Nation: New Israel (Eretz Israel
Chadashah)
Symbol/Flag: Kaniza illusion Star
of David (white) on midnight blue field or star field.
Summary: An independent Jewish
state founded by early interstellar pioneers and remnants of the destroyed
terrestrial state of Israel.
Current Politics New Israel is a parliamentary
republic spread over five worlds and numerous outposts in three systems.
The head of state is the President, elected by the Legislature to a five-year
term; the Prime Minister, elected by the voters, is head of government;
the Legislature is the unicameral Knesset, with 120 members. The four largest
colonies have smaller “state” versions of the national government with
Governor, Ministers of State, and Knesset M’dina. The national government
is currently dominated by the Bitachon (security) party. Other major parties
include N’kam (vengeance), which is rapidly on the wane, Chalutzim (pioneers),
Tzirim (labor), and Derech Or, (the way of light), the largest religious
party.
The current “Security
Government” has enjoyed a broad coalition of support since replacing the
“Vengeance Government” in 2158. New Israel military is primarily concerned
with the safety and security of the people. New Israel is on average
more religious than Old Israel, but religious and secular power blocs get
along better than in the past. The ultra-religious hold small, though sometimes
lopsided power, as do the pure secularists. The lessons of history, however
are burned into the national and social psyche, and most divisions are
quickly cast aside to counter perceived threats.
The intelligence network
is extensive, and government supported and sanctioned mercenary groups
act as revenue sources, additional training, ready reserves, and information
gatherers in the core systems and beyond. One of the first human colonies
to become truly self-sufficient, NI has an isolationist bent, not wanting
to get nationally involved in the affairs of others. However, the government
is on friendly terms with NAC, OU, and PAU (though PAU is occasionally
a trade competitor), neutral towards NSL, FSE and most minor powers, cool
with ESU and IC and hostile to IF. NI policy towards IF focuses on denying
the IF the ability to make war on NI, classifying most IF FTL capable tugs
and all FTL military ships of Destroyer class and higher as imminent security
threats. Symbiotic research, technical, and trade alliances exist with
a number of Japanese corporations.
Economics Main exports are colonial
technology and hardware, including harsh-environment survival (20% GDP).
Custom agricultural, bioengineering, terraforming, and other colonial/pioneer
equipment (20%). Military technology, personnel, and equipment (including
fuel, intelligence, and mercenary services, 25%). NI has a significant
government-sponsored mercenary force; intelligence and extraction units
are in greatest demand. Agriculture (land and sea, 20%). Tourism (10% -
primarily Gan and Yafo). Balance of trade is in services and other sectors.
Trade Major Trading partners:
NAC (20%)
PAU (15%)
Japan (15%)
NSL, OU, FSE, UN (10% each)
Assorted Other (10%)
Alliances & Treaties Major agreements and treaties with major
and minor powers:
Core Defense alliance with UN during the latter
part of the Intersentient War
Broad-range trade agreements and defense pact
with NAC
Broad-range trade agreements with PAU
Trade agreements with NSL, OU, FSE
Non-intervention agreements with ESU and IC
Defense and Economic
Co-operation agreement with New Jordan
Karchon Development Technology Exchange Agreement
with IAS
Mutual defense treaty with Japan, 2176
Free trade agreement with Japan – numerous
corporate and other contracts between Japanese companies and ventures in
New Israel and abroad.
Various government approved mercenary treaties
and contracts.
Defense and Economic
Co-operation with NRE, Alarishi
Internal Security
Threat List Name: Description [type of activity, popularity/strength]
– Political and social causes can have violent flare-ups over sensitive
or divisive issues.
Yoffim Tzadikim: Die-hard vengeance nuts,
agitating to re-take Tzfat, destroy IF colonies simply because they are
IF, etc. [Militant, weak]
Beit Tzion Emet (True House of Zion): Ultra-zionist
group agitating to re-establish “greater” or “biblical” old Israel. They
bristle at the thought that most in New Israel think of Gan as a true homeland.
[Militant, political, weak]
Eden Shelanu (Our Eden): Diasporists – anti
return to earth, pro Jewish immigration, wants to establish Gan as the
true Jewish homeland. [Political, moderate]
Yichud (Setting apart/union with god): NI
ultranationalists and Isolationists. Anti NAC/UN/alliances, even anti Japan.
[Political, weak]
Various ultra-orthodox groups, concerned with
religious issues and secularization. [Political/Social, moderate]
Various anti-religious groups, concerned with
personal freedoms and libertarianism [Political/Social, moderate]
External Threat List
Islamic Federation: Relations with IF are
always strained to hostile. After the Homeland War, policy towards IF has
focused on denying it the ability to make war on NI, classifying most IF
FTL capable tugs and all FTL military ships of Destroyer class and higher
as imminent security threats.
Raiders/Pirates
ESU and IC: Occasionally, friction with these
powers erupts into a skirmish or localized conflict.
Corporate rivals to Japanese affiliates, and
other industrial thieves/spies
Kra'Vak: The threat posed by the Kravak to
New Israel increased in the late 2180's. New Israel's location near the
core systems removed them from the early front lines of the incursion,
but the push towards the core has raised significant concern. Kra'Vak expeditionary
forces have skirmished with NI and allies, and conducted two major assaults
in NI home space.
Sa'Vasku: These aliens have been both allies
and oponents on different occasions.
Phalon: The opportunistic Phalon are not trusted
by the NI government. They are generally consedered as threats until and
unless they demonstrate otherwise.
Epsilon
Indi - Home to Gan, New Israel's primary world
Naveh and
Miksam Shav - Second settlements around habitable moons a large gas
giant
Sabra
- Home to Midbar, a desert world slowly coming to life
Outposts
- Mainly in the three NI systems
Old Israel
- The Shomrim
Diaspora
- Citizens at large
Netzach
- The destroyed colony of Tzfat
Midbar Skunkworks This is the main military
laboratory/testbed/construction facility of New Israel. It's location within
the Sabra asteroid belt is secret, and most of its projects are considered
classified. None of the systems or house rules listed here are canon, and
many are as yet un-playtested. Several are adapted from other people's
rules or GZG-L list discussions. Adaptations may lack attribution, but
an E-mail can cure that.
New Israel is an "Official Nation", a minor
power mentioned in the FT rule books and SG manual. This conception of
NI is intended to be fully compatible with canon Tuffleyverse history.
"Conventional" groups and technology not mentioned
in any canon document but compatible with the GZG universe are noted in
brown.
they include:
New Jordan, a one-planet
Islamic Federation breakaway ally of New Israel.
The stealth hull, a
play-tested and balanced ship technology.
Planet-based fighters,
not play-tested, but discussed on GZG-L and believed to be balanced.
Disclaimer (Paraphrased from the GZGpedia)
This background has been developed for
the use of fans of Ground Zero Games, and, to a lesser extent, for Ground
Zero Games themselves. Original concepts, rules and timeline are copyright
Ground Zero Games. Material appearing on these pages may be examined by
Ground Zero Games, and may be used in part or whole as part of future rule
books, supplements, or other material. Any material used in whole will
be credited to the Author of the material, and he still retains copyright
unless waived.
