Israel

To mention it right from the start: There is no elevated security risk if you take part in our programs in Israel. Please read the explanations below the get a general overview over the safety situation.

Our locations for volunteering, internships, World Learner and voluntourism in Israel are the cities of Akko, Haifa and Tamra in the North of Israel. These three cities are just located some 15 minutes' drive from each other and are well connected via buses, train (Akko-Haifa) and communal taxis. It is easy to move between the three places and the area should be considered as a metropolitan area rather than individual cities.

Israel is a very developed country of European/North American standards. All institutions and organizations where we offer volunteer or internship placements are of the same or even higher level of professionalism than in Europe or the US. The social problems of Israel are basically the same as in other western societies.

Our coordinator and local contact person in Israel is Mrs. Wafika Diab. She is a primary school teacher who will retire in the summer of 2010. From then on she will be there for our participants full time, assisted by her son-in-law Salim who is providing the infrastructure with his tour company "One Holy Land". Salim who is 35 years old has studied psychology in Bremen/Germany and can fully converse in English, German, French, Hebrew and Arabic.

Languages spoken in Israel are Hebrew, Arabic and English. Most Israelis have a good command of the English language, and you can do all of the activities we offer in Israel if you are able to communicate in English.

You reach Israel by aircraft to Tel Aviv Airport, the country's only international airport. Numerous airlines have scheduled flights to Tel Aviv from Europe or the US. From Tel Aviv there are good train connections to Akko and Haifa, the ride takes 90-120 minutes without changing trains.

The historical port town of Akko (also: Akkon) has around 50,000 inhabitants. Its old town atmosphere is very oriental. Akko has been mentioned in the bible's Old Testament; Alexander the Great, the Romans, Sultan Saladin, and the Crusaders all have been to Akko. Napoleon didn't succeed to conquer the city though. The old town of Akko as a UNESCO World Heritage site is part of every Israel round trip. During the summer, Akko's beach is very populated, and Akko's Arabian market is a popular location for tourists and locals alike.

Tamra (25,000 inhabitants) is located on the hills which rise behind the plains of Akko. With clear weather, from Akko you have a fantastic view over Akko and the Mediterranean Sea. For this reason, Akko is a popular town for short trips of people from the neighbouring cities who enjoy Akko's attractively priced traditional Arabic restaurants.

The town is dominated by Arabic Israelis living in extended family clans. Arts, culture and community are highly valued in Tamra; many citizens are highly educated and have studied abroad. They are particularly friendly and open towards foreigners and it is easy for our participants to get integrated into the town community.

Tamra is also famous for its extravagant weddings. There are several locations where weddings are being celebrated. During the "wedding season", from May to October, Tamra hosts 7-10 large weddings every day.

Haifa (270,000 inhabitants) is after Tel Aviv and Jerusalem Israel's third largest city. It is a city full of life as there are more than 40,000 students studying at Haifa University and numerous colleges. For that reason Haifa can count with a wide selection of bars and clubs. During the summer, the beaches behind Mount Carmel are populated at day and night by young people.

Between Haifa, Akko and Tamra there are not only olive and pomegranate plantations, but also the so-called "Krayots" which are several villages belonging to the wider area of Haifa. They have modern entertainment facilities such as multiplex cinemas, bars and bowling allies.

Leisure time activities in Tamra/Akko/Haifa

As mentioned before, there are numerous ways of how to spend leisure time in Tamra, Akko and Haifa. All cities are full of cultural life. During the hot summer you can go to the beaches, Tamra also has a public swimming pool. Day trips in Israel which can be done from Akko/Tamra/Haifa include visiting mystical historical sites such as Jerusalem, Nazareth, Safed, the Sea of Galilee and Magito, where, according to the prophecy of Jews, Christians and Muslims alike, the final battle of "Armageddon" will take place. In the nature of the hilly north it is possible to hike, mountainbike and even ski in the winter time.

Accommodation in Tamra/Akko/Haifa

Accommodation will typically be in single rooms of private houses. The rooms are modern and spacious, they typically have internet access/WiFi. 1-4 participants will live togehter with local couples. The bathroom is to be shared with the others, breakfast and dinner are provided.

Security in Israel

When you tell your family or friends about your plan to go to Israel as a volunteer or intern, you probably have to face concerns about the security situation. In the media, the image of Israel is dominated by acts of violence between Jewish settlers and Palestinians.

This fear is mostly without any reason. Around 2 million tourists visit Israel annually. Tourists never have been the goal of violence and the security measures in the country are very high so that it is almost impossible to get oneself into critical situation by accident. The only problematic area is geographically limited to the Gaza Strip, a small coastal area near the boarder to Egypt, which is around 230 km away from our locations of activity.

You should not travel to the Gaza Strip. As it is anyway ccompletely losed by military/police, it is impossible for you to enter it accidentally. The same is true about any other place in Israel where there might be possible conflicts. They will be preventively blocked, such as the old town of Jerusalem from time to time, as there is a a conflict about a Mosque which got occupied by Jews who believe that the remains of a Jewish cult site are to be found under the Mosque. If you plan a day trip to Jerusam, you should ask our local coordinators if entering Jerusalem is possible on that day. They are following the news every day and will know.

The safety measures in the whole country are extremely high. At train stations or the main terminals of the buses there are security checks similar to airports, and the security controls at Tel Aviv airport are higher than in any other international airport.

There is almost no petty crime in Israel and women can move freely.