Introducing Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Travel Alert: The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office recommends against all travel to some areas, please check with your relevant national government.
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Israel, or Palestine depending on your politics, is one of the world’s oldest travel destinations. Everyone from Moses to Mark Twain has dreamed of going there. The appearance of prophets seems to be dwindling and the Crusaders have long since hung up their swords and shields, but travellers still come in droves, almost magnetically, to this land still considered holy by countless millions.
The appeal of Israel’s ancient and holy past may be obvious enough but many new arrivals are surprised to see that it’s much more than a lesson in history. While Jerusalem is a dazzling amalgam of past and present, and a contested hotbed for the world's monotheistic faiths, the whole country is a tightly packed ball of everything from Mt Masada and the Negev desert to the beaches of Eilat. On a leisurely weekend you could surf, ski, sip wine, ride horses, go clubbing in Tel-Aviv or enjoy some cutting-edge theatre – and that’s just the start. You can also work on a kibbutz, volunteer at a West Bank school, float in the Dead Sea, hike across the Israel National Trail…
Like the patchwork of new arrivals at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel is an amalgamation of peoples who arrived over centuries of time, each one staking their claim to the land. Territorial disputes led to violence, which in turn made for some epic accounts in the Bible – not terribly dissimilar to what is playing out on nightly newscasts where you are today. But contrary to popular belief, Israel is not a war zone to be avoided, and it has such rigid security that travel is surprisingly safe.
Somewhere along the line, politics and the bitter facts of life in this uncertain land will nudge their way into your trip. And while Israelis and Palestinians love nothing more than to argue, muse and prognosticate over the latest political currents, it’s best to leave your own opinions at the door. Enter the Holy Land on a clean slate and you’ll never watch the nightly news the same way again.
Last updated: Mar 29, 2012
Tips & articles
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Cycling the Tel Aviv coast
28 February 2012
The best way to explore the cosmopolitan Israeli city of Tel Aviv is by bicycle. Not only is the inner...
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A Biblical guide to the West Bank
27 February 2012
A trip to the historic lands of Judea and Samaria – the modern-day West Bank – is like walking through...
See all tips & articles for Israel & the Palestinian Territories
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: Allenby Crossing from Jordan to Palestinian territories
by Shuffaluff 27 May 2012
You don't need a +separate+ visa to the Palestinian territories. You +might+ need a visa for Israel (which will include the Palestinian…
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RE: Allenby Crossing from Jordan to Palestinian territories
by Shuffaluff 27 May 2012
You don't need a +separate+ visa to the Palestinian territories. You +might+ need a visa for Israel (which will include the Palestinian…
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RE: Travel from Masada to Eilat on a Saturday
by Shuffaluff 27 May 2012
Yes, today (now ended) was a holiday in Israel, which is why nobody was answering the phones. Normal service resumes Monday morning, May…
See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Israel & the Palestinian Territories
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Israel & the Palestinian Territories
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Our Top Picks For Israel & the Palestinian Territories
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1 Jerusalem
One of the world's great holy cities, oozing with history, spirituality and intangible drama
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2 Nazareth
Stomping ground of a young Jesus and now an Arab city of winding lanes and archaic churches
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3 The Galilee
Spectacular lake with much Christian lore attached to it, best seen by bicycle
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4 Tel Aviv
Pulsating metropolis of all-night discos, sophisticated restaurants and a youthful vibe that's both cutting edge and counterculture
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5 Akko
Legendary walled city of crusading knights, jail breaks, secret tunnels and sea views
Fast Facts about Israel & the Palestinian Territories
- Lowest spot on earth
Dead Sea (400m below sea level and dropping)
- Human Development Index rank
23rd out of 177 countries
- Religion
Israel – 76% Jewish, 16% Muslim, 2% Christian, 1.6% Druze, 3.9% unspecified; Palestinian Territories – 95% Muslim, 5% Christian
- Population
6.4 million (Gaza Strip and West Bank 3.8 million)
- GDP per capita
24, 600 (2005)
- Major exports
military hardware, machinery, computer software, cut diamonds, phosphates
- Percentage of Israelis born in Israel
68%
- Tourists per year
about 1.5 million (accounting for US$3 billion in revenue)
- Israel’s air force
the world’s fourth largest (after the USA, Russia and China)
- GDP growth
5.2% in 2005
Our favourite Israel & the Palestinian Territories Blogs (beta)
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Lady in Tel Aviv
Blog: A Lady in London - 3 May 2012
Tel Aviv wasn’t what I thought of when I thought of Israel. After a great stay in traditional, religious Jerusalem, I kind of expected more of the same. But when I traveled to Tel Aviv by sherut, or shared taxi, I discovered a place as cosmopolitan and trendy as any beachside city on the Mediterranean. [...]
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Lady in Jerusalem
Blog: A Lady in London - 30 April 2012
In the homestretch of my 90 under 30 Travel Project, I visited countries in Southeast Asia in February and South America in March. With time running out, I focused my April travel on the Middle East, making Israel the 89th country on my list. In honor of counting countries, I will write about my travels [...]
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Remnants of an Ancient Roman Encampment Near Mount Masada, Israel
Blog: Everything Everywhere - 9 January 2012
Originally posted on the Everything Everywhere Travel Blog. Discover great travel quotes.
