The list remains unchanged in the top nine, led by the U.S. and Russia, and with Israel followed by Saudi Arabia.
By World Israel News Staff
Israel is ranked eighth in the “2019 Power Countries” ranking, published by U.S. News and World Report.
The Jewish State follows the U.S., China, Russia, Germany, the U.K., France, and Japan. The ranking is based on five attributes: each country’s leadership, economic influence, political influence, strong international alliances, and military.
It explains that “the world’s most powerful countries also are the ones that consistently dominate news headlines, preoccupy policymakers, and shape global economic patterns. Their foreign policies and military budgets are tracked religiously. When they make a pledge, at least some in the international community trust they will keep it,” says U.S. News and World Report.
About Israel, the report says that “for its relatively small size, the country has played a large role in global affairs. The country has a strong economy, landmarks of significance to several religions, and strained relationships with many of its Arab neighbors.”
The description contrasts Israel’s diplomatic struggles with its prowess in a number of areas.
“Seven decades later, boundaries are still hotly contested. The United Nations Security Council voted in 2016 to condemn Israeli settlements in the area, prompting Israel to suspend ties with many nations that voted in favor of the resolution. U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital at the end of 2017 stirred further unrest,” says the review.
“Israel is persistently plagued by terrorism threats and the country occasionally erupts into violent conflict,” says the overview, citing that “human rights groups have accused Israel of abuses in its ongoing conflict with the Palestinians.”
However, it also points out that “Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with cut diamonds, high-technology equipment, and pharmaceuticals among its major exports.
The country is very highly developed in terms of life expectancy, education, per capita income, and other human development index indicators. But the country also has one of the most unequal economies in the Western world, with significant gaps between the rich and poor.”
The annual summary also juxtaposes the status of Arabs who live in Israel with the in-gathering of Jews from around the Diaspora who have immigrated to their ancient homeland.
“While the culture of Jewish Israelis and the Arab minority have remained fairly separate, the country has been influenced by Jewish immigrants from all over the world, many of whom have gone on to make significant contributions to science, politics and the arts,” says U.S. News and World Report.
The magazine says that there was no change in the ranking of the top nine countries. Israel is followed by Saudi Arabia.