Israel
Capital: Jerusalem
Official Language: Hebrew
Religions:
83% Jewish
13% Muslim and 2%
Christian
Currency: New
Shekel
=
100 agorat
Map
Background
Everyone has their own perception of what Israel is about: it's a
travel-agency package of beaches and sun; it's the Promised Land of the Jews;
it's a ticking time bomb. And while it is all of these things, it's much more
besides. So be sure to look beyond the larger-than-life figures of the past.
Israel is a bustling, noisy, modern country. It's best not to arrive with
preconceptions of spiritual epiphany. If you do, you'll almost certainly have
them confirmed, but in doing so you run the risk of missing the best this
fascinating place has to offer.
Special Events
Not surprisingly, Israeli holidays and festivals are mostly religious. Keep
an eye out for Jewish holidays in particular, as the country really does grind
to a halt on these days and you'll have to put your travel plans on hold. The
Jewish Sabbath day, Shabbat, is celebrated from sunset Friday to sunset
Saturday, and no work may be done on this day. Yom Kippur, in October, is the
holiest day in the Jewish calendar. This is the Day of Atonement, and it is
marked with 25 hours of abstinence from just about everything, combined with
prayer, contemplation and confession. Pesach or the Feast of Passover celebrates
the Jewish exodus from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses (or Charlton Heston). This
week-long festival in April culminates in the Passover dinner or Seder
consisting of several prescribed dishes, each commemorating a different Exodus
event. Jewish religious festivals aren't all abstinence and abnegation though.
Purim or the Feast of Lots commemorates the Persian Queen Esther's deliverance
of her Jewish subjects from the despicable secular politician, Haman. Kids and
adults alike dress up in costume and enjoy an evening of revelry. This is the
time for the typically non-drinking Israelis to atone; according to tradition
they get so plastered that they can't distinguish between 'bless Mordechai' and
'curse Haman'.
The big one for Israeli Muslims is Ramadan, a month where everyone fasts
between sun-up and sunset to conform to the fourth pillar of Islam. If you're in
Israel at this time, be sensitive to the fact that most of the Muslims around
you are very, very hungry. Ramadan ends with a huge feast, Eid al-Fitr, where
everyone prays together, visits friends, gives presents and stuffs themselves.
Climate
Israel has pronounced seasonal variation, and summers and winters can often get pretty severe. Southern Israel tends to cook in July and August, with the mercury climbing beyond 40°C (104°F); it's almost constantly dry as well. Elsewhere, November to March are significantly rainy months. Things are a tad cooler in the north with summer highs around 30°C (86°F) and winter lows sometimes below zero.
Travel Info
Israel's main gateway is the ultramodern Ben-Gurion airport (TLV,
www.ben-gurion-airport.co.il), 20km (12mi) southeast of Tel Aviv and 50km (30mi)
west of Jerusalem. There are plenty of flights to Israel, including non-stop
flights from the USA, Europe, South Africa and the Far East. Airport security is
tight, especially on national carrier El Al, and international travellers should
check in at least three hours before their flight.
Israel's only viable border crossing with Egypt is at Taba, near Eilat. You
will need to pay a fee to leave Israel and one to enter Egypt; pick up your
Egyptian visa at the consulate in Eilat before heading for the border. If you
are only visiting the Sinai you can pick up a Sinai-only permit at the Taba
crossing.
If you are trying to get to Cairo in a hurry, the best way is Mazada Tours'
(www.mazada.co.il) direct bus service between Tel Aviv or Jerusalem and Cairo -
just make sure you have your Egyptian visa before you go.
Israel's frontier with Jordan has three crossing points: the Allenby/King
Hussein Bridge crossing (30km/18.5mi from Jerusalem, 40km/25mi from Amman), the
Jordan River crossing (6km/4mi east of Beit She' an in Galilee) and the Yitzhak
Rabin crossing near Eilat. You will need to get your visa (from the Jordanian
embassy in Tel Aviv) prior to crossing into Jordan at the Allenby/King Hussein
Bridge. At the other crossings you can purchase your visa directly at the
border.
