Jerusalem District

31.77902 x 35.2253

West Jerusalem

Jerusalem District

31.78199 x 35.21961

haifa district

32.81556 x 34.98917

Tel Aviv

Tel Aviv

32.06667 x 34.76667

Southern District

31.81667 x 34.65

Rishon LeZiyyon

central District

31.96417 x 34.80444

Petax-Tikva

central District

32.09174 x 34.88503

Beersheba

Southern District

31.25181 x 34.7913

central District

Official name: State of Israel

Form of government: parliamentary democracy
Capital: Jerusalem
Square: 21.643 sq. km
Population: 7 million people
Distribution by religion: 76.5% Jewish, 16% Muslim, 2% Christian, 1.5% Druze, 4% have no religious identity
State languages: Hebrew, Arabic
Currency unit: Israeli new shekel

Israel- Middle Eastern country, located on a narrow strip of land that connects Asia with Africa.

Israel- a developed country located in a region characterized by geographical and climatic diversity. In the north - mountains crowned with snow caps, in the south - deserts scorched by the sun; next to flourishing modern cities - deserted expanses. The ethnic and religious mosaic of Israel is striking in its richness; the country has many cultural institutions and entertainment centers.

In Israel - a country with a rich historical past, in a holy place for the three monotheistic religions, there are many ancient historical monuments and religious shrines. For most of the year, the climate in Israel is pleasant and you can travel around the country 12 months a year. Nevertheless, it is recommended to visit the country in autumn and spring (September-November and April-June), when the air temperature is especially pleasant.
The population of Israel is about 6.9 million people.

The most characteristic feature of Israel's population is its diversity. In addition to the main criterion for dividing the population into Jews (80%) and Arabs (20%), there are many other criteria. Thus, for example, Jews are divided into religious and secular, the latter including all kinds of immigrant communities that retain their own distinct culture. Similarly, the Arabs are divided into Muslims, Christians and Druze. In addition, there are small ethnic and religious groups in Israel, such as the Circassians and Samaritans, and small Christian communities of European descent, such as the German community of Beit El, which has found shelter in Zikhron Yaakov.

Another important characteristic of Israel's population is its high rate of growth. Since the establishment of the State of Israel, its population has increased almost tenfold, mainly due to the immigration of Jews from all over the world. Today, Israel is a densely populated country, even if some of its areas are not densely populated. The population of Israel is young (average age is 28.3 years), infant mortality is low (5.8 deaths per 1000 births), life expectancy is high (78.7 years).

State languages in Israel are Hebrew and Arabic. English is the main language used to communicate with the outside world. Most Israelis speak English and, as a rule, street signs and inscriptions are duplicated in English.

Hebrew is the most widely spoken language in Israel, with about six million speakers. It is followed by Arabic (more than a million people). Since Israel is a country of immigration, a wide variety of languages ​​are spoken in the various immigrant communities. Chief among them are Russian (900,000 people), Arabic Jewish (300,000) and Yiddish (200,000).

Israel is a small country, which makes it relatively quick to get from one place to another.

Public transport is convenient and will take you almost anywhere in the country at an affordable price.
The most popular form of public transport in Israel, which is used for both local and intercity travel, is the bus. Prices on all bus lines are affordable, comfortable buses are usually air-conditioned and run frequently and regularly. Buses do not run on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays.

In recent years, the railway in Israel has significantly improved the level of passenger service. Trains run more frequently, the number of directions in which locomotives run has increased, stations have increased in large cities, and the trains themselves have become more comfortable. Trains do not run on Saturdays and on Jewish holidays.
Several airlines fly from Eilat to Haifa and to Ben Gurion and Sde Dov airports in northern Tel Aviv.
Local and intercity taxis will take you anywhere in the country. The cost of a trip within the city is determined by the meter. A taxi ride is considered a relatively expensive service.

Food in Israel as diverse as the people who inhabit the country. The concept of "Israeli cuisine" is still being formed on the basis of culinary traditions and products that exist here. The majority of Israeli Jews are from Eastern Europe, the CIS countries and North Africa; they brought with them a long tradition of Jewish cuisine that flourished for centuries in the regions they came from. And because couscous here peacefully coexists with cube and gefilte-fish.

