|
lfway through its first century, Israel has yet to resolve a psychological struggle between secularism and reverence. An inevitable sense of religion and history permeates its modern cities, where pensive philosophers and microchip millionaires sit on park benches with patriotic Zionists and day-seizing disco-goers. The nation’s heterogeneity is most apparent on Friday evenings, when Tel Aviv clubs and Eilat pubs explode with revelry that can almost be heard in the reverent streets of Tzfat or in Jerusalem’s Jewish Quarter. Israel has been controversial since its inception. As a result of persecution culminating in the Holocaust, Jews of all cultures came together to fashion a new kind of state and to remake themselves, sometimes at the expense of Palestinian Arabs. With the country’s identity and culture in constant flux, all Israelis have their own visions of what Israel could or should be. Amos Oz, Israel’s leading novelist, sees his fellow Israelis as “a warm-hearted, hot-tempered Mediterranean people that is gradually learning, through great suffering and a tumult of sound and fury, to find release both from the bloodcurdling nightmares of the past and from delusions of grandeur, both ancient and modern.” Ask Israelis about their bewildering national situation, and they will tell you at length how they see their country—there is no lack of impassioned political or apolitical opinions. But a fundamental optimism shines through; talk with them long enough, and they will eventually smile or shrug and say, “Yihiyeh tov” (It will be OK).
DIGGING THE HOLY LAND
Israel and the Palestinian territories have been the stomping ground of dozens of peoples over as many centuries—the layers of civilization date back to ancient Jericho, which, at 10,000 years, is the oldest known city in the world. On the Mediterranean Coast, Caesarea, Herod’s first-century city, is remarkably intact. Nimrod’s Fortress, an impressive crusader castle in the Golan Heights, features a secret passageway, winding stone stairways, and a magnificent view. Jerusalem is holy to three of the world’s major religions: Jews pray at the Western Wall, Muslims worship at the Dome of the Rock, and Christians walk the Via Dolorosa. However, the spiritual richness and diversity of Israel and the Palestinian territories owe substantially to the region’s many lesser-known religious and cultural centers as well. Tzfat inspired the birth of the Kabbalah, and now it and its beautiful synagogues attract seekers of spirituality. Its winding city streets are lined with turquoise doorways and intricately painted synagogues. The world headquarters of the Baha’i religion is in Haifa, and the gold-domed Baha’i Shrine and luscious surrounding gardens welcome visitors of all denominations. A visit to the village of Daliyat al Karmel (p. 201) offers a glimpse into the Druze way of life, hidden from the outside world for the past 1000 years. Traditionally a nomadic people, many of Israel’s Bedouin now live in villages; the Joe Alon Bedouin Museum in Be’er Sheva lends insight into their unique past and uncertain present.
Israel’s small size belies an astounding diversity in its terrain, which ranges from the arid desert of the Negev to the lush mountains of the Golan. Makhtesh Ramon is the world’s largest natural crater, while Nahal David abuts the lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea. Har Ardon, in the heart of the Negev, is a challenging hike with incredible views of the desert sands. Sinai’s Sharm esh-Sheikh is renowned as the world’s best scuba diving spot; Eilat, at Israel’s southern tip, is home to eye-catching wildlife in the sea and in the air.
WHEN TO VISIT
Arrange your itinerary with an awareness of holidays. In Israel, most businesses and public facilities close for Jewish holidays, which begin at sunset on the previous day. In particular, you may want to avoid traveling in Israel during the High Holy Days, which take up much of October: Rosh Ha-Shana (the Jewish New Year; Sept. 30-Oct 1); Yom Kippur (Oct. 9); Sukkot (Oct. 14-20); and Simchat Torah on October 21.
The most important Muslim holiday and the one most likely to complicate travel is Ramadan (Dec. 10, 1999 to Jan. 10, 2000), the annual month-long fast during which Muslims abstain from food and drink, dawn to sunset. During this time, most restaurants close up shop until sundown. Shops may open for a few hours in the morning and a short time after iftar, the breaking of the fast; government services are either closed entirely or open only in the morning.
In addition to religious holidays, it would be wise to think about when everyone else in the region is vacationing. North Americans and students generally favor summer for visiting; Europeans prefer winter. The week of Passover (Apr. 20-26) brings crowds from all over. If you can manage it, off-season travel means smaller crowds, lower prices, and greater local hospitality, not to mention more falafel.
As fpr climate variations are fairly wide, with the climate ranging from temperate to tropical. The coastal plain is a sweaty steambath in summer, with fairly mild winters. Cacti love Eilat and the Jordan Valley, where it’s mild in winter and hot and dry (except near the humid Dead Sea) in summer. The Negev Desert is not as hot; it has cool nights that qualify as cold. Summer in Jerusalem is hot and dry with mild evenings; winter is crisp and cool, with occasional rain and even snow. The landlocked, hilly West Bank is spared the summer humidity of the Mediterranean coast, but not the heat. Summer afternoons blister; mild nights invite long walks, and winters bring cold, rain, and sometimes snow.
The tiny Middle Eastern country of Israel, bordered by Egypt to the south, Jordan to the west, Syria and Lebanon in the north and the Meditteranean sea to the east, is the subject of international focus and debate out of all proportion to its size. From the Golan Heights in the north to Eilat, its southern-most tip, Israel, with its blend of Western and Middle Eastern cultures, offers fascinating experiences for the traveller. You can eat lunch in a small Arab village and within an hour or two be swept up in a pulsating modern city.
The majority of the people in this vibrant land are Jewish, with the next largest number of people being Sunni Muslim. The official languages are Hebrew and Arabic, which is spoken by about 15% of the population. English is widely spoken by almost all Israelis, ranging from traditional Bedouin Arabs to city executives. In the south, a large part of the country is desert, but the north is green and fertile due to the Jordan River. The coastal area is a flat plain and the centre of the country is hilly. The climate is generally warm with very hot summers, especially in the south. The north is very cold in winter with occasional snow and most of the country's rain falls between October and April.
Evidence of Israel's history can be seen all over the country, with remnants of most of the world's major civilisations and ancient architecture to be found in many cities. This makes sightseeing a very rewarding activity. For the sporty, summer is the best time to visit Israel as activities include kayaking down the Jordan River, snorkelling and scuba diving in the coralfilled waters of Eilat, surfing, water-skiing, and sailing, but all year round there are camel rides in the desert, archaeological digs and plenty of hikes.
