Israel Information

Jerusalem

Israel is located in Southwest Asia between the Mediterranean and the deserts of Syria and Arabia. A country in the Middle East, on the narrow region connecting Asia and Africa, The State of Israel occupies most of the region known as The Land of Israel, which was promised to the People of Israel according to Jewish tradition. It was where Jesus, the Christian Messiah, was born and the place where Mohammed, the Moslem Prophet, ascended to heaven. The meeting place of three continents and two seas, the country is a mix of cultures, customs and traditions, a country that was home to many people, cultures and changing religions. On the crossroads of ancient routes of commerce, the land also saw waves of conquering armies: the Canaanites, Hebrews, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Crusaders Ottoman Turks and the British made this much-desired small country into a battlefield where they strove for eminence, built fortifications, castles and royal palaces.

Time Zone – Israel is GMT +2

Climate - Israel enjoys long, warm, dry summers (April-October) and generally mild winters (November-March) with somewhat drier, cooler weather in hilly regions, such as Jerusalem and Safed. Rainfall is relatively heavy in the north and center of the country, with much less in the northern Negev and almost negligible amounts in the southern areas. Regional conditions vary considerably, with humid summers and mild winters on the coast; dry summers and moderately cold winters in the hill regions; hot dry summers and pleasant winters in the Jordan Valley; and year-round semi-desert conditions in the Negev. Weather extremes range from occasional winter snowfall in the mountain regions to periodic oppressively hot dry winds that send temperatures soaring, particularly in spring and autumn.

Population and Religion - The State of Israel has a population of 7.4 million. Israel does not recognise an official state religion, although it was founded primarily as the place where Jews were at last free to live as Jews, and remains so today. The open expression of other religions is common in Israel. Ethnicities include Muslims, Druze, Bedouins, Circassians and Baha’i.

Baha'i Gardens Haifa

Languages - Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of The State of Israel with English widely spoken.

Currency - The local currency is Israeli new shekel.

Credit Cards - All major credit cards are widely accepted and ATMs are also widely available.

Banking Hours - Banks in Israel are open from Sun-Fri 8.30 am-12.00 pm and Sun, Tues, Thurs 4.00 pm -6.00 pm. Foreign currency can only be exchanged at authorized banks, hotels and change shops. Change shops found in most cities charge no commission and equal the bank exchange rates. It is advisable to leave Israel with the minimum of Israeli currency. Payment in foreign currency exempts tourists from VAT on certain purchases and services, and is sometimes preferred by shop keepers.

Passport and Entry Requirements – Citizens of Australia and NZ will be issued tourist visas free of charge at every port or entrance terminal to Israel. All visitors to Israel must hold a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date they enter the country.

Australian Embassy
Discount Bank Tower (28th Floor)
23 Yehuda Halevi St (cnr Herzl St)
Tel Aviv 65136
Israel
Telephone: +972 3 693 5000
Fax:+ 972 3 693 5002

New Zealand Embassy
3 Daniel Frish Street
Tel Aviv 64731
Israel
Telephone: +972 3 695 1869
Fax:+972 3 6950817
Email: nzhoncon.il@gmail.com

Health – Visitors entering Israel are not required to undergo vaccinations prior to their arrival.

Duty Free - Allowance is: Alcoholic beverages – up to one litre for hard liquor, and up to two litres for wine, per person aged 17 and over. Tobacco of all types – up to 250 grams per person aged 17 and over.

Voltage and Plugs - The electric current in Israel is 220 volts AC, single phase, 50 Hertz. Most Israeli sockets are of the three-pronged variety but many can accept some European two-pronged plugs as well. Electric shavers, traveling irons and other small appliances may require adapters and/or transformers, which can be purchased in Israel.

Phone & Internet - The International Telephone Code for Israel is +972.
Israelis own more mobile phones and PCs per capita than anywhere else in the world. Israel is at the forefront of the world’s telecommunications and many of the latest technologies are developed In Israel.

Safety and Dress – Israel is a safe country and attracts millions of tourists and travellers annually. You can travel between Israel, Jordan and Egypt. You should check with the relevant embassies if you need a visa to these countries. Passage to the two major tourist cities of Bethlehem and Jericho in the Palestinian Authority is direct without prior clearance or required authorization.

