{"id":38356,"date":"2019-11-04T07:30:00","date_gmt":"2019-11-03T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=38356&#038;preview=true&#038;preview_id=38356"},"modified":"2025-07-17T01:49:14","modified_gmt":"2025-07-16T15:49:14","slug":"27-facts-israel-palestine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/27-facts-israel-palestine\/","title":{"rendered":"27 surprising facts about Israel and the Palestinian Territories"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">From it<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><\/b><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">s perch on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, there are few countries that have witnessed the ebb and flow of history quite like <a href=\"\/israel\" data-wpil=\"url\">Israel<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">Great dynasties have come and gone, nations have formed and fractured, and while things may look calm on the surface there<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s always a crackling current of change just below the surface.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">To visit Israel <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">on an Intrepid adventure\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is to step into the pages of the Bible, Quran and Tanakh and feel the weight of history down ever street. Yet at the same time Israel continues to shape contemporary society and the future with its advancements in science, technology and art.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\">Don<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\">\u2019<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW185009474 BCX4\">t believe us? These fast facts will show you just how complex Israel is.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW185009474 BCX4\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Helvetica Neue\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israel is so small that you can run on foot from <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">east to west in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">two<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> hours<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and north to south in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">nine<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> days<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, though we recommend taking the bus.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Brace yourself, history <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">boffins<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israel has more museums per capita than any other country in the world.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Floating on the Dead Sea is a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">must-do experience when visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. It\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the lowest point on earth, at 1,315 feet below sea level at its lowest point. The sea is so salty that there are no detectable living organisms in the water (but there are plenty of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">travellers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> floating on the surface).\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israel is the only liberal democracy in the <\/span><a href=\"\/middle-east\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">M<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">iddle <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">E<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ast<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and one of three established nations without a codified constitution (the others being Great Britain and <a href=\"\/new-zealand\">New Zealand<\/a>).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In Israel you<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ll find blue and red McDonald restaurants. The red ones serve regular menus and the blue ones feature kosher menus. There are more than 40 kosher McDonalds in Israel.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_38381\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38381\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38381\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-jordan__dead_sea_mud_AR302259.jpg\" alt=\"Floating in the Dead Sea.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-jordan__dead_sea_mud_AR302259.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-jordan__dead_sea_mud_AR302259-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-jordan__dead_sea_mud_AR302259-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Intrepid-Travel-jordan__dead_sea_mud_AR302259-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-38381\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Floating in the Dead Sea. Photo by Ben McNamara.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In January 2017 a monkey escaped from an Israeli zoo and crossed the border into Lebanon, sparking an international incident. The UN was called in to retrieve the monkey and return it to Israel.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">It was at Motorola&#8217;s Israel R<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">esearch and Development<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">centre<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> that Israeli engineers first developed original cell-phone technology. Most of the technology in your mobile phone<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> \u2013 <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">including microchips and voicemail <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> can be traced back to Israel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Jerusalem Syndrome<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201d <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">is a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">recognised<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> psychological condition, where visitors can become so overwhelmed with the metaphysical significance of the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">city<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> they develop delusions of divine purpose. Reports include episodes of people becoming convinced they are the reincarnations of King Solomon, Jesus, the Virgin Mary and even horsemen of the apocalypse.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"\/israel\" data-wpil=\"url\"><strong>JOIN A SMALL GROUP ADVENTURE IN ISRAEL AND THE PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES WITH INTREPID TRAVEL<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Independence Day<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Yom<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Ha<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">atzmaut<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">) is celebrated on <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">28 April<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, but it remains a source of friction with Palestine. Palestinians refer to the same day as <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Disaster<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">, referring to the displacement of Palestinians when the Israeli state was founded.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The city of Acre still holds many secrets from the days of the Templars. The ancient Knights Halls were unearthed by accident when a prisoner <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">a<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">ttempted to dig his way out of jail. A plumber also discovered the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Knights Templar Tunnel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> in 1994 while carrying out works for a local woman.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_38384\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38384\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38384\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Acre_Israel_Knights_Templar.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the halls of the Knights Templar in Acre.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Acre_Israel_Knights_Templar.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Acre_Israel_Knights_Templar-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Acre_Israel_Knights_Templar-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Acre_Israel_Knights_Templar-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-38384\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Inside the halls of the Knights Templar in Acre. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Here<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s how to tell whether a car is from Israel or Palestine: <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israeli license plates are yellow <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">while<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Palestinian<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">license plates <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">are white<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"%1.\" data-font=\"Helvetica Neue\" data-listid=\"4\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"12\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Despite being a holy land for Christians, they make up less than 2% of Israel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">s population. The Holy Church of the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Sepulchre<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is the most important Christian site outside the Vatican City. It marks the place where Jesus was crucified and resurrected.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Don<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">t visit Israel expecting to get a passport stamp. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Neighbouring<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Arab and Muslim countries have different, and sometimes strict, policies when it comes to admitting <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">travellers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> whose passports have evidence of visiting Israel. To avoid headaches, Israel gives <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">travellers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> a pass card on arrival which is then returned on departure.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Shabbat is an important period of rest in the Jewish <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">community, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is typically spent with family from Friday to Saturday evening. Plan travel days (including border crossings) with Shabbat in mind to avoid queues and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">delays, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> check in with local restaurants and other eateries to see whether they will be open.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Judean date palm was brought back from extinction in Israel. A jar containing <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">2,000 year old<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> seeds was discovered in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">1963<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">successfully <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">planted in 2005<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The cap worn by Jewish men is known as a <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">kippa<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. It is a reminder that God is constantly above the wearer.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_38380\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38380\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Holy_Church_Sepulchre_Israel_Jerusalem.jpg\" alt=\"Holy Church of the Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Holy_Church_Sepulchre_Israel_Jerusalem.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Holy_Church_Sepulchre_Israel_Jerusalem-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Holy_Church_Sepulchre_Israel_Jerusalem-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Holy_Church_Sepulchre_Israel_Jerusalem-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-38380\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Holy Church of the Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2018<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Birthright Israel<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2019<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is a not-for-profit educational <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">organisation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> that sponsors free <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">10<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">-day trips to Israel for young adults of Jewish heritage aged 18<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u2013<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">32.<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">The official languages of Israel are<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"none\">Hebrew<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Arabic<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Hebrew was considered a dead language for thousands of years before being revived by Israel.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">T<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">housands <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">of <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">letters <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">from around the world <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">arrive in Jerusalem every year addressed to God<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. There is a dedicated<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> Letters to God department <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">in <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">the Israeli postal service<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> committed to receiving and processing them.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">After years of conquest and renewal, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Jerusalem<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> is <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">one of the world&#8217;s oldest still-standing cities<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. At last count, it <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">has been destroyed twice, besieged 23 times, attacked 52 times, and captured and recaptured 44 times<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">!<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">World-renowned graffiti artist Banksy opened his own hotel in Bethlehem \u2013 called the \u2018Walled Off Hotel\u2019 \u2013 just opposite the wall in the West Bank. Inside you\u2019ll find a gallery for independent artists, a museum and lots of Banksy\u2019s thought-provoking artwork.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<p><div id=\"attachment_38360\" style=\"width: 810px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-38360\" class=\"size-full wp-image-38360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Bethlehem_Israel.jpg\" alt=\"Outside the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Bethlehem_Israel.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Bethlehem_Israel-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Bethlehem_Israel-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Bethlehem_Israel-585x329.jpg 585w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-38360\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Outside the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem. Photo by Justin Meneguzzi.<\/p><\/div><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">In 1952 Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel but he declined.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Made by combining ground chickpeas and spices, falafel is the most popular dish in Israel and a must-try. Hummus and s<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">hawarma<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> are also essential food experiences.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Buses around Israel display biblical passages and scriptures, reminding passengers to be courteous and generous to their fellow <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">travellers<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Millions of hand-written notes are crammed between the stones of the West Wall by pilgrims each year. <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">They are<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">cleaned out<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">twice a year,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">at<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Passover<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">and <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Rosh Hashana<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">h, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> buried at the nearby Mount of Olives.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">After much discussion, <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">Israeli<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">rabbis, with help from<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">scientists,<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u202f<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">have <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">concluded<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> giraffe milk is kosher.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-contrast=\"none\">Tel Aviv contains more 1930s Bauhaus-style buildings than any other city in the world, which has earned it UNESCO World Heritage recognition. The Bauhaus Centre offers walking tours visiting some of the <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">best preserved<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> examples of Bauhaus architecture.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:360,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><span class=\"TextRun SCXW115080237 BCX4\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW115080237 BCX4\">Intrigued? <a href=\"\/israel\" data-wpil=\"url\">Browse our range of small group adventures visiting Israel and the Palestinian Territories.<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW115080237 BCX4\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559731&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are few countries that have witnessed the ebb and flow of history quite like Israel. These fast facts will show you just how complex Israel is. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15847,"featured_media":38398,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[14],"tags":[110,2248,56],"class_list":["post-38356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-israel","tag-israel-and-the-palestinian-territories","tag-middle-east","ipf_region-israel"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>27 Facts About Israel And The Palestinian Territories | Intrepid Travel Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"There are few countries that have witnessed the ebb and flow of history quite like Israel. These fast facts will show you just how complex Israel is.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/27-facts-israel-palestine\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"27 surprising facts about Israel and the Palestinian Territories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There are few countries that have witnessed the ebb and flow of history quite like Israel. 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