7 Interesting Conflicts, Customs and Traditions in Israel

Israel has a unique culture. They are one of the oldest civilizations and they have lots of traditions as well. As a tourist, you will be astonished to know some of these traditions and customs. Politically, they have been in conflict with Palestinians for many years. Here are some interesting facts for you to know.

Gaza conflict

The Israelis fought for the control of Gaza for many years. A lot of people lost their lives during the conflict. Finally, in 2005, Israel had to leave Gaza as the Hamas took over it.

Bicycle day

Once a year in Yom Kippur you will get to ride a bicycle on the road freely without worrying about any traffic. It’s a sight worth seeing as you will see many bicycles on the road. Cars or other vehicles are not allowed on that road that day.

Memorial siren moment

There is a national siren on the Holocaust Remembrance Day and Memorial Day. On these two days when the siren is blown everybody stands and bows their head in silence for two minutes. No matter whether they are at home, driving or walking on the road, they will stop what they are doing at that time. So, if someone is driving, he or she will stop the car, get out and stand still in respect of those who died.

Clapping when Israeli plane lands

Whenever the El Al flights land on Israel airport, people clap. This has been a tradition for many years. They do it as a gesture of safe landing of the plane.

Passover time

Passover is a great celebration in Israel. The Jewish people meet with friends and families and there is a feast in every house. But during this time it’s forbidden to sell any leavened goods. So, you won’t find any bakery items like bread during the time of Passover. If you are a non-believer then you should stock up bread well before Passover; otherwise, you will be out of bread.

Drinking coffee

The people in Israel drink coffee in a small glass. Some people keep on boiling the coffee for a long time before adding sugar and drinking. Others bang the coffee glass on the table a couple of times for the coffee beans to get settled. They call this ‘Café Shahor’.

Cash or check as wedding gift

When someone close gets married, the Israeli custom is that they give cash or a fat check as a gift. The closer the person is, more amount of cash or check is given to that person as a wedding gift.

All these customs and traditions are unique and the people have maintained these for years. So, when you visit Israel and come across these traditions, don’t be surprised. In fact, try to do things in their ways while you stay there.

7 Tips for Going on a Desert Trip


Take plenty of water


Take layers of clothes








Take some food





7 Things you Should Do in Israel

Israel is a beautiful land where you will find mountains, beaches, and dessert. There are ancient cities to explore and lots of activities to do. If you like adventure, then there are plenty of things to do in Israel. Here are some of the things you can do during your stay in Israel.

 1. Visit a Bedouin camp

It will be a very exciting experience for you to stay in a Bedouin Camp. You will get to live in a desert, meet a Bedouin family, learn their culture, eat their food, listen to their stories, and lots more. It will be a unique experience for you.

2. Ride in a hot air balloon

If you are looking for some fun then you should take hot air balloon ride.  You can wake up early in the morning and view the sunrise from a hot air balloon. You will also be able to get a good glimpse of the dessert from there. It will be a breathtaking experience.

3. Take a boat tour to the Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is a very popular destination in Israel. You can have a good look at the sea by taking a boat tour there. You will love the amazing tour of the waters that have been a wonder to many people around the world.

4. Buggy riding in Maktesh Ramon

The Maktesh Ramon is a huge crater formed due to tectonic plates. You can explore this place by buggy or ATV. It will be a great ride and you will have a lot of fun. You will love the bumpy ride and enjoy the landscape.

5. Jeep Ride in the Negev Desert

It is a huge desert across southern Israel. It is a wild and dry desert. It is impossible to cover the desert by walking. So, you can take a jeep tour and cover as much of the desert you can. While you ride in the jeep, you can learn about the history of the desert from local tourist guides.

6. Hike in the Avdat National Park

This national park holds the remains of Avdat, which is one of the oldest cities. You will have a great time exploring the World Heritage Site. You will be able to see the ruins of ancient villas, caves, churches, and many other things.

7. Relax on the beach in Tel Aviv

It is a 9 miles long beautiful beach. The beach is very well organized and there are facilities like outdoor shower restrooms, etc. for the tourists. You can rent a chair for relaxing on the beach. You will find lots of restaurants and cafes lining the beach area. You can surf on the sea or watch the surfers from the beach. It is a perfect place to see the sunset.

Israel is a great place to spend a holiday. There are so many activities you can do. You should try out these activities on your holiday to Israel.

6 Essential Things to Pack When you are Going on Vacation Abroad






First aid and medicine


Passport and papers




Cash and credit cards



8 Foods you Need to try During your Visit to Israel

Eating local food is a big part of traveling. When you visit Israel, you should definitely try out Israeli food. But there are many immigrants in Israel and these people have brought their country tradition to Israel. So, the food you get here actually originated from Arabic, African, European and other origins. Here are the top foods to try in Israel.

1. Falafel

This food originated from Egypt but is a very popular food in Israel. It is a mix of chickpeas and fava beans. Some spices are added. The falafel balls are inserted in a pita. It is served with salads, sauce, and hummus. Sometimes chips and pickled vegetables are also added. You will find this food in restaurants and streets.

2. Hummus

It originated from Lebanon. It is a dip made of crushed chickpeas. Lemon, garlic, tahini sauce and olive oil are then added. It can be eaten as a main dish or a side dish. This food has very high nutritional value.

3. Shwarma

It is a popular street food in Isreal. Slices of chicken, turkey or lamb are cut from a large slab of meat from a rotating spit. The Turkish Doner Kebab is prepared in a similar way. These are stuffed in pita and hummus, salad, pickles, tahini sauce, etc. are added.

4. Jachnun

This food is only served as a breakfast menu on Saturday. It is made of dough and contains lots of margarine. It needs to be cooked overnight for about 12 hours. It is served with boiled egg and grated tomatoes.

5. Shakshuka

This food originates from the Arabic world. It contains garlic, onions, tomatoes, and some spices. Poached eggs are placed over it. The food is a bit liquidy, so you need to be careful when eating.

6. Bissli

This dish is similar to fried pasta. It is crispy and delicious. It is served with onion, falafel, etc. Though you can get it in various flavors, the barbecue and grill flavors are very popular.

7. Knafeh

It is a delicious Israeli dessert. It is kind of a cheese pastry that is soaked in sugar syrup. It is often flavored with orange or rose water. You can add chopped pistachios to it.

8. Tahini

It is used in many dishes as a sauce. You can add this in hummus, shawarma, or even salads. It contains nigella seeds. It is a basic ingredient in many Israeli dishes. You will find tahini sauces often with the dishes you order in a restaurant in Israel.

These foods are very delicious and widely available in restaurants in Israel. You will love the distinct taste. You can have these for your lunch, dinner or even breakfast. During your visit to Israel, you should definitely try out these wonderful dishes.

Top 6 Attractions in Israel you Must Visit




Dead Sea


Sea of Galilee







