| Israel ((Hey)יִשְׂרָאֵל - (ar) إِسْرَائِيل) | |
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| Flag | |
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| Information | |
| Capital city | Jerusalem (not internationally recognized) |
|---|---|
| Area | 20 770 km² |
| Population | 8 002 200 hab. (2013) |
| Density | 385,28 inhab./km² |
| Form of State | parliamentary republic, unitary state |
| Official language | Hebrew Arab |
| Cash | new shekel (ILS) |
| Electricity | 230 V/50 Hz, Israeli plug |
| Telephone prefix | 972 |
| Internet suffix | .he |
| Flow direction | Right-hand drive |
| Spindle | UTC 2 |
| Location | |
 31 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ N 35 ° 0 ′ 0 ″ E | |
| https://www.gov.il/en, https://www.gov.il/ru, https://www.gov.il/ar, https://www.gov.il/fr, https: //www.gov.il/es Official site | |
Israel, in long formState of israel, is a country of Middle East offering great diversity, although relatively small, having a long coast east of the Mediterranean Sea as well as a tiny opening to the Red Sea at the level of the Gulf ofEilat (or gulf ofAqaba).
Understand
Israel borders theEgypt in the southwest, of the Jordan to the east, and from the Syria and Lebanon North. The State of Israel as we know it today was established quite recently, in 1948, specifically for the Jewish people, particularly following the tragic fate of the 6 million Jews exterminated by the Nazis during the Second World War. Nevertheless, Israel counts among its inhabitants many Arabs, Christians and Muslims, as well as nomadic tribes often of Druze origin. The connection that the Jewish people have with the land of Israel is historically very strong, having its sources in the promise that God made to Abraham to give this land to his descendants. This promise is later repeated to Isaac and Jacob and is materialized by the establishment of the Hebrews or Israelites in the Holy Land, guided first by Moses who frees them from Egypt, then by Joshua who concretizes the Divine promise (the Hebrews are later called Judeans (which gave Jews in French) in connection with one of their most important tribes, that of Judah).
Following the establishment of the chosen people on their land, a long and passionate history unfolds in Israel which sees several centuries later, the famous kingdom of King David, then of Solomon, being established. Unfortunately, the story is also marred by new sufferings with several assaults and conquests that will follow each other regularly. These are first the Babylonians and Assyrians, then Greeks and Romans, later followed by the Muslims and the series of wars / crusades that confront them with the Christians. While this heavy story seemed to have driven the Jews out of their beloved homeland for good, leaving them exposed to constant torture and persecution from all the nations in which they maintained themselves, it was almost miraculously that in 1948 a significant number of between them, survivors of Nazi camps or Jews who arrived in Palestine during previous centuries, manage to re-establish themselves in the land of their ancestors. Thus Israel presents an exceptional and fascinating history, but is still today the scene of regular tensions, the many political aspects of which are beyond the scope of this article. The simultaneous presence of Jews, Christians and Muslims is the fruit of the tumultuous history of this land which leaves no one indifferent.
These aspects make Israel a fascinating destination for many travelers and pilgrims. As a result of this vast mixture of cultures, in addition to the official languages of Hebrew and Arabic, Russian, English, French, Spanish and Yiddish are spoken by large sections of the population who often speak two or three of these languages. The vast majority of Israelis, however, speak English for economic rather than historical reasons. In terms of the religious distribution of the population, 75.5% of Israelis identify themselves as Jews, the rest being mainly Christians, Muslims or Druze. Israel is a highly urbanized society with a developed economy, and is therefore conveniently divided into major cities, then regions and other sites.
Regions
 Israel tourist region |
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Disputed territories
 | These territories are treated separately in the articles Golan Heights and Palestine. This purely practical division is due to the fact that the travel conditions are specific to these regions. The content of this guide can in no way be considered as political support for one of the parties to the conflict relating to the sovereignty of these territories. |
Cities
To go
Formalities
For travelers fromEurope among other things, it is compulsory to be a holder ofa valid passport for at least 6 months on the expected date of arrival in Israel, the authorized length of stay is three months upon arrival in the territory. For a stay longer than three months, it will be necessary to apply for a visa.
Entry and exit stamps are less and less affixed to passports, a separate document issued by the Israeli border police is proof of legal status.
- Israel
- Exemption from Visa
- Visa required
- Visa and confirmation from Israeli government required
By plane
Main airport - L 'airport Ben-gurion[1] (coded TLV) - is located halfway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Its third large terminal, opened in 2004, now serves the main destinations.
Six other secondary airports, including two near the seaside resort of Eilat, are used in particular by Charter companies.
Israel has its national company, El Al (אל על) [2], going to the main European and North American cities.
For security reasons, it is recommended to contact the check-in desks 3 h before the flight and to prepare for a few questions regarding your trip such as "How long do you plan to stay", "You have nothing illegal on you? Weapons, drugs, etc."
As for the length of stay, it is indicated on the passport stamp - in principle, the visa is 3 or 6 months. However, if you then want to travel to the Arab world again, it is possible (and desirable) to ask not to have a stamp on the passport. Indeed, the Israeli visa can pose a problem in Lebanon, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, ...
