Discover
The identity of the nation
Israel is a small nation in the Middle East, about the size of a region, yet with enormous weight in history, faith and world politics. Birthplace of the Jewish people and setting for the biblical accounts, it is the land where the patriarchs, the prophets and Jesus himself walked. For Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, this is sacred ground, and Jerusalem remains one of the most contested and beloved places on the planet.
About three in every four Israelis are Jewish, divided among secular, traditional, religious and ultra-Orthodox groups, each living out the same faith in very different ways. Nearly a fifth of the population is Arab, mostly Muslim, with Christian and Druze minorities. This coexistence, marked by centuries of history and recent conflicts, makes Israel a mosaic of peoples, languages and traditions gathered in a narrow stretch of land between the Mediterranean Sea and the desert.
It is also one of the most innovative societies in the world. Known as the startup nation, Israel turned a territory poor in natural resources into a hub of technology, water management, desert agriculture and cutting edge science. Life pulses between the modern and the ancient: skyscrapers in Tel Aviv, ancient alleys in Jerusalem’s Old City, and the rhythm of Shabbat that slows the whole country down every week.
On the spiritual level, Israel holds a deep paradox. It is the land where the gospel was born, yet very few here know Jesus as Messiah. Most of the Jewish people see him only as a historical figure, and the Jews who believe in him, known as Messianic Jews, number only a few thousand and face rejection and social pressure. Among Arabs, there are ancient Christian communities that endure, but also many Muslims with no access to the gospel at all.
Praying for Israel means interceding for the peace of Jerusalem, for reconciliation between peoples who live side by side, and for the day when Jews and Arabs together recognize the one who is the hope of the nations. It is a land where promise and pain walk together, and where God continues to write his story.
- Land of the patriarchs and prophets; the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judah arise, the cradle of Judaism.
- 63 BC Rome conquers Judea; centuries later, revolts and wars lead to the dispersion of the Jewish people.
- 7th century The Muslim conquest reshapes the region, followed by Crusaders, Mamluks and Ottomans.
- 1897 The First Zionist Congress, led by Theodor Herzl, organizes the dream of a Jewish national home.
- 1948 David Ben-Gurion proclaims the State of Israel; the first Arab-Israeli war follows.
- 1967 The Six-Day War redraws the map; East Jerusalem, the West Bank and other areas come under Israeli control.
- 1979 Peace treaty with Egypt, based on the Camp David Accords.
- 1993 The Oslo Accords seek a path to peace with the Palestinians.
- Today A modern, technological nation, marked by unresolved conflicts and profound spiritual significance.
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Hebrewofficial, a language revived in the 20th century and spoken daily
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Arabicspoken by the Arab minority and holding special status
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Englishwidely used in business, tourism and technology
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Russian and Amharicbrought by major waves of Jewish immigration
Israel is a narrow, diverse country, squeezed between the Mediterranean Sea to the west and the desert to the east and south. In just a few hours of travel one can go from the beaches and greenery of Galilee to the arid heat of the Negev, from the hills of Jerusalem to the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea, about 430 meters below sea level.
Major cities
- JerusalemCapital, a city sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims
- Tel AvivEconomic and technological center, modern and by the sea
- HaifaPort city in the north, a symbol of coexistence between peoples
- NazarethThe largest Arab city, linked to the childhood of Jesus
- EilatResort at the southern tip, on the Red Sea, deep in the desert
Climate and temperature
Falafel
Crispy fried chickpea balls, served in pita bread with salads and tahini.
Hummus
Chickpea paste with tahini, olive oil and lemon, present at almost every meal.
Shakshuka
Poached eggs in a seasoned tomato sauce, a typical breakfast dish.
Sabich
Pita sandwich with fried eggplant, boiled egg, hummus and salad, an Iraqi Jewish heritage dish.
Pita bread
Flatbread that goes with almost everything, a staple of street food.
Understand
Culture and spirituality
2a · The culture
Weekly Shabbat
From Friday evening to Saturday, the country slows down, shops close and families gather around the table.
Warm hospitality
Jews, Arabs, Christians and Druze tend to welcome visitors with generosity.
Direct communication
Israelis speak frankly and to the point, which can sound blunt to outsiders.
Family at the center
Family ties are strong and gatherings frequent, especially during holidays.