But Israel is not only a country of emigration, it is also a Mediterranean country, part of the population of which are Arabs, and their influence is felt in dishes such as hummus, tehina, falafel and many rice-based dishes. At the same time, Israel is a Western country, responding to everything that happens in the big world, and trying to keep up with the latest achievements in culinary fashion; so, on the one hand, chains like McDonald's flourish in Israel, briskly selling hamburgers and pizzas, and on the other hand, there is a craving for diet, proper nutrition and interest in healthy Mediterranean cuisine. And therefore, not only fast food chains are developing, but also the production of vintage wine, new olive oil factories and small dairy farms are springing up before our eyes, producing excellent French-style cheeses from cow and goat milk. Fish and seafood have also taken pride of place in the menu of Israeli restaurants, as it should be in a country lying on the Mediterranean coast.

Kosher food is food that is allowed to be eaten according to the laws of Judaism. There are a huge number of laws regarding kosher, as well as various gradations of the severity of their implementation, depending on one direction or another in Judaism, and even changing from Jew to Jew. In general terms, kosher laws forbid the consumption of pork and meat of other animals that are not ruminants and artiodactyls; you can not eat shellfish and crustaceans; It is forbidden to mix meat products with dairy products.
Establishments that observe kosher laws post appropriate certificates obtained from the rabbinate. Kosher food is served in most hotels and many restaurants, but there is no law requiring people to be kosher. Therefore, for those who care about compliance with these rules, it is necessary to check the availability of a certificate of kosher in each specific place. It is much harder to find a kosher restaurant in Tel Aviv than in Jerusalem and other cities, where most of these establishments have such a certificate. Almost all major supermarket chains sell exclusively kosher products, as evidenced by the corresponding labels.

Water - you can drink water from the tap, but various types of mineral water are also sold in every corner. Remember to drink plenty of water, especially during excursions and on hot days.
Wine - in recent years, the wine industry has been intensively developing in Israel, and in parallel with it, the taste of the local consumer. Boutique wineries have sprung up in many parts of the country, some of which produce wonderful wines sold all over the world. Wine lovers can enjoy visiting and tasting at various wineries and witness the development of a new, prosperous industry. Wine in Israel is served in all restaurants, some of which offer rich menus of various varieties of this noble drink. It is highly recommended to try local wines sold at reasonable prices. In most restaurants, you can order a bottle or a glass of wine at your discretion.

Help in case of emergency

Urgent phone numbers in case of accidents:
Police ("Mishtara")- 100; www.police.gov.il
Fire Department("Macabey Ash") - 102; www.102.co.il
Health care:("Magen David Adom") - 101; www.mda.gov.il

In the vast majority of urban areas in Israel, you can get emergency medical care and first aid from Magen David Adom (Israeli equivalent of the Red Cross service). Professional medical care is available at any time of the day.

Through the Magen David Adom service, you can also call the resuscitation team if necessary.
In case of accidents, you can also contact the following numbers:

Tel Aviv - 03-5460111
Jerusalem - 02-6523133
Haifa - 04-8512233

State of Israel.

The name of the country is derived from the ethnonym of the people - Israel.

Capital of Israel. Jerusalem.

Israel Square. 20800 km2.

Administrative divisions of Israel. The state is divided into 6 districts (districts).

Israel's form of government. Parliamentary republic.

Head of State of Israel. President elected for a term of 5 years.

Israel's highest legislative body. The Knesset (unicameral parliament) has a term of office of 4 years.

Israel's highest executive body. Government.

Major cities in Israel. Tel Aviv, Haifa, Holon.

State language of Israel. Hebrew.

Religion of Israel. 83% - Jews, 13% - Muslims, 2.4% - Christians, 1.6% - Druze.

Ethnic composition of Israel. 85% - (immigrants from Eastern, Mediterranean regions of Europe and Arab, as well as those born in Israel), 15% are Arabs.

Israeli currency. Shekel = 100 new Agora.

Useful information for tourists

Most shops are open from Sunday to Thursday from 9.00 to 19.00, on Friday until 14.00. Some of them are closed for a break from 13.00 to 16.00.

