Introduction
This article is meant to be a brief introduction to the country of Israel. We will cover The Jewish people, Ancient Israel, The Holocaust, British Mandate For Palestine, Israeli wars, Israel Defense Force, Modern Israel, and Israeli Coins.
The Jewish People
The term “Jew” refers to both a religious and ethnic group, making it a complicated identity. Historically, Jews have shared a common ancestry, culture, and language, with ties to ancient Israel. Despite being a dispersed people throughout history, they have maintained a strong sense of community and solidarity. Today, Jewish people exist all over the world, united by a shared history and culture and a deep sense of tradition and faith.
Despite facing persecution throughout history, Jews have managed to thrive in many parts of the world, contributing greatly to society in fields such as science, art, literature, and politics. Ultimately, the complex and rich history of Jews has helped shape the world we live in today.
Ancient Israel
Ancient Israel was a kingdom in the Middle East that existed from roughly the 10th century BCE to 587 BCE. King Saul founded it and was later ruled by King David and his son, King Solomon. The kingdom was divided into Israel and Judah after Solomon’s death. Throughout its history, Ancient Israel faced numerous challenges, including invasions by neighboring empires such as Assyria and Babylon. The Hebrew Bible, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, and Samuel, offers valuable insights into the history and culture of Ancient Israel. Eventually, that area became known as Judea under the control of the Romans.
The Romans controlled Judea from 63 BCE until 330 CE. During this time, tensions between the Romans and the Jewish people were high, with several significant uprisings occurring. In 70 CE, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple in Jerusalem and expelled the Jews from the city. This event marked the beginning of a long period of Jewish exile from their ancestral homeland.
The Holocaust
The Holocaust was a tragic event in human history that occurred during World War II. Millions of Jews and other minority groups were persecuted, tortured, and murdered by the Nazi regime. This genocide led to a catastrophic loss of human life and forever changed the course of history. The scale and brutality of the Holocaust are still shocking and distressing to this day. Jews lost approximately 30% of their Global population, with unknown mass graves being found throughout central and eastern Europe continually being uncovered.
The aftermath of the Holocaust was devastating and far-reaching. The survivors of the Holocaust had to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones, homes, and communities. The international community recognized the magnitude of the atrocities and formed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
This document affirmed the inherent dignity and worth of every human being and provided a framework for the protection of human rights. The Holocaust remains a reminder of the dangers of prejudice, discrimination, and hatred and the importance of upholding human rights for all. After the Holocaust, many Jews went to the then-British Mandate Of Palestine.
The British Mandate Of Palestine
Israel’s earliest founders were mostly Jewish immigrants who arrived and purchased land from the Ottomans and British within Palestine in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, the land was controlled by the Ottoman Empire. In 1917, the British captured the land from the Ottomans and began administering it as a mandate. The British government initially supported Jewish immigration to Mandatory Palestine but later, under Arab pressure, withdrew their support and limited Jewish immigration.
The British went on to implement harsh policies to limit Jewish immigration, including the infamous White Paper of 1939, which strictly limited Jewish immigration to Palestine. These policies drastically reduced the number of Jews allowed to immigrate to Palestine in the years leading up to World War II, which condemned countless Jews to die in the Nazi death camps.
Israeli Wars
The First Arab-Israeli War was an armed conflict that took place in Palestine between 1947 and 1949. The conflict began on November 30, 1947, when the UN approved a plan to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states. This decision was met with fierce opposition from the Arab states, who believed that the Jews were being given too much land. Once Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, Arab armies attacked, hoping to defeat the new state before it became too powerful. Although the conflict was fraught with tension and violence, Israel ultimately won the war, securing its place as the first independent Jewish state in almost two thousand years.
Israel’s victory in the First Arab-Israeli War was historic in Jewish history. It marked the end of a long period of exile and persecution and the beginning of a new era for the Jewish people.
The second Arab-Israeli war, also known as the Suez Crisis, occurred in 1956. It was sparked by Egypt’s nationalization of the Suez Canal, which was previously controlled by French and British interests. Israel, backed by Britain and France, launched a surprise attack on Egypt, and the conflict ended in a ceasefire under pressure from the United Nations.
The Israel Defense Force
The Israel Defense Force (IDF) was established in 1948 as the official military of Israel. It was created to replace various militias that had been formed during the fight for independence. The IDF has played a crucial role in defending Israel against external threats, including wars with its Arab neighbors and ongoing conflicts with Palestinian groups. Over the years, it has evolved into a highly trained and professional fighting force, adopting advanced technologies and strategies to stay ahead of its enemies. Today, the IDF remains one of the most powerful militaries in the world, with a reputation for toughness and resilience. The event that can best demonstrate this is the third Arab-Israeli war.
The third Arab-Israeli war, also known as the Six-Day War, took place in 1967 and remains one of the IDF’s most impressive accomplishments. Tensions had been escalating between Israel and its Arab neighbors, with Egypt closing the Straits of Tiran to Israeli ships and other Arab countries mobilizing troops along Israel’s borders.
Israel launched a preemptive strike and quickly defeated the large Arab coalition, gaining control of the Sinai Peninsula, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and additional territory. The war marked a turning point in the region’s history and had far-reaching consequences for Israel and the Arabs.
Modern Israel
After winning the Six-Day War, Israel was able to establish itself as a powerful force in the Middle East, securing its place as a nation with a strong military and capable leadership. Today, Israel stands as a symbol of hope for Jewish people around the world, and its success in the face of adversity remains a testament to the Jewish people’s resilience and determination.
Modern Israel is a democracy with a proud history in Agriculture, Medicine, and Science. Israel was the country that discovered and isolated THC in marijuana, invented world-class Irrigation systems, and remains a leader in tech and medicinal research. It is the only country in the middle east with a yearly Gay pride festival in Tel Aviv.
After nearly 2000 in the diaspora, the Jewish people have a home again to call their own.
Israel Coins
Israel’s silver and gold coins, both ancient and modern, are highly sought after by collectors around the world. Ancient coins from the Judean period, such as the famous Widow’s Mite, are particularly valuable due to their historical significance. Coins from the modern State of Israel, such as the Israeli Gold Bullion Coin, are also highly collectible and often appreciated for their unique designs and limited availability. Below is a link to all the Israel silver coins we currently have in stock.
Israel Silver Coins
These are all the Israeli Silver coins we currently have for sale.
You must be logged in to post a comment.