The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic, established on May 14, 1948, in accordance with the Partition Plan for Palestine adopted by the United Nations. The highest legislative body is the Knesset, a unicameral parliament consisting of 120 deputies. The Knesset elects the head of state by secret ballot for a term of five years. The central executive body is the Cabinet of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. Power in cities is exercised by municipalities, in towns and villages by local councils, and regional councils govern groups of small settlements.

The flag of Israel is a white banner crossed by two blue longitudinal stripes. It resembles a tallit (talescoti) - an ancient Jewish prayer shawl with tassels at the corners and a round hole so it can be worn over the head. Religious Jews wore the tallit under their outer clothing. Blue, according to the flag's creators, symbolizes the sky. White color signifies the purity of religious ideals. In the center of the flag is the ancient sign of David - a six-pointed star called the "Magen David". It represents the interweaving of two equilateral triangles, one pointing downward meaning "water" and the other pointing upward meaning "fire". Approved as a state symbol on October 28, 1949.

The state coat of arms of Israel is a seven-branched candelabrum (menorah), framed by two olive branches (symbol of peace), emanating from the name of the state written in Hebrew at the bottom. The golden menorah was one of the main cult objects in the Jerusalem First Temple during the time of King Solomon. The coat of arms was approved by the Provisional State Council on February 10, 1949.