new shekel.