Jerusalem
The rugged, hilly landscape around Jerusalem, the focus of three major religions for centuries, is packed with archaeological remnants of various ages. The climate is dry, slightly cooler in summer and colder in winter than the coast due to its height. It has a fair amount of winter rainfall and occasionally, snow. About 520,000 people live here, many of whom are religious Jews, Muslims and Christians. The city of Jerusalem
The city of Jerusalem is built on a hill surrounded by trees so that when travelling towards it, the road winds upwards, a sensation compared by many to a spiritual upliftment. Once there, however, you will find a bustling city with a luminous beauty due in great part to the white Jerusalem stone of which, by law, every building is made. West Jerusalem, the New City, is as modern as any other in Israel, and is the seat of the national government and the industrial and commercial centre of the region. Most of the city's shops, bars, restaurants, theatres and nightclubs are situated here, and the area around Zion Square teems with visitors and locals late into the night, especially in summer.
Some of the main attractions of the New City are the pedestrian mall on Ben Yehuda Street, the colourful openair food market called Machaneh Yehuda, the Knesset (Parliament) building, Hebrew University, and Mea She'arim, a Jewish community that lives exactly as their ancestors did in the European shtetl. Yad VaShem is and unforgettable monument to, and museum of the Holocaust. The Israel Museum with its garden of sculptures, the Hadassah Medical Centre with its famous stained glass windows created by Marc Chagall, Mount Scopus, and Sultan's Pool, an outdoor amphitheatre which hosts summer rock, jazz and classical music performances by Israeli and international stars, are also not to be missed.
The Old City is surrounded by high walls and was the original city of Jerusalem in ancient times. You can enter the Old City through six different gates. The most accessible is the Jaffa Gate, as it leads off Jaffa Road in the New City. The Old City is divided into four quarters: Jewish, Muslim, Armenian and Christian. Each offers fascinating architecture and sights, including the David citadel with its fabulous view of the whole city, the main street from Roman times called the Cardo, the Burnt House, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa, the Mount of Olives, the Arab shuk (market) and the Temple Mount which is the site of the Dome of the Rock and the Western Wall. Walking tours are the best way to see the Old City, and the Jewish Quarter is the safest. It is not advisable for visitors to walk alone around the Muslim Quarter, which is entered from outside through the Damascus Gate. Dress conservatively: women should cover their shoulders and knees and men should wear long trousers.
East Jerusalem is the area outside the Damascus Gate extending east. Most of the residents are Arab and are usually friendly to tourists but it's best to go there in a group, and to be extracautious at night.
Ein Kerem
This charming village is taken to be the birthplace of John the Baptist. Here you can picnic, or wander around visiting a number of churches.
Abu Ghosh
An Arab village thirteen kilometres west of Jerusalem, both Jews and Christians believe this was the original site of the Ark of the Covenant.
Latrun
Halfway to Tel Aviv, Latrun was a strategic stronghold of the Arabs in the 1948 war. The area contains a monastery, the Tombs of the Maccabees and Canada Park, a forest full of archaeological ruins.
Sorek Cave in Avshalom Reserve
This huge, magnificent cave has both stalactites and stalagmites. Because there is a lack of public transport, join a tour unless you want to hike from the nearest village, Nes Harim, which is 7 km (4 miles) away.
Tel AvivJaffa and the coastal plain
Edging the Meditteranean and dotted by waving palm and eucalyptus trees, this area is flat and very hot and humid in summer. Rain falls in winter, which is milder than in Jerusalem and the north. There are a number of kibbutzim and moshavim here. This section of the coastal plain (which runs from Rosh HaNikra in the north down to the Gaza strip) is the Sharon Plain.
Tel Aviv
Israel's first modern Jewish city built on sand soon incorporated nearby Jaffa into its municipality. It is vibrant, westernised, secular and progressive; although buses do not run on Shabbat, nightclubs and restaurants stay open. The largest city in Israel with sprawling suburbs, Tel Aviv's population is roughly 320,000. This is the best city in the country for shopping and nightlife as well as theatre, music and art. The two main points of entry are BenGurion airport at Lod and the central bus station (tachanah mercazit), which has recently been upgraded and has changed location. It is hectically busy, efficient and has an information desk so that travellers can find their way about far more easily than at the old tachanah mercazit. Aside from the palmfringed boulevards with their tiny shops, the magnificent beaches, the promenade and the warm blue sea, Tel Aviv's attractions are many. They include the Shuk HaCarmel (Carmel Market), the craft market on Nahalat Binyamin Street, the Shalom Tower, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Beit HaTfutzot (the Museum of the Diaspora), and Dizengoff Centre, which is a huge shopping mall. Nature-lovers can visit various parks and reserves, among them HaYarkon Park, the Zapari Bird Park, the Ramat Gan National Park and Zoological Centre, and the Modi'in Forest where you can plant your own tree. In summer there are plenty of watersports to be enjoyed, such as sailing, surfing and windsurfing, and the nightlife is always lively with outdoor seating in most restaurants, pubs and cafes. Cultural events also attract large audiences, as Tel Aviv is the base for the Israel Philharmonic and there are a number of theatres for dance, music and drama. Outdoor rock and pop concerts are held in HaYarkon Park in summer.
Jaffa
Pronounced Yafo in Hebrew, this is one of the oldest functioning harbours in the world, and one of the few fully mixed ArabIsraeli spots in Israel. It is fast becoming a trendy place for young Israelis to live and so is a centre for hectic nightlife. Jaffa has a beautiful old city with many art galleries. Make sure you see the famous Frank Meisel gallery of sculptures in silver and bronze. Other attractions include the old clock tower, the Museum of Antiquities of Tel AvivYafo, and a number of mosques, churches and historical spots. The green and peaceful HaPisga Gardens is a perfect spot for picnics. A famous attraction situated in a rather grotty part of town is the flea market, called Shuk HaPishpishim, one of the country's most colourful Arab markets where you will find items ranging from clothing, silver, beads, jewellery, rugs, lamps and other typically Middle Eastern knickknacks.