Large shopping centers, available in all cities, are open on weekdays from 8.00 to 22.00. At the international airports Ben Gurion and Ovda, as well as in Eilat, there are duty-free shops.

In Israel, it is customary to leave a tip in restaurants and cafes (10%), prices in hotels and taxis include service charges. However, it is customary to tip hotel staff, guides and drivers: $3 a day for a tour guide; 2 dollars a day - to the driver.

When visiting Israel, there is a potential risk of contracting hepatitis A, B. Pre-vaccination is at the discretion of the traveler.

When entering a large shopping center or other crowded places, you may be asked to open your bag, which may seem impolite. They only check for suspicious items. At the airport, before departure, the control is very strict, although courteous. We recommend that you take this as a concern for your safety.

- a state in Asia, the Middle East, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

Official name of Israel:
State of Israel.

Territory of Israel:
The area of ​​the state of Israel is 27,800 km² (the territory of Israel is not officially defined).

Israeli population:
The population of Israel is more than 7 million inhabitants (7172400 people).

Ethnic groups of Israel:
76% - Jews, 20% - Arabs (including Muslim Arabs - Palestinians), Bedouins, Christian Arabs and 4% - Druze, Circassians, Russians and representatives of other national minorities. Among the Jews, 65% were born in Israel (zabarim) and 35% are repatriates (olim). About 1.1 million people come from the former USSR, 500 thousand come from Morocco, 240 thousand come from Iraq, 230 thousand come from Romania, 210 thousand come from Poland, and 105 thousand come from Ethiopia. Ashkenazim make up the majority of the country's population - 2.2 million or 40%, Sephardim - 0.9 million people.

Average life expectancy in Israel:
The average life expectancy in Israel is equal to - 79.02 years (see. Rating of countries in the world by average life expectancy).

Capital of Israel:
Jerusalem.

Major cities in Israel:
Jerusalem, Tel Aviv - Jaffa, Haifa, Rishon Lezion, Beersheba.

State language of Israel:
Israel is a multilingual country. Hebrew and Arabic are both state languages, in addition, English, Russian and Amharic (Ethiopian) languages ​​are widespread, which have been given the status of "officially recognized" languages.

Religion in Israel:
According to the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, at the end of 2004, 76.2% of Israelis were Jews, 16.1% Muslims, 2.1% Christians, 1.6% Druze and the remaining 3.9% were not assigned to any denomination.

Geographical position of Israel:
Israel is located in southwest Asia, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea (coastline - 230 km). It borders Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, and Egypt in the southwest. In the south is the Red Sea (coastline - 12 km). The length of Israel from north to south is 470 km, from east to west at its widest point is 135 km. The total length of Israel's borders is 1125 km. The area of ​​Israel within the borders and ceasefire lines, including the territory of the Palestinian autonomy, is 27.8 thousand km², of which 6.22 thousand km² are in Judea, Samaria and the Gaza Strip, occupied by Israel during the 1967 war.

The relief of Israel is quite diverse - in the west, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, the Coastal Plain stretches, in the northeast - the Golan Heights, in the east - the mountain ranges of Galilee and Samaria, as well as the depressions of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. The southern part of the country is occupied by the Negev desert and the Arava valley. The highest point of Israel is Mount Hermon (2224 m) in the north, the lowest is the Dead Sea (408 m below sea level - the lowest land point on Earth). The Negev Plateau occupies about half of Israel's territory and stretches from the Judean Desert (between Jerusalem and the Dead Sea) in the north to the Gulf of Aqaba in the south.

Rivers of Israel:
Israel's largest river, the Jordan, flows from north to south through Lake Tiberias (Lake Kinneret) and flows into the Dead Sea. Other rivers are short and usually dry up in summer. The exceptions are the rivers Kishon, 13 km long, and Yarkon, 26 km long, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea near Haifa and Tel Aviv.

Administrative-territorial division of Israel:
Geographically, Israel is divided into 6 districts.

State structure of Israel:
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic. The creation of the state was proclaimed on May 14, 1948, in accordance with the plan for the division of Palestine adopted by the United Nations.

