Keeping in Touch in Israel

This guide was written prior to the October 2023 escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. The ongoing conflict has markedly affected the safety and advisability of travel to the region. Please consult with relevant authorities and exercise extreme caution when considering travel to Israel and the surrounding areas.

Israel is a highly developed country with an advanced communication infrastructure. New arrivals in Israel will find that all services required for keeping in touch, both domestically and abroad, are readily available at reasonable prices.

Internet in Israel

The internet in Israel is usually both fast and reliable. There are many public Wi-Fi areas, such as coffee shops and hotels, as well as some buses, petrol stations and malls.

Expats in Israel won't need landlines for internet access. Nevertheless, home internet connections are typically something a tenant will have to organise themselves, and they are not automatically included in the rent.

Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are widely used with no restrictions.

Landline telephones in Israel

Communication by landline is efficient and inexpensive, but its popularity has been in decline due to the rise of mobile phones and internet-based communication. Prices vary according to different packages and the length of the phone call.

Most of the same companies that provide internet services also offer packages for international calling. Prices vary slightly from company to company; however, prices are generally reasonable due to competition.

Mobile phones in Israel

Mobile phones are the preferred form of communication in Israel, and many Israeli individuals own more than one device. Many residents only use their mobile phones and do not have landlines.

Leading companies providing mobile phone services in Israel include Cellcom, HOT, Pelephone and Golan Telecom. Each company offers its own packages and deals, and expats shouldn't struggle to find one that suits their needs.

There are also pay-as-you-go options, whereby one can load credit onto a SIM card without committing to a contract.

Postal services in Israel

The Israeli postal service is both efficient and reliable, with many branches throughout the country. While the service is generally reliable, there can be occasional delays during peak times and holidays. The post office provides a wide variety of services in addition to mailing letters and packages. Post offices in Israel provide services that include banking, currency exchange and Western Union transfers.

English-language media in Israel

While Hebrew and Arabic are the two official languages in Israel, English is widely used. All service providers have an option for English communication, and all large businesses and services have an option for English on their websites.

Television

There are several providers of cable television in Israel, each providing different types of packages. Many series and films on Israeli television are in English. They usually have Hebrew subtitles but aren't dubbed, so English-speaking viewers can see them in their original form.

Many international channels are also available, as are streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime.

News

The most convenient access to news is through the internet. News is broadcast in English on the radio and television at specific times of the day. The main public radio station, KAN Reshet Bet (95.5 FM in central Israel) offers news updates in English at specific times, as does IDF Radio (Galatz).

Newspapers

Two English newspapers are published in Israel, The Jerusalem Post and Haaretz, both of which are available online and in print. There are also online Israeli news options in English, including Times of Israel, Israel National News and Ynetnews.