Herzliya, Rishon L'Tzion, Rehovot and Ramla
These are all quiet towns around Tel Aviv. Herzliya has an affluent section, Herzliya Pituach, with a gorgeous beach, an inhabited sandcastle, and the ruins of a Roman fort, Appolonia. Rehovot is the home of the worldrenowned Weitzmann Institute of Science, named after Israel's first president who was an acclaimed chemist in Britain during the Second World War. The institute conducts research into all the natural sciences. Rishon L'Tzion is where the first Jewish settlement in Palestine was built and it has a winery at which you can take part in a tour and winetasting. Ramla was founded by the Arabs in the 8th century and has some interesting mosques and churches. One of these, the Church of St Nicodemus and St Joseph Arimathea, contains the rooms where Napoleon had his staff headquarters when he tried to conquer the Turks in Palestine in 1799.
Netanya
An attractive, peaceful resort town catering mainly for wealthier travellers, Netanya has beautiful beaches and waterfront areas, as well as a diamondcutting factory which offers tours. You can play tennis and ride horses here, while, further south, you can walk through the Poleg Nature Reserve to where the cliffs reach great heights.
Caesarea
This amazing ruin of a Roman city built by Herod in the first century BCE includes a theatre, aqueducts, Byzantine mosaics and an ancient harbour as well as relics from the Crusader period. A few kilometres away is the wildlife reserve and kibbutz Ma'agan Micha'el and the town of Zichron Ya'acov, well known both for its winery, and for its connection to the Rothschild family.
The Negev Desert and the southern coast
The Negev Desert is a large area of arid rocky land, broken here and there by green kibbutzim which are irrigated by water piped in from the north. The population has increased immensely over the last few years due to numbers of Russian immigrants. Cities have been built here and continue to grow within stretches of wild, dramatic terrain sparsely populated by wandering Bedouin Arabs, camels and cacti. The main tourist activities here are hiking and camel and donkey riding. The Gaza Strip is nearby but is dangerous for visitors as it is the site of many violent clashes. March and April are good times to visit as the weather is temperate and the desert is blooming. In summer the Negev becomes unbearably hot and the area around the Dead Sea is humid beyond belief. You cannot be without water and this is not the best time to hike. In winter the temperature is milder than in the north but can be quite harsh and windy in the desolate areas away from the cities. For Europeans who want to get away from the cold, Eilat is a good place to visit in winter.
Be'ersheva
This city has seen enormous growth since 1990 and houses people from all over the world: Russia, Central Europe, Albania, Argentina, Morocco, Syria and Ethiopia. Many volunteers work here to help immigrant absorption in various ways. The city's main attraction is the Thursday morning Bedouin market, which is the best place to practise your haggling. Almost anything is sold here, from animals, clothes, jewellery made of Bedouin silver, spices, cassette tapes and watches, to fruit and vegetables, Bedouin robes, rugs, copper and ceramics. Other sights include the Negev Museum, Abraham's Well, the ruins at Tel Be'ersheva and the modern BenGurion University. There is a fair amount of night time activity, with pubs and cinemas providing much of this entertainment. In July the city hosts an international accordion and harmonica festival with soul, jazz, blues, classical and pop performances. Near Be'ersheva is Arad, famous for its annual midJuly rock festival attended by thousands of young Israelis and tourists. Concerts are given by most of Israel's rock stars, the place gets packed and there is a lot of street activity during this time. Sdeh Boker is a lush oasis which produces olives, fruit and wheat out of the desert soil. It is here that David BenGurion, Israel's first prime minister, retired, and his house, tomb and two internationally acclaimed BenGurion research institutes can be seen. Deep in the Negev, a huge crater was discovered in the 1940s, which suggests that an asteroid crashed into the earth here. The Machtesh Ramon (Ramon Crater) is a massive steep pit drained by one wadi, and is a nature reserve. There is a visitor's centre and many hiking and jeep tours on offer, so you can see the millionyearold rock formations and volcanic debris. Fairly close by is Kibbutz Lahav and the Museum of Bedouin Culture, created to preserve the traditional culture of a changing people.
Eilat
Boiling hot in June, July and August with temperatures soaring to 45 °C (113#160°F) and higher, it is easy to see why Eilat is so popular in winter. April and October are peak times. Lapped by the Red Sea and surrounded by red granite mountains, Eilat is Israel's top resort. Situated at the bottom point of the Negev Desert, it is a good base for tours into Egypt and Jordan's Petra. Tourism and copper mining are the two of the most important industries in the area. The best things to do in Eilat involve beaches and cool green sea. Underwater activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving will introduce you to an amazing, colourfilled world of coral and different types of fish. You can windsurf, dive or take a cruise (go at night when you can see the lights of Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia). The Coral World Underwater Observatory and Aquarium offers a close view of brilliant fish and coral and Dolphin Reef gives you the chance to swim with dolphins or watch a show. For bird watchers, the first half of the year sees more than 30 species of birds migrating from the south. The International Bird Watching Centre gives tours and programmes and runs a bird watcher's festival in March. Children can enjoy the Luna Park's rides and the Camel Ranch offers camel riding tours into the desert. Eilat's nightlife during peak seasons buzzes: discos, pubs, restaurants, theatre, cinemas and concerts. In August there are two festivals: the Hebrew Rock Festival and the Red Sea Jazz Festival. The desert scenery around Eilat is some awesome. Visit Red Canyon Gorge, Amram's Pillars, Timna Valley and the towering King Solomon's Pillars. Further north is the Hai Bar Biblical Nature Reserve where you can spot leopards, wolves, hyenas, rabbits, gazelles, donkeys and ostriches. Close by is Kibbutz Yotvata which makes the famous, delicious dairy products you will find throughout Israel.
Ashkelon
One of the oldest cities in the world, Ashkelon is an important absorption centre for new immigrants. It has fantastic beaches and a very wellknown national park with impressive ruins of Philistine, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Crusader and Marmeluke cities. In sections of the park you will find beautiful old statues and sculptures. Migdal is an interesting district with minarets and a Thursday market and the city of Ashkelon has a lively nightlife. Situated nearby, Ashdod is involved in industry but also has its share of ruins, a Wednesday flea market, a park, and hosts the Meditteranean Festival in August.