The head of state of Israel is the president, who is elected by the Knesset for a five-year term by secret ballot.
The first president of Israel was the chairman of the World Zionist Organization, Professor Chaim Weizmann. According to the current legislation, the president does not have real power, he serves as one of the symbols of the state and performs representative functions.

Israel's supreme legislative body, the Knesset, is a unicameral parliament that consists of 120 deputies. The first composition of the Knesset began its work after the general elections in January 1949.

Israel's central executive body is the government, headed by a prime minister. The first prime minister of Israel was the head of the Jewish Agency, David Ben-Gurion.

Israel's highest judicial authority is the Supreme Court (High Court of Justice). It is the final authority for civil and criminal cases, and also acts as a constitutional court, deciding on the compliance of individual legislative acts with fundamental laws.

The Knesset, the residence of the President, the office of the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court, as well as most ministries and government offices are located in Jerusalem.

The executive power in the cities of Israel is exercised by mayors elected by direct vote. Municipal councils are directly elected by party lists and participate in the leadership and control of the executive branch. In settlements and villages there are local councils, regional councils manage groups of small settlements.

In Israel, religion is not separated from the state, and there are local religious councils, consisting of appointees of the local government and the central rabbinate, who are engaged in providing civil status services and religious services to the population.

Square: 20780 thousand square kilometers

Population size: 7,836 million people

Capital: Jerusalem

Currency: shekel

Population: Israel is a multinational state: about 82% are Jews (32% of them are immigrants from Europe, America, Asia and Oceania). Among the non-Jewish population, the majority are Arabs (14%) and Druze.

Official language: Hebrew and Arabic

Public holidays:

Jewish holidays are celebrated according to the lunar calendar, so their dates change from year to year. The only "permanent" day of rest in the country is Saturday ("Shabbat"). On holidays and on Saturdays, all public institutions, ministries, offices and shops are closed, public transport (except taxis) does not work. Also, most establishments do not work on "memorable days", which are officially working, for example, on Yom HaShoah and Yom HaZikaron.

January - Tubi-Shvat (Tu-bi-Shvat), the day when the trees wake up from hibernation;

March - Purim, religious-historical "holiday of victory over enemies";

March-April - Pesach (Easter), a holiday in memory of the Exodus from Egypt;

April-May - Independence Day; Yom-a-Shoah (Yom-Hashoah) - Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Holocaust (the genocide of the Jewish people during the Second World War) and Yom-a-Zikaron (Yom-Hazikaron) - Day of Remembrance for the Fallen;

May-June - Jerusalem Day and Shavuot (Pentecost), the feast of finding the Torah, David's birthday;

July - Tisha-be-Av, mourning for the destroyed temples;

September-October - Rosh Hashanah (Rosh Hashanah), Jewish New Year (the exact date of the onset varies, since the holiday cannot fall on Sunday, Wednesday or Friday), Yom Kippur (Judgment Day), Day of Atonement and Fasting. Also in September-October, Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles, the feast of the harvest, the time of prayers for rain) and Shemini Atzeret (Simchat Torah, the eighth day of Sukkot, the feast of the Torah) are celebrated;

November-December - Hanukkah, a holiday in honor of the consecration of the temple.

Religion: Judaism, Islam, Christianity

Geography of the country: state in the Middle East, on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.

In the west, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, stretches the Coastal Plain, in the northeast - the Dutch Heights, in the east - the mountain ranges of Galilee and Samaria, as well as the depressions of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea. The southern part of the country is occupied by the Negev desert and the Arava valley. The highest point of the country is Mount Hermon (2224 m) in the north, the lowest is the Dead Sea (408 m below sea level - the lowest land point on Earth).

Borders with: Lebanon in the north, Syria in the northeast, Jordan in the east, Egypt in the southwest.

Washed: by the Mediterranean Sea from the west, from the south by the Red Sea.

Climate: Israel has a typical subtropical Mediterranean climate. Galilee receives 1080 mm of precipitation per year. In the vicinity of Eilat, there is an average of 20 mm of precipitation per year. 700 mm falls in the mountains of Judea and 100 mm in the east of the Negev.

