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| Israel Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Arch Cliff in the Galilee Arch Cliff in the Galilee Mark Treston Israel is a beautiful country and a great place to visit. The country has marvelous old cities, good beaches and plenty of culture, history and holy places... and really good food. Israel is bordered by Egypt in the south, Lebanon in the North and Jordan and Syria in the East. Jerusalem will be high on any list of favourite destinations and with good reason: in the old city there are many places of worship and other holy places. Be sure to go to Mount Scopus (the original campus location for Hebrew University) and get an incredible view of the Old City. While there, go to the other side of the university campus (near the amphitheater) and look out over the Judean Desert towards Jordan. On good visibility days you can see the Dead Sea in the distance and the Moab mountains of Jordan just beyond. Tel Aviv is the place to party. It has good beaches, top cuisine restaurants and excellent nightlife, probably the best to be found within a circle of a few thousand kilometers. The north of Israel is worth exploring: the Sea of Galilee, Nazareth and the towns of Tiberias, Acre (aka Akko), Haifa and the disputed area of the Golan Heights are the most important stops on your itinerary to the North. The south offers the enormous Negev desert and the Dead Sea. In the southernmost point of Israel, the Red Sea beach resort of Eilat is a tourist hot spot. Located at the very bottom tip of Israel, this is a popular fun-in-the-sun vacation spot. Not to be missed is snorkeling or SCUBA diving at Hof Almog (Coral Beach) right on the border between Israel and Egypt. Areas administered by the Palestinian Authority are not part of Israel but can only be reached from that country. Cities like Nablus, Jenin, Hebron (in Arabic called al Khalil), Jericho, Bethlehem and Ramallah are dealt with in the guide about the Palestinian Authority. Climate in Israel: The Israeli climate is temperate, and temperatures all year round are reasonable. Israel has two main seaons: Winter from November to March, is cold and rainy in most parts of the country; Summer from April to October is hot and dry with little or no rainfall. The desert areas can be extremly hot in summer time. The best time to visit is March-June or October-November, although climate shouldn't be a major consideration in choosing a time to visit. Israel is definitely worth visting, and just remember to have a lot of fun. Tel Aviv Hotels can be found at http://www.atlas.co.il www.ensembletour.com Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: Israel __________--Sights Edit This Raw Art Gallery, for Israeli contemporary art in Tel Aviv. Raw Art Gallery is a young and innovative Israeli contemporary art gallery, dedicated to exhibit and promote emerging and cutting-edge contemporary Israeli and international artists locally and worldwide. http://www.rawartint.com _________Getting Around Edit This One of the best ways to get around Israel is by train and buses. Sure, a car will get you from point A to point B directly, but the trains are so much fun and do not stop for traffic. Israel has pushed forward in modernizing its train system. For train schedules, fees, and lines, go to: www.israrail.org.il From the Ben Gurion International Airport to the Northern most city of Naharia, many places are accesible by new double decker trains. It would only cost a few dollars to travel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem or Haifa. It also a great place to strike up a conversation with Israelis. The trains are extremely safe and has a clean track record. Contributors March 02, 2006 new by markintelaviv (4 points) [Add Local transport mode] Buses in Israel Edit This Buses in Israel are a great way to get around. There are several companies that operate in Israel including Eged, Dan, Kavim, and a few other smaller companies. In the urban areas buses are very convenient and safe. Don't listen to Israelis who complain about the system. They have no idea how bad it is in other countries. Eged, the red buses, runs both intercity buses and intracities lines in Jerusalem, Haifa, and other smaller cities. The Tel Aviv region is mostly operated by the blue Dan buses and Kavim, a smaller firm. World66 rating: [rate it] url: www.egged.co.il Taxis in Israel Edit This There are two types of taxis in Israel . The first is the normal taxi (car - sometimes called 'special' or 'speezial') which are now regulated, and are white with the registration number printed on the side of the vehicle in orange. All normal taxis have a meter and by law, must turn the meter on without being asked. (Tafeel Mone Bevakasha!). Taxis can be flagged down anywhere or ordered by telephone. If you are going a long distance, then it may be worth haggling. You don't have to tip in Israel but a few shekels are always appreciated. Taxis more.. World66 rating: [rate it] email: butterfly28@vtmail.com __________Economy Edit This Economy—overview: Israel has a technologically advanced market economy with substantial government participation. It depends on imports of crude oil grains raw materials and military equipment. Despite limited natural resources Israel has intensively developed its agricultural and industrial sectors over the past 20 years. Manufacturing and construction employ about 28% of Israeli workers; agriculture forestry and fishing only 2.6%; and services the rest. Israel is largely self-sufficient in food production except for grains. Diamonds high-technology equipment and agricultural products (fruits and vegetables) are leading exports. Israel usually posts sizable current account deficits which are covered by large transfer payments from abroad and by foreign loans. Roughly half of the government's external debt is owed to the US which is its major source of economic and military aid. To earn needed foreign exchange Israel has been targeting high-technology niches in international markets such as medical scanning equipment. The influx of Jewish immigrants from the former USSR topped 750 000 during the period 1989-97 bringing the population of Israel from the former Soviet Union to one million or one-sixth of the total population. Initially this great influx increased unemployment intensified housing problems and strained the government budget. At the same time the immigrants bring to the economy scientific and professional expertise of substantial value for the future. GDP: purchasing power parity—$96.7 billion (1997 est.) GDP—real growth rate: 1.9% (1997 est.) GDP—per capita: purchasing power parity—$17 500 (1997 est.) GDP—composition by sector: agriculture: 2% industry: 17% services: 81% (1997 est.) Inflation rate—consumer price index: 2.4% (2004) Labor force: total: 2.3 million (1997) by occupation: public services 31.3% manufacturing 20.2% finance and business 13.1% commerce 12.8% construction 7.5% personal and other services 6.4% transport storage and communications 6.2% agriculture forestry and fishing 2.6% (1996) Unemployment rate: 7.7% (1997) Budget: revenues: $55 billion expenditures: $58 billion including capital expenditures of $NA (1998 est.) Industries: food processing diamond cutting and polishing textiles and apparel chemicals metal products military equipment transport equipment electrical equipment potash mining high-technology electronics tourism Industrial production growth rate: 5.4% (1996) Electricity—capacity: 7.736 million kW (1996) Electricity—production: 32.5 billion kWh (1996) Electricity—consumption per capita: 5 387 kWh (1995) Agriculture—products: citrus and other fruits vegetables cotton; beef poultry dairy products Exports: total value: $20.7 billion (f.o.b. 1997) commodities: machinery and equipment cut diamonds chemicals textiles and apparel agricultural products metals partners: EU 32% US 31% Japan 7% (1996) Imports: total value: $28.6 billion (c.i.f. 1997) commodities: military equipment investment goods rough diamonds oil consumer goods partners: EU 52% US 20% Japan (1996) Debt—external: $18.7 billion (1997) Economic aid: recipient: $1.2 billion (1997) from the US Currency: 1 new Israeli shekel (NIS) = 100 new agorot Exchange rates: new Israeli shekels (NIS) per US$1— 4.3 (January 2004) 3.5340 (December 1997) 3.4494 (1997) 3.1917 (1996) 3.0113 (1995) 3.0111 (1994) 2.8301 (1993) Fiscal year: calendar year (since 1 January 1992) __________People Edit This Yemenite Jewish man blowing a goat's horn Yemenite Jewish man blowing a goat's horn Unknown Population: 6,900,000(may 2005 est.) Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 814 558; female 776 630) 15-64 years: 62% (male 1 751 111; female 1 745 499) 65 years and over: 10% (male 239 658; female 316 510) (July 1998 est.) Population growth rate: 1.91% (1998 est.) Birth rate: 19.99 births/1 000 population (1998 est.) Death rate: 6.19 deaths/1 000 population (1998 est.) Net migration rate: 5.25 migrant(s)/1 000 population (1998 est.) Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female (1998 est.) Infant mortality rate: 8.02 deaths/1 000 live births (1998 est.) Life expectancy at birth: total population: 78.41 years male: 76.52 years female: 80.39 years (1998 est.) Total fertility rate: 2.71 children born/woman (1998 est.) Nationality: noun: Israeli(s) adjective: Israeli Ethnic groups: Jewish 82% (Israel-born 50% Europe/Americas/Oceania-born 20% Africa-born 7% Asia-born 5%) non-Jewish 18% (mostly Arab) (1993 est.) Religions: Judaism 82% Islam 14% (mostly Sunni Muslim) Christian 2% Druze and other 2% Languages: Official: Hebrew and Arabic. English most commonly used foreign language. Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 95% male: 97% female: 93% (1992 est.) Geographical breakdown: Jews live in every part of the country. More interestingly is where the minorities live. Bedouins: These nomadic people are found all over the South in the Negev desert. Almost all are Muslim with a small size of Christians around Mt. Sinai (St. Catherine). There are also Bedouins in the Galil (North) and the center of the country. Sunni Muslims: The largest centers of Sunni Muslims are found on the hills of the center of the country and in the major cities of Nazareth, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Acko. Christians: There are over twenty denominations of Christians in Israel. Christians are found in almost every corner of Israel but especially in the Galil, Jerusalem, and major cities such as Haifa and Tel Aviv-Jaffa. These Christian communities are a must on anyone's visit. Their towns are clean and picturesque. The largetst groups are the Greek Orthodox (70,000) followed by Greek Catholic (30,000), Roman Catholic (20,000), Maronites (8,000), Syrian Coptic (4,000), Armenian Orthodox (4,000), Armenian Catholic (1,000), Assyrian and Chaldean (1,000), and a few smaller groups. Druze: The secretive mountain people known as the Druze (Druse) originated in Egypt. After their persecution by Muslims, the Druze fled to the highest mountains of the Near East to escape further persecution and defend themselves. The largest Druze population is found in Lebanon. In Israel they number around 120,000. Most live in the Galilee, the Carmel Mountians, and the Golan. Shia Muslims: The Shia and Alawi are two sects that broke off from Sunni Islam similar to the way Protestants broke away from Catholicism. There is a very interesting community of Shia Muslims in a neighborhood of Haifa called Kababir. They have one of the most impressive Mosques in the world. There are a few other small communities scattered around of Shia. Also, there is one Alawi village in the Golan called Rajar. The Alawi are a dominant force in Syria (President Assad is Alawi). Circassians: The Circassians are Muslims who were brought by the Ottoman empire from the Caucus Mountains of Russia to protect Ottoman interests in the Near East. The Circassians have a reputation for being fierce warriors and have served bravely in the Israeli army. There are only about 4,000 of them in two town in the Galilee: Kfar Cama and Reihania. Bahai: There is a small group of Bahai followers in Haifa and Acko. The Bahai faith has over thirty million followers worldwide. Samaritans: There is a tiny group of Samaritans (600) who live in Holon and Nablus. Yes, these are the same Samaritans from the expression "Good Samaritans." Foreign Workers: Estimates number around 200,000. Most of the foreign workers are Thai, Chinese, Romanian, African, and Pilippino. :::::::::::Acre Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Underground crusader castle Underground crusader castle Sigitas Zilionis Acre, also known as Acco or Akko (or Ptolemais by the Greeks), is located on the northern end of Haifa Bay in northern Israel. This port city has a long history behind it. In the 13th century, the Crusaders made it the centerpiece of their efforts in the Holy Land and one of the most important commercial centers with as many as 40,000 residents. At one time or another, the city has been in Italian, Arab, British, and now (2005), Israeli hands. Acre is sometimes mistaken for another city mentioned in the bible, but is a different place. Yet, some amazing things happened here, most notably the defeat of an attack by Napoleon in 1799. There are remnants of outer walls and within the city is a walled old city -- and within that, a superb example of a Crusader Castle (under restoration) that you can visit. The Crusader Castle has columned chambers with vaulted Gothic ceilings and long dark passages. Other sights include the Quarter of the Knight Hospitallers the ancient walls of the town (the walls were built so well that they withstood an attack by Napoleon in 1798). The 18th-century El Jazzar mosque graces Acre’s skyline with its green dome and minaret. Across from the mosque is the Municipal Museum (excellent archaeological exhibits) located in an 18th-century Turkish bathhouse. Other parts of the Old City show strong Arab Turkish and British influences. Close to Acre are some pretty good beaches, especially between Acre and Haifa. Acre is 130 km north of Jerusalem and only some 20 km for Haifa. From Tel Aviv hotel, you can visit Akko (as the plaque on the old city spells it) via a day tour (guided van) that may take you to ocean-carved caverns in north most Israel (near the Lebanese border), the immaculate B'hai gardens and temple (in the city of Haifa), and Caesarea (beautiful Roman city ruins on the Mediterranean Sea). Group tours of 10 or 20 people are very reasonably priced. Dress in shorts or light clothes and take water bottle, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and if directed by tour brochure, swim suit and towel. Camera recommended as well. :::::::Ashdod Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Sculpture depicting sails, Ashdod, Israel 28Aug2007 Sculpture depicting sails, Ashdod, Israel 28Aug2007 Stanley Bruce (Bard o' the Broch) ::::::::Beer Sheva Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Beersheba ( Hebrew romanization Be'er Sheva ) is the largest city in the Negev desert of Israel , and is often called the "Capital of the Negev". In 2005 , Beersheba had a population of 185,500 making it the sixth largest city in Israel. 20 years before, the population was just 110,800. It is the administrative center for the southern region and home of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev , Soroka Hospital, and the Israeli Sinfonietta of Be'er Sheva. The city dates back at least to the time of Abraham . The city has expanded considerably since the founding of the state in 1948 . Today the town is inhabited mainly by Jews who originally immigrated to Israel from Arab countries and the former Soviet Union . Be'er Sheva is surrounded by a number of satellite towns: Omer , Lehavim and Meitar are mainly Jewish towns and there are a number of Bedouin towns around Beersheba; the largest are Rahat , Tel Sheva and Laqye. Neighborhoods Beersheba is divided into a number of small neighbourhoods that are mostly numbered. Shekhuna (Hebrew for neighbourhood) Alef (1), Bet (2), Gimmel (3), Dalet (4), Hey (5), Vav (6), Tet (9), Yud-Alef (11), Ramot, Neve Noy, Neve Ze'ev, Darom, the Old City, Nahal Beka and Nahal Ashan. (For no apparent reason there is no Shekhuna Zayin (7), Het (8) or Yod (10)). The Old City is somewhat run-down, and though it has a number of memorable buildings dating from Ottoman times, the municipality has done little to restore these gems. Some private organisations own these buildings and maintain them but most are ruins. North Dalet and parts of Gimmel have bad reputations for being populated by drug users, but the parts of these neighbourhoods that are closer to the University are full of students and are less affected by crime. Beersheba Municipality The current mayor of Beersheba is Yaakov Turner , the deputy-mayors are David Bumfeld and Rubiq Danilovits and the vice-mayors are Sima Navon and Yitshaq Marciano. Previous mayors are David Tuviahu , Zeev Zrizi , Eliyahu Nawi , Moshe Zilberman , Yitshak Rager and David Bumfeld . The Beersheba Municipality has been plagued for many years by an ineffectual leadership, a politicised work-force, plain corruption and a general lack of ability to fulfill even its basic tasks, as well as low income from local taxes and poor financial planning. [ citation needed ] The residents of Beersheba experience a low level of infrastructure, including cultural and educational facilities, and dysfunctional parks and litter departments. Some improvements have been made recently: as opposed to the previous year, in 2005 the Parks Department carried out street cleaning as well as park maintainance, some cultural centres have been built (the Youth Centre opened in 2005 and the Cultural Centre should open in 2007). Additionally, a street in the old city of Beersheba was renovated and the current mayor's term has been free of corruption. Demographics According to the Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), in 2003 Beersheba had a population of 184,500 making it the 5th largest town in Israel, compared to 110,800 20 years previous. (Currently its population is estimated to be app. 200,000.) In 2001 the ethnic makeup of the city was 98.9% Jewish and other non-Arab, with no significant Arab population (see Population groups in Israel ). According to CBS, in 2001 there were 86,500 males and 91,400 females. The population of the city was spread out with 31.8% 19 years of age or younger, 17.4% between 20 and 29, 19.6% between 30 and 44, 15.8% from 45 to 59, 4.0% from 60 to 64, and 11.4% 65 years of age or older. The population growth rate in 2001 was 2.9%. Many people come to live in Beersheba for short periods of time, e.g. to study in the university or to serve in the many army bases in, or near to, the town. Income According to CBS, as of 2000, in the city there were 61,016 salaried workers and 3,010 are self-employed. The mean monthly wage in 2000 for a salaried worker in the city is 5,223 NIS , a real change of 5.3% over the course of 2000. Salaried males have a mean monthly wage of ILS 6,661 (a real change of 5.2%) versus ILS 3,760 for females (a real change of 3.9%). The mean income for the self-employed is 6,533. There are 4,719 people who receive unemployment benefits and 26,469 people who receive an income guarantee. The major employers in Beersheba are the municipality, Israel Defense Forces , Ben-Gurion University and the Soroka Medical Centre . There are also a number of electronics and chemical factories in Beersheba and the vicinity. Education According to CBS, there are 81 schools and 33,623 students in the city. They are spread out as 60 elementary schools and 17,211 elementary school students, and 39 high schools and 16,412 high school students. 52.7% of 12th grade students were entitled to a matriculation certificate in 2001. There are also a number of private educational institutions mostly Yeshivoth that cater for the religious. Beersheba is also the home of the first class Ben-Gurion University and some local colleges such as Kaye Academic College of Education , the Negev Academic College of Engineering , the Practical Engineering College of Beer-Sheva etc. Sports The most popular sport in Beersheba is soccer led by the Hapoel Be'er Sheva team. The club was formed in 1949. The team has a history of two league championships (1975 and 1976), one national cup (1997) and two Toto cups (1989 and 1996). The local arena is the Wassermill stadium with a capacity of 14,000. The most successful sport in Beersheba is Chess. The Chess club has won national championships and cups many many times and represented Israel in the European Cup. It hosted the world teams championship in 2005. The Chess club was founded in 1973 by Eliyahu Levant, who is still the dynamo behind the success of this club. Beersheba has a higher percentage of grandmasters per capita - eight - than any other city worldwide, the majority of them immigrants from the former Soviet Union; the city of 183,000 has one grand master per 22,875 residents. Beersheba is also the home of The Camels-ASA Beer-Sheva ;a successful rugby team—whose senior and youth squads have won several national titles (including the recent Senior National League 2004-2005 championship). Other sports in Beersheba are wrestling and tennis . Beersheba has one of Israel's fourteen tennis centers, which opened in 1991 and features eight lighted courts. ::::::::Beit Shean Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ancient Roman street Ancient Roman street Sigitas Zilionis This park is one of the largest and unique ancient sites in Israel. It includes the mound of the city which stood here as early as the 5th millennium BCE, and the Roman-Byzantine and Arab "lower city", with its impressive remains. Biblical Bet She'an is mentioned in connection with King Saul's famous battle on Mount Gilboa. The Philistines, who controlled the region in the 10th century BCE and defeated the Israelites in that battle, displayed the bodies of Saul and his sons on its walls. Since the Hellenistic period the city was called Scythopolis or Nisa-scythopolis, after the nursemaid of Dionysus (the wine god) traditionally believed to have been buried here. In the Roman period, Scythopolis was one of the "Decapolis" (federation of 10 cities). Its institutions and the lifestyle of its citizens manifested the city's pagan nature. Under Byzantine rule the city became the capital of 'Palestina Secunda' and most of its citizens were Christian. Following the Arab conquest in the early 7th century, the town regained its original name. In 749 it was struck by a devastating earthquake, and was destroyed. The excavation work, exciting finds and the unique reconstruction efforts currently underway, are expected to make this park the finest tourist attraction in the country. The main findings unearthed include a large Roman theater, which was built in the 2nd century, ancient colonnaded streets paved with basalt stones, a huge bathhouse - spread over some 1.5 acres - the largest Byzantine bathhouse discovered in Israel, mosaic floors, the impressive remains of a Roman temple, a nympheum (water fountain), and a lot more. ::::::::Eilat Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Delphinarium Delphinarium Sigitas Zilionis Eilat is a place to come to swim, sun, and tan - if you have lots of money to throw around. The once-upon-a-time, excellent beaches have become somewhat degraded with use and abuse - and many have been hijacked by the big seafront hotels. Away from the hotel area much of the rest of the town is unbelievably squalid. The formerly attractive seafront is filled by casual traders operating from shanty-like premises - great if you enjoy buying tat at inflated prices. You can sit on a camel, snorkel etc, but this is better and cheaper across the south-western border in Egypt. For a cultural holiday you need to go north to Jerusalem or Acre. At night there are quite a few things going on in Eilat. The nightlife is lively and there are many discos and bars where you can meet fellow travellers. Keep a tight hold on your belongings as pilfering is a way of life here. Eilat is surrounded by a geomorphologically stunning nature reserve and daily tours into the Eilat mountains are readily available. Short jeep tours are a rip-off, only visiting the rubbish-strewn outskirts of the town, but hiking tours are a must. Take a bus or taxi in the direction of Ovda and walk one of the trails back to town - all downhill! The views are spectacular. Below the waterline there's plenty to see too, although much of the world's most northerly coral reef has been lost in the all-pervading marine pollution and you will see more plastic bags than Lionfish these days. Much better sealife is found in the Sinia, by crossing into Egypt at Taba and going south to Sharm el Sheikh. Eilat had a great deal to offer nature lovers some years ago because of its picturesque location and spectacular bird migration. The better bet now is to go north in the Arava valley to kibbutz Lotan or other centre for birdwatching. Between May and September the whole area can experience temperatures of 35 degrees or more. :::::::::Ein Hod Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ein Hod is a beautiful Artist town in the Carmel mountains just outside Haifa. For all you art lovers this place is a must. The best part of this hillside town is that the artists living and working there are very inviting. Every time my wife and I have gone there we were welcomed into artists' homes. It is also a great way to see a quaint northern Israeli town nestled in the hills. Many of the artists have their works displayed all over the village , in the central gallery and studios, so a walk around is always enjoyable. We have gotten to know village so well that every time we walk we are escorted by the many friendly canines. They also join us in the outdoor cafe for a pleasant talk, while we drink a good home brewed coffe and took in the peaceful surroundings. There is also the Janco Dada museum, and Nisco mechanical music museum, an amphytheater, an middle eastren restuarant over looking the theater, a restaurnat in the center of the village a beer and art bar, a music veranda and more. Ein Hod Web site - www.ein-hod.org About a mile or so up the hill is the small Arab town of Ein Hud. Up until a few years ago, this town wasn't on any map or even had electricity. Now there is a lovely Middle Eastern restaurant there run by one of the friendliest families I have ever met. The food is authentic simply because the family makes it for their own meals every day. So next time you are in Israel, rent a car (no public transprtation) and visit Ein Hod and Ein Hud. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: ein hod artists village ::::::::::::Golan Heights Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Abandoned town of Quneitra on the Syrian side seen from the Quneitra Viewpoint Abandoned town of Quneitra on the Syrian side seen from the Quneitra Viewpoint Sigitas Zilionis The beautiful and scenic Golan Heights, are presently administrated by Israel and only accessible from that side. It is considered by Israel as part of its North District since 1981, but this is not accepted by the United Nations. ___________Things to do Edit This The Golan Heights are a beautiful mountain range towering over the Sea of Galilee (The Kineret). The highest peak in this range is called Mount Hermon. There is even winter skiing at the top of this mountain. Throughout the range are hikes through creeks and canyons, that sometimes lead to waterfalls and springs. The very source of the Jordan River can be traced to this region of Israel. :::::::::Haifa Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Ba Temple and gardens, Haifa 27th Aug 2007 Ba Temple and gardens, Haifa 27th Aug 2007 Stanley Bruce (Bard o' the Broch). Haifa is the third biggest city of Israel and the economic powerhouse of the country. As the people in Haifa say: Jerusalem is for praying, Tel Aviv for partying, Haifa for working and praying. The first impression of the city is not always a positive one; this city IS about working. It's not designed for tourists. But if you look a bit closer you will find a fascinating place a multicultural melting pot, where Arab and East European influence blend together. Traditional, contemporary, sophisticated, relaxed, Haifa combines it all. And with many theaters, museums, cinemas, hotels and air-conditioned shopping malls there is plenty to do. And there are some pretty good beaches close to the city. One of the main attractions is the Carmel mountain, which offers a rich variety of breathtaking panoramas. On the mountain you find the Baha'i Holy Shrines, the Gan Ha'em park & a zoo. The Baha'i Shrines are continuously visited by Baha'i pilgrims. They include the Shrine of the Bab, seat of the Universal House of Justice, and the Terraces, among many other buildings visited by Baha'is during their 9 day pilgrimage. Another attraction is Kababair, a village integrated in the city of Haifa, populated by Moslem inhabitants belonging to the Ahmedi sect. Opposed to all forms of coercion aggression or violence, they believe that Islam should be spread by information and by persuasion. Haifa also has the great caves of Elijah the Old Testament prophet, visiting these caves and having meditation creates peace and harmony in one's heart. Mount Carmel, or the Vineyard of God is like heaven on Earth with food for the Soul,Mind and the Spirit. Visiting this City and Akko can enrich the soul in many ways. A daytrip can be made to the medieval walled fortress city of Acre Directly north you find the heights of Rosh Hanikra, the majestic white cliff, checkpoint on the Israel - Lebanon border. Further east towers the snow capped peak of Mount Hermon. ________Bars and Cafes Edit This [Add Bar] "Rodeo Pub" Edit This photo Good 'old-fashoned' town pub with real beer and frequent live music Internet access point, major sporting event on a big screen. Open daily from 20:00. World66 rating: [rate it] address: Haifa,Balfour 23 :::::::::Herzelia pituach Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see ;;;;;;;;;Holon Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see It has been over 60 years since settlers founded the very first neighborhoods on the sand soil later became the city of Holon. Today, with a population of 180,000, Holon is a flourishing and beautiful city, among the largest in Israel. The city is lively and has many educational establishments, cultural and sport centers, unique public parks and gardens, modern shopping centers, high - rise buildings and one of the largest industrial zones in the country. Holon is located in the southern part of Gush Dan and borders Tel - Aviv in the north, Bat Yam in the west, Rishon Lezion in the south and Azur in the east. The main roads leading to Holon are Ayalon Highway (road 20) and Geha Road (Road 4). Today, Holon is one of the greenest cities in Israel, where green spaces spread over 300 acres — an area expected to multiply in the coming years. About 6,500 trees decorate the city’s boulevards and streets, and each year 150,000 seasonal flowers are planted all over the city . Special attention is put on the city’s appearance and there is a special unit at the municipality that deals, among other things, with planning and designing street accessories like, streetlights poles, street signs, benches, and bulletin boards. :::::::::Jerusalem Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Jaffa Street Grocery Jaffa Street Grocery Darrell Asplund 10May2004 Jerusalem is the three times holy capital of the twice promised land. In the old city you will see priests, nuns, mollahs and rabbis all over the place. Churches of every possible denomination dot the town, the gold domed mosque of the Haram-al-Sharif is seen from afar, the wailing wall is always busy. But the old city of Jerusalem is not just a holy place. It is also a very busy market place with more tourist shops than anywhere else, the arab part of town has bustling markets (especially near Damascus Gate) where anything is for sale. Jerusalem requires at least a day or four to be explored. Check the jerusalem,sights:sights section for the full story. More About Jerusalem Jerusalem is the modern capital of the State of Israel and the country`s largest city. It is a city where the first century rubs shoulders with the twenty-first century, each jostling for legitimacy and space, and where picturesque "old" neighborhoods nestle against glistening office towers and high-rise apartments. But Jerusalem is much more than the sum of its landmarks, old and new. It is a city of people, as diverse as the four corner of the globe from whence they came. To Jews, Jerusalem has always been "The Holy City", and it has been revered by Christians and Muslims for centuries. No wonder Jerusalem has such a tremendous impact, both locally and internationally. Holy Places in Jerusalem: The Kotel (Western or Wailing Wall), Temple Mount , The Mount of Olives, Dome of the Rock (Templum Domini), Temple Mount, Temple of Solomon (al-Aqsa Mosque), Tomb of the Virgin, The Mount of Olives, Church of the Ascension, Mount Zion, Church of St. Anne, The Via Dolorosa, The Holy Sepulcher. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://www.ddtravel-acc.com/jer.htm ::::::::::Karmiel Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Karmiel by dawn Karmiel by dawn A quality city in the Galilee (Israel) Karmiel is a young city (38 years old) located in the heart of the breathtaking landscape of the Galilee. The city was well planned from the beginning and shows distinct signs of the consideration taken to make the city comfortable and friendly to its residents. The high quality of living in the city stems from environmental, educational and cultural quality, and an emphasis on quality free time, all of which create a friendly atmosphere for children, young people as well as adults. Walking around the streets of Karmiel we are impressed by the quality of the building, the high standards, the landscaped areas and parks spread around the city and by the cleanliness of the city. Karmiel's population in 2002 is 50,000 residents. The master plan calls for a population of 100,000 within the next 20 years. Established in 1964, Karmiel is located in the Beit Kerem Valley, which divides the Upper and Lower Galilee. The city is located at the center of the main network of roads in the northern area. Karmiel is 35 kms. from Tiberias, 30 kms from Safed, 22 kms. from Acre and 45 kms. from Haifa. Today the city encompasses an area of about 24,000 dunams with a population of 48,000 residents. That is to say, about 15,000 homes. According to the master plan, in the future Karmiel will have a population of approximately 120,000 residents. The mountain climate is dry and comfortable with 55% humidity from April to October and 65-70% humidity from November to March. Karmiel is located 250 meters above sea level in the heart of breathtaking landscape. The establishment of Karmiel was preceded by the drawing up of a master plan that fixed the city’s development in advance. The design of the city is unique and modern, with a complete separation between the industrial and residential areas. There are wide sections of parks, gardens and tree lined avenues. Using varied and up date construction techniques, each neighborhood is an independent unit with its own educational institutions, synagogue and shopping center. The city’s roadway system is excellent, with broad streets and good parking. Cleanliness and appearance of the city receive special attention ensuring the continuance of its high living standards. The city has developed gradually, according to its master plan: the Founder’s Neighborhood was established during the years 1964 – 1978; the Southern Neighborhood during the years 1970 – 1978; the Western Neighborhood from 1980 – 1983; the Galilee Neighborhood was developed during the years 1992 – 1995; Sagi Neighborhood from 1990 – 1993; Givat Ram from 1991 – 1998. Ramat Rabin was established in 1996; Givat Makosh and the Irisim Neighborhood were built during 1984 – 1998. The city is still in the stages of building and development. Population As stated above, there are approximately 15,000 households and 48,000 residents. It is characteristically a young population working together for future progress and development of the city. The average age of the residents in Karmiel is 39, a fact that attests to a relatively young population. Since the beginning of 1990 Karmiel has absorbed about 18,000 