The Dead Sea
Created by a rift in the earth's crust, the Dead Sea was so named because it cannot sustain any lifeforms. In Hebrew the lake is called Yam HaMelach (Salt Sea), which is also apt as its waters contain eight times more salt than that of the ocean. At 400 m (1,300 ft) below sea level, this is the lowest point in the world. The area is incredibly humid during summer and is veiled by a haze of evaporation. You can float on the waters of the Dead Sea without any effort. Bobbing around is lots of fun if you don't shave beforehand and keep water out of your eyes. If some manages to get in, rinse your burning eyes at the freshwater showers found on all the beaches. It is best to swim at the resorts. Also at the Dead Sea is the famous Dead Sea mud, supposed to be excellent for the skin thanks to its high concentration of minerals. Try some free of charge, and if you like it you can buy the more expensive creams made from it at pharmacies and salons. Ein Gedi is the name of a wellknown resort at the Dead Sea, as well as a kibbutz and a nature reserve in the area. The nature reserve has some nice climbs leading to various springs that water this oasis.
Masada
Originally built by Judah Macabee, the fortress is best known for the story of the 967 Zealots (men, women and children) who defended themselves against the Roman legions for three years. Eventually, in 70 CE, when they knew the Romans were going to break their seige, they organised a communal suicide, and only two women and five children survived to tell the tale when the Romans broke through. A 45minute walk to the top of the ramp at dawn will reward you with a spectacular view of the sunrise. If you are not partial to walking, there is a cable car which will take you to the top. The ruins at the summit include a Roman bathhouse, two palaces (one with mosaics from Herod's time), the oldest known synagogue in Israel and a Byzantine chapel. Near Masada is Ein Bokek, a resort with a great beach. Further south is burning hot Sodom, described in the Bible as the place where Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt. The Dead Sea Works are situated here, extracting potash and other minerals from the Dead Sea.
The West Bank
The West Bank is the area where the Palestinian Arabs want to create their own state. Travel in this tensionfilled area of the Judean Desert is not advised during periods of heightened conflict. If precautions are taken, though, it is possible to visit the region, and day trips or organised tours are the best way to do this. Make sure you look like a tourist and dress modestly.
Many of the towns here hold some significance for Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Bethany has the Tomb of Lazarus and the Greek Orthodox Convent with the boulder on which Jesus sat waiting for Martha from Jericho. Bethlehem is the birthplace of Jesus, and also the place where David the shepherd was found. Visit the Basilica of the Nativity with its grotto, various churches and chapels, the Well of David and Rachel's Tomb. Near Bethlehem are Herodian, the ruins of a palace on top of a hill, and the Field of Ruth. Jericho, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is famous for its crashing walls during the time of Joshua. Its most popular sights are Hisham's Palace and ancient Jericho, a whole lot of old walls. Near Jericho is the Mosque of Nabi Musa, revered by Muslims as the grave of the prophet Moses. East of Jericho is alMaghtes, believed to be the spot where John the Baptist baptized Jesus.
Wadi Qelt is an oasis which offers both good hiking, and the Monastery of St George, the floor of which is decorated with mosaics. Qumran is the site where a young boy discovered the 2000yearold Dead Sea scrolls in 1947. The scrolls document the littleknown lives and writings of the ancient Essene sect. Qumran also has an archaeological site, a beach and a nature reserve. Hebron, which according to the Bible is the burial place of Abraham, is today the focus of much political tension. The Cave of Makhpela, revered by both Jews and Muslims, is where the tombs of the matriarchs and patriarchs are situated, and is also the site of a synagogue and a mosque. The village of BeitEl, near Ramallah is supposedly the spot where Joseph slept and dreamed of a ladder to heaven. Nablus, also revered by both Muslims and Jews, is where the Palestinians would like to have their capital. Found here are Jacob's Well, the Tomb of Joseph and Mount Gerizim, supposed to be where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac.
Haifa and the northern coast
Extending to the Lebanese border, this region includes Mount Carmel, the Jezreel Valley, Zevulun Valley, and miles of grapevines, caves and jutting sea cliffs. As in Tel Aviv the sea causes summer humidity and mild winters. About 600,000 people live in this area.
Haifa
This, Israel's thirdlargest city, is the country's main port and the point of arrival and departure for passenger ferries. Built around Haifa Bay and up Mount Carmel, Haifa rises steeply and is green with trees. This city is modern and cosmopolitan: it has a fairly equal mix of Jews, Christians, Muslims, Druze and Baha'is, followers of a relatively new religion. Haifa's attractions include Haifa University and the Technion (Israel's internationally acclaimed scientific academy), the beautiful domed Baha'i Temple and gardens with palm, eucalyptus and cypress trees, and the Carmelite monastery. Other attractions include the National Maritime Museum, various natural history museums showing the flora and fauna of northern Israel, Elijah's cave, which is a spot revered by Muslims, Christians and Jews, and an unusuallooking grain silo, which is Israel's only grainreceiving depot. Although quieter than Tel Aviv, Haifa has plenty of entertainment on offer: cinemas, pubs, restaurants and nightclubs. There is a lot happening around the university campus, and musical performances take place at the Haifa Auditorium. There are beaches where, during the summer days, you can laze around or take part in a variety of watersports.
There are quite a few interesting places in the area around Haifa. These include the catacombs of Bet She'arim and the Druze villages of Isfiya and Daliyat alCarmel, where there is a great bazaar. Saturday is the bazaar's busiest day.
Akko
Like many cities in Israel, Akko, meaning acre, has an old and a new section. The old city, populated mainly by Arabs, has a full history. It was a Crusader port even before it was built over by the Marmelukes, Bedouins and Turks, and is still surrounded by ancient walls and fortifications. From the top of the walls there are great views of the sea and fishing boats and below the walls the city is a maze of narrow stone stairways and corridors, a market and restaurants. The Crusader complex has big halls which are used for the Israel Fringe Theatre Festival, usually held in October and the Vocalisa Festival, usually held in April. The Akko Marina is a fishing port where you can rent boats and diving equipment. Also worth seeing is the Citadel, once used by the Turks and later, the British, as a prison and now housing the Museum of Heroism, a monument to Jewish resistance organisations.
Nahariya
A very small resort with excellent beaches, Nahariya is Israel's northernmost coastal town. The main tourist activities are swimming and (careful) suntanning, but there are also horsedrawn carriage rides, a cinema and a few pubs and restaurants. The most famous sight in this area is Rosh HaNikra, a spectacular labyrinth of seacaves which have been hollowed out of the white chalk cliffs by crashing waves. A cable car takes you down to the grottoes, and example of which can be seen on the right. Akhziv National Park is situated nearby. It offers a beach, diving centre, guided walks and the impressive Crusader castle of Montfort.