The temperature in Israel varies widely, especially during the winter. In mountainous regions it can be cold, sometimes it snows. Mount Hermon often gets snow in the winter, while Jerusalem usually gets at least one snowfall a year. At the same time, coastal cities such as Tel Aviv and Haifa have a typical Mediterranean climate with cool, rainy winters and long, hot summers. From May to September, precipitation in Israel is rare.

Culture and customs: unlike other countries, in Israel the traditional days of rest are Friday, afternoon and Saturday. Many have probably heard the word "Shabbat", and this is the Israeli name for Saturday. But state institutions do not work not only on Fridays and Saturdays, but also on public holidays. It happens that even public transport does not run if the day is marked by a great holiday.

According to an old tradition, special days are celebrated not like everywhere else. In Israel, it is believed that the holiday begins the night before and ends at sunset.

Muslims living in Israel celebrate their important "days" according to their own traditions.

Kosher food is another important tradition for Israelis. According to Kashrut, it is not supposed to eat both meat and dairy food at the same time, pork and some types of seafood are prohibited. Kashrut also involves a special way of preparing meat dishes. Kosher food, in other words - separate meals. Those who go to this country to rest will involuntarily have to improve their body in this way.

Visiting shrines has its own traditions and customs, according to which the clothes of both men and women should cover their legs and arms as much as possible. Only women need to cover their heads. If the visit is paid to the mosque, then it is necessary to take off your shoes without fail. Any non-compliance with the rules threatens that they can be expelled from the temple or mosque.

Folklore cultural traditions are also important for the people of Israel. Favorite works of local residents came to our days from the distant past and reflect history. Their authors were artisans, servants and other ordinary people, so most often the theme of the works is most often everyday life and the state of the human soul.

For a young man who was about to get married, there were 10 commandments. Marriage for the sake of wealth was not approved, it was advised to marry a girl from a good home. "When choosing a wife, be careful"; "Sell the last thing you have and marry the daughter of a learned man"; "Do not take a wife from a richer house than yours"; "I do not want a boot that is too big for my foot", "The joy of the heart is a wife", "The inheritance of God is sons." So Jewish boys were prepared in advance for family life.

The relationship between a Jew (Jew) and a non-Jew (non-Jew) is not recognized as marriage, even if it is sealed by an official civil act of a particular country. A person who is in such a "marriage" is considered unmarried. The status of a child born from such a relationship depends on whether his mother is Jewish. If the mother is Jewish, the child is Jewish (he is not considered illegitimate); if the mother is not Jewish, the child is not Jewish.

The Torah forbids marrying not only blood relatives - mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, aunt (both on the mother's side and on the father's side), but also on the ex-wife or widow of a son, father, uncle, brother. This category also includes the wife's blood relatives, that is, her mother, sister (but it is allowed to marry the sister of the deceased wife) and daughter (from a previous marriage). It is forbidden to marry a woman who has not received a legal divorce according to Jewish law (Get).

A child born to an unmarried woman, no matter how contrary to Jewish morality, is not considered illegitimate and is not in any way infringed on his rights.

National cuisine: dishes created by Jewish cuisine can tell about the history, lifestyle, national tastes of the people. Religious customs left a certain mark in Jewish cuisine, which imposed specific restrictions on the selection and mixing of certain types of products. So, neither in dishes nor in the menu can you combine meat (or poultry) and milk. Blood and pork are not allowed to be consumed.

In Jewish cuisine, elements of rational nutrition are also clearly visible. Of the products of animal origin, the most popular are fish and poultry meat, which are products of high nutritional and biological value, as they contain a significant amount of complete proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are easily absorbed by the body.

In Jewish cooking, the use of spices is limited both in terms of assortment (onions, garlic, horseradish, dill, black pepper, ginger, cinnamon, cloves) and in quantity. Everything is aimed at preserving the unsharp, natural taste of the dishes. When preparing dishes, sparing methods of heat treatment are mainly used - poaching, boiling, weak stewing with the addition of water under the lid.

A characteristic feature of Jewish cuisine is the use of melted goose or chicken fat. They are seasoned with cold appetizers, used for sauteing onions, carrots and other roots, added directly to minced meat.