Shabbat, or Saturday, is the Jewish holy day of the week. Shabbat starts on Friday afternoon/evening and ends on Saturday evening. All public offices in Israel are closed on Shabbat, as are most private businesses such as stores. In most cities, public transportation (trains and buses) does not operate. In mainly secular cities, like Tel Aviv, a lot of the restaurants and cafes are open but throughout the country many restaurants are closed. It is recommended to check in advance if you are planning on visiting a specific location. Radio and TV broadcasts operate as usual.

The common code of dress in Israel is very similar to Western dress codes. The more religiously conservative an Israeli is, the more conservatively he or she dresses. When attending a religious place it is mandatory for all men to wear a head covering and pants, and for women to wear long skirts. Despite any religious affiliation, all people respect these customs.

Tipping – A 10% gratuity in Israeli restaurants and cafes is customary if you are pleased with the service. Taxi drivers do not expect to be tipped.

Medical & Emergency Services – Hospitals and healthcare facilities in Israel offer top of the line procedures and services for travelers, including complicated medical procedures and treatment. Hospitals are world class.

Police 100 Website
Fire Department 102 Website
Magen David Adom (the Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross) provides 24-hour emergency medical service in most of the urban centers. Magen David Adom also provides ambulance service to the nearest emergency room.
Tel Aviv: 03-5460111
Jerusalem: 02-6523133
Haifa: 04 8512233
Shakhal
Shakhal is a private service that provides emergency care in cardiac emergencies.
Shakhal – 1-800-444666 or 1-800-221818
Tourist Police
Tourists can also call the tourist police at 03-5165382 if an emergency arises. The tourist police office is located on the corner of Geula and Herbert Samuel Streets, in Tel Aviv.

Water - The tap water is safe to drink.

Alcohol - There are no restrictions on the consumption of alcohol other than a legal drinking age of 18 years.

Food & Drink- In Israel three meals a day is customary. Breakfast is considered very light and is usually a salad. Lunch is early in the afternoon and dinner is served later in the evening.The usual diet in Israel consists of several items of food: Salat, which is fresh cucumbers, tomatoes and onions; Shwarma, which is made with lamb and turkey; Schnitzel, which is fried chicken patties; and Falafels, which are fried chick peas usually served with with pita bread and salat. Also fresh fruits and vegetables are common from the daily market.

Entertainment - Entertainment options in Israel are diverse and range from the traditional, incorporating a blend of many cultural, religious and historic influences, to the contemporary types of entertainments familiar in Western Cultures.

Restored Roman Theatre of Caesarea

Shopping – There are countless opportunities for shopping in Israel in the shopping centres that have sprung up in the past few decades – including the Malkha Mall, the largest in the Middle East – as well as in the colorful markets, annual bazaars, street malls, and shops in the large cities – all of which offer attractive imported and locally-made items.

Most stores are open from Sunday to Thursday between 9:00 am – 7:00 pm and some stores close between 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm. In some cities, stores are closed on Tuesday afternoons. Stores close at midday on Friday and open again on Sunday morning. Stores close in mid afternoon on the eve of Jewish holidays and remain closed throughout the holiday. Shopping centres that do not cater to the religious population are open on Saturdays and others open on Saturday night or holiday nights to accommodate moviegoers. Coffee houses and restaurants that do not serve kosher food usually remain open on Saturdays. Muslim-owned businesses usually close on Fridays, which is the Sabbath day for the Muslim community, and Christian-owned businesses are closed on Sundays.

VAT of 15.5% is added to all sales and services and is included in the price. Tourists are exempt from VAT payments for the following services: Lodging in hotels, youth hostels, field schools, campgrounds and accompanying services, organized tours, care rentals (with or without a driver-guide), flights provided by local airlines, cruises, meals provided by tour operators during organized tours, meals served in hotel restaurants which are included in the price of the hotel, hospitalization, participation in conventions of 50 tourists or more, rights for use of exhibition areas, and accompanying services.

Purchases can be made in Israeli Shekels, U.S. dollars or Euros. Tourists who have purchased items with a value exceeding $100 (including VAT) in stores that are registered with the Ministry of Tourism or in stores participating in the VAT-refund plan are entitled to a refund of VAT when they leave the country. Stores that offer VAT refund service have a special sign.

All purchases and services in the city of Eilat are exempt from VAT.

Public Holidays, Celebrations & Festivals:

• Purim – March 8
• Pesach (Passover) – April 7
• Yom Ha’ Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day) – April 26
• Pentecost – May 27
• Rosh Hashana (New Year) – September 17
• Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – September 26
• Sukkot (Tabernacles) – October 1
• Simchat Torah – October 9
• Chanukah (Festival of Lights) – December 9