The questions put to you, sometimes personal, are simply made to ensure that your intentions are not hostile and to ensure the safety of the flight.
On a boat
There is a port at Haifa and one to Ashdod. A ferry service existed between Haifa and Piraeus. The service has not worked since 2002. (via Cyprus) and between Haifa and Port Said in Egypt
Various shipping companies provide regular connections to Israel. Ferry services operate regularly between the port of Piraeus in Greece and Haifa via Rhodes and Cyprus. Mediterranean cruise ships also call in Israel.
By train
Train lines in Israel have been modernized in recent times. Trains run between major cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa or Ben Gurion International Airport. For more information on timetables and prices, the official website of the Israeli railway company www.israrail.org.il
There is no rail link between Israel and its neighbors.
By car
Overland roads connect Israel to theEgypt and at the Jordan, but no road connects the country to the Syria and at Lebanon because of the continuing conflict in the region.
By coach or collective taxi
Since the Jordan
From Amman, shared taxis and buses allow entry into Israel through the Allenby / King Hussein Bridge.
Collective taxis leave from the North bus station.
Buses leave from the forecourt of the Jett company, in the Al Abdali district. Only one daily departure is guaranteed, at 7 h in the morning. (Present yourself in advance to obtain a ticket.) The price is approximately 8JD / person. (November 2012)
Jett also provides a free shuttle (5JD for passengers who have not arrived at the border with Jett, 1.5JD / baggage) between the two border posts.
On the Israeli side, "sheruts" provide service to Jerusalem (the ticket office accepts ILS, JD, US $), and "service" to Jericho.
Flying visa:This crossing point has a peculiarity: travelers entering and leaving by this post have the possibility (but not the guarantee) not to keep any trace of the Israeli visa on their passport (which visa prohibits entry into certain Arab countries).
To do this, during border controls, travelers must request a specific form on a loose sheet, which will be stamped in place of the passport, and must be presented again when leaving the territory. (These forms are not always given to those who request them. This is at the agent's discretion.)
It should also be noted that the Jordanian post at King Hussein Bridge does not issue an entry visa. Travelers must therefore first have a valid Jordanian visa (preferably multi-entry).
Circulate
By plane
Airport infrastructure in Israel is highly developed, particularly at the Ben Gurion airport (pronounced "Bèn Gurione", à la française) at the brand new terminal 3 where most companies land there. Ben Gurion airport is served by the majority of international companies (Air France, Air Continental, Lufthansa, ...) and by many quality Israeli companies on various destinations. El Al is the national company and it operates around 50 flights a day all over the world. Arkia and Israir are regional Israeli companies. They provide flights such as Tel aviv / Eilat / Haifa / Sdé Dov but also flights to Europe and the United States at discounted prices.
All these companies, due to security concerns, have numerous security infrastructures. Passengers are advised to go 1 h 30 before the flight for short flights and 3 h before the flight for international flights. Israel's airports have a wide choice of duty-free stores called "duty-free".
By train
The railway lines are modern and the big coastal towns have their stations.
The line to Jerusalem was recently reopened, however it is not recommended as the journey is rather long (count an hour and a half or even two hours) compared to the bus (50 min) from Tel Aviv.
By car
The highway network is very dense in Israel and mainly comprises 2 North-South highways (coastal and land) over half the country, and an East-West highway connecting Jerusalem to Tel Aviv via the international airport.
By bus
The bus is the most important public transport. The national network is extremely developed, inexpensive and very popular to cross regions and is dominated by the Egged company, the 2nd bus company in the world.Without being alarmist, consider that buses and stops have been the target of many times. terrorists. Avoid crowds at major train stations and contact any police, military, or bus driver if you see a suspicious person or package.
In Sherut
The sherut (pronounced "chéroute" à la française) is a spacious taxi (Espace car type) following the bus lines in town and on the roads and can be taken from any point. It constitutes a pleasant and privileged transport which can be cheaper than the bus and the taxi. It remains the most "practical" means of transport in Israel and the safest for the tourists. However, it is advisable not to sit behind the driver, in which case you will spend your time passing the travelers' money to the driver ;-)
In monit
The monit is the Israeli taxi. It is recommended to request a rate at the meter in urban areas and a rate fixed in advance for longer journeys. Like the Sherut, their rates increase on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening). One can go up to several in the monit as in the sherutim (pronounced "chéroutime" - plural of chérout '(sherut) -), which reduces the price paid by each person, this one being divided).
To speak
The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, but the population has a very Anglophile culture. Most people can speak English and the signs are mostly translated. The communities are numerous and French is spoken fluently in some regions. This diversity is revealed with Russian, Yiddish, Ladino, Spanish, German ...
To buy
Purchases are paid in Shekels (₪, ILS): 1 THEY
Eat
There are many cuisines:
- Central European Jewish cuisine, especially Romanian, Hungarian and Polish with schnitzel, the famous stuffed carp (gefiltefisch) and meatballs in all sauces.
