Population and Settlement of Israel
Before looking at modern day Israel it is first important to understand the ancient history and biblical ties to the land. The main reason many people were drawn to the land of Israel can be traced back to the time of Abraham and to biblical studies. The main settlers of Israel began as all Jewish settlers who believed Israel to be the promise land because Abraham promised this land to the Jews as a gift from God. During the time when the Jewish people entered the holy land they were in control of the land and the government and the land itself was seen as rich and plentiful. This idea is extremely important to understand because as mentioned in Guns, Germs, and Steel there is always a reason for people to originally settle on land (2005). For some places it may be because of climate, or crops, but for Israel it began a little bit differently with religious ties and than began developing into more agricultural and industrial aspects. Jews have lived in this land continuously from the time of its original conquest by Joshua more than 3200 years ago until today, but Jews have not always been in control of the land, and Jews were not always the majority of the land's population (1998).
Modern Israel, also referred to as the Holy Land, was founded in 1948 and is the Middle Easts first and only liberal democracy. Before becoming the state of Israel on May 14, 1948 the land of Israel did not exist, but instead Palestine, which was under the Ottoman rule and controlled by Britain. During this time the land was extremely underdeveloped and only had a population of 500,000 in the year 1900. Once the Jewish Agency for Palestine declared Israel its own state the population has since grown to over 8 million people today. The history of Jewish settlement and growth is such a significant topic regarding the history of the region of Israel. As discussed in Guns, Germs, and Steel, the modern history of the world, and more particularly of Israel is shaped by conquest and development. Jared Diamond is convinced that the key to development lays within the land itself, and the history behind Israel supports his idea of development and conquest (2005).
The cities of modern Israel, specifically Jerusalem, started off as empty landscapes with not much to offer. As the expansion of European trade and tourism began increasing, the popularity of the Holy Land began increasing as well. What was once dirt and land has transformed into a country filled with a large population. In 2010 it was documented that there are 14 cities in Israel. The growth of this country relates directly to the removal of the Ottoman rule. Once the Ottoman rule was released the establishment of Israel began flourishing. This idea is exactly what Jared Diamond was discussing in Guns, Germs, and Steel. In the episode about his idea it is stated “modern history has been shaped by conquest-the conquest of the world by Europeans” (2005) which rings true in modern day Israel. As resources began being more readily available and the land began being built up many people were attracted to the area.
The idea that Diamond has about guns, germs, and steel being a main reason for immigration into countries is seen as true in the history of Israel. After the holy land was founded in 1948 the production of the country began to flourish. According to the Jewish virtual Library the economy of Israel quickly became based in high-tech, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other sophisticated products (2011), which became extremely useful to the settlers of the land. Many of these ideas and creations came from early European settlements that became of Israel between the time of Biblical history and modern day history. In episode two of Jared Diamond’s Gun, Germs, And Steel Diamond discusses his interest in patterns of conquest and Israel is a prime example of an ongoing conquest of added resources and obstacles pulling them away. Because Israel is seen as the holy land there has been a lot of political and religious conflict that has occurred there. Arab attacks and the War of Independence are just two examples of major events that have affected different areas of Israel. For example, security quickly became a huge issue in Israel because of the attacks, but in the end it allowed them to create protection for themselves. The events that have occurred over the years of the settlement of Israel have allowed them to create resources to help their land flourish.
Eighty percent of Israel today consists of Jewish people and is still considered central to Jewish religion. It is important to understand that even after 3000 years Israel is still culturally Jewish. In fact over one-third of all Jewish people live in Israel. In regards to politics Jews are currently in political control of all the land of Israel. The more recent history in Israel is just as important as the history in the past because it shows the growth that the country has experienced through the years. Through the immigration, the wars, the European influence and the theory of settlement Israel has become a country of growth and culture. The settlement pattern over the years shows a deep influence on biblical history and cultural influences that has developed into the modern Holy City. The history of settlement relates both directly and indirectly to Diamonds theory. It directly relates because European influence has greatly shaped Israel. However the main history aspect of Israel revolves directly around the Jewish history of the bible and the Torah. The earliest settlement and population of Israel really shows how unique and diverse the country is.
