1. For ISRAEL, give the following information:

1. capital
2. location/the countries that share its borders
3. the religious breakdown of the population
4. the type of government
5. the chief of state (and head of government if different) If monarch or dictator, since what date has he/she ruled? – include name of heir apparent for monarch
6. the population

Find the answers at the CIA World FactBook website. For each country, answers can be found under the “Geography” “People” and “Government” headings.

NOTE: Before answering the following questions, read the info under “Background” below.

2. For ISRAEL:
a) list the who, what, where and when of the news item
b) For what reason is Israel holding an unprecedented second national election in five months?
c) Read the “Background” below the questions. The Israeli system of government is based on parliamentary democracy. What do you think of this system that includes coalition building when ‘forming a government’?