Israel: General

I spent two weeks in Israel over Christmas and New Year 2004/05. I lost count of the times people thanked me for going there at a time when so many are afraid. There really isn't any need to be afraid. The last suicide bomb attack in Israeli territory was in September, and nearly all cases of violence break out in isolated areas which are easy to avoid as a traveller. A trip to Israel can take in Egypt and Jordan as day trips, although with an Israeli ...
...most other Arabic countries. Apparently you can ask immigration officials to not stamp your passport, but I arrived bleary eyed and hungover at 5am and the stamp was dry before I registered that anything had happened. You will more than likely be flying El Al from the UK to Israel. Get to the airport early, be prepared to be questioned, and don't take it personally. El Al are known for being the most security conscious airline in the world, understandably ...

MissDirect 27.01.2005 (30.10.2007) · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

This city is called with different names according to the language used. In the Bible it was called "Joppa", in Hebrew is "Yafo", in Arab is "Jaffa" (and in my review I will use the name "Jaffa"). Jaffa is the oldest city located along the Mediterranean shore, and its port was on duty since the Egyptian and Phoenician ages. Archaeological excavations discovered findings 4.000 years old and according to such recovers it quite sure that Jaffa has ...
..."beautiful" and it is true because from any side to watch this city you find it always beautiful. As in any place with more than one religion also for Jaffa the origin of the name and of the city has different interpretations. According to the archaeological findings the city has been founded by the Canaanites but according to the Old Testament was Jafet, one of Noah sons, the founder of Jaffa that began the establishment of the city just after ...

traveller55 22.06.2005 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

I love this country. not only because i was born there but mainly because it is what the bible says it is : Paradise. for me being in london right now indoors (raining again) is like putting a lion in a box just a bit bigger then the lion and expect it to be happy. i am that lion and i miss lots of things in israel but i'll only share one trip i have done (a track) with some family members about two years ago (just before coming to london). well, ...
...and learned a lot from it and one of the things i took with me from being there is the love for survival skills, navigation, and the ability to be in the wierdest situations and come out alive. and so one of my biggest hobbys became nature trips (with not too much aquipment and lots of skills). this time we went to the south of israel, to the dead sea area. whenever someone mentions the dead sea people think about the metzada mountain but that's ...

talconstruction 05.11.2008 (06.11.2008) · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Israel is a country at war with its self at the moment, as you all know lots of internal politics involved. Behind this there is such a wonderful country with really nice passionate people. Israelis are genuinely friendly people what ever religion they are, they will help you if they can. On a recent visit an Israeli soldier was most helpful in recommending somewhere to eat and gave concise instructions in near perfect English. Jerusalem is at ...
...by an ancient wall. There are 4 ways in to old Jerusalem through four gates, which are all worth a visit particularly the Damascus gate overlooking the Church of Gethsemane just outside the city. I have to mention the Wailing Wall where every one comes to pray from tourists to the locals, you are provided with a carpel to cover your head while praying a local custom. The Dead Sea is about 1 hour drive from Jerusalem just next to the Syrian border, ...

richardjmeek 23.01.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

After last week’s questionable assassination of admitted murderer Sheik Yassin, it’s nice to remember some of the positive contributions Israel is making to the world – some of them quite remarkable for a country that was established only 55 years ago. Israel has a total population of around six million with Israeli Arabs making up over 25% of that amount. The total area of Israel excluding the occupied territories is just under 21,000 square kilometers. ...
...is over a million square kilometers. Israel has the highest number of university degrees per capita in the world. In 1969, Golda Meir became the world’s second elected female leader. Apart from the US and Canada, Israel has more companies listed on the NASDAQ than any other country. After the bombing of the American Embassy in Nairobi in 1998, Israeli rescue teams were at the scene within 24 hours and helped rescue several victims from the rubble. ...

Gravel 29.03.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Going to israel is not like going on a package holiday to Malaga. For a start there is the intensive security grilling you get from the automaton like El-Al stewards where you are warned not to associate with 'local people'. This takes a while. When you finally approach Ben Gurion airport many of the passengers will start singing Ha-Tikvah believing they are returning to their roots. If you want to forget about any ongoing Israeli-palestinian conflict ...
...between New York and Barcelona with some unfortunately rotting German Bauhaus architecture thrown in. the nightlife and the attitudes are western, it is a good place to hang out. As you go and visit the rest of the country on the efficient good value Egged buses, you see how efficiently the Israelis have tamed this land and how neatly their towns, cities, kibbutzim, Moshavim and villages have been arranged in contrast to the more naturalistic israeli ...