immigrants, most of them from the former Soviet Union. During the same years a similar number of Israeli families also moved into the city in order to improve their quality of life. Many of the "founding families" still live in Karmiel, a fact that attests to the deeply rooted love of the area. About 60% of Karmiel’s population are veteran or native Israelis. About 40% of the population are immigrants from 75 countries. Education The educational system in Karmiel is among the finest in the country. Educational institutions are equipped with the latest educational tools. Special emphasis is placed on pre-school education. Some nursery schools and kindergartens run on a full-day schedule (from 7:00 – 17:00), thus allowing mothers to work. Today there are four high schools, four junior high schools, a vocational training center, nine state run elementary schools, one state run religious school including high school, an independent education elementary school, a school for gifted children and an educational farm, many kindergartens, nursery school and day care centers as well as a network of community youth and sports centers and the international ORT-Braude Technological College which has a student body of 3,500 who receive engineering training in the fields of computers, electronics, industrial administration, biotechnology and other subjects. A “Hi-Tech” Center that will focus on research and development of biotechnological products is also planned for the college campus. The Municipality, helped by the Ministry of Education, works continuously to improve the standard of instruction and education, providing the following services: Individualized education in all elementary schools. A Pedagogical Center for teachers. Dental treatment for all pupils from first grade. Hot, balanced meals for children in full day frameworks. Rhythmics is taught in the lower grades and kindergartens Each elementary school has autonomy over its activities. There are many support groups such as Akim, Nitzan, and Aleh. From second to fifth grade there is the “Playing School” to teach music. After School Activities Youngsters can occupy their spare time in a variety of after school activities. Through neighborhood youth clubs the Community Center provides classes in arts (ceramic, sketching, photography, dance, sculpture and jewelry making), in sports (swimming, tennis, basketball, volleyball, athletics, soccer, roller-skating) and more. The Municipality, Histadrut and Community Center work together for the advancement of Adult Education. In 1986 an Ulpan was opened to teach Hebrew, Israeli and Jewish History, Culture and Customs to new immigrants aged 17 to 80. The classes take place in the morning or the evening according to the wishes of the individual and are divided into age levels. For the musically gifted, the newly completed Conservatory of Music, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, provides group and private classes for all musical instruments, as well as a youth orchestra and youth and adult choirs. Culture The network of community centers covers much of the cultural and sports activities in the city, as stated above. In addition, the local Country Club, the Top Club, has a heated swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, Jacuzzi and other high quality equipment. Karmiel is the cultural center not only for its residents, but also for the residents of the region. The Cultural Center has a seating capacity of 800. It presents the best theatrical productions of the country as well as concerts, dances, children’s theater, shows and films. Residents have the option of buying a seasonal subscription to the Cultural Center’s performances. During the spring and summer months many events are held in the new and spacious amphitheater, which holds 25,000 spectators. Each summer the world famous International Folk Dance Festival takes center stage with three days and three nights of festivities. Approximately 200,000 people from Israel and abroad take part in this exciting event. During the months of July and August the Municipality also sponsors programs and public folk dancing in the various neighborhoods. The Public Library houses over 80,000 books for children and adults. In addition, it has an excellent reference library. There are also extensive activities in the many immigrant associations, which serve the various groups in the city. Housing Many contractors offer a varied range of different sized apartments for sale to the general public. In the year 2001 approximately 609 new apartments were occupied and in 2002 another 1,059 units are in the planning and building stages. The Municipality of Karmiel insists on a standard of living that is higher than the average standard in the country. Karmiel has been awarded many national prizes: first prize for quality of living, the Kaplan Prize for management, the prize for road safety, the Kaplan Prize for immigration absorption. Since 1993 Karmiel has been awarded 5 stars for beauty in a competition for a beautiful Israel, and in 1998 Karmiel was awarded “ the “Gold Star” for 5 consecutive years of receiving 5 stars for beauty in the competition for “a Beautiful City in a Beautiful Israel”. In 2001 Karmiel also received the Minister of the Interior prize for fiscal management after 37 consecutive years of having a balanced budget. Services found in Karmiel All of the services and commercial establishments a resident needs in his day to day life can be found in Karmiel: major food chains, offices, restaurants, gas stations, banks, taxi stands and other services. Government and Local Offices in Karmiel All Municipal offices are located in the city. The Histadrut provides services in the area of employment, not only to Karmiel residents but also to the residents of the Misgav Regional Council and the surrounding villages. The National Employment Service, Ministry of Absorption, Post Office, National Insurance, Amigur, the Police, Absorption Center for New Immigrants, Ministry of the Interior, the Electric Company, Bezek, the major banks, Internal Revenue Service, and the Israel Land Authority all have representatives or offices in Karmiel Medical services are provided by the four Health Clinics (Clalit, Macabbi, Leumi, and Meuhedet). The “Medi-Car” clinic operates 24 hours a day, and an intensive care ambulance is on call. There is a professional clinic with x-ray machines, ambulatory services, specialized doctors, etc. There are municipal Dental Clinics for children and psychological counseling for children, eye clinics and private clinics. The Religious Council is responsible for the religious activities in Karmiel. The women’s organizations: Wizo, Naamat, Hadassah and the Local Women’s Council are all represented in Karmiel. Industry The Industrial Section of Karmiel encompasses an area of 2,000 dunams at the eastern end of the city. There are about 80 factories and workshops employing about 8,000 people. Karmiel was selected to be the center for the Hi-Tech industry. Represented are wide, varied fields of industries including electronic, aeronautic, metal, textile, plastic, building, lumber, carpentry, food, tooling and others. Those residents who have not been able to find work in Karmiel work outside of the city, in Tefen, Misgav, Safed and the Haifa area. The Industrial Area of Karmiel is well-planned and well-kept, with green areas and rest areas for the welfare of the workers. A new industrial area in the name of Bar-Lev (Cyclone), through the joint administration of the Municipality of Karmiel, the Misgav and Mate Asher Regional Councils has recently opened. The manufacturers in Karmiel export goods worth about $300 million per year. Employment Despite the massive growth of the population of Karmiel and the large wave of immigration absorbed there were few employment problems in Karmiel. The development of commerce in the city in the past two years has provided new and varied avenues of employment in addition to industry. The new network of roads connecting Karmiel to the Industrial Areas of Acco, Haifa, Tefen and Misgav makes working outside of Karmiel easier than ever. Enterprise Karmiel’s “Level A” standing in the field of industry enables entrepreneurs to receive various investment benefits. There are various grant tracks which the investor can choose: 24% participation in establishing and equipping factories which have the proper authorization from the National Investment Center, or a 100% exemption from income tax payment for 10 years. There are 220 dunams of land ready and developed waiting for new factories, the process for allocating land is simple, and the municipality closely accompanies any entrepreneur interested in investing in Karmiel. Tourism Since Karmiel is located between the Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean Sea, the city occupies a strategic spot on the main Akko-Safed Road. The Local Council of Misgav and the Arab villages surrounding Karmiel have many rural tourism activities. ::::::::::::Kiryat Shmona Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Kiryat Shmona is located close to the border of Lebanon in the far north of Israel. :::::::Looking