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Last update - 20:15 03/06/2009
Israel is world's fourth most dangerous country, study says
By Haaretz Service
Tags: Israel news 

A study of the world's most peaceful countries released Wednesday ranks Israel as fourth to last among the 144 countries ranked.

According to the Global Peace Index, an annual ranking of the world's nations on the basis of how peaceful they are, Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq are the only countries more dangerous than Israel.

Directly more peaceful than Israel on the list are Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chad and Pakistan. Lebanon ranks 132nd, Iran ranks 99th and Syria ranks 92nd.
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The index's most peaceful country is New Zealand, followed by Denmark, Norway, Iceland and Austria. Iceland was rated most peaceful on last year's index, but was displaced to fourth in 2009.

Steve Killelea, founder of the Global Peace Index, said "now in its third year the causes of peace are becoming apparent and the net economic benefit to humanity is substantial. Peace does have an economic value apart from the very real humanitarian values associated with it. Research has calculated the impact of lost peace to the world economy over a period of ten years is $48 trillion."

Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, chairman of Anglo American and chairman of the Global UN Compact and one of the GPI's high profile supporters, said "this year's index clearly shows that there are links between economic prosperity and peace. The business community can and does benefit significantly from non violent environments but perhaps business must now consider how sound, transparent and ethical business practices can play a larger role in bringing out about stability and peace."

Small, stable and democratic countries are consistently ranked highest; 14 of the top 20 countries are western or central European democracies. All five Scandinavian countries are in the top ten of this year's GPI.

The U.S. has risen six places from last year to 83rd place with a fall in the indicator registering the potential for terrorist acts. A significant negative for U.S. peace scores is the fact that the country still jails a higher proportion of its population than any other country in the index.

For the third year running, the country ranked least at peace is Iraq. Madagascar is the country that has fallen the most (30 places) amid mounting political instability and violent demonstrations. Bosnia Herzegovina is the biggest riser, up 23 places from 73rd position last year.

This year the Index has been expanded to rank 144 countries and now encompasses almost 99% of the world's population. The Index is constructed from 23 qualitative and quantitative indicators of external and internal measures of peace including levels of democracy and transparency, education and material wellbeing.

