Israel has a population of around 10 million people, making it a small but densely inhabited country. Jewish Israelis make up around 74% of the population; Arab Israelis (citizens of the state) make up roughly 21%, with small communities of Druze, Bedouin, Circassians, and others.
The Jewish population is itself extremely diverse. Ashkenazi Jews, whose families came from Europe, dominated the country's early decades. Mizrahi Jews — from Iraq, Morocco, Yemen, Iran, and other Middle Eastern and North African countries — form a large part of the population and have shaped Israeli food, music, and culture enormously. Sephardi Jews arrived from Spain via the Balkans, Turkey, and North Africa. Since 1990, around a million Jews have immigrated from the former Soviet Union, leaving a visible imprint on cities like Haifa and Be'er Sheva. Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) form a smaller community with a distinct history and culture.
Arab Israelis live mainly in the Galilee, the Negev (where many are Bedouin), and towns in the mixed coastal cities. Cities like Haifa and Acre have long-established mixed Jewish-Arab populations and are often cited as models of coexistence — imperfect but real.
Israeli society can feel intensely argued-over and opinionated. Political disagreements are sharp, and the conflict with the Palestinians sits at the center of almost everything. Don't be surprised if people — shopkeepers, cab drivers, fellow hikers — want to talk about it. Israelis engage directly and without much small talk.
The Druze community, concentrated in the Galilee and Golan Heights, maintains a distinct identity from both Jewish and Sunni Muslim communities. They serve in the Israeli military and have their own religious traditions.
Languages. Hebrew is the primary language of Jewish Israel; Arabic is co-official and the language of Arab Israelis and Palestinians. English is widely spoken, particularly among younger people and in cities.
Religion shapes the rhythms of everyday life more than in most Western countries. About 40% of Israeli Jews define themselves as "traditional" (not fully observant but culturally observant), around 25% as secular, 20% as religious, and 10% as ultra-Orthodox (Haredi). Ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak are conservative spaces — dress modestly and behave respectfully when visiting.