For: Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Hanika;Kfar Nachum;Banias;Bell Caves; Garden Tomb; Megiddo ::::::::Metula Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Galila B & B Galila B & B Very small town located in the north of Israel next to Lebanon border. Metula has one of the only ice skating rinks in Israel. The town is popular all year round but especially in the winter when it's covered in snow. The Tanur river runs along the town and cuts a small ravine around it. There is a nature reserve and a hiking trail from the town all the way down to the old flour mill. Metula is one of the most quaint towns in Israel. Definitely worth a visit. :::::::Nazareth Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Nazareth Nazareth Deep Goswami Nazareth, a small and insignificant village in the period of Jesus, has now grown to be a modern city that serves as a regional economic center. It is the largest Arab city in Israel with a population of 60,000 most Christians and Muslims, living side by side in harmony. Though Nazareth is one of the most important Christian holy sites in the world and some 1 million tourists and pilgrims visit this city every year. It’s not a city that gets to you. Most tourists stay just for a few hours, just long enough to visit the religious and historical sites. In the past few years however large public budgets have been invested to establish an appropriate infrastructure for the tourists and pilgrims who visit Nazareth's sites yearly. To make the city more attractive, it underwent a facelift that changed the appearance of the city more to the expectations of these visitors, including a reconstruction of the village in a way it might have looked in the days of Christ. The scarce monuments from the beginning the city still possesses are being polished and made accessible, to facilitate exploitation and a lot of squares and roads are being refurnished to finally make an end to the renown eternal traffic jam. The city has been inhabited continually, but did not gain any significance till the 5th century, when the first church of the Annunciate was invested. This and the moved history of Israel and it’s inhabitants has lead to the fact that there’s little saved from the early days of Christianity. Most of the archeological finds consist of caves, cisterns and grain storage bins, which may be disappointing, but not unexpected from a small village. If you want to experience what the city looked like 2000 years ago, it might be interesting to checkout one of the many villages around in the horseshoe shaped Jezreel Valley. Less known but very interesting are the 19th century Venetian-style homes that have ceiling frescoes and red tile roofs. For those who come to find a stable with an ox, donkey and some sheep, the city might be a bit of a disappointment, but for those who interested in a lively and exotic Middle Eastern town, Nazareth has a lot to offer. :::::::::::::Negev Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see ein ovdat ein ovdat urony The south od israel most of the place is desert. :::::: Nethanya Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see :::::::Road 899 Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Road #899 runs along Israeli-Lebanese border, sometimes approaching the border as close as 30 meters. Heavy militarised but open to civilian traffic. Spectacular driving, especially at dusk approaching the Hula valley ::::::::Tel Aviv Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Rabin square Rabin square Zohar Tel Aviv is the most modern and westernized place in Israel. Jerusalem is the official capital (although not internationally recognized as such) and the religiuos capital, Tel Aviv is the party capital (almost officialy recognized). When you walk the streets at night you can hardly imagine you are in the holy land. Sidewalk cafes give the city a decidedly European flavor, expecially in the areas with Bauhaus buildings. Shopping at the enclosed Dizengoff Center is pleasant. Tel Aviv is also the business center of Israel, and has the largest percentage of young people. Jaffa is the old arabic part of Tel Aviv. It is much older (Tel Aviv was founded in 1909) and is now some sort of the Quartier Latin of the city. Although it has many small and trendy boutiques it still retains some of its flavour as an arabic city. The best reason to come to Tel Aviv is to have a good time, the nightlife is great, there are good restaurants, there are so many shops, the beaches aren't bad and there is always something going on. A good place for trendy shopping would be Sheinkin street; Kikar Hamedina is known for its upscale (and expensive) shops; and Azriely center, Ramat Aviv mall and Dizengoff center would answer all your shopping mall needs. Alternatively, you can check out Shuk HaCarmel, a large street market held daily on Carmel St. Bazel and Rotschild streets have the best coffee places; Allenby, Lilienblum streets and the Tel Aviv port is where you'll find all night parties and bars; and you shouldn't miss the beach - for sunbathing and babe watching. :::::::: Tiberias Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tiberias (Hebrew Teveriyah ?????) is a large town located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee / Lake Kinneret in the north of Israel. Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: http://wikitravel.org/en/Tiberias ::::::::.Timna Valley National Park Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Timna Park Timna Park Dalia Rubin Timna Park is located in the Timna valley, about 30 km north of Eilat, in the Southern Arava region of Israel. It is U-shaped, yellow sandstone mountains surround it from tree sides, and red volcanic Mt Timna is in the centre. The park opens eastward, towards the Arava road. The park contains amazing natural phenomena: King Solomon's Pillars (carved out by water erosion), the " Mushroom" (a red sandstone rock shaped by wind and water), and the "Arches". These and many others make it a beautiful and colorful sample of the art of nature. The park is a delight not only for geologists. King Solomon's Copper Mines are over 6 millennia old, where ancient Egyptians first began copper mining. You can see fascinating remnants of primitive cultures at the "Chariots" rock carvings, the Hathor Shrine, and ancient copper furnaces, and watch the multimedia presentation, "Mines of Time". ::::::::::::Tzfat Travel Guide Edit This The best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see Tzfat is one of the four Jewish holy cities [the other three are Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias.] Tzfat is home to mystics, artists, many yeshiva students, and spiritual seekers, where people donned red strings on their wrists before Madonna and Demi Moore caught on. Located at a high altitude, walking around Tzfat can keep you breathless or get you in shape with it's steep inclines. It's a beautiful city with much history. Extensive information about Tzfat can be found on the official Tzfat site. (tzfat.bravehost.com) Welcome to Beit Yosef, The House of Josef. The distinctive Bed & Breakfast in Safed, Israel. You can choose from several beautifully furnished suites that have room for whole familes as well as couples. Located in the picturesque Artists' Colony. Each suite includes all conveniences and striking interior design within renovated, ancient stone buildings among winding pathways. Come and enjoy breathtaking views and mesmerizing atmosphere of Safed. Let Beit Yosef treat you to the holiday you deserve with hospitality from the heart. The suites are styled in antique decor, treating you to a romantic vacation from the comfort of imported Moroccan beds, to the carefully chosen lighting from Jaffo. The suites are fully air-conditioned, featuring a fully equipped kitchen with hot plate and water urn for the Sabbath, elegantly styled marble floors with shower-bath. www.beityosef.co.il josefgersht@bezeqint.net Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.tzfat.bravehost.com |
| Questo articolo è rilasciato sotto i termini della
GNU Free Documentation License Esso utilizza materiale tratto da http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israele Cronologia: http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Israele&action=history IsraeleDa Wikipedia, l'enciclopedia libera.
Lo Stato d'Israele è una nazione situata in Vicino Oriente sulla costa del Mare Mediterraneo. Esso confina con l'Egitto a Sud, la striscia di Gaza a Sud-Ovest, la Cisgiordania e la Giordania a Est, il Libano a Nord e la Siria a Nord-Est. La popolazione di Israele al 30 giugno 2004 era stimata in 6.921.400 abitanti. Israele è l'unico Stato a maggioranza ebraica al mondo. Nonostante l'esodo della maggioranza della popolazione araba nel 1948 e nel 1967, gli Arabi musulmani e cristiani, assieme ai Drusi, rappresentano oggi il 20% della popolazione. Israele fu fondato nel 1948; i suoi confini e la sua stessa esistenza furono, e sono tuttora, oggetto di molti conflitti con i paesi limitrofi, Siria, Libano, Giordania ed Egitto. Israele ha anche problemi politici per le richieste di autonomia del popolo palestinese.