Buses to Jordan from Israel run via Haifa and Nazareth, or Tel Aviv and
Nazareth to Amman. All run via the the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge.
If you're driving between Jordan and Israel use either Yitzhak Rabin/Wadi
Araba or Jordan River Crossing/Sheikh Hussein Bridge. It is not permitted to
cross the Allenby/King Hussein Bridge in your own vehicle.
The ferry link between Cyprus and Haifa is currently suspended.
These arrangements may change so please double-check with consulates and
transport providers before you depart.
Visas
Everyone needs a passport valid for at least six months, but unless you are a
citizen of most African or some Central American countries, India, Singapore or
some ex-Soviet republics, you do not need a visa to enter Israel. Tourists are
allowed stays of up to 90 days. This visa can be extended for a fee at Ministry
of the Interior offices, located throughout Israel's larger cities and towns.
However, when crossing a land border customs might ask how long you intend to
stay and what you state is generally what you'll get. If there is a chance
you'll stay longer than your intended departure date you might as well ask for
the full 90 days. You will be given a duplicate entry permit on arrival. Do not
lose this very losable piece of paper!
The main hassle with visiting Israel is avoiding having your passport stamped
- most Arab countries will not allow you to enter if you have visited Israel.
You won't get into Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya or Yemen with an
Israeli stamp. In Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Turkey or Jordan they don't care and
in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, a little discretion should get you through.
The best thing you can do is ask the officials to stamp your entry permit rather
than your passport, or put Israel at the end of your Middle Eastern tour.
Safety
Terrorism/Security
We strongly advise you to maintain a high level of
vigilance, especially in public places, including bars and restaurants, and
avoid public transport and any political gatherings and/or demonstrations. You
should take sensible precautions for your personal and vehicle safety. You
should ensure in advance that you are familiar with contact details for the
emergency services as well as any contingency plans prepared by them for the
general public.
More
than 5,000 people have been killed since violence broke out in September 2000.
Nine British nationals have been killed; three by terrorist attacks inside Green
Line Israel; three by terrorist attacks in the Occupied Palestine Territories
(OPTs) and three by the Israel Defence Forces.
If you are planning to
travel to the OPTs we recommend you register with our Consulate General in
Jerusalem, once you have arrived in the area. When there is an immediate,
unforeseen risk to the public or staff, the Consulate-General is authorised to
distribute a notice providing advice to all registered British nationals. This
travel advice will also be updated to contain any new advice. However, as this
can take some time, we recommend you register to receive the immediate advice
while you are travelling.
The Consulate-General is also authorised to
provide further detailed information about aspects of our travel advice to all
registered British nationals. For example, the time and date of any
demonstrations that they are aware of. These details will not be provided on our
main website.
Please remember to inform the Consulate-General when you
have left the area, to prevent you receiving unnecessary messages.
You should be aware of the global
risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks, which could be against civilian
targets including
places frequented by foreigners.
Israel
There is a high
threat from Palestinian terrorism in Israel. Since the start of the second
Intifada (Palestinian uprising) in September 2000, there have been numerous and
frequent terrorist attacks. Suicide bombings and other attacks have targeted
crowded public areas and public transport, resulting in over 1000 deaths and
many serious injuries. These incidents have also been in areas frequented by
tourists. Renewed Israeli military action in Gaza in May 2007 has resulted in a
number of deaths and injuries. Palestinian militant groups have since threatened
attacks inside green line Israel.
In the most recent incident in Israel
on 29 January 2007, a suicide bomber killed and injured several people in the
Red Sea resort of Eilat. There were two terrorist attacks in 2006, killing nine
people and injuring about 79. These attacks took place in Tel Aviv. There were
six terrorist attacks in 2005, killing 24 people and injuring at least 245.
These attacks took place in Netanya, Hadera, Be'erSheva, Shfaram and Tel
Aviv.
