Israel - basics - Countries Guide

Time: Local time is GMT +2 (GMT +3 from April to September).

Electricity: 220 volts, 50Hz; European-style two-pin and round three-pin plugs are used.

Language: Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages of Israel. Most of the population also speak English.

Health: There are no special precautions required for travel to Israel. Travellers are advised to avoid drinking tap water. Bird flu has been discovered in Gaza as well as in a number of towns in Israel. The risk to travellers is very low, but close contact with live birds should be avoided, and all egg and poultry dishes should be well cooked as a precaution. Medical facilities are excellent but treatment can be very expensive so it is essential that travellers take out full insurance.

Tipping: Tipping, according to level of service, is expected unless a service charge is added to the bill.

Safety: Travellers should maintain a high level of vigilance and keep up to date with developments. The risk of terrorist attacks remains high and travellers to the region, including Jerusalem, need to exercise caution particularly around locations specifically targeted by attacks in the past such as bars, nightclubs, markets and buses. Suicide bombers have targeted crowded public areas resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries over the years, and although foreigners have not been specific targets, many have been caught up in the attacks. Check with local embassies for the latest travel advisory notices. All travel to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank should be avoided. There is also a continuing threat of kidnap of foreign nationals in the Gaza Strip and West Bank. Tension between Palestine and Israel has resulted in rocket fire being exchanged over the Israel/Gaza border, and travel to within three miles (5km) of the border area should be avoided. Palestine have also threatened further attacks in Israel.

Customs: Israel is a largely religious society and religious customs should be respected. Indecent behaviour is not tolerated and offenders will be arrested and fined heavily or imprisoned. Care should be taken not to photograph any military or police personnel or installations, and visitors should be discreet about taking photographs in Jewish Orthodox areas and of Jewish Orthodox people. It is advisable to carry official identification at all times.

Communications: The international access code for Israel is +972. The outgoing code is 00 (not from public phones) followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). There are other outgoing codes depending on which network is used to dial out on. City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)2 for Jerusalem. Public phones are card operated and are readily available, and instruction cards state whether to dial 012, 013 or 014 for overseas. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators; otherwise mobile phones can easily be rented. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and tourist areas all over Israel.