Israel Overview

Regarded by many as the Holy Land, Israel is a remarkable, fascinating and historical country. A world-class destination, Israel offers numerous cultural and religious attractions, luxurious spas and celebrated sea resorts - all within an atmosphere that combines the very ancient with the ultra high-tech. Everyone has their own perception of what Israel is about: it’s fun in the sun, it's floating in the Dead Sea, it's non-stop nightlife, it’s the Promised Land, it’s a magical place. And while it is all of these things, it is also much more.

The exciting capital, Tel Aviv offers thriving nightlife, diverse culture, great shopping, and sun-bathing on sandy Mediterranean beaches. Historians and visitors alike will be fascinated in Jericho, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. Jerusalem, considered one of the most holy cities for Christians, Jews and Muslims, attracts many tourists on religious pilgrimage. Others will come to relax at the many mineral spas and float effortlessly in the Dead Sea, renowned for its rejuvenating and therapeutic benefits.

Accommodation in Israel varies greatly from hotels and apartments to kibbutz and recreation villages. It is best to book months in advance for Israel’s high season (usually July to August, though this varies according to region) and for religious holiday seasons.

Whatever you are seeking, Israel offers a refreshing and unique insight to the Middle East.

The history of Israel may be traced back to 2000 BC, although the earliest recorded event derives from the era of Moses (around 1300 BC) when elements of the tribes of Israel escaped persecution in the eastern Nile Delta.

The Romans took control of Israel in 63 AD. An Israeli rebellion in 66 AD drove out the Romans occupiers, yet Roman armies from Titus and Vespasian soon returned to re-conquer Jerusalem. In 70 AD, Rome starved out the population of Jerusalem, destroyed the city and its temple, and killed or sold into slavery most of its surviving inhabitants. The Roman Tenth Legion was stationed beside the ruins of the Jaffa Gate for more than 60 years to prevent Jews from filtering back and re-establishing their city. This led to a long migration of Israelis seeking refuge into other regions of the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and later into the Americas.

The 13th century saw a mass expulsion of the Jewish people who had been living in Europe, with England forcing them out in 1290, followed by France in 1392, Austria (1421) and Spain (1492).

Centuries of persecution followed and in the early 19th century, Jews from around the world bound together with the aim of re-establishing a sovereign Jewish nation, building on the common sense of identity of their scattered communities and the insecurity caused by frequent persecution.

The aspirations of their movement were ultimately recognized by the British government in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which followed Britain’s occupation of the Israel-Palestine territory during World War I. The Balfour Declaration formed the basis of the 1920 mandate granted by the League of Nations, which agreed to British rule over the territory. The mandate laid the foundations of the modern Arab-Israeli conflict as the British struggled to balance their commitment to the Jews along with their parallel promises to the Arab population.

The result and culmination of World War II left millions of displaced Jewish people without a homeland. In an attempt to resolve this matter, in 1947 the United Nations presented a vote to the Jews and Arabs to decide on whether they wanted a sovereign nation of Israel along side a sovereign Palestinian nation. The Israelis voted yes, and the Arabs refused to vote. Hence, the Israelis were granted their nation.

In 1948 the UN partitioned the land into two separate nations, Israel and Palestine, however, the Arabs refused to accept it and the armies of Egypt, Syria, Transjordan, Lebanon and Iraq, supported by others, attacked the newly established State of Israel. Known as the War of Independence, Israel emerged victorious and the region was divided between Israel, Egypt and Transjordan. This was the first in a series of armed conflicts fought between Israel and its Arab neighbours in the ongoing Arab-Israeli conflict.

On-going conflicts along Israel’s borders continue to this day as Arab nations remain unwilling to recognize the country of Israel.

Israel has both a Mediterranean and desert climate, with a pleasant spring and autumn. Winters in the north can be cool with widespread rainfall, particularly in Jerusalem. Snow is rare, although the slopes of Mount Hermon in the north have year-round patches of snow. Summers can be very hot, especially in the south.