THE DECLARATION OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL (14 May 1948) constitutes the nation's credo, stipulating that "The State of Israel... will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants, irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the holy places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations."

The flag of the State of Israel is based on the design of the Jewish prayer shawl (tallit), with a blue Star of David  (Magen David). The official emblem of the State of Israelis a seven-branched menorah (candelabrum), whose shape purportedly derives from the moriah, a plant known since antiquity. The olive branches on either side represent Israel's yearning for peace. The national anthem is Hatikva (The Hope).

Israel is a parliamentary democracy, with legislative, executive and judicial branches operating on the principle of the separation of powers to ensure checks and balances within the system.

THE PRESIDENT, whose duties are largely ceremonial, symbolizes the unity of thestate. Elected by the Knesset (Israel's parliament) for one  seven-year term, the presidentsigns laws, pardons prisoners and commutes sentences upon recommendation of the Minister of Justice and accepts the credentials of foreign envoys.

THE KNESSET, the legislative body, is a 120-member, unicameral parliament. Knesset members, representing a wide range of political parties, are chosen in nationwide elections, held at least every four years. On Election Day, voters cast a ballot for a political party to represent them in the Knesset. The whole country constitutes a single electoral constituency. The number of seats assigned to each party in the Knesset is proportional to its share of the total national vote.

Elections are general, national, direct, equal, secret, and proportional. All citizens of Israel enjoy equal rights, regardless of sex, religion or ethnic background. Every citizen is entitled to vote from age 18 and to be elected to office from age 21. The Knesset operates in plenary sessions and through 15 standing committees. General debates and votes on legislative proposals submitted by the government or via private members' bills, as well as on government policy and activity, take place in plenary sessions. To become law, a bill must pass three readings in the Knesset, after which the president, prime minister, Knesset speaker and minister responsible sign the bill into law. Knesset debates are conducted in Hebrew while Arab and Druze members may use Arabic (Israel's other official language); simultaneous translation is available in both languages.

THE GOVERNMENT (the executive branch) is responsible to the Knesset and subject to its confidence. Its policymaking powers are very wide with respect to all major aspects of the country's life. Following elections, the president selects a Knesset member with the responsibility of forming the government and presenting a list of ministers for Knesset approval; half of the ministers must be Knesset members. Most ministers are assigned a portfolio and head a ministry; others serve without portfolio but may be given responsibility for special projects. The prime minister may also serve as a minister with a portfolio.

All governments since 1948 have been based on a coalition of several parties as, to date, no single party has received over half of the 120 Knesset seats. The government serves for a period of four years, although its term may be shortened by the resignation, incapacitation or death of the prime minister or by a no-confidence vote in the Knesset.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT includes 73 municipalities and 124 local councils. Municipal and local councils are elected on the basis of proportional representation; mayors and heads of local councils are chosen by direct vote. The heads of 54 regional councils are selected from among the chairpersons of the committees of each community in the region or by direct vote.

THE JUDICIARY is entirely independent of the executive and the legislative branches. Judges are appointed by the president following the recommendation of a public nominations committee and they serve until their mandatory retirement at age 70. The judicial system consists of three levels of courts: magistrate's courts, which deal with civil and minor criminal offenses; district courts, which deal with all criminal and civil cases not within the competence of lower courts; and the Supreme Court, with countrywide jurisdiction, serving as the highest court of appeal and sitting also as a High Court of Justice in petitions brought by persons seeking redress against a public authority. Special courts deal with specific matters such as traffic offenses, labor disputes, juvenile delinquency, small claims and the like. Jurisdiction over matters of personal status (marriage and divorce) is vested in the courts of the various religious communities.

LAW OF THE LAND. Upon attaining statehood, the body of law adopted consisted of statutes in force during the British Mandate period (1922-48), insofar as they were consistent with the provisions of the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel. Since then, new laws have been enacted and old ones revised to address current situations. Therefore, the prevailing characteristic of the legal system is the large body of independent Israeli statutory and case law enacted since 1948.

Citizens of all ethnic and religious backgrounds are guaranteed full democratic and human rights, ranging from freedom of speech, religion, universal suffrage and equality before the law. Freedom of the press, of political affiliation, of occupation and of strike and demonstration are embodied in Israel's laws and traditions. Basic Laws, relating to all aspects of life and the functioning of the main institutions of the state, will eventually be brought together to form a constitution.

LAW ENFORCEMENT. In common with police forces around the world, the task of Israel's police is to maintain the quality of life by fighting crime, assisting the authorities in carrying out the law, as well as providing guidance on preventive measures for the safety and protection of the public.

The head of the Israel Police is appointed by the government, with the recommendation of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Israel Police is divided into six territorial districts, while the National Headquarters, located in Jerusalem, includes a professional staff to assist Israel Police units. The Border Police functions as a multipurpose police force dealing mainly with internal security operations and assisting the regular police in combating crime. The Border Police also includes a special anti-terrorist unit.

THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF), founded in 1948, ranks among the most battletested armed forces in the world, having had to defend the country in six major wars. The IDF's security objectives are to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Israel, deter its enemies and curb all forms of terrorism that threaten daily life. Given the country's lack of territorial depth and the fact that the IDF is outnumbered by its enemies, the IDF's doctrine at the strategic level is defensive, while its tactics are offensive.

The IDF's main resource is the high caliber of its soldiers. To defend the country, the IDF deploys a small standing army, early warning capabilities and a regular air force and navy. All eligible men and women are drafted at age 18, men for three years and women for two years. The standing army is made up of these conscripts and career personnel. The majority of IDF soldiers are reservists, who, in time of war or crisis, are quickly mobilized into their units from all parts of the country. Through the years, the IDF has also been responsive to the demands of the society at large, assuming a variety of social-national functions, and operating a wide range of projects which focus on the areas of greatest need at the time.