The most favorite dishes are stuffed fish, broths with croutons, homemade noodles, etc. In summer, cold soups are consumed first of all. Of the second courses, preference is given to tsimes, sweet and sour meat, stuffed dishes (stuffed chicken, stuffed necks). A striking manifestation of the features of Jewish cuisine are dough products, various in shape, preparation and fillings. A favorite in this case is the use of honey, poppy seeds, cinnamon.

In general, the originality of Jewish cuisine lies in the simple composition of dishes and their quick preparation.

Attractions, excursions of the country:

Jerusalem - In the Old City is the quarry of King Solomon, the citadel of David, the Tomb of the Garden, the City of David, the Jewish Quarter, the square-garden of Haram esh-Sherif, the Gate of Herod. In the Christian quarter - the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Via Delarosa. Outside the Old City, there are many places associated with Jesus Christ: the Mount of Olives, the Kidron Valley, the Church of St. Magdalene. El Aksa Mosque in the New City.

In the western part of the city are the sights of modern Jerusalem - the Yad Vashem Museum, built in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

Akko - One of the main attractions of the city is the Monastery of the Hospitallers. Particular attention should be paid to the underground dining hall, the underground tunnel from which leads to the seaport. Also in Acre is the Al-Jazzar Mosque, where the hair from the beard of the prophet Muhammad is stored.

Haifa - Haifa's main tourist attraction is the Baha'i Temple, the center of the Baha'i religion. On the mountain rises the Carmelite monastery, founded by the crusaders who were looking for a quiet life. Nearby is the grave of the prophet Elijah and the cave where, according to legend, the Holy Family found shelter.

Tiberias is one of the holy places for all Jews, since one of the parts of the Talmud Mishnah was completed here. To the south of Tiberias is the traditional baptismal site of Yardenit, and to the north of the city is Capernaum, where Christ lived and preached.

Nazareth - There are four places of pilgrimage in Nazareth: The Spring, where the Annunciation took place; Grotto - Joseph's Workshop; The synagogue in which Christ taught and the Abyss into which His countrymen wanted to overthrow Him.

Bethlehem - becomes a place of pilgrimage after St. Helena erects the Basilica of the Nativity of Christ there. After 200 years, Emperor Justinian builds a new basilica on this site. The modern decoration of the basilica was completed in the 12th century. Greek Orthodox icon painters according to the canons of the Orthodox Church.

Cana of Galilee- mentioned in the Gospel as the place where Christ performed his first Miracle - turning water into wine.

The city of Jaffa - The main port of ancient Israel, they say that Noah built an ark here.

City of Nablus (Nablus) - Among the attractions: the Sidon tombs, the Forty-day mountain, the caves of the Roman period, the monastery of the Temptation, the remains of the castle of Damascus caliph Hisham.

Safed - Of the four holy cities of Israel, Safed is one of the youngest. It is surrounded by picturesque mountains, in which rivers flow and springs gush. From here you can see the entire Lake Kinneret. The entire Safed - stone fences, steps, houses, shutters, doors - is painted blue. They say it's from the evil eye. And, despite the fact that the city is small, its beauty, holiness and mystery attract many tourists here.

The natural monuments of Israel are also unique: the Almogim coral coast, the Adom Canyon, Ar ha-Carmel, the Amudei Amram mountains that change color, the Sodom cave.

Purchases: in Israel you can buy very unusual and beautiful souvenirs, both religious and completely secular.

If you are lucky enough to plunge into the waters of the sacred Jordan, be sure to buy a cross made of cypress or mother-of-pearl, and possibly a bottle of water from the Jordan River, as a keepsake of this event, since they are sold at almost every step. Samples of beadwork, traditional for these places, are also in demand.

Naturally, various religious souvenirs are in demand. Thus, the object of religious worship and at the same time a wonderful handicraft product that will find its place in every home is Hanukkah. This is the name of a special lamp that Orthodox Jews light during the great religious holiday - Hanukkah. In addition to Hanukkah, Israeli craftsmen can offer you a wide selection of candlesticks, wax candles and lamps of various designs.