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Storia
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Antichità e medioevoLe prime tracce di insediamenti risalgono al Paleolitico medio (Uomo di Neandertal, sede anche delle più antiche civiltà agricole e urbane che si conoscano (Neolitico, 8000-6000 a.C.). L'arrivo dei popoli
semiti
comincia nel
3000 a.C. Gli
Ebrei, sovrappostisi ai
Cananei, giunsero alla metà del secondo millennio a.C., in un periodo di
aridità, che spingeva molte popolazioni a cercare nuovi territori per vivere.
Fondarono centri di vita urbana e religiosa. Nel VII secolo, l'Impero Bizantino perse la regione per mano degli Arabi che, insediandosi, vi attrassero nuovi coloni, specialmente dalle regioni meridionali della Penisola araba. Dopo un fortunato periodo sotto il califfato omayyade, l'area decadde progressivamente in età abbaside, trovando una qualche nuova vitalità in periodo tulunide prima di ricadere sotto il controllo delle tribù nomadi dei Banū Kalb e dei Banū Kilāb. Con le Crociate e le successive dominazioni Fatimidi, Zengidi, Ayyubidi e Mamelucchi, la regione riacquistò una certa importanza. I nuovi dominatori Ottomani non furono invece del tutto all'altezza del compito, abbandonando l'amministrazione dell'area nelle poco capaci mani degli sconfitti Mamelucchi, trasformati in loro vassalli. Malgrado un tentativo della dinastia khediviale di Mehmet Ali di annettersi la regione, grazie ad alcune azioni militari tentate dal figlio del fondatore Isma'ìl Pascià, gli Ottomani rimasero al potere fino alla I guerra mondiale che li vide soccombenti per la loro alleanza con gli Imperi Centrali. Nell'immediato dopoguerra fu creato in Palestina un Mandato della Società delle Nazioni, affidato alla Gran Bretagna, mentre in Siria un altro Mandato fu attribuito alla Francia.
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Sionismo e Mandato britannicoLa popolazione ebraica, ridottasi a circa 10.000 unità all'inizio del XIX secolo, ricominciò ad aumentare alla fine dell'Ottocento. Fu in quel periodo che si sviluppò il sionismo, movimento nazionale che auspicava la creazione di un'entità politica ebraica in Palestina. Alla fine della prima guerra mondiale, la Società delle Nazioni trasferisce la Palestina sotto il controllo dell'Impero britannico, togliendola all'Impero Ottomano. I Britannici, con la Dichiarazione Balfour, si erano fatti promotori della costituzione di una patria ( national home ) ebraica in Palestina. L'avvento del Nazismo e la tragedia della Shoah portarono ad un ulteriore flusso migratorio di ebrei provenienti da diverse nazioni europee.
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La nascita dello StatoNel 1939 l'amministrazione britannica pone fortissime limitazioni all'immigrazione e alla vendita di terreni ad ebrei e respinge le navi cariche di immigranti ebrei. I vari movimenti ebraici iniziano ad operare per la creazione del loro Stato, alcuni anche con attentati terroristici contro gli Arabi e le istituzioni britanniche. Nel 1947 l'Assemblea delle Nazioni Unite, stabilisce la creazione di uno Stato ebraico e di uno Stato arabo in Palestina, con la città di Gerusalemme sotto l'amministrazione diretta dell'ONU. La dichiarazione venne accolta con favore dagli ebrei, mentre gli Stati arabi proposero la creazione di uno Stato unico federato, con due governi. Tra il dicembre del 1947 e la prima metà di maggio del 1948 vi saranno cruente azioni di guerra civile da ambo le parti. Il 14 maggio del 1948 viene dichiarata la nascita dello Stato di Israele.
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La guerra d'indipendenzaIl 15 maggio, le truppe britanniche si ritirarono definitivamente dai territori del Mandato. Lo stesso giorno gli eserciti di Egitto, Siria, Libano, Iraq e Transgiordania, attaccarono il neonato Stato di Israele. L'offensiva venne bloccata dal neonato esercito israeliano e le forze arabe vennero costrette ad arretrare. La guerra, che terminò con la sconfitta araba nel maggio del 1949 creò quello che resterà la causa degli scontri successivi: circa 700mila profughi arabi. In seguito all'armistizio ed al ritiro delle truppe ebraiche l'Egitto occupò la striscia di Gaza mentre la Transgiordania occupò la Cisgiordania, assumendo il nome di Giordania. Israele si annesse la Galilea e altri territori a maggioranza araba conquistati nella guerra. Negli anni immediatamente successivi, dopo l'approvazione (5 luglio 1950) della Legge del Ritorno, da parte del governo israeliano, si assiste ad una nuova forte immigrazione, che porterà al raddoppio della popolazione di Israele. In gran parte, inizialmente, si tratta di profughi ebrei sefarditi provenienti dai paesi arabi, espulsi dai loro paesi di origine dopo la nascita dello stato.
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Geografia
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MorfologiaIl territorio è costituito da una larga porzione della
Palestina
e dalla regione del Negev, che si amplia nella
penisola del Sinai rastremandosi progressivamente verso sud fino a
raggiungere il
golfo di Aqaba. La struttura del territorio si andò delineando nel
Cenozoico
in seguito ai vasti fenomeni di assestamento verificatisi nel
Miocene e
nel Pliocene,
che portarono alla formazione della fossa tettonica palestinese (sezione della
fossa siro-africana).
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IdrografiaIl fiume principale è il Giordano, ne appartiene ad Israele sono la parte del corso superiore; ad esso tributano corsi d'acqua di modeste dimensioni, a regime spiccatamente torrentizio, che tendono a prosciugarsi nella stagione secca. Altro fiume con portata cospicua è il Yarqon (15 km), che scende nel Mar Mediterraneo] vicino a Tel Aviv. È incluso quasi interamente in territorio nazionale il lago di Tiberiade (Kinneret), mentre il Mar Morto bagna Israele solo il settore sud-occidentale.
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ClimaEstati calde e asciutte, da novembre a marzo il clima è umido e la temperatura è mite.
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Demografia
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PopolazioneDensità: 326 per km²
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Etniecome riportato dal CIA Fact Book [1]. I dati si riferiscono al 1996
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Religionecome riportato dal CIA Fact Book [2]. I dati si riferiscono al 2003
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EconomiaProdotto Nazionale Lordo: 16.291$ pro capite (37° posto della classifica
mondiale).
