Israel🇮🇱
Israel, a small country located in the Middle East on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, is the birthplace of two major religions, Christianity and Judaism, and also holds significant importance for Islam. It is bordered by Lebanon to the north, Syria to the northeast, Jordan to the east, Egypt to the southwest, and the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip to the east and west, respectively. Relations among Israel and its neighbors are complex due to ongoing conflicts, particularly with the Palestinians. Israel is famous among tourists for its rich history and religious significance, with Jerusalem being its most visited city. Attractions include the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, among others. Another significant location is the Dead Sea, a salt lake where one can easily float due to natural buoyancy. A unique attraction in Israel is its vibrant nightlife, centered in Tel Aviv, a cosmopolitan city popular for its nightclubs and beaches.
⚠️Things you should avoid⚠️
- Avoid discussing politics, especially about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
- Avoid isolated areas, particularly after dark.
- Avoid taking Israel's security checks lightly. They’re necessary and taken very seriously.
- Avoid disrespecting local customs and traditions.
- Avoid public displays of affection if you are an LGBTQ+ traveller in conservative areas.
- Avoid desecrating any of the holy sites, regardless of religion.
- Avoid forgetting to stay hydrated and protect yourself from the sun, particularly in dry regions.
- Avoid driving unless you are familiar with Israel's traffic rules and road conditions.
- Avoid swimming alone in the Dead Sea as currents can be strong.
- Avoid walking around in religious sites with your shoulders or knees exposed.
Overall
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Crime 🔫
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Israel has been tackling its crime issue, especially regarding organized crime, with street violence and petty crimes being an everyday occurrence. The cities with the most reported occurrences are Netanya, Bat Yam and Lod. However, for tourists, thefts, purse snatching, and pickpocketing are predominantly in crowded areas like markets, bus, train stations and on public transportation.
Terrorism 💣
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Israel has been plagued by constant terrorist attacks due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In May 2021, conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip led to a series of rocket attacks on Israeli cities and airstrikes in Gaza. This resulted in large civilian casualties. Suicide bombings, knife attacks, and mass shootings have also occurred at times in the Israeli history. Most of these incidents were politically motivated attacks stemming from the Israel-Palestine conflict.
War ⚔️
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Due to its geopolitical location and ongoing conflict with Palestine, Israel has been in a state of war since its establishment. Some of the most significant wars include the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, the Six-day war of 1967, and the Yom Kippur War of 1973. More recently, Israeli Defense Forces have been engaged in operations against Hezbollah and the Hamas.
Natural Disasters 🌊
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Israel has a low occurrence of natural disasters compared to other countries. Most common natural risks include periodic droughts and small scale earthquakes which overall have caused negligible damage. Major cyclones or tsunamis are rarely witnessed. In recent years, increasing temperatures have led to wildfires which officials have linked to climate change.
Medical Care 🏥
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Israel is known worldwide for its high-quality health care system. The country has one of the world's highest life expectancy rates, its hospitals are well equipped, and it has a highly trained paramedical staff. However, there can be waiting times for certain treatments and operations.
Tap Water Quality 💧
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Tap water in Israel is safe to drink, with all of its water sources meeting the World Health Organization standards. The water is treated and desalinated, making it potable across the country. Some people prefer to drink bottled water due to the taste of tap water.
Disease Burden 🤒
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Israel has a very good healthcare system, with widespread immunization, thus infectious diseases are relatively rare. However, due to its location, diseases like West Nile Virus and Leishmaniasis can occur. In 2020, Israel was hit by the global pandemic COVID-19 but the country's strong healthcare system and rapid vaccination campaign have helped mitigate the disease burden.
Corruption 💸
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Corruption in Israel does exist but it isn't widespread. In recent years, corruption cases have made headlines, the most prominent one being involving former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who faced a series of corruption charges. Yet, it's believed to be more of an issue in politics rather than a factor that directly affects daily life or business operations in Israel.
Safety for Women ♀️
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Israel generally is safe for women, and laws regarding violence against women are enforced. However, levels of harassment and violence, especially domestic violence, can vary across different regions within the country. Women traveling alone should take standard precautions.
Safety for Queer People 👬
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Israel is one of the most progressive countries for queer rights in Asia. Tel Aviv, particularly, is known as one of the world's most gay-friendly cities with a large LGBTQ+ community. Despite this, discrimination can occur, especially in more conservative and religion-dominated areas. It's advised for LGBTQ+ travelers to avoid public displays of affection.
Censorship 📺
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While Israel has freedom of speech and press constitutionally, censorship does exist largely in relation to national security concerns. Certain sites and broadcasts are blocked. Military censorship can apply to certain news reports and social media posts, if they're deemed to compromise security. Additionally, the Israeli Film Council has the power to censor films and plays that it deems offensive or inciting.
Public Transportation 🚌
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Israel's public transportation includes buses, trains, taxis, and trams. These are generally safe and efficient but can be crowded during peak hours. There are occasional incidents of road accidents and delays. Passengers should remain alert due to the risk of terrorism targeting public transport.
Other useful information
🔒 How safe is it?
Israel is a generally safe country to visit in terms of crime, but because of its geopolitical situation, the risk of terrorism and conflict related violence is high. It's recommended to avoid volatile areas, and stay informed about the security situation in the areas you are visiting. Always follow the advice of local authorities.
🏰 Embassies in this Country
There are a large number of foreign embassies in Israel, primarily located in Tel Aviv and Herzliya, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many European, African, Asian and South American countries.
💉 Recommended Vaccinations
Most travelers to Israel do not need any special vaccines beyond what is usually recommended by their home country's health department. The CDC recommends all travelers are up to date on routine vaccines such as measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and the seasonal flu. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are also recommended for most travelers.
🐍 Dangerous Animals
Israel is home to certain dangerous animals such as the deathstalker scorpion, black widow spider, and vipers like the Pseudocerastes fieldi. They are rare and usually avoid human interaction. Swimmers and divers off Israel's Mediterranean coastline should also be aware of occasional sightings of jellyfish, but they’re not typically dangerous. Precautions should be taken in rural areas and forests.
🛂 Visa Requirements
Most tourists visiting Israel are not required to obtain a visa before their visit. Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, and the EU, among others, are given a tourist visa on arrival, valid for up to 90 days. Other visitors should consult their local Israeli embassy or consulate.
💲 Currency
The official currency of Israel is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS). Currency can be exchanged at airports, banks, post offices, and licensed exchange booths in cities and towns across the country. ATMs are widely available and credit cards are widely accepted.
💳 Credit Card Acceptance
Credit Cards are widely accepted in Israel. Most businesses accept Visa, MasterCard, and American Express. It’s strongly recommended to have a small amount of local currency for smaller retailers or emergency situations.
🧑🏭 Is it possible to work and travel in this country?
Israel offers opportunities for work and travel, particularly in fields like technology, education, and hospitality. However, appropriate work permits and visas are necessary. Additionally, Israel offers several programs for young Jewish adults to work or study in Israel for a period of time.
💵 Cost of Travel and Living
The cost of travel and living in Israel varies depending on the region and lifestyle, yet it's generally considered higher than average. Main cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem can be particularly expensive, especially for accommodation and eating out. However, street food and public transportation are relatively cheap.