The Galilee
The north of Israel is lush and fertile due to the almost magical transformation of this former swampland, brought about by Israeli science. It is cooler than the south in summer and can become quite cold in winter. This hilly forested region, the home of some of the country's most beautiful nature reserves, is also is the centre of Israel's agricultural activity. Many significant New Testament events took place here.
Nazareth
North of the Jezre'el Valley in the lower Galilee, Nazareth is a busy, primarily Arab town which holds great Biblical significance for Christians. Churches to see include the Basilica of the Annunciation, built on the spot believed to be where the archangel Gabriel told Mary about the impending birth of Jesus, St. Joseph's Church, the GreekCatholic Synagogue Church and the Salesian Church, which commands a view of the hills of Galilee. Near Nazareth is Mount Tabor and Megiddo (Armageddon) where layers of excavation have uncovered a palace, stables, temple and underground tunnel. Also in the region is Beit She'an, a town with an amazing archaeological site containing the ruins of a Roman amphitheatre and four Egyptian temples, Gan HaShlosha (also called the Sahne) with cool swimming holes and waterfalls, and a number of kibbutzim and museums.
Tiberias
Built around the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee), Tiberias is a popular modern resort and has become known as the 'Eilat of the north'. The population is primarily Jewish and the town, along with Jerusalem, Hebron and Tzfat, is one of Israel's holy cities. In summer Tiberias is often humid, and a haze rests over the Kinneret, the waters of which Jesus is believed to have walked on. There are a number of beaches around the Kinneret but many of them are stoney rather than sandy. The best ones are owned by hotels, which charge an entrance fee. You can enjoy boat cruises, waterskiing, horseriding and walking, or just dip into the lake and relax. At night, and especially in summer, the action is mainly at the waterfront and the pedestrian area a bit further up. There are plenty of pubs, clubs, outdoor food stalls, restaurants and disco cruises. In the second week of July, Tiberias hosts the Sea of Galilee Festival which features folkdancing and singing.
Tzfat
Set high in the Galilean hills, the area around Tzfat is wonderful for hiking, and is known for its magnificent views. From the top of Mount Meron you can see as far as Syria and Lebanon. The centre of Jewish mysticism (Kabballah), Tzfat has a mysterious appeal for travellers of all religions. Its doors are painted blue to ward off the evil eye and its winding streets are cobbled. Wander around the Artist's Quarter and pop into the galleries and the craft market. If you feel like exercising your brain, there are lectures on Kaballah; if not, you can join a guided walk of the city or hike in the surrounding area. The Synagogue Quarter has many interesting synagogues, each with a history attached. There are some good restaurants, a swimming pool and a leisure centre, and the occasional English movie is shown. Overall, the atmosphere here is quiet and religious, so don't expect to find rollicking nightlife in Tzfat. Everything is closed on Shabbat.
Kiryat Shmona and surrounds
Located above the Hula Valley and until recently the target of many terrorist attacks and shellings, quiet Kiryat Shmona is where you can catch buses to surrounding attractions. At Kibbutz Kfar Blum you can hire kayaks and lifejackets for a trip down the Jordan River, Israel's main source of water. In July the kibbutz hosts the Upper Galilee Chamber Music Days. North of Kiryat Shmona is Tel Hai where, in 1920, eight of Israel's pioneers led by Yosef Trumpeldor, died in a surprise Arab attack. South of Kiryat Shmona is the Hula Nature Reserve with cypress groves, wildlife, birds and papyrus thickets, and the Horshat Tel Nature Reserve which contains the only oak trees in the whole of Israel. Right on the Lebanese border is the village of Metulla, well known among visitors for the Good Fence, an opening in the border barrier for Lebanese Christians and Druze to pass through. Metulla is the location of both the Canada Centre, a top sports complex, and the Nahal Ayun Nature Reserve. South of Metulla is the Tanur (Oven) Waterfall which has clouds of mist that resemble smoke.
The Golan Heights
The rugged mountains above the Jordan Valley are strategic in wartime to both Syria and Israel. In 1981 Israel annexed the area, and the controversy continues today with Syria demanding the return of the territory and Israel arguing that that would pose a threat to northern Israeli towns. The best known peak is Mount Hermon, where the snowy slopes make for good skiing in winter. To explore the region, it would be best either to join an organised tour or to hire a car. The latter would allow you more time to hike the treecovered mountain trails or the green nature reserves.
Banyas
The gushing spring in this beautiful park was once an ancient sanctuary dedicated to Pan, the Greek god of nature. A path leads past a springfed pool to an magnificent waterfall. Nearby is the huge Nimrod's Fortress which offers a stunning view from the top.
Katzrin
The administrative centre of the Golan is Katzrin, in which the Golan Archaeological Museum is situated. From just north of Katzrin you can hike in the Gilabon Nature Reserve and find its two waterfalls. A few kilometres south of Katzrin you can hike down the Zavitan River in the Ya'ar Yehudiya Nature Reserve to the Brekhat HaMeshushim (Hexagon Ponds). Further southeast are the ruins of Gamla, an ancient walled city which was once seized by the Romans, resulting in thousands of inhabitants throwing themselves to their deaths off the surrounding high ridge. Israel's highest waterfall can be found near these ruins. Around Mount Hermon are the Druze villages of Majdal Shams and Mas'ada, containing the famous Birkat Ram, a perfectly round lake. Higher up, on Mount Avital, you can look over the border and see the destroyed Syrian city of Quneitra.
Time
Israel is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time and seven hours ahead of USA Eastern Time. There are no different time zones within Israel. In summer watches are turned back an hour for daylight saving.
Tourist Offices
The following addresses are for Government Tourist Information Offices in the three biggest cities in Israel:
24 King George Street
Jerusalem
94262
Tel. 972-2-754-910/2
5 Shalom Aleichem
Tel Aviv
Tel. 972-3-660-259
18 Herzl Street
Haifa
Tel. 972-4-666-521/2
There are also GTIOs in Eilat, Beersheva, Tiberias, Tzfat, Ashkelon, Netanya, Nazareth. Most other towns have Municipal Tourist Offices or Information Centres. These tourist offices and the many travel agents and touring companies in the cities can help you with tours to Egypt and Jordan.
