Mixed Israel Trivia Quiz

Answer: Moshe Sharett

Moshe Sharett became prime minister in January 1954, following David Ben-Gurion's resignation in late 1953. Sharett is often viewed as a relatively weak prime minister; he served for only two years, eventually stepping down after losing the confidence of key figures in the government. Sharett was known for his calm, and his preference for diplomatic solutions.

Sharett led a fascinating life. He was born in the Russian Empire in 1894 and made Aliyah (Jewish immigration to the Land of Israel) at a young age. During World War I, he served as an officer and interpreter in the Ottoman army. Before becoming prime minister, he worked as a journalist and later headed the "Jewish Agency for Israel" political department. Besides his brief term as prime minister, he is best remembered as Israel's first foreign minister. A charming piece of trivia: Sharett was a devoted lover of the Hebrew language and coined dozens of words that entered everyday use.

Answer: Waze

Waze is a free, community-based GPS navigation app for smartphones. It was developed in 2006 by the Israeli startup Waze Mobile and now operates in over 100 countries. Google acquired Waze for $966 million. In recognition of their achievement, the company's founders were chosen to light a torch at Israel's Independence Day ceremony in 2015.

Answer: Merkava

The Merkava is considered one of the most powerful tanks in the world. Production began in 1979, and today the most advanced model is the Merkava Mark 4. Its most notable advantages are its strong protection and advanced technological systems. The Merkava tank project was conceived by Major General (Hebrew: aluf) Israel Tal, who served as the head of the Armored Corps (1964-1969) and was instrumental in its development.

Answer: The Temple Mount

The Temple Mount in Jerusalem is the holiest place in the world for Jews. It is the site of the First and Second Temples, and the place where, for generations, the Jewish people have anticipated the construction of the Third Temple. According to Jewish tradition, this is the mountain on which Abraham bound Isaac. The stone at its center is regarded as the Foundation Stone-the point from which the world was created. It is also the mountain on which Isaiah delivered his sweeping prophecy: "And it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the G-d is house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it... For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the G-d from Jerusalem."

Today, on the Temple Mount stand the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in Islam. According to Muslim tradition, it is from here that Muhammad ascended to heaven with the angel Gabriel during his Night Journey.

As for the other answers: the Western Wall is holy because it is an original part of the Temple Mount. The Cave of the Patriarchs is the burial place of the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and the matriarchs Sarah, Rebecca, and Leah. The site is sacred to both Jews and Muslims. Superland is a cool and fun amusement park in Rishon LeZion, but not much holiness there.

Answer: Northern District

The area covers 4,473 square kilometers. The district borders Lebanon to the north, Jordan and Syria to the east, northern Judea and Samaria to the south, and the Mediterranean Sea to the west. It stretches from the Golan Heights and Upper Galilee in the north to the Beit She'an Valley and Ramot Menashe in the south.

Nazareth is the largest city in the district. It is considered one of the holiest cities in the world for Christians and is a significant destination for Christian pilgrims. The city is home to several sacred Christian sites, including the Basilica of the Annunciation, which, according to Christian tradition, marks the location of the Virgin Mary's home. As of 2024, Christians are a minority in Nazareth, with about 73 percent of the city's population being Arab Muslims. As of March 2025, Nazareth has 76,493 residents.

Kiryat Shmona is the northernmost city in Israel. It was named after the eight defenders of Tel Hai who died in 1920 during the Tel Hai events, led by Yosef Trumpeldor, who is considered a Zionist figure and national hero in Israel. As of March 2025, Kiryat Shmona has 24,996 residents.

Tzfat is considered one of the four holy cities in Judaism, alongside Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias (also in the Northern District). The city is a spiritual center, home to the graves of many great Jewish figures, including Rabbi Isaac Luria (1534-1572), known as HaAri HaKadosh ("The Holy Lion"), the father of Lurianic Kabbalah. Another prominent figure is Rabbi Joseph Karo (1488-1575), who authored the "Shulhan Arukh", a foundational code of Jewish law. Earlier still, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai (2nd century CE) is traditionally linked to the "Zohar", the most important work of Kabbalah.

