Days before Israel's 66th Independence Day, the Israeli population has reached 8.18 million people. This is more than 10 times the size of the population (806,000) when independence was declared in 1948. Israel's Jewish population numbers about 6.14 million -- roughly 75 percent of the total population. There are 1.7 million Arab citizens in Israel, making up 20.7% of the population. Those in the "other" category, including non-Jewish immigrants to Israel and their descendants, comprise 351,000 people -- 4.3% of the total population. Some 178,000 babies were born in Israel since last year's Independence Day, marking an all time high in the birth rate. About 40,000 people died over the last year, and 24,000 new immigrants moved to Israel. Israel's population had a net growth of about 137, 500 people since Independence Day in 2013. On Thursday, 30 new immigrants from North America arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport, and 60 new immigrants received their identification cards, officially becoming Israeli citizens. Also on Thursday, 104 new immigrants were drafted to the Israel Defense Forces through the Friends of the IDF and Nefesh B'Nefesh Lone Soldier Program. President Shimon Peres shook the hands of 120 soldiers commended for their excellence in the main garden of the President's Residence on Thursday, as they rehearsed for the Independence Day ceremony. "On Independence Day, we will all be proud of you," Peres told the soldiers. The Independence Day ceremony this year will feature the songs of late musical icon Arik Einstein. It will be hosted by actor Zvika Hadar, and will feature singer Rita, who will sing a duet of Einstein's song "Uf Gozal" with the president. Shlomi Saranga will sing a duet of the late icon's "Convoy Song" with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu met with the general staff of the various arms of the defense establishment on Thursday and said, "Israel can celebrate its independence thanks to the people in the defense establishment, who work day and night to stand firm against the surrounding threats."
On eve of Israel's 66th anniversary, population rises to 8.18 million
178,000 babies born since last year's Independence Day and 24,000 new immigrants moved to Israel • Israel's population had a net growth of about 137,500 people since Independence Day in 2013 • 6.14 million Jews in Israel, 75 percent of the population.
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