Visa and Passports
A valid passport is required to enter Israel. If you do not intend to study or work, you do not need to get a visa before leaving your country. Canadian, American, British, South African, Australian and New Zealand citizens: you will be issued a tourist visa free at the port of entry as long as your passport is valid for nine months after arrival. The tourist visa is valid for three months but can be extended through any Ministry of the Interior. Visas for Jordan and Egypt can be obtained in Israel but it may save time and trouble to get them before leaving home.
Customs regulations
Security at customs points is usually tight and officials quiz tourists thoroughly, even unpacking bags on occasion. The dutyfree limits for persons aged 17 and over are: eau de cologne and perfume up to 250 ml; wine up to 2 litres; other alcoholic beverages up to 1 litres; tobacco and cigars up to 250 g or 250 cigarettes. Any amount more than that must be declared on arrival in Israel by going through the red channel. Go through the green channel if you have nothing to declare. Bringing drugs into Israel is considered a serious offence. Most items can be brought in dutyfree as long as you take them with you when you leave. It is advisable to make a list of serial numbers of any expensive items that you are taking with you, such as cameras, portable radios and sports equipment, and to have them stamped by the customs office on departure.
Money
The Israeli unit of currency is the New Israeli Shekel (ILS), which is divided into 100 agorot. Coins come in 5, 10, and 50 agorot, and ILS 1.00 and ILS 5.00. Notes come in denominations of ILS 10.00, ILS 20.00, ILS 50.00 and ILS 100.00. Foreign currency is accepted in some establishments, but don't expect this to happen everywhere. Change is given in shekels.
Business Hours
Israel works a sixday week which starts on Sunday. Business hours vary from town to town, and according to the different sabbaths and religious holidays. Friday is a half day as practically everything closes down on the afternoon of the Jewish sabbath (Shabbat) which starts on Friday evening and ends on Saturday evening. The governmentrun bus service (Egged) stops running at about 14:00 on Fridays. The same happens on Jewish holidays, which are public holidays in Israel, and on Muslim holidays in the Arab towns. On other days most city businesses are open all day and many big supermarkets are open till 22:00. Some of them stay open all night.
Public Holidays
Israel has 14 public holidays; Jewish religious holy days are public holidays and there are some secular holidays that relate to the state. The exact dates of the Jewish holidays differ from year to year as they are worked out according to a lunar calendar.
In February/March the Arab areas observe the holidays of Ramadan and Eid alFitr.
Peak Seasons
Although tourism is good all year round, Israel has two peak seasons: in summer students and people from North America and the southern hemisphere flock there, and in winter people come from cold Europe to thaw.
Post & Telephones
Communication is easy in Israel, with efficient and plentiful postal and telephone facilities. Mail takes about ten days to reach an international destination. To airmail an ordinary letter costs about ILS 5.00. Most post offices have fax facilities. The national telephone service provider is Bezek and there are public telephones everywhere: on the streets and outside post offices. They used to work with tokens but now you can buy phone cards from post offices, bus stations and roadside kiosks in units of 10, 20, 50,120 and 240. A card of 50 units costs ILS 23.50. To dial out of Israel, dial 00 and the country code you require. Israel's country code is 972. If you need assistance with an international call, dial 188. If you want to make a directory enquiry, dial 144. International calls are cheaper after 23:00 and before 06:00. The average international call costs ILS 6.00 per minute.
Electricity
The electrical current in Israel is 220 volts, A.C, single phase, 50 cycles. Israeli sockets take threepronged plugs. Converters and adapters are available in department, hardware and electrical equipment stores.
History
Because there are many different religions and civilisations involved in this history, the terms BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era) have been used which correspond to the terms BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini).
Before 2000 BCE
Civilisations in Egypt and Mesopotamia flourished.
2000 BCE
Semi-nomadic Aramain tribes linked to the Bible story of Abraham and his followers migrated to Canaan from Ur, a Sumerian city-state. Fewer than 100,000 people were living in the area which was owned by Egypt but divided into little city-states, each with a king. The Israelite people came into being.
1300 - 1200 BCE
Due to famine, many Israelites migrated to Egypt where they were enslaved. They revolted and the exodus from Egypt to Canaan began under Moses. The conquest of Canaan was led by Joshua starting with the fall of Jericho, after which the Israelites divided the land between their twelve tribes.
1200 - 933 BCE
During the transition from nomads to settled farmers, the Israelites spent much time battling enemies, especially the Philistines, and were advised by various wise men known as Judges. Under a succession of kings, Saul, David and Solomon, the twelve tribes united to defeat the Philistines, expand their dominion and embark on a great building programme.
933 - 587 BCE
When Solomon died the rivalry that had simmered between the north and the south broke out and the realm split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel, made up of ten tribes, and the Southern Kingdom of Judea, made up of the other two. Israel was conquered by the Assyrians and Judea by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar, who destroyed their capital, Jerusalem, and King Solomon's Temple. During these conquests the majority of Israelites were exiled. The two tribes of Judea went to Babylon, but no-one knows what happened to the ten tribes of the north.
538 - 424 BCE
The Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Persians. Their benevolent ruler, Cyrus, gave the Judean exiles permission to return. A small group did so and rebuilt the land and the Temple under the leadership of various Hebrew prophets. Judea remained under Persian rule.
424 - 323 BCE
The kingdom of Macedonia took control of the other Greek city-states and, under Alexander the Great, marched through Egypt, Persia and Babylon, conquering all and spreading Greek culture. Israel's ruins show much evidence of this.
323 - 63 BCE
After the death of Alexander the Great, Judea was controlled first by the Ptolemy dynasty and then by the Seleucid dynasty, both founded by Alexander's generals. Under the Seleucids the conflict between Jewish and Hellenistic culture began in earnest. Eventually a Jewish revolt started, led by Mattathias of the house of Hasmon and his five sons who became known as the Maccabees (Hammers). Their victory resulted in a large Hasmonean dynasty, which ruled until the Romans defeated them.
63 BCE - 28 CE
Judea was divided into various political units under the control of the Romans: Pompey, Caesar, Antipater and Herod, whose tyrannical rule left a great legacy of building. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, was born in this period to a Jewish family in Bethlehem, brought up in Nazareth and preached around the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He was crucified in Jerusalem by order of the Roman general Pontius Pilate.
