Israel - Country Information

Film Commissions

Israel Film Fund
Tel: 3 562 81 80 Fax: 3 562 59 92
E-mail: info@filmfund.org.il
Website: www.filmfund.org.il
Executive-Director: Katriel Schory

Permits/visas
Shooting in the big cities requires co-ordination with the Mayor's Office. Each major city council has a department dealing with this. For driving scenes or street-blocking a police presence is required. Shooting in airports requires the Israel Airports Authority's authorisation.

Recent productions
Love Life, Live & Become.

General Information

Location: Middle East
Local Time: GMT+2
From 27 Sep 09 to 26 Mar 10 GMT +2
From 26 Mar 10 to 12 Sep 10 GMT +3
From 12 Sep 10 to 01 Apr 11 GMT +2
From 01 Apr 11 to 02 Oct 11 GMT +3
From 11 Oct 11 to 30 Mar 11 GMT +2
From 30 Mar 12 to 23 Sep 12 GMT +3
Capital City: Jerusalem
Population: 6 million
Area: 20,770 square km, 8,019 square miles.
Language(s): Hebrew, Arabic, English, Russian
Dialling Code: 972
Emergency: Police: 100. Fire: 102. Ambulance: 101
Directory Enquiries: 144
TV Standard: PAL
Driving: Driving is on the right. National licence required. International Driving Permit recommended
Electricity: 220V AC 50Hz

Business & Currency

Currency: New Israeli Shekel (ILS 1 = 100 Agorot)
Notes: ILS: 20, 50, 100, 200
Coins: ILS: 1, 5, 10. Agorot: 5, 10, 50

Credit Cards/Travellers Cheques: Credit cards and travellers cheques are accepted as well as USD & GBP. Foreign currency can be exchanged at authorised banks and money changers

Opening Hours
Bank: 0830-1200 & 1600-1800 Sun-Tue & Thur, 0830-1230 Wed, 0830-1200 Fri (some banks vary)
Office:
Shops: 0900-1900 Sun-Thur, 0900-1400 Fri (Muslim stores close Fri, Jewish stores close Sat & Jewish festivals)

Public Holidays
2010
28 Feb Purim, 30 Mar Pesach (Passover), 19 Apr Yom Ha'Atzmaut (Israel Independence Day), 19 May Shavuot (Pentecost), 9 Sep -10 Sep Rosh Hashana (New Year), 18 Sep Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), 29 Oct Sukkot (Tabernacles), 1 Oct Simchat Torah, 2 Dec - 9 Dec Chanukah (Festival of Lights).

Note
*Only the first and last days of Passover and Sukkot are national holidays, but there may be some disruption on intermediate dates; many shops and businesses may open but close early. The festival of Chanukah is a holiday period, but it is not a national holiday - businesses remain open. Jewish festivals always commence on the evenings before the dates given above. The Jewish religious day is Saturday (Shabbat) and begins at nightfall on Friday until nightfall on Saturday. Most public services and shops close early on Friday as a result. Muslim and Christian holidays are also observed by the respective populations. Thus, depending on the district, the day of rest falls on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

Business/Social Hints: Many executives speak several languages including English, French and German. Visitors should be perceptive to unfamiliar religious customs and conventions. There are specially designated smoking areas. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be reasonably punctual and dress as for business meetings unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years

Tipping: By law, a service charge of around 10% is included in restaurant & hotel bills, therefore tips are not required

Health

Reciprocal health:

Compulsory vaccinations: None.

Recommended immunisations: Diphtheria*, hepatitis A, hepatitis B*, tetanus, typhoid*, rabies
* recommended in some circumstances, travellers making 3 or more visits per year, stays of more than 3 months in a rural area, high-risk occupational groups & backpackers staying more than 1 month.

Risks: Rabies.

Airports

Passport & Visa

The following details relate to holders of adult normal passports (requirements for children may be different), if any other type of passport or travel document is held, entry requirements should be checked with the relevant embassy or consulate

Passports

Required by all

Passport Validity: Passports must be valid 6 months from date of arrival

Passport Notes: Former nationals of Israel holding a foreign passport must have written proof of having given up Israeli nationality

Visas

The following DO NOT require a visa:

1) Nationals of Israel

2) For stays up to 3 months by:

a) Holders of British passports

b) Nationals of Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central African Rep, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Dominican Rep, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Hong Kong (SAR), Iceland, Ireland Rep, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Uruguay & Vanuatu

Notes: Visitors must hold onward/return tickets and sufficient funds for stay

Air Transit

Required by all except those as noted above

Notes: There are no facility available, therefore a transit visa is required by all passengers who require a visa

Exit Permits

Special Notes

Persons wishing to proceed to an Arab country other than Egypt, Jordan or United Emirates after visiting Israel should ensure their passport does not contain an Israeli visa or stamp

Climate

Northern Israel has a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild wet winters. On the coast summer temperatures and humidity can be oppressive but are tempered by sea breezes. Winters are mild with frost and snow a rarity. Inland, rainfall is heavier with cool nights but a drier, more comfortable heat in the summer. In the south there is virtually no rainfall. Winter nights can be quite chilly but summers are very hot with clear skies

Clothing

Lightweights for warmer months. Mediumweights for winter, although on the Red Sea coast they are unlikely to be necessary during the day

Charts for Jerusalem

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Max Temp (C) 18 13 18 23 27 29 32 31 29 27 21 15 Min Temp (C) 8 6 8 10 14 16 19 18 17 15 12 7 Humidity am (%) 77 74 61 56 47 48 52 58 61 60 65 73 Humidity pm (%) 66 58 57 41 33 32 35 36 36 37 50 60 Rainfall (mm) 132 132 64 28 3 0 0 0 0 13 71 85

Temperature (C) Rainfall (mm) Humidity (%)

Representative

UK Tourist Office
Israel Government Tourist Office
UK House, 180 Oxford Street
London, W1D 1NN
tel: +44 20 7299 1111
fax: +44 20 7299 1112
e-mail: info@igto.co.uk
website: www.thinkisrael.com

Embassy
Embassy of Israel
2 Palace Green
London, W8 4QB
tel: +44 20 7957 9500
fax: +44 20 7957 9555
e-mail: info-assist@london.mfa.gov.il
website: www.london.mfa.gov.il
www.israel-embassy.org.uk

Consular Section
15a Old Court Place, Kensington
London, W8 4QB
tel: +44 20 7957 9626
fax: +44 20 7957 9577
hours: 1000-1330 (Mon-Thur), 1000-1230 (Fri)