Israel

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Israel
Israel is a small country in southwestern Asia. It occupies a narrow strip of land on the Eastern Shore of the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered by Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and Egypt. Israel has four major land regions. They are the Coastal Plain, the Judeo-Galilean Highlands, the Rift Valley, and the Negev Desert. The Coastal Plain is a narrow strip of fertile land along the Mediterranean Sea. The Judeo-Galilean Highlands include a series of mountain ranges that run from Galilee-the northernmost part of Israel- to the edge of the Negev Desert in the South. The Rift Valley is a long, narrow strip of land in eastern Israel, which makes up part of the Great Rift Valley. Israel's driest region is the Negev Desert made up of dry flatlands and mountains. The bodies of water bordering this nation are the Sea of Galilee and the Red Sea to the North and south, and the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea to the East and west. The majority of people living in this Biblical Holy Land include three main groups of Jewish followers, the Ashkenazims, Sephardims, and the Orthodox Jews. The rest of Israel's population is strictly Arab Muslims whom follow the Islam religion. This country has few natural resources and the majority of its' population is employed by Service Industries.
Israel's government has changed dramatically since the new election in May of 1999. The Israelis needed a change in government. The people needed a new Prime Minister who could promise them things they wanted and make these things happen. The old non-negotiating, thick headed ways of governing, used by former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the peace process towards the Palestinians, Syria, and the religious conflicts within the enormous Jewish population of this country stagnate. Netanyahu's ways of dealing with these extremely important situations weren't cutting it with the Israeli citizens. He basically did nothing to straighten out these conflicts. They wanted, and needed someone who would face these problems and solve them quickly with strong final decisions so that their country could move on from theses long, strung out disagreements. The Israeli's believed they had found their savior when they elected their most decorated former army general, Ahud Barak as Prime Minister in May of this year.
Ahud Barak campaigned strenuously and strategically against then Prime Minister Benj...

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... access to American and Israeli goods. In 1985 the two countries established a Joint Economic Development Group to help Israel solve its economic problems; in 1986 they created a Joint Security Assistance Group to discuss aid issues. Also in 1986, Israel began participating in research and development programs relating to the United States Strategic Defense Initiative. In January 1987, the United States designated Israel a major non-NATO ally, with status similar to that of Australia and Japan.
With Barak in office let’s hope the ties with the United States stay intact, and only flourish. That Barak can put an end to the war with the Arabs, and turn his county around. What I do know thought is that the United States will help them every way possible. In the first meeting with the Israelis and the Arabs the United States was a mediator. Although the talks ended with no resolve, I feel that was just the first step and they will work out their differences and come up with a peaceful resolution. Israel and the Palestinians welcomed on Wednesday a new commitment by President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to ending 13 months of violence and reviving Middle East peace talks.

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