- Eastern Jewish cuisine is reminiscent of that of Lebanon and Jordan. Lots of peppers, peppers, salads.
- Many "kosher" restaurants offer their specialties.
Some specialties:
- The pita: small pancake of bread, very flat and round
- Hummus: chickpea paste mixed with olive oil and herbs. Delicious with the pita.
- Tehina: paste made from sesame seeds vaguely reminiscent of hazelnuts
- Falafels: small balls of chickpea flour, garlic and parsley, fried in oil, wrapped in a pita.
- Grilled meats: shawarma (kebab) and company, always equal to themselves.
- The pastries: they are reminiscent of those of Greece or any other Mediterranean region. They are, in fact, very sweet. Your stay in Israel is the opportunity to taste the best cheesecakes in the world.
- When it comes to fruits (watermelons, oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, apples, persimmons, kiwis, bananas, avocados, even strawberries), the Israelis are also experts in tampering with crops: they increase tenfold the production of a fruit tree or create new fruits ( pomelo, persimmon ...). Everywhere, you will be offered squeezed fruit juices, not particularly cheap but really excellent.
You can just as well eat in fast food restaurants (Burger King and McDonald's exist there too), some of which make burgers better than those found in France.
In Israel, we also often eat pizzas (pizzot ', in Hebrew the word "pizza is feminine, as in France, which gives the plural pizzot'), we find almost on every street corner.
There are of course also genuine Italian, Ethiopian, Russian, French restaurants, etc., opened and run by migrants from these origins.
To drink
Israeli wines are of very good quality. The Golan (pronounced "golane" à la française) and Carmel vines are renowned for white wines and dry reds. Some vines were imported from France by the Rotschild family and even compete with the famous French or Californian wines. Prices are, of course, much cheaper when it comes to local production.
The other typical alcoholic drink is Arak made from anise (like Greek ouzo). Other drinks are also available in stores, but their prices are quite expensive.
Otherwise, most sodas or fruit juices are sold pretty much everywhere in grocery stores, supermarkets, etc. The prices are a little lower than in France (comparatively).
Housing
Israel is a tourist country; Most cities therefore have many hotels, ranging from 4 or even 5 stars to youth hostels or even, mainly in the north of the country, kibbutzim (community farms, most of the time redeveloped to accommodate tourists). The quality of the rooms is generally very good and the prices charged are at their highest in summer and during religious holidays: generally September or October for the holidays of the beginning of the year and March or April for the Easter holidays (Pessah 'in Hebrew ).
To learn
You can learn Hebrew in what is called the ulpan (pronounced "oulpane" à la française). But you learn much faster in everyday life, by listening to people talk. It is quite easy. However, it can be useful to integrate an ulpan to know the Hebrew alphabet so that you can then write and read in Hebrew.
Israel has a lot of universities. At least one for each city.
To work
One of Israel's emblematic activities is to work as volunteers on a collective farm where one is also fed and housed: a kiboutz or one moshav. http://www.kibbutz.org.il/eng/welcome.htm
Another popular option is to volunteer to work in archaeological digs, most often in the summer in many places. Most excursions of this kind can turn into credits for students. http://www.ancientneareast.net/volunteers.html
Of course, it is not legal to work with a tourist visa in practice. Stay in a hotel in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem, and the reception will take care of transmitting you opportunities such as garbage collection, washing dishes or working in the building. The salary is around $ 5 an hour which is typical in Israel.
Security
 | Emergency telephone number: Police :100 Ambulance:101 Firefighter :102 |
You may be shocked to see armed soldiers and police at the airport, sometimes also in the streets of Jerusalem. Their number may increase if a state of alert is declared.
Crime remains fairly low. You can walk (even alone) without problem in the streets of large cities (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa etc.) in the evening. However, you can quickly end up in completely deserted areas, so be careful. The pickpocket is still a little present, do not leave your belongings unattended (even - or especially - in public places). Do not hesitate to call the police or military present (most of the time they are found quite quickly) if you have been the victim of an assault.
Road safety: traffic is on the right. If you are a pedestrian, you are unlikely to be given priority, do not force the passage, you can be scared! In short, the pedestrian is not king. Israeli driving is very nervous, but also very "cool" (you often don't mind stopping a whole line to talk with a pedestrian or a friend driving in the opposite direction).
Government travel advice
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Belgium (Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) 
Canada (Government of Canada) 
France (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 
Swiss (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs)
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Respect
Although the skullcap (kippah in Hebrew) is often worn out of respect at the Kotel HaMaaravi, the Western Wall (literally the Kotel HaMaravi = the western wall), it is often decent attire on the part of visitors to demonstrate the greatest mark of respect towards this place and the people who frequent it. In the Jewish religion, men wear a kippah to reinforce their sense of attachment to God, while married women should have their hair covered for the sake of modesty. Non-Jewish tourists, however, have also become accustomed to wearing a kippah as a mark of respect for this place. This practice is also often observed in various synagogues around the world.