Pilgrim sets are very popular as souvenirs in the Holy Land. It includes frankincense, oil, a handful of holy earth and water from the Jordan River. Such a souvenir will be a very significant gift for any believer, especially for those who would like to, but cannot personally visit the Holy Land.

Amulets are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the peoples of this country, so a variety of talismans and amulets are presented here in large numbers. They may have various inscriptions or symbolic images. The most common type of amulets in Israel is the hamsa, a charm made in the shape of a human palm.

A mezuzah can also become an original souvenir - a scroll of parchment made according to an old technology, on which prayers are written. The rolled mezuzah is placed in a special case, which is hung near the entrance to the dwelling, also as a protection against dark forces.

It is worth allocating time for hiking in the traditional oriental bazaars. Here you can buy original dishes, a variety of leather and wood products, items of traditional oriental wardrobe and mother-of-pearl jewelry. The traditional craft in the Armenian region of Jerusalem is ceramic production, which is represented by products of very high quality.

In Israel, you can also find very valuable souvenirs in the form of ancient coins of various periods of civilization, ancient ceramics and other relics of bygone eras. However, it is worth buying such souvenirs only in those shops whose owners can provide the appropriate trade licenses.

An even more valuable gift is a piece of jewelry, which can be purchased at a factory or in a state store at a good discount. Experienced travelers are advised to pay attention to jewelry with diamonds and silver items.

For women, magnificent silk tablecloths and cosmetics based on the products of the famous Dead Sea will be an excellent gift. The latter are more profitable to buy in duty-free.

Tips: in the restaurant are about 10% if they are not included in the bill. Messengers in the hotel are given 5-10 shekels, guides 4-5 dollars per person per day, drivers of tourist buses, chauffeurs - 2-3 dollars.

Customs regulations: upon arrival in Israel, tourists must present passports and entry forms, which are stamped when passing through passport control. Persons who do not wish to have Israeli marks in their passports must inform the border guard in advance. At Israeli airports and at the checkpoint in Rafah, there is a “green corridor” through which people who do not have with them (and in their accompanied luggage) goods that need to be declared follow.

Import and export of currency in any form is not limited.

You can import duty-free: up to 1 liter. alcoholic beverages, up to 250 gr. spirits

up to 250 pcs. cigarettes or up to 250 gr. tobacco, gifts worth no more than $200,

items and items for personal use.

In addition, the following items are exempt from taxes if they are small and appear to be used: Typewriters

cameras and movie cameras (excluding video cameras), radio receivers

tape recorders, binoculars, personal jewelry, musical instruments

strollers for babies, sports and camping equipment

bicycles and similar accessories of the tourist.

It is strictly forbidden to import drugs, weapons and ammunition, plants and animals without special documents. Strict control over the transportation of antiques and works of art, as well as video equipment, computers and other media (declared and allowed only on bail). A thorough security check in Israel is a common procedure performed for general protection purposes.

Antiques made before 1700 are defined as handmade items that can only be taken out of Israel with the written permission of the Director of the Antiquities Authority. The sale price is subject to an additional 10% export tax.

Helpful information: at Ben Gurion Airport, as in all other border points of the country, customs control is very thorough. A customs declaration filled out upon entry into the country will be required at the exit. This is one of the few places on earth where, according to the rules, check-in for boarding must end 2 hours before departure. Passengers' luggage and personal belongings are subject to inspection. The departure airport tax is 80 shekels. It is also recommended to confirm your (even previously confirmed and paid) booking, otherwise the flight may be denied.
Historical Israel is generally not very oriented towards the tourist market. Of course, there are resorts adapted exclusively for tourists, but there are also Jerusalem, Nazareth, Bethlehem and a host of other places where, of course, they think about tourists, but do not put their interests at the forefront. Historical monuments of this level in Europe would have been restored a long time ago, given a decent look and adapted for tourists. And in the old city of Jerusalem, for example, it’s easy to get lost without a guide - there are few signs and signs, and it can take a catastrophically long time to wade through the Arab quarters-shops-bazaars to the necessary monuments. It is impossible to cut corners here - you will go out to no one knows where, and if you need to return somewhere, then it is better to go the same way that you came, otherwise you can circle for hours.