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RisorseProduzione di energia elettrica: 4.500.000 kw. Agricoltura Oggi interessa solo il 4,3% della popolazione attiva e nonostante stia riducendosi a un ruolo relativamente marginale, continua ad essere per modernità e tecniche impiegate e per gli alti livelli di produttività, una delle più progredite del mondo. Fra i suoi punti di forza, la conduzione a prevalenza collettivistica e cooperativistica e lo sfruttamento razionale delle acque per l'irrigazione. Per esigenze alimentari interne si coltivano: cereali (soprattutto frumento), patate, prodotti orticoli (pomodori) e frutticoli (mele, prugne, pesche, banane, ananas); in sviluppo anche la coltura del cotone e della barbabietola da zucchero. Importante il concorso all'economia nazionale dell'agrumicoltura (secondo produttore mondiale di pompelmi). Nelle valli di Giudea e di Sharon, vengono coltivate vite e ulivo. Colture minori quelle del tabacco, delle arachidi, del sisal e del sesamo. Allevamento Sviluppato quello bovino e dei volatili da cortile. Pesca La pesca è praticata sia in mare che nel lago di Tiberiade, ma non è ancora sviluppata sufficientemente per le esigenze del mercato interno. Molto sviluppata l'itticoltura, in particolare negli stagni salmastri della costa mediterranea e in quelli ottenuti dalla bonifica delle paludi di Hule. Risorse minerarie Scarse le risorse minerarie ed energetiche. Modestissima la quantità di petrolio che si estrae a Helez e a Kokhav, raffinato negli impianti di Haifa e Ashdod. Altri prodotti minerari: fosfati, rame, potassio e bromo. Industria Recentemente è stato dato grande impulso alle industrie ad alto contenuto tecnologico, e Israele è oggi tra i paesi che possiedono un'industria aerospaziale integrata, inclusa la produzione di vettori per satelliti. Molto sviluppata l'industria elettronica, e quella del software. Di un certo rilievo anche l'industria chimica e farmaceutica.
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TrasportiStrade: 15.500 km
Porti:
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Turismo1 visitatore all'anno ogni 2,9 abitanti. USA 21%, Gran Bretagna 11%, Germania 11%, Francia 9%, Russia 5%, altri 43%.
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EsportazioniDiamanti lavorati, prodotti chimici, ferro, acciaio, macchinari, agrumi, prodotti ortofrutticoli, prodotti tessili USA 32%, Gran Bretagna 6%, Cina 5%, Belgio-Lussemburgo 5%, Giappone 5%, altri 47%.
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ImportazioniMaterie prime (diamanti e petrolio in particolare), macchinari. USA 19 %, Belgio – Lussemburgo 12%, Germania 9%, Gran Bretagna 8%, Italia 7%, altri 45%.
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Cultura
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AlfabetizzazioneTasso di alfabetizzazione: 95%.
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IstruzioneL'istruzione è a carico del Ministero dell'Educazione Pubblica. L'età scolare va dai 5 ai 16 anni. L'ordinamento scolastico è diviso in giardini d'infanzia, 6 anni di scuola primaria, 3 anni di scuola secondaria, 3 anni di scuola secondaria superiore. Università con esami di ammissione.
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SanitàSistema sanitario pubblico, con Casse malattia (Kupot holim) a gestione semiprivata (di solito gestite da associazioni sindacali o comunque senza scopo di lucro).
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SportIsraele ospita ogni 4 anni le Maccabiadi, il quarto evento sportivo a partecipazione mondiale dopo Giochi Olimpici, Giochi del Commonwealth e Universiadi.
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AmbienteIl 15% del territorio è protetto.
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FloraLa flora e la fauna in Israele si caratterizzano per la ricchezza e la diversità delle specie presenti grazie alla collocazione geografica del paese al punto d'incontro di tre continenti. Sui pendii montani del nord sono presenti specie vegetali di tipo alpino, mentre sulle colline della Galilea e in altre zone collinari si trovano boschi naturali formati da querce e platani in cui dimorano le gazzelle di montagna, volpi e altri mammiferi.
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Fauna
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PoliticaIl voto spetta a tutti i cittadini israeliani che abbiano compiuto il diciottesimo anno di età. Il primo ministro è eletto con suffragio diretto, il parlamento (Knesset) con il sistema proporzionale, in carica per 5 anni. Il potere legislativo spetta al Parlamento (Knesset). Il potere esecutivo spetta al gabinetto, con a capo il Primo ministro. Presidente: Moshe Katsav. Primo Ministro: Ehud Olmert Assemblea nazionale: 120 membri (in carica per 4 anni). Israele non ha una Costituzione, le sue funzioni sono sostituite dalla Dichiarazione d'Indipendenza (1948), dalle Leggi base della knesset e dalle comuni leggi israeliane. Suddivisione Amministrativa Israele è suddiviso in sei distretti principali,conosciuti in ebraico come mehozot (singolare: mehoz) e tredici sub-distretti conosciuti come nafot (singolare: nafa). Dati 6 distretti
Distretto di Gerusalemme (Mehoz Yerushalayim). Capitale distrettuale: Gerusalemme Distretto Settentrionale (Mehoz HaTzafon). Capitale distrettuale: Nazareth
Distretto di Haifa(Mehoz Hefa). Capitale distrettuale: Haifa
Distretto Centro (Mehoz HaMerkaz). Capitale distrettuale: Ramla
Distretto di Tel Aviv (Mehoz Tel-Aviv). Capitale distrettuale: Tel Aviv-Yafo Distretto Meridionale. (Mehoz HaDarom).
Distretto di Giuudea e Samaria (Mehoz Yehuda VeShomron)
Questo distretto non è riconosciuto dalle Nazioni Unite e dalla maggioranza dei singoli stati.
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Politica esteraIsraele è in uno stato di perenne ed altissima tensione con tutti gli Stati arabi, esclusi Giordania ed Egitto. Israele, come stato, non viene riconosciuto da nessuno dei paesi arabi ed islamici, ad esclusione della Turchia, Giordania, Egitto, Mauritania e Albania con i quali intrattiene normali relazioni diplomatiche.
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Forze armate
I militari di Israele consistono nelle forze unificate della difesa d’Israele (IDF Israel Defense Forces), conosciute in ebraico con l’acronimo Tzahal (צה"ל). Diversamente dall'organizzazione delle forze armate in altri paesi la marina militare e l'aeronautica sono subordinati all'esercito. Ci sono altre agenzie governative paramilitari che si occupano di differenti aspetti della sicurezza d’Israele (quali, il MAGAV e lo Shin Bet). L'IDF è considerato una delle forze militari più forti nel Medio Oriente ed è quella che ha maggior esperienza pratica avendo difeso il proprio paese in più di cinque conflitti. Punti di forza dell'IDF sono l'alta qualità dell'addestramento e l'uso di armamenti tecnologicamente avanzati prodotti in Israele o importati dagli Stati Uniti La maggior parte degli israeliani, maschi e femmine, sono chiamati alle armi all'età di 18 anni ad eccezione degli Arabo-israeliani per i quali il servizio militare è facoltativo. Sono esonerati i pacifisti dichiarati solo se giudicati tali da una speciale commissione non militare e le donne che si dichiarano religiosamente osservanti. I refusenik sono coloro i quali rifiutano di prestare servizio per motivi politici legati all'occupazione della West Bank. Vengono giudicati dalla Corte marziale e rischiano pene detentive fino a un massimo di tre anni. Israele non dispone nel suo ordinamento di una legge sull'obiezione di coscienza. Il servizio obbligatorio è di tre anni per gli uomini e di 20 mesi per le donne. I Circassi e Beduini si arruolano attivamente nell'IDF. Dal 1956, i Drusi vengono considerati come isreliani sotto coscrizione, su richiesta della comunità drusa. Gli uomini che studiano a tempo pieno nelle istituzioni religiose possono ottenere un rinvio della coscrizione; la maggior parte degli ebrei Haredi estendono questi rinvio fino a che non siano troppo vecchi per la coscrizione. A seguito del servizio obbligatorio, gli uomini israeliani diventano parte delle forze di riserva dell'IDF e solitamente sono tenuti a servire per parecchie settimane ogni anno da riservisti, fino ai loro 40 anni. Nel 1986 Mordechai Vanunu rivelò l'esistenza di un arsenale atomico e di un programma nucleare israeliano.
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Bibliografia
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Voci correlate
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Collegamenti esterni
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