Israel - Nuts and Bolts

Israel is a small country, about 20,700 square kilometers (7,992 square miles), that forcibly occupies the Golan Heights (annexed from Syria in 1981; 1,150 square kilometers, 444 square miles), the West Bank (annexed from Jordan; 5,878 square kilometers, 2,270 square miles) and the Gaza Strip (363 square kilometers, 140 square miles). The territories currently occupied and administered by Israel are the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights and East Jerusalem. The Israeli Ministry of Defense administers the Occupied Territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The population includes 635,000 Muslims, 105,000 Christians (almost all Arabs) and 78,000 Druze. Although Israel claims Jerusalem as its capital, the claim-especially to East Jerusalem, annexed in 1967-is disputed by most countries. The currency is the new shekel (IS), with 100 agorot to the shekel. The weather is arid, warm and mild most of the year with hot days and cool evenings. Because of its higher elevation, Jerusalem is quite cool, and even cold in the winter. In Tel Aviv and along the coast, the weather is more humid with warmer nights.

The Jewish Sabbath, from Friday dusk until Saturday dusk, is rigorously observed. Stores close on Friday by 2 p.m. and do not open again until Sunday morning. Most cinemas and restaurants are closed on Friday night. In most cities during the Sabbath there is no public transport (except for taxis), postal service or banking service. It is considered a violation of the Sabbath (Saturdays) to smoke in public places, such as restaurants and hotels. The same is true on the six main Jewish religious holidays.

Jewish dietary laws (Kashrut) prohibit the mixing of milk products and meat at the same meal. Kashrut is strictly enforced in hotels. Because of this, some restaurants serve only fish and dairy dishes while others serve only meat dishes. Pork is banned under religious laws, but some restaurants serve it, listing it euphemistically as white steak.

Banks are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Businesses are open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; some are open 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays. Government offices are open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.

Embassy and Consulate Locations

U.S. Embassy

71 Hayarkon Street

Tel Aviv, Israel

U.S. mailing address

PSC 98, Box 100

APO AE 09830

Tel.: [972] (3) 517-4338

U.S. Consulate General

27 Nablus Road

Jerusalem

U.S. mailing address

PSC 98, Box 100

APO AE 09830

Tel.: [972] (2) 253-288 (via Israel)

Tel.: [972] (2) 253-201 (after hours)

Useful Addresses

Ministry of Communications

P.O. Box 29515

Tel Aviv

Tel.: [972] (3) 5198247

Fax: [972] (2) 5198109

http://www.mfa.gov.il/

Ministry of Tourism

24 King George Street

P.O. Box 1018

Jerusalem 91000

Tel.: [972] (2) 754811

Fax: [972] (2) 253407 or (2) 250890