Mosaic of peoples
Jews of many origins, Arabs, Druze and others live together in a small territory.
Faith present in daily life
The calendar, food and rhythm of life are shaped by religious traditions.
- Disrespecting Shabbat In religious neighborhoods, avoid driving, taking photos or acting as on an ordinary day.
- Raising political topics carelessly The conflict is sensitive and cuts close to home; listen more than you opine.
- Ignoring customs at holy sites Dress modestly and follow the rules of synagogues, mosques and churches.
- Treating Jews and Arabs as a single block Each community has its own identity, history and sensitivities.
- Forcing conversations about faith Evangelism is viewed with suspicion; build relationships with respect and patience.
2b · The field
Areas of spiritual battle and cultural captivity to cover in prayer. Tap each point to understand:
Most of the Jewish people still do not recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah.
Tensions between Jews and Arabs, and between religious groups, wound their coexistence.
Intense religiosity does not always lead to a living relationship with God.
A large part of society lives far from any faith, focused on success and consumption.
Strength and self-sufficiency can replace dependence on God.
Messianic Jews suffer pressure, discrimination and isolation.
Many Muslim Arabs have never heard the message of Christ.
Decades of war and loss fuel fear, grief and a desire for revenge.
The holy city, a symbol of worship, has also become a symbol of division.
Success and innovation can take the place reserved for God.
Israel guarantees religious freedom by law and is home to Jewish, Muslim, Christian and Druze communities. Historic Arab Christians, linked to ancient churches, generally live out their faith without major obstacles, though they face local tensions.
The more delicate situation belongs to the Jews who believe in Jesus, the Messianic Jews, who number only a few thousand. Many report social pressure, job loss, hostility from ultra-Orthodox groups and accusations of betraying their own identity. Where open evangelism takes place, protests and campaigns arise against what is called missionary activity.
This is not systematic state persecution, but marginalization and hostility coming from sectors of society. The greater challenge is less about prohibition and more about the cultural and spiritual barrier: proclaiming Jesus in a place where his name carries centuries of wounds and misunderstandings.
The persecution score runs from 0 to 100: the higher it is, the greater the pressure on Christians.
Israel brings together dozens of people groups within a small territory, marked especially by the many origins of the Jewish people and by the Arab minority, mostly Muslim. Many of these groups are still considered unreached by the gospel, and many languages still lack a complete Bible translation. The greatest challenge is not the lack of physical access, but the cultural and spiritual barriers surrounding the name of Jesus in this land.
- 9.1M Unreached 97,2%
- 19K Minimally reached 0,2%
- 8K Superficially reached 0,1%
- 212K Partially reached 2,3%
- 23K Significantly reached 0,2%
- 43 Unreached 86%
- 1 Minimally reached 2%
- 1 Superficially reached 2%
- 4 Partially reached 8%
- 1 Significantly reached 2%
Source of people group data: Joshua Project (joshuaproject.net). Estimates, may vary.
Judeu persa de Mashhad Frontier
Judeu georgiano
Judeu iemenita Frontier
Portuguese-speaking Jews
Domari Gypsy Frontier
Judeu do Curdistão Frontier
Judeu Bucariano Frontier
Source: Joshua Project. Estimates, may vary.
Pray
Intercede for this nation
Every nation carries a redemptive purpose. Marks that seem woven into the identity God desires to restore:
Go
Practical details for those who want to go
Local time
Cost of living
one of the most expensive in the Middle East
Cost by city
Reference values (source: Numbeo). Confirm before traveling.
Practical points for those who go
- Learn a few words in Hebrew: showing respect for the language and culture opens doors.
- Respect Shabbat: public transport and many services stop from Friday evening to Saturday.
- Dress modestly when visiting holy sites of any of the religions.
- Be prepared for frequent security checks and direct questions.
- Handle the topic of the conflict with sensitivity: listen to the stories before offering an opinion.
- English helps a great deal day to day, especially in Tel Aviv and tourist areas.
Send and sustain
Not everyone goes, everyone takes part
Not everyone goes. Everyone takes part.
Behind every worker among these peoples stands a network of people who pray without ceasing, care for the family left behind, and faithfully sustain the work. Sending is mission too.
Start with your church: introduce this nation, adopt it in ongoing prayer, and walk alongside those God is raising up to go.