Before looking at modern day Israel it is first important to understand the ancient history and biblical ties to the land. The main reason many people were drawn to the land of Israel can be traced back to the time of Abraham and to biblical studies. The main settlers of Israel began as all Jewish settlers who believed Israel to be the promise land because Abraham promised this land to the Jews as a gift from God. During the time when the Jewish people entered the holy land they were in control of the land and the government and the land itself was seen as rich and plentiful. This idea is extremely important to understand because as mentioned in Guns, Germs, and Steel there is always a reason for people to originally settle on land (2005). For some places it may be because of climate, or crops, but for Israel it began a little bit differently with religious ties and than began developing into more agricultural and industrial aspects. Jews have lived in this land continuously from the time of its original conquest by Joshua more than 3200 years ago until today, but Jews have not always been in control of the land, and Jews were not always the majority of the land's population (1998).
Modern Israel, also referred to as the Holy Land, was founded in 1948 and is the Middle Easts first and only liberal democracy. Before becoming the state of Israel on May 14, 1948 the land of Israel did not exist, but instead Palestine, which was under the Ottoman rule and controlled by Britain. During this time the land was extremely underdeveloped and only had a population of 500,000 in the year 1900. Once the Jewish Agency for Palestine declared Israel its own state the population has since grown to over 8 million people today. The history of Jewish settlement and growth is such a significant topic regarding the history of the region of Israel. As discussed in Guns, Germs, and Steel, the modern history of the world, and more particularly of Israel is shaped by conquest and development. Jared Diamond is convinced that the key to development lays within the land itself, and the history behind Israel supports his idea of development and conquest (2005).
The cities of modern Israel, specifically Jerusalem, started off as empty landscapes with not much to offer. As the expansion of European trade and tourism began increasing, the popularity of the Holy Land began increasing as well. What was once dirt and land has transformed into a country filled with a large population. In 2010 it was documented that there are 14 cities in Israel. The growth of this country relates directly to the removal of the Ottoman rule. Once the Ottoman rule was released the establishment of Israel began flourishing. This idea is exactly what Jared Diamond was discussing in Guns, Germs, and Steel. In the episode about his idea it is stated “modern history has been shaped by conquest-the conquest of the world by Europeans” (2005) which rings true in modern day Israel. As resources began being more readily available and the land began being built up many people were attracted to the area.
The idea that Diamond has about guns, germs, and steel being a main reason for immigration into countries is seen as true in the history of Israel. After the holy land was founded in 1948 the production of the country began to flourish. According to the Jewish virtual Library the economy of Israel quickly became based in high-tech, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other sophisticated products (2011), which became extremely useful to the settlers of the land. Many of these ideas and creations came from early European settlements that became of Israel between the time of Biblical history and modern day history. In episode two of Jared Diamond’s Gun, Germs, And Steel Diamond discusses his interest in patterns of conquest and Israel is a prime example of an ongoing conquest of added resources and obstacles pulling them away. Because Israel is seen as the holy land there has been a lot of political and religious conflict that has occurred there. Arab attacks and the War of Independence are just two examples of major events that have affected different areas of Israel. For example, security quickly became a huge issue in Israel because of the attacks, but in the end it allowed them to create protection for themselves. The events that have occurred over the years of the settlement of Israel have allowed them to create resources to help their land flourish.
