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Netanyahu, Benjamin

(Encyclopedia)Netanyahu, Benjamin or Binyamin bēnˈyəmēnˌ nĕtənyäˈho͞o [key], 1949–, Isr...

Apocrypha

(Encyclopedia)Apocrypha əpŏkˈrĭfə [key] [Gr.,=hidden things], term signifying a collection of early Jewish writings excluded from the canon of the Hebrew scriptures. It is not clear why the term was chosen. Th...

West Bank

(Encyclopedia)West Bank, territory, formerly part of Palestine, after 1949 administered by Jordan, since 1967 largely occupied by Israel (2005 est. pop. 2,386,000), 2,165 sq mi (5,607 sq km), west of the Jordan Riv...

Gaza Strip

(Encyclopedia)Gaza Strip gäzˈə [key], rectangular coastal area, c.140 sq mi (370 sq km), SW Asia, on the ...

Elohim

(Encyclopedia)Elohim ĕlōhēmˈ, ēlōˈhĭm, ĕlˈōhēm [key], term used to designate the God of Israel. The use of Elohim in Israel's religious texts is an attempt to treat the particular Hebrew God, Yahweh, in...

Palestinian Authority

(Encyclopedia)Palestinian Authority (PA) or Palestinian National Authority, interim self-government body responsible for areas of the West Bank and Gaza Strip under Palestinian control. The terrritory is officially...

Arab League

(Encyclopedia)Arab League, popular name for the League of Arab States, formed in 1945 in an attempt to give political expression to the Arab nations. The original charter members were Egypt, Iraq, Jordan (then know...

Rishon Leziyyon

(Encyclopedia)Rishon Leziyyon rēˈshōn ləzīˈən, rēshōnˈ lətsēōnˈ [key], town (1994 pop. 160,200), W central Israel. It has one of Israel's largest wineries. Citrus fruits are an important product. Rish...

Sharett, Moshe

(Encyclopedia)Sharett, Moshe mōˈshə shərĕtˈ [key], 1894–1965, Israeli statesman, b. Russia, originally named Shertok. In 1906 he emigrated to Palestine where he was active in the labor movement. In 1933 he ...

Omri

(Encyclopedia)Omri ŏmˈrī [key]. 1 King of Israel. He was a general in the army of Elah, and on the king's death at the hands of Zimri (1,) Omri proclaimed himself king. Soon after this Zimri killed himself. Omri...