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      1.   I never felt so safe and at peace as when I visited Israel 19:18  |  Larry 03/06/09
      2.   this ranking 19:35  |  kokok 03/06/09
      3.   TOTAL BS! 19:51  |  MarkC 03/06/09
      4.   Peace is overated; Israel is safest country on earth 19:58  |  Andrew Hamilton 03/06/09
      5.   Entertaining Brit: 20:03  |  17 03/06/09
      6.   Well, bombed out shops rarely sell something beside debris 20:04  |  Kris Lazar 03/06/09
      7.   Another Joke 20:05  |  Y 03/06/09
      8.   LMAO 20:14  |  Israelette 03/06/09
      9.   Rubbish 20:19  |  Max Coutinho 03/06/09
      10.   Do I have to believe it?? I am safer here than in Uruguay 20:34  |  Alain 03/06/09
      11.   What Absolute Rubbish 20:34  |  George 03/06/09
      12.   This is Idiotic! 20:42  |  marat 03/06/09
      13.   Statistics , Shmatistics .... 20:42  |  TOMY 03/06/09
      14.   That settles it, I`m movin to Khartoum 20:43  |  Israeli 03/06/09
      15.   Any volunteers? 21:00  |  Yonatan 03/06/09
      16.   What a joke... 21:04  |  Ryv 03/06/09
      17.   Andrew Hamilton #2, Israel is safest!!! 21:08  |  Westwell 03/06/09
      18.   this report made my day 21:08  |  zionist forever 03/06/09
      19.   most dangerous country 21:13  |  adele 03/06/09
      20.   doesn`t make sense 21:16  |  david 03/06/09
      21.   Weak countries are bombed 21:16  |  fritz t. 03/06/09
      22.   I`de still rather LIVE here than "exist" anywhere else 21:17  |  Ari ben Yisrael 03/06/09
      23.   safety ranking 21:23  |  Jael 03/06/09
      24.   Quick!get me to Sudan,Congo,Chad,Pakistan-they are more peaceful 21:40  |  bat yam 03/06/09
      25.   What study is this? 21:42  |  Brod 03/06/09
      26.   A Dangerous Place? 21:42  |  giles k 03/06/09
      27.   It`s a reputable study, actually read the last paragraph... 21:43  |  BBSNews 03/06/09
      28.   ambivalent 21:45  |  Israeli 03/06/09
      29.   That`s only because of deadly Israeli traffic! 21:49  |  Gray 03/06/09
      30.   Whole Israel 21:50  |  yulia 03/06/09
      31.   "peaceful countries" 21:54  |  isaac zitser 03/06/09
      32.   And Norway happens to be number 3 on that list 21:56  |  Gil 03/06/09
      33.   #9 21:57  |  Bert 03/06/09
      34.   So what are the Palestinians complaining about 21:57  |  Yakir 03/06/09
      35.   Latin America (22 countries) safer than Israel 21:59  |  Juan 03/06/09
      36.   Brod, 99% of Earth`s population is included... 21:59  |  BBSNews 03/06/09
      37.   Israel is not safe??? 21:59  |  Oleg 03/06/09
      38.   Global Peace Index & UN 22:04  |  david 03/06/09
      39.   How would one make such a list? 22:08  |  Mark Lincoln 03/06/09
      40.   WHAT An idiotic "Survey" Walk down the streets of Johanesburg! 22:17  |  PETER SM 03/06/09
      41.   Study the survey: it is garbage (#20) 22:21  |  Erik 03/06/09
      42.   WESTWELL Go for a walk in Malmo! Enjoy a night in Bradford 22:25  |  PETER SM 03/06/09
      43.   Corrections: Jael, Gil, BBSNews 22:25  |  Erik 03/06/09
      44.   this report made my day 22:30  |  david 03/06/09
      45.   Malmo, Gil #21 22:30  |  Oleg 03/06/09
      46.   hahahahahahahahaha 22:39  |  ZISD 03/06/09
      47.   Well Erik they are Number 6 on the list 22:46  |  Gil 03/06/09
      48.   Toronto Is more Dangerous then israel! 22:51  |  ben 03/06/09
      49.   That`s why half the foreign correspondents in the world are... 23:16  |  Noam D. Blume 03/06/09
      50.   ridiculous 23:33  |  Observer 03/06/09
      51.   Silly study, by dummies for dummies. 23:51  |  Stephen. 03/06/09
      52.   Israel is probably one of the safest countries where human life 23:58  |  ks 03/06/09
      53.   Perhaps all those crazy drivers on Israel`s roads? 00:09  |  just wondering 04/06/09
      54.   PETER SM 30 00:12  |  bruce 04/06/09
      55.   They mean West bank and Gaza not 00:25  |  had enough 04/06/09
      56.   Shows how ignorant people are 00:25  |  Baruch Gold 04/06/09
      57.   Awesome - thousands killed in Pak & Sudan 00:29  |  steve from raleigh 04/06/09
      58.   Jael - Israel is ranked 14th from the top 00:44  |  ChanahS 04/06/09
      59.   BBS News, Sigh. No one ever reads the endorsers 00:45  |  Sarah 04/06/09
      60.   hamilton # 3 Peace is overrated, itis a bummer, rally sucks 01:23  |  American in NY 04/06/09
      61.   And the #1 Rudest Country! Yay, Tops! 01:36  |  Yisroel Zuckerman 04/06/09
      62.   denmark 02:11  |  linda 04/06/09
      63.   Very Funny 02:25  |  UsedToPostHere 04/06/09
      64.   A piece of self contradictory garbage.A cursory look at 02:25  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      65.   A piece of self contradictory garbage.A cursory look at 02:25  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      66.   This report is available on the net. It`s total rubbish. 02:30  |  Shlomo from Tel-Aviv 04/06/09
      67.   to Erik , Olga and Gil New adventures in far away places 02:30  |  American in NY 04/06/09
      68.   And we are suppose tobelive it! 03:07  |  Fernando 04/06/09
      69.   And we are suppose tobelive it! 03:07  |  Fernando 04/06/09
      70.   Has anyone been to latin America or Pakistan,afghanistan or 03:10  |  ks 04/06/09
      71.   the result shows you how bias and stupid this "index" is 03:15  |  elianna 04/06/09
      72.   Israel is world`s fourth most dangerous country, study says 03:26  |  Michael Flicker 04/06/09
      73.   Never happy 03:32  |  santo 04/06/09
      74.   More Israel bashing 04:00  |  Graeme Anderssen 04/06/09