Answer: "Lemon Popsicle" (Hebrew: "Eskimo Limon")

In Israel, the film is considered a cult classic. It has long held first place in ticket sales, with no fewer than 1,350,000 tickets sold-almost half of the country's population at the time. Although the film was officially restricted to viewers over the age of 16, many younger teenagers managed to sneak into screenings. In West Germany, it reached 11th place in annual ticket sales, even surpassing major international films such as "James Bond", "2001: A Space Odyssey", and "Papillon." The film was followed by eight sequels.

The film's director, Boaz Davidson, was influenced by the American film "American Graffiti" (1973) as well as from his own teenage experiences. Davidson later remade the film for American audiences in 1982 under the title "The Last American Virgin."

Answer: Judo

Perhaps influenced by Krav Maga, Israel has achieved an impressive haul of no fewer than nine Olympic medals in judo. The medals include three individual silver medals (Yael Arad in Barcelona 1992, Inbar Lanir in Paris 2024, and Raz Hershko in Paris 2024) and five individual bronze medals (Oren Smadja in Atlanta 1996, Arik Ze'evi in Athens 2004, Yarden Gerbi and Or Sasson in Rio de Janeiro 2016, and Peter Paltchik in Paris 2024).

In addition, there is one bronze medal in the mixed team event in Tokyo 2020. Judo is considered one of the most popular sports in Israel and has provided many memorable moments, including Israel's first-ever Olympic medal (Yael Arad in Barcelona 1992).

Answer: It takes place in the Hebrew month of Shevat (usually in January), although it may rain.

Independence Day is celebrated on the Hebrew date of 5 Iyar, which falls in April or May, not in Shevat (January/February). On May 14, 1948 - the 5th of Iyar - David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel, and the Declaration of Independence was signed during the official ceremony.

The unusual transition from deep mourning to national celebration is meant to link the sacrifice and heroism of Israel's fallen soldiers with the achievement of independence and the establishment of the state.

The Torch-Lighting Ceremony marks the official opening of Independence Day celebrations. Its highlight is the lighting of twelve torches, each carried by a distinguished representative chosen for that year.

The International Bible Contest for Jewish Youth was first held in 1963, with the strong support and encouragement of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. The contest has since become an annual event on Independence Day. Most winners come from Israel, but in several years contestants from North America (the United States and Canada) have taken first place.

Answer: Poppy anemone (Hebrew: Kalanit)

The Kalanit was chosen as Israel's national flower in 2013. Its name is derived from the Hebrew word "kala" (bride), because it is considered as beautiful as a bride on her wedding day.

The poppy anemone, or Anemone coronaria in Latin, is widespread throughout Israel, from north to south. Its flowering season lasts from December to April, and its petals appear in a variety of colors, with red being especially common. The anemone is a protected plant in Israel, and it is illegal to pick it.

The Kalanit has long been a part of Israeli culture, appearing in symbols, songs, coins, and stamps. Ariel Sharon, the 11th prime minister of Israel (2001-2006), was buried on a beautiful hill called "Kalanit Hill" near his home in the Negev desert in southern Israel.

Answer: Ethiopian Jews

In 1991, as Ethiopian President Mengistu Haile Mariam's rule was being undermined by rebel forces, the security situation in Ethiopia became increasingly unstable, putting the Jewish community in Addis Ababa at risk. Realizing that a rapid rescue was necessary, Israel negotiated a deal with Mengistu, who was then in exile in Zimbabwe, and launched the first operation of its kind, to save tens of thousands of people - Operation Solomon.

Operation Solomon was the largest airlift in the history of the State of Israel. In a highly complex logistical effort, between May 24-25, 1991, almost the entire Ethiopian Jewish community was brought to Israel. The operation was kept completely secret until the last plane landed. The entire mission lasted only 36 hours, involved 36 planes, and evacuated 14,310 Jews. The operation set a Guinness World Record for the most passengers on a single aircraft: 1,088 people on an El Al Boeing 747. Remarkably, two babies were born during the flights.

The operation was named after King Solomon, who, according to the Bible, met the Queen of Sheba - a figure traditionally associated with the Kingdom of Sheba, which is identified with Ethiopia. Some scholars, however, identify the Kingdom of Sheba with Yemen.