Israel is a small, independent country in southwestern Asia located on the Mediterranean Sea's eastern shore. About 9 million people live in Israel, with the majority of citizens being Jewish. Israel has a strong economy, is significant in religious issues, and is the world's only Jewish state. For years, Israel has been in conflict with Palestine, the Arab territory that wants to absorb Israel into its land and establish a new state of Palestine. Much of what the world sees about Israel concerns the Israeli-Palestinian conflict about the land, who gets it, and how it's likely to be controlled. It has been an ongoing debate between authorities on both sides for a long time.

What is it important to learn about Israel?

It's important to learn about the history of Israel, its current state of affairs, and its future prospects if you plan to work in international political studies or government affairs. The study of Israel would uncover much about the state's religious wars, the significance of the United States moving its embassy to Jerusalem in 2018, and how the country operates while in a continuing conflict with Palestine over the control of the land . Learning about how the United States helped to broker a peace deal between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Israel in 2020 is also important. That is a significant move that is expected to help normalize relations in the region in the coming years.

What are careers that can use knowledge of Israel?

There are many types of careers that are suitable for someone with a deep interest in Israel, such as in foreign affairs, international relations, and Middle Eastern studies. If you know Hebrew and have a deep interest in Jewish history, there are jobs in associations, think tanks, nonprofits, and similar groups that require learned Jewish professionals. Learning about Israel can also bring you deeper into matters of the soul. You might have an interest in studying Israel's religious customs and traditions. In doing so, you might gain an opportunity to travel to Israel to advance your current career. Knowledge of Israel can also enhance a career as a religious studies teacher, university lecturer, history teacher, rabbi, or journalist. There are also opportunities available for those who also want to inject modern practices into years-old traditions. Taking online courses is an excellent way to get your skills ready for that.

How can online courses on Coursera help me learn about Israel?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Israel, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Israel Studies Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Israel Studies Course Catalog

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Tel Aviv University
The History of Modern Israel - Part I: From an Idea to a State
Skills you'll gain: World History, European History, Social Studies, International Relations, Political Sciences, Public Safety and National Security, Demography, Cultural Diversity
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
809 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Free Trial
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
Startup Entrepreneurship
Skills you'll gain: Ideation, Innovation, Business Planning, Brainstorming, Creative Problem-Solving, Creative Thinking, Value Propositions, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Team Building, Operations Management, Resourcefulness, Thought Leadership, Problem Solving, Visionary, Strategic Thinking, Initiative and Leadership, Market Research, New Product Development, Business Strategy
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.8K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
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Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel State and Society
Skills you'll gain: Social Studies, Demography, Political Sciences, International Relations, Sociology, Anthropology, World History, Cultural Diversity, Governance, Economics, Conflict Management
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
381 reviews
Beginner · Course · 3 - 6 Months
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Tel Aviv University
The History of Modern Israel - Part II: Challenges of Israel as a sovereign state
Skills you'll gain: Cultural Diversity, Social Studies, Diversity Awareness, Immigration Law, Social Sciences, International Relations, World History, Socioeconomics, Culture, Political Sciences, Sociology, Diplomacy, Public History, Economic Development, Demography, Economics, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
342 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
From Idea to Startup
Skills you'll gain: Business Planning, Value Propositions, Entrepreneurship, Ideation, Business Strategy, New Product Development, Risk Management, Product Development, Innovation, Communication, Business Risk Management, Persuasive Communication, Feasibility Studies, Verification And Validation, Interviewing Skills
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
778 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Utrecht University
Contemporary Palestinian History
Skills you'll gain: International Relations, World History, Research, Diplomacy, Case Studies, Social Justice, Political Sciences, Socioeconomics, Timelines, Governance
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Tel Aviv University
The Emergence of the Modern Middle East - Part I
Skills you'll gain: World History, Political Sciences, International Relations, European History, Social Sciences, Economics, Governance, Cultural Diversity
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Northwestern University
The Talmud: A Methodological Introduction
Skills you'll gain: Legal Research, Ancient History, Research, Liberal Arts, Cultural Responsiveness, Research Methodologies
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
297 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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Technion - Israel Institute of Technology
New Product Development - develop your own new product
Skills you'll gain: New Product Development, Budget Management, Risk Management, Resource Management, Project Management, Product Management, Project Planning, Agile Product Development, Scheduling, Innovation, Business Strategy, Technology Strategies, Simulation and Simulation Software
4.4
Rating, 4.4 out of 5 stars
139 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
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Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Modern Hebrew Poetry שירה עברית מודרנית
Skills you'll gain: Language Competency, Language Interpretation, Translation, and Studies, World History, Liberal Arts, Literacy, Writing, Creativity
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
134 reviews
Mixed · Course · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
Emory University
The Bible's Prehistory, Purpose, and Political Future
Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Liberal Arts, Political Sciences, World History, Policy Analysis, Cultural Diversity, Education and Training, Storytelling
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
290 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
University of Pennsylvania
Introduction to Ancient Egypt and Its Civilization
Skills you'll gain: Ancient History, Art History, Anthropology, Social Studies, Timelines, World History, Cultural Diversity, Research Methodologies, Investigation, Storytelling
4.6
Rating, 4.6 out of 5 stars
2.9K reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months