2017 sees Israel have another weak pop effort stab at Eurosong, whilst also taking the opportunity to spread the message of the tourist mecca that is Tel Aviv. IMRI is the gentleman who is gurning through derivative pop pap here
Nature's own Hovi Star will be representing progressive Israel in 2016, again showcasing the alternative wonders of Tel Aviv to the world. This arch New Romantic will be wailing through "Made of Stars" a low key ballard somewhat in opposition to the eyeliner and waxed brows. You bravely decide here
Party time for Israel in 2015. One of the most unlikely nations has the year's cheesy award as Nadav Guedj will ask that "before you leave, let me show you Tel Aviv" with "Golden Boy". A camembert sandwich with cheddar instead of bread. It's here
I don't think "Same Heart" is a particularly good effort, but you never know Israel may find gold with Mei Feingold and her power woman schtick. Find her here
With more plunge than the "Deep Water Spa & Health Resort", Moran Mazor has curves where there should be none. She will be belting out "Rak Bishvilo" whilst testing her lycra bodysuit to the max. Learn about her here
Having thrown their BarbieKen toys out of the pram last year, Israel seem to have tried a little less hard, and as a result have come up with a rather enjoyable number from Izabo, a band with a heavily quiffed and fruited male lead. Mildlyenjoy it here
Another previous winner returns. This time in the comely shape of Dana International and her bits in a jar. She will be gamely trying to falsetto croak her way through "Ding Dong", whilst teetering on 8inch stilettos. It's a terrible piece of pop. and it's here

The Tourist Guide says

"Israel, perfectly located at the fulcrum of Europe, Asia and Africa, is a world-class destination for sophisticated travelers. Israel offers cultural attractions on a par with Europe and the U.S., luxury hotels, glamorous spas and a hot restaurant scene - all within an atmosphere that combines the very ancient with the ultra high-tech, and the exotic with the contemporary."

Jerusalem

One of the most ancient cities in the world, it is situated 800 meters above sea level in the heart of the Judean Mountains. Jerusalem is a unique combination of natural beauty - surrounded by undulating hills and forests - and the beauty that comes from varied building styles, representing many cultures and periods, but uniformly constructed in the locally quarried Jerusalem stone. A wall with eight gates surrounds the Old City of Jerusalem. It is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Armenian, Muslim, and Christian.
Israeli police are investigating reports that an illegal gambling ring is taking bets on where the next Palestinian suicide bomber will strike.
The ring in the town of Kiryat Malachi is distributing betting sheets with the odds for various locations.
Betting on Eilat, a Red Sea resort that has not seen any violence during the past 21 months of fighting, is a long shot at 17-1, while Jerusalem has odds of 6/4, according to the sheet.
Bets begin at 10 shekels (£1.35), the betting sheet says, adding bets only count for attacks of "Arabs against Jews and not the opposite".
Gambling is illegal in Israel, but games of chance are popular and illegal gaming parlours operate throughout the country.

 

 
Following World War II, the British withdrew from their mandate of Palestine, and the UN partitioned the area into Arab and Jewish states, an arrangement rejected by the Arabs. Subsequently, the Israelis defeated the Arabs in a series of wars without ending the deep tensions between the two sides. The territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 war are not included in the Israel country profile, unless otherwise noted. On 25 April 1982, Israel withdrew from the Sinai pursuant to the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty. Outstanding territorial and other disputes with Jordan were resolved in the 26 October 1994 Israel-Jordan Treaty of Peace. In addition, on 25 May 2000, Israel withdrew unilaterally from southern Lebanon, which it had occupied since 1982. In keeping with the framework established at the Madrid Conference in October 1991, bilateral negotiations were conducted between Israel and Palestinian representatives (from the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip) and Syria to achieve a permanent settlement. But progress toward a permanent status agreement has been undermined by the outbreak of Palestinian-Israeli violence since September 2000.

 

Famous Israelis

 

Topol
Dana International
Billy Shmerling (famous jewellery designer)
Golda Meir

  
 

Life expectancy

 76.82 men 81.01 women
Airports 51
Radios 520 per 1,000 people
Internet Users 1639 per 10,000 people
Railway Network 329 miles
Death penalty retained for exceptional crimes only last execution in 1962