The official languages are Modern Hebrew and Arabic. English is a commercial language and widely spoken. Yiddish is also spoken and, depending on the immigrants’ country of origin, Romanian, Hungarian, French, Spanish, German and Russian, among others.
Jewish holidays begin in the evening (at sunset) before the given dates. Only the first and last days of Passover and Sukkot are officially recognized as national holidays. During the festival weeks, however, there may be interruptions to the normal daily routine, as many shops and companies close earlier. Shops remain open during the Festival of Lights. The Jewish religious holiday is the Sabbath, which lasts from Friday evening to Saturday evening (sunset). Offices and shops therefore usually close earlier on Fridays. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by members of these faiths. Depending on the district or religious affiliation, the weekly rest day is observed on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items may be brought into Israel duty-free in hand luggage: 200 cigarettes or 250 g of tobacco products (persons aged 18 and over); 1 l of spirits (persons aged 18 and over); 2 liters of wine (over 18s); 250 ml of perfume or cologne; Gifts up to a value of US$ 200 (excluding alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, used recording equipment, cameras, television sets, binoculars, personal jewellery, musical instruments, camping equipment, sports equipment, a tent, a bicycle without a motor), of which a maximum of 3 kg of food (single food must not exceed 1 kg).
Prohibited Imports
Counterfeit money, obscene and hacked goods, illegal gambling products, counterfeit bills, used packaging for herbal material, radar jammer detectors, illicit games, tear gas canisters in the form of firearms, explosive and flammable substances, used agricultural equipment, items intended for consumption drugs, goods that can incite violence, terrorism or racism, goods related to a terrorist organization, flowers, plants, seeds, fresh meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, medicines without a prescription, drugs, knives without a legitimate one Uses such as for household, work, arts and crafts etc. and daggers.More information is available from Israel Customs. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Contact addresses
Embassy of the State of Israel
Alpenstrasse 32
Bern
Switzerland
+41 (31) 356 35 00.
http://embassies.gov.il/bern
http://embassies.gov.il/bern
Embassy of the State of Israel
Anton-Frank-Gasse 20
Vienna
Austria
+43 (1) 476 46-0. Consular Section: +43 (1) 476 46-530.
http://embassies.gov.il/vienna
http://embassies.gov.il/vienna
Appointments and business cards are expected. The attitude towards punctuality is quite generous; it is not uncommon to wait half an hour. Standard politeness applies, but business meetings are often less formal than in Western Europe, and direct questions can sometimes take a long time to come up with definitive answers.
Opening hours
Business hours: Sun-Thurs 8.30am-5.30pm, on Friday all shops close around 12.30pm for Shabbat. This begins at sunset and ends on Saturday evening. Some shops are closed continuously on Friday and Saturday.
Business contacts
Communication
Phone
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, the country code is 00972. The regional telephone directories are printed in Hebrew, but there is a visitor’s edition in English. Public phones are card phones. Phone cards are available in hotels, post offices, kiosks, exchange offices, small shops (makolets) and newsstands. Within the country there are city codes (Jerusalem 02, Haifa 04, Tel Aviv 03).
Mobile phone
3G and 4G (GSM 900/1800). Network operators include Partner Communications Company Ltd, Pelephone, Cellcom, Hot Mobile and Golan Telecom. The network covers the whole country and parts of the sea. Mobile phones and SIM cards can be rented anywhere, preferably right at Ben Gurion Airport. It is pointed out that the use of mobile phones while driving is prohibited.
Internet
Free WiFi is available at tourist attractions, shopping malls, public places such as train stations and airports, and most hotels, bars, and cafes. All of Tel Aviv and large parts of Jerusalem are covered with free WiFi networks. In Bethlehem there are around 1000 free WiFi hotspots.
Post office
Mail to Europe takes four to eight days. Poste restante can be sent to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Post office opening hours: Sun-Thurs 08.30-12.30 and 15.30-18.30 (Wed only in the morning), Fri 08.00-12.00. Post offices are closed on Saturdays (the Sabbath) and public holidays. Stamps are available from post offices, hotels and kiosks.
Radio
Numerous German-language radio stations can be received over the Internet in Israel.