Eighty percent of Israel today consists of Jewish people and is still considered central to Jewish religion. It is important to understand that even after 3000 years Israel is still culturally Jewish. In fact over one-third of all Jewish people live in Israel. In regards to politics Jews are currently in political control of all the land of Israel. The more recent history in Israel is just as important as the history in the past because it shows the growth that the country has experienced through the years. Through the immigration, the wars, the European influence and the theory of settlement Israel has become a country of growth and culture. The settlement pattern over the years shows a deep influence on biblical history and cultural influences that has developed into the modern Holy City. The history of settlement relates both directly and indirectly to Diamonds theory. It directly relates because European influence has greatly shaped Israel. However the main history aspect of Israel revolves directly around the Jewish history of the bible and the Torah. The earliest settlement and population of Israel really shows how unique and diverse the country is.
This map shows the general history of modern day Israel starting in 1948. It represents the history after the Six-Day War as well as the land that was returned to Egypt and Syria. Overall it shows how great and influential the wars and relationships with other countries is for Israel APA Citation:Israel's War of Independence 1948, UN Partition Plan, Arab-Israeli War. (n.d.). Retrieved September 16, 2014, from http://www.christians-standing-with-israel.org/israel-war-independence-1948-palestinian-refugees.html
This map shows the different economic activity that occurs in Israel. As discussed, gases, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and many other aspects of economy growth brought people to Israel many years ago and continues bringing them there today. This map gives a visual of the different economic booms within Israel.
APA citation: NationMaster - Maps of Israel (41 in total). (2003, January 1). Retrieved September 16, 2014.
Sources:
Bard, M. (1998, January 1). Immigration to Israel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
PBS. (2005, January 1). Guns, Germs, and Steel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Rich, T. (n.d.). The Land of Israel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Troen, I. (2011 July 1). Israel Studies An Anthology:Jewish Settlement in the Land of Israel/Palestine. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Bard, M. (1998, January 1). Immigration to Israel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
PBS. (2005, January 1). Guns, Germs, and Steel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Rich, T. (n.d.). The Land of Israel. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
Troen, I. (2011 July 1). Israel Studies An Anthology:Jewish Settlement in the Land of Israel/Palestine. Retrieved September 14, 2014.
FOR MORE INFORMATION....
If you are looking for more information on Israel, how it began, and the settlement I have included two useful sources below. The first source digs deep into the idea of biblical Israel and how it all fits in with Modern Day Israel starting in 1948. On this website you can find timelines, additional links, maps and general information regarding Israel for more than 4000 years. The articles discuss the settlement history of the time, Exodus, the form of government and many other aspects regarding the Jewish religion and the settlement on the land of Israel. The second source focuses more on the settlement into ISrael during the 1900s. The Jewish Virtual Library includes a numerous amounts of articles on the history of ISrael. From population, to settlement issues, to immigration ideas, this cite encompasses so many different sides and angles of Israel and the settlement of the country.
Source 1:
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/history/pages/history-%20biblical%20times.aspx
Source 2:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/israel.html
If you are looking for more information on Israel, how it began, and the settlement I have included two useful sources below. The first source digs deep into the idea of biblical Israel and how it all fits in with Modern Day Israel starting in 1948. On this website you can find timelines, additional links, maps and general information regarding Israel for more than 4000 years. The articles discuss the settlement history of the time, Exodus, the form of government and many other aspects regarding the Jewish religion and the settlement on the land of Israel. The second source focuses more on the settlement into ISrael during the 1900s. The Jewish Virtual Library includes a numerous amounts of articles on the history of ISrael. From population, to settlement issues, to immigration ideas, this cite encompasses so many different sides and angles of Israel and the settlement of the country.
Source 1:
http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa/aboutisrael/history/pages/history-%20biblical%20times.aspx
Source 2:
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/israel.html
These two pyramids represent the population of Israel 60 years apart. As you can tell by the pyramids the overall population of Israel has increased by over 6 million people in only 6 decades. The pyramids also show that the average age of death has increased by 10 years from 80-84 to 90-94. Both pyramids show that women have a greater life expectancy and the amount of time that goes by does not change that. If you compare both graphs, the population of people between the ages of 0-4 has decreased in the last 60 years. This may be explained by the idea that families are having less children than they did years ago.