65 - 395 CE
The Jews revolted against the Romans but were crushed by the Roman general Vespasian and later, in 70 CE, by his son Titus. Jerusalem was captured and the Second Temple destroyed. For three years after that, small groups of Zealots fought on in Judea but the last fortress, at Masada, fell when the rebels could no longer resist and committed suicide rather than be taken prisoner. Rome renamed the land Palestine.
395 - 636
Christianity was spreading through the Roman Empire and became the official religion. The Roman Empire split into East and West, with Palestine in the Eastern half, ruled from Byzantium (Constantinople). In many parts of Israel, excavations have uncovered beautiful, colourful mosaics from the Byzantine era.
636 - 1099
The Muslim Arabs conquered the crumbling Persian and Byzantian empires and gained control of a large area which included Palestine. First the Umayyad dynasty, then the Abbasids and later Seljuk Turkish tribes ruled the empire and regarded Jerusalem as a holy city of Islam.
1099 - 1291
The Crusaders launched an attack on the Muslims and reinstated Christian rule in Palestine. The Jewish and Muslim communities in Palestine dwindled.
1291 - 1516
The Muslim Marmelukes, who had gained control of Egypt, defeated the Crusaders and became the new rulers of Palestine. Many Jews from Spain and later, Poland, came to Palestine, while the Christian community declined.
1516 - 1918
The Ottoman-Turks had captured Constantinople and they defeated the Marmelukes, gaining dominion over Syria, Egypt and Palestine. Both the Christian and Jewish communities in Palestine faded. In the nineteenth century, as a response to widespread oppression, Jewish nationalism developed in Poland and Russia, becoming known as Zionism. This led waves of pioneers to make their way to Palestine. The second wave of people developed a completely new type of collective agricultural settlement, called a kibbutz. During the First World War, the Allies supported the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine, recorded in the Balfour Declaration. However, the British had been secretly holding negotiations with the Arabs, supporting an Arab national home in Palestine, in order to enlist the Arabs' help in the war. When the Turks were defeated, Palestine became a British Mandate and was expected to move towards independence.
1918-1948
The first period of the mandate was relatively peaceful. After 1929, guerilla warfare became common as both Jews and Arabs began to assert their agreements with the British for a national home. After the Second World War, the United Nations drew up a plan to partition Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state, with Jerusalem under international control. The Jews accepted the plan but the Arabs rejected it and fighting broke out all over Palestine. On 14 May 1948 the British mandate ended and the Jewish State of Israel was proclaimed. Immediately the combined armies of Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan attacked the new state but were defeated. The result of this War of Independence was that of the land intended for the Arab state, Israel controlled some, Egypt controlled the Gaza strip and Jordan took half of Jerusalem and the West Bank. Most of the Palestinian Arabs became refugees in Gaza, the West Bank and surrounding Arab countries.
1948 - 1996
During these decades the new state developed rapidly. After the war of independence, Israel absorbed great numbers of Jews, many of them Sephardic refugees, thus trebling its population in a few years. In 1956 the Sinai War started, in which Israeli, French and English forces reacted against Egyptian president Nasser's nationalising of the Suez Canal, but withdrew at America's insistence. In 1964 the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) was formed, which sought an independent Palestinian state. Three years later the Six Day War began, resulting in Israel occupying the Golan Heights, Gaza Strip and West Bank. Almost a million Palestinians were now under Israeli control. In 1973 Egypt and Syria attacked an unprepared Israel which defeated them with American aid. The conservative Likud party came to power for the first time in 1977 and encouraged Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank. The Camp David Accords signed in America the following year marked the beginning of Egypt-Israel peace.
In 1982 Israel invaded Lebanon in search of PLO terrorists and the escalating war caused widespread opposition in Israel and the world. A 1987 road accident in the Gaza Strip sparked the Intifada; continuous Palestinian Arab street violence, demonstrations, strikes and intermittent terrorist attacks. During the next few years Israel absorbed about 400,000 Russian Jews in camps and temporary housing. The Gulf War began in 1991 and Saddam Hussein attacked Israel which did not retaliate. Later that year peace talks between Israel and Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians took place in Madrid but did not change much. The following year the Labour Party was voted to power under Yitzhak Rabin who announced his intention to stop Israeli settlement in the West Bank, promising Palestinian autonomy and starting the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area. In 1995 he was assassinated by a religious fundamentalist Jew, precipitating worldwide shock and dismay. After an election split down the centre by an almost equally divided public, the Likud Party under Binyamin Netanyahu gained power and has stopped discouraging Jewish settlement in the West Bank. The issue of Palestinian authority has stalled but the government insists it is still moving on the peace process.
Economy
Israel has a market economy with substantial government participation. Despite limited natural resources the agricultural and industrial sectors are highly developed. Most of the country is employed in the service industry, followed by industry, construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing.
The industrial sector consists of food processing, diamond cutting and polishing, textiles and apparel, chemicals, metal products, military, electrical and transport equipment, miscellaneous machinery, potash mining, high-tech electronics and tourism.
The agricultural sector produces citrus and other fruits, vegetables, cotton, beef, poultry and dairy products. Israel imports rough diamonds, crude oil, grains, raw materials and military equipment, and exports agricultural products, high-tech equipment, cut diamonds, chemicals, clothes and textiles.
Population
There are approximately 5,433,134 people living in Israel. This figure includes the West Bank and Gaza. Roughly 50% of the Jewish population were born in Israel while the rest are immigrants. Twothirds of the population live in the Tel Aviv area. Most people live in cities but a fair number live on kibbutzim and moshavim, collective agricultural settlements. There are small numbers of Bedouin Arabs, who are traditionally desert nomads although more and more are becoming semisettled. The people of Israel are temperamentally Meditteranean, noisy, fiery, friendly and argumentative. There is a casual atmosphere that leads not only to conflict with Western visitors over the concept of time, but also to the type of person who will go out of their way to be helpful (such as bus drivers who go off their route to drop a lost tourist or shout for someone on the bus to help with directions). Of course not everyone is like that, so beware of overfriendly, pushy people and use common sense.
Government
Israel is a parliamentary democracy and its government is divided into an executive branch, a legislative branch and a judicial branch.
The head of state is the president who is elected every five years by the parliament and whose duties are mostly ceremonial. At present the position is held by Ezer Weitzman. The country is run by the prime minister and his cabinet as well as a unicameral legislature called the Knesset (Assembly or Parliament). At the moment the prime minister is Binyamin Netanyahu. The law guarantees the complete independence of the courts, the highest of which is the Supreme Court.
