Israel civics quiz: questions and answers
All 22 general civics quiz questions about Israel with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Constitution and government 7 questions
Head of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.
Practise only: Constitution and government →
What is Israel’s constitutional framework?
A series of Basic Laws
Israel has no single constitution; the Knesset enacts Basic Laws under the Harari Resolution of 1950.
How many members does the Knesset have?
120
Basic Law: The Knesset, section 3.
How is the President of Israel chosen?
Elected by the Knesset for a single seven-year term
Basic Law: The President of the State.
When Israel’s Supreme Court hears petitions against state authorities, in what capacity does it sit?
As the High Court of Justice (Bagatz)
Basic Law: The Judiciary, section 15.
What is the name of Israel’s parliament?
The Knesset
The Knesset is Israel's unicameral legislature. It passes laws and elects the President.
What are the laws called that serve a constitutional role in Israel?
The Basic Laws
Israel has no single written constitution. A series of Basic Laws sets out how the main state institutions work.
Which 1950 law gives Jews the right to immigrate to Israel?
The Law of Return
The Law of Return, passed in 1950, gives Jews and certain relatives the right to immigrate. Most new citizens acquire citizenship this way.
History and national symbols 7 questions
Independence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.
Practise only: History and national symbols →
On what date was Israel’s Declaration of Independence proclaimed?
14 May 1948
David Ben-Gurion proclaimed independence in Tel Aviv on 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708).
What is the national anthem of Israel?
Hatikvah
Lyrics by Naftali Herz Imber; made official by law in 2004.
On which Hebrew date is Israel’s Independence Day celebrated?
5 Iyar
It is preceded by Yom HaZikaron, the Memorial Day, on 4 Iyar.
Who was Israel’s first Prime Minister?
David Ben-Gurion
David Ben-Gurion read the Declaration of Independence and became Israel's first Prime Minister in 1948.
Who was Israel’s first President?
Chaim Weizmann
Chaim Weizmann, a chemist and long-time Zionist leader, became the first President of Israel in 1949.
In which city was the First Zionist Congress held in 1897?
Basel
Theodor Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897, launching the modern Zionist movement.
Who is best known for reviving Hebrew as a spoken everyday language?
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda
Eliezer Ben-Yehuda championed Hebrew as a daily spoken language in the late 19th century and compiled a major modern Hebrew dictionary.
Geography and society 6 questions
Capital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.
Practise only: Geography and society →
Under the 2018 Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People, what is the state language?
Hebrew, with Arabic having a special status
Section 4 of the Basic Law.
What is Israel’s currency?
The new Israeli shekel
Introduced in 1985 to replace the old shekel.
What is the lowest point on Earth’s land surface, located in Israel and Jordan?
The Dead Sea
About 430 metres below sea level.
What is shown in the centre of Israel’s flag?
A blue Star of David
Israel's flag is white with two horizontal blue stripes and a blue Star of David in the centre.
What is the currency of Israel?
The new shekel
Israel's currency is the new Israeli shekel, which replaced the earlier shekel in the mid-1980s.
What object is at the centre of Israel’s state emblem?
A menorah
The emblem shows a seven-branched menorah flanked by two olive branches, with the word 'Israel' in Hebrew below.
Naturalisation rules 2 questions
What the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.
Practise only: Naturalisation rules →
Who has the right to immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return?
Every Jew, plus (since 1970) their children, grandchildren and spouses
Sections 1 and 4A of the Law of Return.
In which year was the Nationality Law that governs naturalisation enacted?
1952
Nationality Law 5712-1952; the Law of Return dates from 1950.
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