blinderben 15.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Israel was one of the most popular holiday destinations. But now it has been severely hit by all of the violent clashes between the Israelis and Arabs. There is still a lot to do though in Israel. For example in Jerusalem, both the capital of Israel and the most holy place for many religions. There is the Golden Mosque, the Wailing (Western) Wall and the traditional streets with the markets. There are also many other towns to visit, like Haifa and ...
...very hot. They can go for months upon months without having any rain. Even though it may sound great, it is very important when you are there to drink plenty of water. Sometimes, if you pour some water on the ground, it will take only a matter of seconds for it to totally evaporate. When you get there you will have a great time- but getting there you will have a nightmare. The national airline El- Al only flies from London Heathrow. That means that ...

somebodyrandom 03.08.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

i recently travelled to israel and occupied palestine, and would strongly reccomend that people avoid the place until a just political solution is agreed to the satisfaction of all parties. My main reason of visiting was to see the holy land, which was admittedly breathtaking and awe inspiring i visited most of the christian sites and the wonderful al aqsa mosque. However i must say that the reception i received from the israeli authorities and ...
...airport you are looked upon with suspicion if you are a foreigner, i was manhandled and asked rude questions. The attitudes of the Israeli general public was what starled me the most however, they are rude brash, racist and arrogant all this from a nation which has been despised throughout the world, persecuted and been the victims of the holocaust. Arab christians and muslims are treated like 2nd class citizens in jerusalem it reminded me very ...

laline72 14.12.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Israel, such a wodnerful country. I have come across Israel 3 times on my travels. twice when i was young and once last summer, a relaxing three week break in Haifa. Its such a shame what is happening at the moment. There are so many lovely people, who i thought were happily living in a multicultural society. But what some people tend not to realise is that the Israeli and Palestinian civilians live side by side in most towns and cities with no violence ...
...for a wonderful break, but i would only recommend between 7-12 days. there is not much to do, unless you enjoy lazing around the pool and getting a great tan! Israel is such a unique country. it is one of only a few where everything is open until late. the usual time that people go out on a night out over there, is the time the pubs shut over here!! everywhere is air conditioned- which is a great luxury in the summer! and the malls and other shops/markets ...

smileykylie 02.02.2001 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

ISRAEL Where ancient history meets modern culuture. Israel , a holy land often spoken about on the news. Especially these days where the Hamas attacking this small country daily with rockets and missels. Only in terms of the conflct in the Middle East. Ok lets forget about this mini war and mentioned some great cities to visit in ISRAEL. Tel Aviv is a modern city in the central of Israel. They are great shops, several Hotels on the beach , outdoors ...
...the DOME of the Rockand Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It's a port city which have it own culture and personality. They are several Arabs live in this city therefore it's amazing clolorful city. Jerusalem, the Capital of Israel, is home of the Jerusalem University, the Parliment, The Hoicast Mesuem, and certainly the Old City Of Jerusalem which have the Wall of the destroyed Temple. Again This city is extremely coloful due to the mix culutre of ...

iloveyou01 02.02.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Israel is one of the most geographically and culturally diverse countries in the world, with a little something to suit everyone's tastes. Jerusalem (see my separate review 'The Incredible Melting Pot') is one of life's 'must-see' places, but the country has a lot more to offer than that. Tel-Aviv is a modern, cosmopolitan city with a fabulous beach that is crowded with jamming musicians on a Friday night for the regular beach parties. The Galilee ...
...drive from the coast, and has endless placenames you will recognise from Sunday school. There are some nice hikes around the lake out of Tiberius. The Negev desert area has camel rides and bedouin tea tents, and Eilat is the place for a cheesy chips-and-beer weekend. There is even skiing on Mt Hermon. See my separate reviews for Eilat, Tel-Aviv, Haifa and the Dead Sea. Visit in May or September for the most pleasant weather and to minimise the ...

Matoqah 31.07.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Israel and the U.S. share the fundamental principles of freedom and equality. Both nations were established by immigrants, who sought freedom from oppression, and both are rooted in the tenets of democracy, human dignity, individual rights and religious freedom. Israel is the only country in the Middle East where all citizens, including Arabs, have representation in the government, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and women's rights. Israel ...
...dominated by authoritarian and military regimes, and stands out as the only country in the region with regular, competitive elections. Israel is the only country in the Middle East that the U.S. can fully count on. Unlike other "allies" in the region, Israel continuously stands with the U.S. and supports its international policy. ...

anthonyReyo 09.09.2004 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General

Whether or not you’re a believer, the Holy Land has something for you. It is a place of enormous diversity, buzzing with life from people of all different national origins, speaking a variety of exotic languages, and belonging to just about every religion. If you’re looking for something very modern, with wild night-life, etc., go to Tel Aviv. If you want to know more about the country’s spiritual associations, Jerusalem is the place. Looking for ...
...An amazing seaside experience can be had at the Dead Sea. I really enjoyed Israel. It is quite easy and relatively cheap to get around on the country’s Egged Buses. There are plenty of archaeological sites to see, although some of them are rather expensive to get in to. Don’t forget to try the country’s main snack food – falafel. It is made from chick-peas in a type of bread that reminds you of Greek pitas. ...

johnpaul1968 16.08.2000 · Read full review
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Review of Israel: General