When visiting holy places, as well as residential areas of Orthodox Jews, it is necessary to wear a headdress and cover bare legs and shoulders. According to the route, before each meal, you need to thoroughly wash your hands. From time to time in the country there are exacerbations of certain bans. For example, recently Orthodox Jews living in the Tel Aviv suburb of Bnei Brak banned men and women from walking on the same side of the street. A council of local Vishnitsa Hasidim (ultra-religious Jews) posted signs requiring males and females, regardless of age, to use opposite sidewalks. As stated in the decision of the council, "the narrowness and liveliness of the street leads to immodest contacts between persons of opposite sexes." The western part of the street is reserved for men, and the eastern part for women. The order applies not only to residents of the quarter, but also to outsiders.
In Muslim areas, it is recommended to observe all the norms of Islam, traditional for Islamic countries.
On Saturdays, the whole country does not work - a sacred day, and only in Haifa, the third largest city in Israel and the most European civilized, city transport and most entertainment facilities operate on Saturdays.
But holidays in Israel can be simply carefree. You can come here only for the sun and the sea. Behind this - welcome to Netanya, and it is better to look for an exclusive vacation in fashionable and expensive Herzliya. White, red and black flags will notify swimmers on the beaches of good, average and stormy weather.
Everyone has heard about the healing qualities of the Dead Sea water, but it is important not to abuse it here. One bathing session in the waters of the Dead Sea should not exceed 20 minutes, and the total duration should not exceed two sessions per day. If, in addition to salt baths, it is planned to take sulfur baths, then an hour interval must be maintained between them. After the procedures, be sure to take a shower of clean fresh water.

All life is connected with water in Israel. Insolation is very high, and the evaporation of water from the surface of the body is extremely intense. Even Israelis walk the streets with cloth sacks on their sides, sewn to the standard size of a plastic 1.5-liter bottle. One and a half liters of water a day is the usual norm for such a climate.

In general, Israel is not a cheap country. If you spend 20-30 euros for lunch in a country that has a cult of food, it’s not so insulting, then you don’t always want to pay 1 euro for travel in public transport. Sometimes it's easier to use a taxi, although not all taxi drivers like to turn on the meter.

There are plenty of entertainment centers, discos, bars and other entertainment venues in the country, but gambling in Israel is allowed only in the zones of the Palestinian Autonomy, so the casino is twice a day from the railway station St. Arlozoroff (Tel Aviv) depart buses that take players to the Oasis casino (outside Jericho) for free

Banks and currency exchanges: currency exchange is carried out in banks and exchange offices, in many hotels and at the post office. In hotels, the exchange rate is not favorable.

Most banks are open from Sunday to Thursday from 8:30 to 12:00 and on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday from 16:00 to 18:00. On the eve of major Jewish holidays, banks are open from 8:30 to 12:00.

Shekels can be exchanged for foreign currency at airport banks in an amount not exceeding $500 or their equivalent in another currency. Shekels in excess of the specified amount that the tourist has left after visiting Israel can be freely exchanged at any exchange office.

Visa: On February 9, 2011, an agreement on a visa-free regime (B2 visa type) between Israel and Ukraine came into force. Every citizen of Ukraine who travels to Israel for a guest, tourist, medical or business purposes (B2 visa type) should not apply to the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine for an entry visa to Israel.

A visa-free regime is not a guarantee of entry into Israel, as the final decision on this is made by the Israeli border services.

Every citizen of Ukraine in order to enter the State of Israel will have to prove the veracity of his visit to the country.

Citizens of Ukraine who have ever been denied entry to the State of Israel at the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine and/or at the Israeli border in order to enter the country will have to personally submit a request to the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine.

Citizens of Ukraine who were deported from the State of Israel will not be able to enter the country for 10 years.

Citizens of Ukraine who previously visited Israel and violated the visa regime (remained in Israel after the expiration of the visa) will not be able to enter Israel after the abolition of the visa regime. Such citizens must personally apply for entry into the State of Israel at the Israeli Embassy in Ukraine.