The State of Israel and the Islamic Republic of Iran represent two of the world’s most ancient and influential civilizations. Today, they are essential regional powers whose ideological and strategic rivalry shapes much of the geopolitics of the Middle East. To understand their current dynamics, it is essential to present their history, political systems, and societies separately.
The State of Israel (מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, Medīnat Yisrā’el)
Founded on May 14, 1948, the State of Israel defines itself as the nation-state of the Jewish people, while also being a parliamentary democracy. It is the result of the Zionist movement, which aimed to re-establish Jewish sovereignty in the land that Jewish tradition considers its ancestral homeland.
History and Founding
Israel’s history is both ancient and modern. It traces its roots to the biblical kingdoms of Israel and Judah. After centuries of diaspora (the dispersion of the Jewish people), the political Zionist movement emerged in the late 19th century in Europe. Following World War II and the Holocaust, the cause for a Jewish state gained international support, leading to the 1947 UN Partition Plan for Mandatory Palestine and Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948. This declaration was immediately followed by a war with neighboring Arab states, the first in a long series of conflicts.
Geography and Demographics
Located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is a small country with diverse landscapes. It shares borders with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt.
- Population: Approximately 9.9 million inhabitants.
- Composition: About 73% Jewish, 21% Arab (mostly Muslim, but also Christian and Druze), and 6% other minorities.
- Languages: Hebrew is the official language. Arabic has a special status and is spoken by the Arab minority.
- Main Cities: Jerusalem (declared capital, but with a disputed international status), Tel Aviv (economic and technological hub), and Haifa.
Political System
Israel is a parliamentary democracy.
- The Parliament (Knesset): Composed of 120 members elected by proportional representation, which encourages the formation of coalition governments.
- The Head of Government: The Prime Minister, usually the leader of the party with the most seats in the Knesset.
- The Head of State: The President, whose role is largely ceremonial.
Political life is very dynamic and often polarized, with intense debates on security, religion and state, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Economy and Technology
Despite limited natural resources, Israel has developed a highly advanced market economy, often nicknamed the “Start-up Nation.” It excels in the high-tech, cybersecurity, defense, agriculture (irrigation technology), and pharmaceutical sectors.
The Islamic Republic of Iran (جمهوری اسلامی ايران, Jomhuri-ye Eslāmi-ye Irān)
Heir to the ancient Persian Empire, Iran is a thousand-year-old civilization that has profoundly marked world history. Its current form, the Islamic Republic, was established in 1979 after a revolution that overthrew the monarchy.
History and Revolution
The history of Iran (Persia) dates back to the Achaemenid Empire of Cyrus the Great (6th century BCE). Over the centuries, the country has been a crossroads of cultures and empires. A major turning point was the adoption of Twelver Shia Islam as the state religion by the Safavid dynasty in the 16th century. In the 20th century, the Pahlavi dynasty led the country through rapid modernization and Westernization, while maintaining an authoritarian regime. Popular discontent, combined with opposition from the Shia clergy, led to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini.
Geography and Demographics
Iran is a vast, mountainous country in Western Asia with coastlines on the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman to the south, giving it a major strategic position.
- Population: Approximately 89 million inhabitants.
- Composition: A multi-ethnic society dominated by Persians (about 60%). Other significant groups include Azeris, Kurds, Lurs, and Arabs.
- Language: Persian (Farsi) is the official language.
- Main Cities: Tehran (the capital), Mashhad, Isfahan, and Shiraz.
Political System
Iran’s political system is unique, combining elements of theocracy and democracy. It is based on the principle of Velayat-e Faqih (the Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist).
- The Supreme Leader (Rahbar): This is the highest political and religious authority in the country (currently Ayatollah Ali Khamenei). He is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and has the final say on all major policy decisions.
- The President: The head of government, elected by direct universal suffrage, who manages the country’s daily affairs but remains subordinate to the Supreme Leader.
- The Parliament (Majlis): Elected by the people, it passes laws, which must, however, be approved by the Guardian Council.
Economy and Resources
The Iranian economy is largely based on the export of its vast oil and natural gas reserves. However, it has been severely affected by decades of international sanctions, particularly those imposed by the United States over its nuclear program and regional activities.
A Strategic and Ideological Rivalry
Before the 1979 revolution, Imperial Iran and Israel maintained discreet but functional relations. The Islamic Revolution marked a radical break. The new Iranian regime adopted a virulent anti-Israeli and anti-Zionist stance, calling Israel the “Little Satan” and refusing to recognize its existence.
Since then, the two countries have been engaged in a “shadow war” and a fierce competition for regional influence. Their main points of friction are:
- The Iranian nuclear program: Considered an existential threat by Israel.
- Iran’s support for groups hostile to Israel: Notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Palestine.
- Military operations: Israel regularly conducts strikes against Iranian or pro-Iranian targets, particularly in Syria.
Israel and Iran are two nations with strong identities, proud of their historical and cultural heritage. One is a Jewish state, a parliamentary democracy, and a technological power allied with the West. The other is a Shia Islamic republic, a revolutionary theocracy, and an energy powerhouse that challenges the current regional order. Their worldviews, alliances, and ambitions are diametrically opposed, making their rivalry one of the most defining and dangerous features of the contemporary Middle East.
Try Transfergratis today and optimize your international financial flows! The Transfergratis platform is a free, fast, and secure money transfer service from Canada to Africa. Download the app on the Play Store or the App Store.