Border Areas
We continue to advise against all travel
to the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajar along the border with Lebanon (the "Blue Line")
because of on-going military operations. On 17 June 2007 two Katyusha rockets,
reportedly fired from southern Lebanon by Palestinian militants, landed in
northern Israel in the vicinity of Kiryat Shemona. There were no reported
casualties.
We also advise against all but essential travel to areas
within 5kms of the Gaza perimeter, including Sderot, because of rocket fire from
Gaza. Rockets have also occasionally landed in the outskirts of
Ashkelon.
As with all areas where a number of people may congregate, you
should maintain a high level of vigilance at border crossing points into and out
of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.
You should take care
at the border and crossing points between Jordan and Israel. On 19 August 2005,
a rocket fired from Jordan landed in Eilat, Israel, coinciding with a rocket
attack on the Port of Aqaba in Jordan.
Jerusalem
There are
demonstrations in the Old City, which have the potential to turn violent.
Terrorist attacks have taken place in a variety of locations around the city and
in areas frequented by tourists. Foreign nationals have not been targeted, but
many have been killed and injured. The most recent terrorist attack resulting in
the death of a foreign national was in 2002. There was a shooting incident in
the Old City of Jerusalem on 10 August 2007, resulting in one fatality and a
number of casualties. No foreign nationals were involved. You should exercise
caution and follow local advice.
We strongly advise you to maintain a
high level of vigilance when travelling anywhere in Jerusalem, and to follow
local advice. You should be particularly aware when entering Orthodox or
ultra-Orthodox neighbourhoods.
Gaza
We advise against all
travel to Gaza. The security situation is extremely volatile; around 100 people
have been killed in intra-Palestinian fighting since 10 June 2007. Westerners,
including journalists and aid workers, continue to be the targets of
kidnappings. Groups in Gaza are currently actively targeting UK and other
western nationals for kidnap. A British journalist was kidnapped in Gaza on 12
March 2007 and was released on 4 July 2007. A number of foreign nationals,
including British nationals, have been kidnapped in earlier
incidents.
Against this backdrop, it would be reckless to travel to Gaza.
If, despite this advice, you decide to travel to, or remain in, Gaza you do so
at your own risk. The level of consular assistance we can provide in Gaza is
very limited. If you decide to travel to or remain in Gaza, you should review
your security arrangements and seek professional security advice on whether they
are adequate. You should use fully protected transport. If you are currently in
Gaza, you should stay indoors. If you wish to leave Gaza, you should contact the
British Consulate General in Jerusalem for advice before attempting to do
so.
There have been frequent demonstrations in Gaza, which have the
potential to turn violent. On 30 July 2006, demonstrators attacked a UN building
in Gaza City to protest against Israeli actions in Lebanon. On 14 March 2006,
the British Council building was attacked and burnt following an Israeli
incursion into Jericho.
Israel completed the evacuation of Israeli
settlers from Gaza and parts of the West Bank (a process referred to as
"disengagement") on 24 August 2005 and the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) left
Gaza on 12 September 2005. However, entry into and exit from Gaza through the
Erez crossing into Israel is still tightly controlled by the IDF. Due to ongoing
military action by the IDF in Gaza, Erez crossing is currently open
intermittently. As of 14 June 2007, all crossings in and out of Gaza are
closed.
The Rafah crossing point from Egypt into Gaza is only openly
sporadically. Entry into and exit from Gaza through the Rafah crossing into
Egypt is controlled by the Palestinian Authority for those holding valid
Palestinian ID cards. Advance permission may be granted to other categories of
travellers. With the crossing frequently closed, it is difficult for Gaza ID
holders that left via Rafah, to re-enter.
West Bank (excluding East
Jerusalem)
We advise against all travel to the West Bank, apart from
Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jericho where we advise against all but essential
travel. The current fighting between Palestinian factions in Gaza has spread to
the West Bank, particularly to Nablus, Jenin and Tulkarem where a number of
people have been killed on 14/15 June. The situation is fluid. There have also
been a number of Israeli incursions into West Bank towns, particularly into the
northern West Bank towns of Nablus and Jenin. The possibility of
Palestinians/Israeli and internal Palestinian violence remains high.
