Career
Israel entered the Navy as Midshipman 15 January 1801. He served in Maryland during the Quasi-War with France and in Chesapeake, New York, and Constitution during operation in the Mediterranean against the Barbary pirates. A monument to the memory of Israel and his fellow officers and men stands on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
Israel was reported to be of the Jewish faith, although "there was no evidence that Israel is a Jew or of Jewish ancestry."
United States Ship Israel (Doctor of Divinity-98) was named in honor of him.