Israel

SAFETY: poor
The country presents two very different situations. A state of absolute calm, owing to the almost total absence of petty crime, stands in stark contrast to the reality of terrorist activity. The risk of attacks is real across the whole country, especially in the most crowded places: cafés, restaurants, shopping centres and public transport. Violent incidents are frequent on the borders with the West Bank, including the Israeli settlements, and above all with the Gaza Strip, where there is a genuine risk of being caught up in shooting and Western travellers are prime targets for kidnapping. Caution is also advised when visiting Jerusalem, and the Old City in particular. Missile fire against Israeli territory, currently from the Gaza Strip but in the recent past also from Lebanon, is continuous and substantial, creating a situation of extreme danger in the areas within range. Some minefields remain along various border areas, but they are well signposted and fenced off.

TRANSPORT SYSTEM: excellent

The road network is excellent, as are the standard and frequency of public transport. Air links are good.

Main airports: Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion).

Main ports: Ashdod, Elat (Eilat), Hadera, Haifa.

ACCOMMODATION: excellent

The accommodation on offer is extensive, varied and of high quality, with excellent value for money.

COUNTRY FACTS: Full name: Israel – Location: Middle East. Borders: Egypt and the Gulf of Aqaba to the south, the West Bank and Jordan to the east, Lebanon to the north, Syria to the north-east, the Gaza Strip and the Mediterranean Sea to the west – Time zone: UTC+2, i.e. +1 compared with Italy; daylight saving time applies – Area: 21,000 sq km – Capital: Tel Aviv (internationally recognised); Jerusalem (not internationally recognised) – Population: 6,427,000 (including Israeli citizens living in the Palestinian territories) – Religion: 76.4% Jewish, 16% Muslim, 2.1% Christian, 5.5% other religions – Languages: Hebrew (official language), Arabic; English is widely understood – Measurements: metric system.

CURRENCY: Israeli shekel (NIS). There are no restrictions on importing or exporting currency –Credit cards: the major cards are generally accepted– Exchange: bring euros; changing money is easy.

ELECTRICITY: 220 V, 50 Hz (as in Italy) – Sockets: two-pin type; bring an adaptor.

DOCUMENTS: passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. No visa is required for stays of up to 3 months – Driving: an Italian licence is valid for stays of up to 3 months when driving Italian vehicles; for hire cars an international driving permit is recommended – Car: Green Card valid for Israel, or short-term insurance to be taken out locally.

COMMUNICATIONS AND TELEPHONES:International dialling code: 00972 – GSM: coverage available across the whole country. Standard: GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100 (as in Italy). Local operators: Cellcom Israel, Orange and Pelephone– Internet: available in all the main towns and cities – Web domain: .il – Emergency numbers:roadside assistance 035641111 (Tel Aviv), 026250661 (Jerusalem).

RULES, LAWS AND CUSTOMS: the use, possession and manufacture of narcotics are prosecuted under local law. Possession and personal use of drugs is punishable by up to 3 years' imprisonment for soft drugs and up to 20 years for hard drugs. Severe penalties apply to sexual offences and violence against minors. Homosexuality is legal.

HEALTH: no compulsory vaccinations are required. The general health situation is excellent and hospital services are of a good standard. Local doctors speak English.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:January/February, New Year for Trees (Tu B'Shevat); February/March, Feast of Lots (Purim); March/April, Passover (Pesach); April/May, Independence Day; Lag B'Omer (the 33rd day of the Omer); May/June, Jerusalem Day; Feast of Weeks (Shavuot); July/August, Fast for the Temple (Tisha B'Av); September/October, Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah); Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur); Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot); Rejoicing of the Torah (Simchat Torah); November/December, Festival of Lights (Hanukkah); 24/25 December, Catholic and Protestant Christmas; Islamic holidays.

OPENING HOURS: Post offices: Sun-Thu 8.00-18.00, Fri 8.00-13.00 (main post offices in Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv); Sun-Thu 7.00-10.00, 15.30-18.00, Fri 8.00-13.00 (other post offices) – Banks: Sun-Tue and Thu 8.30-12.30, 16.00-17.30, Wed, Fri and holidays 8.30-12.00 – Shops: Mon-Sat 9.00-18.00 – Closing day: Saturday.

CLIMATE: generally temperate, with wide temperature swings between day and night. Winters are mild and rainy, summers hot and dry, particularly in the areas below sea level. The desert areas record large daily temperature ranges.

Table of monthly min/max temperatures (in °C)

Rainy days (at least 1 mm of rain)/monthly mm

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ITALY 

Embassy of Israel
Via M. Mercati 14 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 36198500 – Fax 06 36198555 – Web: http://roma.mfa.gov.il – E-mail: cons4@roma.mfa.gov.il

Consular Section
Via M. Mercati 14 – 00197 Rome – Tel. 06 36198586 – Fax 06 36198584 – E-mail: consular4@roma.mfa.gov.il

Israel Government Tourist Office
Tel. 02 804905 – Fax 02 804404 – Web: www.israele-turismo.it – E-mail: general@israele-turismo.it

USEFUL ADDRESSES IN ISRAEL

Italian Embassy
Trade Tower – Hamered Street 25 – 68125 Tel Aviv – Tel. 00972 3 5104004 – Fax 00972 3 5100235 – Web: www.ambtelaviv.esteri.it – E-mail: stampa.telaviv@esteri.it

Consulate General
Katamon – Kaf Tet Benovember St. 16 – P.O. Box 4570 – 91044 West Jerusalem – Tel. 00972 2 5618966 – Fax 00972 2 5618944
Sheikh Jarrah 2 – Mujeer Eddin St. – East Jerusalem – Tel. 00972 2 5618966 – Fax 00972 2 5618944

Honorary Consulates
Avocado Street 6 – Eilat – Tel. 00972 8 6317276 – Fax 00972 8 6317610
Sderot Hanasi St 40 – 34643 Haifa – Tel. 00972 4 8664850 – Fax 00972 4 8664834
Nilit Ltd, P.O Box 276, Migdal Haemek 23102 – Nazareth – Tel. 00972 4 6084928 – Fax 00972 4 6452929
Shay Agon St. 4/10 – 84750 Beer Sheva – Tel. 00972 8 6423621 – Fax 00972 8 6103571