We
continue to believe that terrorist groups maintain the intent and capability to
kidnap foreign, including British, nationals particularly in Nablus and the
northern West Bank. There have been a number of attempted kidnappings of
Westerners. On 20 February 2007, three US nationals were kidnapped in Nablus and
released after several hours. On 23 January 2007, three French diplomats were
held for several hours in Nablus before being released.
For Ramallah,
Bethlehem and Jericho you are advised to take sensible precautions and check
this travel advice regularly for updates. Since 14 March 2006, there have been
frequent demonstrations which have the potential to turn violent and buildings
associated with British and European interests have been attacked. Diplomatic
premises and restaurants frequented by foreigners in Ramallah were targeted in
January 2007.
You should avoid the frequent political gatherings and
demonstrations, including organised political protests, which may turn
violent.
We recommend that you do not travel on route 443 (Jerusalem-Tel
Aviv via Modi’in) at night. There have been a number of incidents of shooting
and rock throwing on this route.
Travel within the West Bank is not
possible without passing through multiple Israeli military checkpoints. These
checkpoints are flash points for violent incidents and have been the scene of
several fatal attacks.
Crime
Most visits to Israel and the
Occupied Palestinian Territories are crime-free. You should keep your personal
belongings in a safe place. The theft of passports, credit cards and valuables
from public beaches is commonplace. If travelling on your own and not in a
group, be particularly careful to keep wallets, money and valuables out of
sight.
Crime is generally not a problem in the Occupied Palestinian
Territories, but you should take sensible precautions to protect yourself and
your belongings.
Political Situation
On 6 September there
were press reports of Israeli aircraft violating Syrian airspace. There has been
no confirmation of these reports. We advise travellers to monitor local media
for updates.
Road Travel
Driving in Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories is erratic and there are frequent accidents. Radar speed
traps operate on roads within Israel and fines for speeding are high. It is not
safe to hitchhike in Israel. If you are travelling to the desert, go with
others, take a supply of water and a mobile phone and let someone know your
itinerary and expected time of return.
LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS
Israel is a country in which a number of religions and cultures mix.
People feel strongly about their beliefs and customs. You should be aware
of this at all times. For example, it is not wise to go into Jewish
ultra-orthodox areas of Jerusalem on Shabbat (Saturday). Also, you should
dress modestly in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza.
You should be aware that during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan (which in
2007 falls between mid September and mid October), eating, drinking or smoking
between sunrise and sunset is forbidden for Muslims (though not for children
under the age of eight). Although alcohol will be available in some hotels
and restaurants, drinking alcohol elsewhere may cause offence. As a
courtesy, you may wish to avoid drinking, eating and smoking in public places in
the Occupied Palestinian Territories during Ramadan.
You should be sensitive about taking pictures of people in Muslim and
Orthodox Jewish areas and you should take care not to take photographs of
military or police personnel or installations.
When travelling around Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories you
should carry identification at all times in case the local authorities ask to
see it. You should carry photocopies of the date and entry stamp pages of
your passport to avoid losing the original.
The penalties for smuggling and trafficking in illegal drugs are
severe. Those caught in possession can expect a prison sentence and
subsequent deportation.
Health
You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all
appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. NHS Direct (0845 46 47) can
provide you with advice on vaccination requirements for Israel and the Occupied
Palestinian Territories.
Avian Influenza
On 25 March 2006, the World Health
Organisation (WHO) confirmed evidence of Bird Flu in Gaza. On 19 March
2006, Israel’s agriculture ministry confirmed evidence of Bird Flu in a number
of towns in southern Israel and in Bekaot in the Jordan Valley. No human
infections or deaths have been reported in Israel or the Occupied Palestinian
Territories.
As a precaution, you should avoid live animal markets,
poultry farms and other places where you may come into contact with domestic,
caged or wild birds; and ensure that poultry and egg dishes are thoroughly
cooked.
Injections required
Immunisations advised
Hepatitis A
Immunisations that maybe required
Typhoid, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B,
Rabies
Malaria
Not usually
Reciprocal Health Care
None