      75.   "There is a very, very strong correlation between... 04:15  |  Reader 04/06/09
      76.   this report is so untrue it`s not even worth posting 04:23  |  Ben 04/06/09
      77.   Don`t confuse them with facts Santo... 04:27  |  BBSNews 04/06/09
      78.   Peace or Safe 04:35  |  Liat 04/06/09
      79.   pathetic 04:37  |  jack 04/06/09
      80.   hamilton # 3 Peace is overrated you say? 04:47  |  American in NY 04/06/09
      81.   Pssst Gil, malmo is in Sweden, but don*t let anyone else know. 04:48  |  American in NY 04/06/09
      82.   I forgot to mention 04:57  |  Liat 04/06/09
      83.   SANTO You have the bull by the tail.Its much LESS dangerous 05:12  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      84.   To Santo 05:15  |  Liat 04/06/09
      85.   Pakistan is much more dangerous than Israel 05:27  |  jeff 04/06/09
      86.   Congratulations 05:49  |  Iain 04/06/09
      87.   I see my prior post was [CENSORED] 06:08  |  Mark Lincoln 04/06/09
      88.   PETER SM # 31. How about Australia 06:59  |  Westwell 04/06/09
      89.   IAIN Congratulations to you.Without examining any of the facts 07:27  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      90.   Fourth most dangerous country is Israel- 07:36  |  David Nigel Braham 04/06/09
      91.   Israel a dangerous country HA HA HA 09:26  |  GD 04/06/09
      92.   jimmy carter, desmond tutu and mary robinson among gpi-endorsers 09:47  |  scallywag 04/06/09
      93.   #1 before you say THAT larry, look at its rating indicators 09:50  |  eric 04/06/09
      94.   #1 before you say THAT larry, look at its rating indicators 09:50  |  eric 04/06/09
      95.   Basis 10:08  |  Liat 04/06/09
      96.   No. 4 not fair 10:13  |  Dav 04/06/09
      97.   Basis cont... 10:14  |  Liat 04/06/09
      98.   Basis cont... 10:35  |  Liat 04/06/09
      99.   Basis cont... 11:11  |  Liat 04/06/09
      100.   What on earth is this rubbish pole? They have no glue!!!! 11:38  |  Jo 04/06/09
      101.   Basis cont... 11:42  |  Liat 04/06/09
      102.   Finally 11:46  |  Liat 04/06/09
      103.   IF it is that safe ... 11:54  |  Ibrahim 04/06/09
      104.   ERICYour chances of a violent death are much higher 12:06  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      105.   ERICYour chances of a violent death are much higher 12:06  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      106.   Israel is a safe country .. 12:34  |  un2here 04/06/09
      107.   safest for jews 12:49  |  ed 04/06/09
      108.   Dazed and Confused 13:01  |  Iain 04/06/09
      109.   IBRAHIM because the Pals ARE lobbing rockets but Israeli defence 13:02  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      110.   unbelievable 13:19  |  Tzioni 04/06/09
      111.   So, if Israel is so safe... 13:24  |  Anne 04/06/09
      112.   lain in new zealand 13:41  |  scallywag 04/06/09
      113.   IAIN Only NZ is perfectly safe,except for the odd hijacking 14:37  |  PETER SM 04/06/09
      114.   Israeli exagerations come home to roost? 16:15  |  jim the mechanic 04/06/09
      115.   Title:most dangerous 16:17  |  Anne 04/06/09
      116.   To lain 16:19  |  Liat 04/06/09
      117.   To Anne 16:25  |  Liat 04/06/09
      118.   Statistics , Shmatistics ....Nonsense 17:31  |  TOMY 04/06/09
      119.   Who said that Israel is a dangerous place? I`d rather live 18:11  |  Maria 04/06/09
      120.   An author of a book says Israel is the most safest 18:16  |  Maria 04/06/09
      121.   Norway is my holy land 18:17  |  Mohammad 04/06/09
      122.   Israel a dangerous place? 18:18  |  Francelia 04/06/09
      123.   Anne...the only country that has been attacked 18:24  |  Maria 04/06/09
      124.   The most safest countries in the world for me 18:33  |  Maria 04/06/09
      125.   # 1, LARRY 18:53  |  indrajaya 04/06/09
      126.   IT MAKES SENSE 18:56  |  indrajaya 04/06/09
      127.   Brod 18:57  |  Maria 04/06/09
      128.   to Franceila........Excessive of power is dangerous!! 19:12  |  Tony Silver 04/06/09
      129.   Ari ben Yisrael 19:22  |  wibism 04/06/09
      130.   GLOBAL PEACE INDEX USES UN DEFINITION OF PEACE 19:45  |  indrajaya 04/06/09
      131.   it is not a wonder 19:57  |  chaim 04/06/09
      132.   rubbish 20:19  |  nonsense 04/06/09
      133.   Israel most dangerous country 20:35  |  Gina 04/06/09
      134.   I bet, that more people are murdered in the USA. 20:51  |  Stephen. 04/06/09
      135.   dangerous Israel 21:07  |  Geronimo 04/06/09
      136.   #87 scallywag regarding Lain in NZ ,Important to point ou 21:18  |  Can. Israeli Friend 04/06/09
      137.   Israel is world`s fourth most dangerous country 21:51  |  Phonk 04/06/09
      138.   Israel is a dangerous country only in an "indirect" way..... 21:52  |  Swiss (Dino) 04/06/09
      139.   Flies are attracted to... 21:53  |  FOX 04/06/09
      140.   JESUSALEN 21:54  |  JESUSALEN 04/06/09
      141.   ibrahim 23:29  |  bar kochva 04/06/09
      142.   # 111 Can do Friend.. lost in paradise 23:59  |  maoriboy 04/06/09
      143.   relativity 00:03  |  danish 05/06/09
      144.   "Dangerous" Israel? 00:27  |  Arie 05/06/09
      145.   #134 Stephen 02:16  |  Ivor Biggun 05/06/09
      146.   This is about peace not safety!! 02:27  |  Logic 05/06/09
      147.   Peter SM 02:36  |  Mike from Boston 05/06/09
      148.   Swiss (Dino) 2nd try 02:59  |  David Israel 05/06/09
      149.   If there any dangerous places , it is mostly 03:03  |  TOMY 05/06/09
      150.   No Place To Hide Anymore Sorry Folks.To@149 You are Right. 20:15  |  W.B 05/06/09
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