The government is elected by all citizens over the age of 18 and the election system has recently changed. Voters now have two votes, one for the prime minister and one for their chosen party. The 120 seats in the Knesset are allocated according to the percentage of the popular vote received by each party. This proportional representational system is considered to be one of the most democratic in the world but also results in the winning party never having a clear majority, forcing it to run around forming coalitions with smaller parties which therefore have disproportionate influence. The two major parties in Israel are the Likud which grew out of Revisionist Zionism and is the ruling party at present, and the more leftwing Labour, now the opposition. Tourists are allowed to watch sessions of the Knesset at certain times.
Israel is divided into six administrative provinces: Central, Haifa, Jerusalem, Northern, Southern and Tel Aviv. At present the Gaza Strip and Jericho are administered by Palestinian authority. The West Bank outside of Jericho is administered jointly by Israel and the Palestinian authority.
The government states that its future goal is peace with security, meaning that it is not intending the speedy removal of Israeli settlements and troops in the West Bank.
The primary dispute facing the government is the issue of a Palestinian state and it is under pressure from the Palestinians and the world to facilitate this. Another dispute area is Syria's insistence that Israel relinquishes the Golan Heights before it will consider peace.
Language
The official language is Hebrew, and Arabic is spoken by 15% of the population. English is widely spoken with varying levels of fluency. Russian and Yiddish can be heard among the Russian immigrants and older people and many people of North African origin speak French.
Religion
The majority of Israeli citizens (82%) are Jewish and within that broad parameter they are divided into Ashkenazi Jews whose origins are in Eastern and Central Europe, and Sephardi Jews whose origins are in Spain and North Africa. Most Jews are secular (nonreligious) but there is a strong Orthodox contingent. There are small but growing groups of Conservative and Reform Judaism. Muslims make up 14% of the population and they are mostly Sunnis. The rest of the population is made up of Christians, Druze (a separate sect of Muslims), Baha'is (a fairly recent religion incorporating elements from other religions) and others. It is important for tourists to dress modestly at all religious sites and in the predominantly Muslim areas.
Art & Culture
Israel's culture is a mix of Western and Middle Eastern elements. The country is covered with archaeological remnants of various eras. You can join an archaeological dig for fun although your chances of finding an awesome specimen are slim. The architecture in the cities is another indication of the marks that different civilisations have left on this country. Almost every town and city has a museum, large or small. They deal with natural history, the fauna and flora of an area, social history, the arts, the main activities of an area and many other subjects. Don't miss the Israel Museum, Yad VaShem (Museum of the Holocaust), the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, Beit HaTfutzot (Museum of the Diaspora), and the art galleries in Jaffa. Theatres and art galleries exhibiting local art abound in the cities. Most theatre performances are in Hebrew, although a few are in English. Music is an integral part of Israeli life and there are a number of excellent city orchestras. You can attend concerts of classical, jazz, rock and Israeli folk music. Since the influx of exSoviet Jews, street violinists are a common sight, playing beautiful music in exchange for a few shekels in their upturned caps.
Food & Drink
Israel's cuisine is a blend of Middle Eastern, Western, Moroccan, Eastern European, and Indian tastes. The national food is falafel, a fried chickpea ball, usually eaten in a pita bread with salads and techina, a sauce also made from chickpeas. Also synonymous with Israel and the rest of the Middle East is shwarma, bits of cutup meat and salad in pita, and humus, a thick paste eaten with bread or pita. Most restaurants observe the Jewish dietary laws (kashrut) which require the separation of meat and milk, so they are either meat or dairy restaurants. Israel is vegetarianfriendly as the quality of the fruit, vegetables and dairy products is excellent, and vegetarian cooking is helped on by the keepingkosher issue. There are loads of frozen yoghurt places which sell utterly delicious creamy frozen yoghurt mixed with ingredients of your choice: raspberries, figs, nuts, halva (a sweet made from sesame), chocolate, bananas, strawberries and more. Salads here often do not contain lettuce, and are mainly chopped tomatoes and cucumbers, or red cabbage, with plump, juicy olives. Restaurants are generally casual places (there are not many places in Israel where you have to dress up). Sea food, with the exception of fish, is not kosher, so you won't find much of it. Enjoy shopping at the shuks which sell good fruit and vegetables, a large variety of nuts and delicious pastries and rolls. For Westerners who get homesick, there are many burger and pizza places, and quite a few McDonald's. Some are kosher and some are not, so a cheeseburger is possible.
Entertainment
Details of entertainment are given for each region. All major cities and towns have cinemas, and most have films showing in English or with English subtitles. Pubs and nightclubs abound, especially in Tel Aviv, Eilat, Tiberias and Jerusalem. Nightclubs usually charge a fee, although a few don't charge women. In summer, pubs and cafes have outdoor seating, pedestrian malls are full of street performances and crowds of tourists, and there are often outdoor concerts in parks and other venues.
Shopping
Shopping is supremely satisfying in Israel, as there is something to suit every taste and pocket. Choose to shop at smart designer shops in city shopping malls or the traditional market (shuk), with its narrow lanes of stalls. Here you will be able to haggle and buy cheaper goods than in the shops, but check for rubbish. Don't be intimidated by loud and franticallygesturing vendors. You can find good bargains in the shuks: silver and bead jewellery, rugs, bags, ornaments and leather items. Famous shuks are those in Jaffa, Be'ersheva, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The clothing shops sell fashionable things (always up to date with Western styles), some local and some imported. The Israeli swimwear line, Gottex, is well known for quality. There are lots of little specialist shops lining the streets of cities. Look out for shoes, glassware, ceramics, gold and Judaica.
Sport
Popular sports in Israel are hiking, climbing, swimming, waterskiing, snorkelling, diving, sailing, white water rafting, snow skiing (in winter only) and camel riding. There are also various centres for tennis and squash, and a golf course in Cesarea. There are a number of good sports facilities in the cities, especially around Tel Aviv, and the Canada Centre in Metulla has some top facilities. For more information about sports in Israel, contact:
The Israel Sportforall Association
5 Warburger Street
PO Box 56200
Tel Aviv 61560
Tel. 972-3-528-1968
Shows & Festivals
March
Purim, the commemoration of the Jews' salvation from the Persians by Queen Esther, is celebrated throughout the country, with pageants, processions and traditi |
