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Israel Issue

Bringing Israel's most important news to the world in 50 languages

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Bringing Israel's most important news to the world in 50 languages

Israel's Week, Explained in 5 Minutes

Every week we gather Israel's most important stories across politics, security, the economy, tech and startups, culture and travel, and put them in context. There is no race for breaking news here. You get a clear timeline and the background you need, with the facts cross-checked across several outlets.

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Israel GuideEssential facts, not news

Country basics

Capital
Jerusalem (seat of government; status disputed internationally)
Population
About 10 million
Area
About 22,000 km²
Language · Script
Hebrew (official), Arabic (special status) · Hebrew alphabet
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Currency
New shekel (ILS, ₪)
Time zone
UTC+2 (IST) · UTC+3 (IDT) from late March to late October

Emergency & help lines

Police
100
Ambulance (Magen David Adom)
101
Fire & rescue
102
Home Front Command
104

Traveler essentials

Country code
+972
Voltage · Plug
230V 50Hz · Type H (Type C also fits)
Driving side
Right-hand traffic
Weekend
Friday–Saturday (Shabbat); work week Sunday–Thursday
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Major cities
Jerusalem · Tel Aviv-Yafo · Haifa · Rishon LeZion · Petah Tikva · Ashdod · Netanya · Beersheba

Public holidays

Tishrei 1–2 (Sep/Oct)
Rosh Hashanah, Jewish New Year (2 days)
Tishrei 10
Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement
Tishrei 15
Sukkot, first day
Tishrei 22
Shemini Atzeret · Simchat Torah
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Nisan 15 (Mar/Apr)
Passover (Pesach), first day
Nisan 21
Passover, seventh day
Iyar 5 (Apr/May)
Independence Day (Yom Ha'atzmaut); the date may move by a day or two
Sivan 6 (May/Jun)
Shavuot
Other communities
Muslim, Christian and Druze holidays are rest days for members of those communities

Israel Issue · Updated daily · 50 languages · Cross-checked sources · Corrections published

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