Israel is a country located in the Middle East on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. It is divided into several administrative territories, which include:
- Districts: Israel is divided into six administrative districts, which serve as the top-level administrative divisions. Each district is further subdivided into sub-districts and cities. The districts are:
- Northern District
- Haifa District
- Central District
- Tel Aviv District
- Jerusalem District
- Southern District
- Municipalities: Within these districts, there are numerous cities and municipalities. Jerusalem is the capital and largest city, followed by other major cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, and others. These municipalities have their own local governments and are responsible for providing essential services to their residents.
- Local Councils: Local councils are administrative units that govern smaller communities, often in rural or less densely populated areas. They provide local services to their respective communities.
- Regional Councils: Regional councils oversee even smaller localities, typically in rural or agricultural regions. They provide services to multiple communities within their jurisdiction.
- Special Administrative Regions:
- Golan Heights: Israel has administered the Golan Heights since the Six-Day War in 1967. However, its sovereignty over this territory is internationally disputed, as Syria claims the Golan Heights as part of its territory.
- West Bank: The West Bank is a territory with a complex political and administrative situation. While Israel has military and civil control over certain areas, the majority of the territory is administered by the Palestinian Authority as part of the Oslo Accords. The status of the West Bank remains a major point of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Gaza Strip: Israel withdrew its settlers and military from the Gaza Strip in 2005. However, it maintains control of the territory’s borders, airspace, and territorial waters. The Gaza Strip is governed by the Palestinian political group Hamas, although Israel enforces a blockade on the territory.
- Israeli Settlements: In the West Bank, there are Israeli settlements, which are civilian communities established by Israeli citizens in what is considered by much of the international community as occupied Palestinian territory. The status of these settlements is highly controversial and has been a significant source of tension in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It’s important to note that the political and administrative situation in Israel and the surrounding territories is complex and has been the subject of international negotiations and disputes for many years. The status of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Golan Heights, in particular, remains a contentious and unresolved issue in the region.