Jewish republic in southwestern Asia at eastern end of Mediterranean; formerly part of Palestine.

synonyms: Sion, State of Israel, Yisrael, Zion.

Dutch: Staat Israël, Israël
Polish: Izrael, Państwo Izrael

An ancient kingdom of the Hebrew tribes at the southeastern end of the Mediterranean Sea; founded by Saul around 1025 BC and destroyed by the Assyrians in 721 BC.