This guide was written prior to the 2026 conflict between the US, Israel and Iran and related hostilities. Non-essential travel to Israel is not advisable due to the risks related to military action in the broader Middle East area. Please consult official government travel advisories and exercise extreme caution before considering travel to the region.
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 fast and reliable. Ranked among the top 20 countries globally for fixed broadband speed, with fibre connections reaching nearly all homes – the infrastructure is genuinely impressive for a country of Israel’s size. There are many public WiFi areas, such as coffee shops and hotels, as well as on some buses, at petrol stations and in malls.
Expats in Israel won’t need landlines for internet access. 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, X/Twitter and LinkedIn are widely used with no restrictions.
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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.
The main mobile network operators in Israel are Cellcom, Pelephone, Partner, and Hot Mobile. Each company offers its own packages and deals, and expats shouldn’t struggle to find one that suits their needs.
There are also prepaid options, whereby one can load credit onto a SIM card without committing to a contract. These are widely available in shopping malls, phone shops, and some supermarkets – a passport is required to purchase.
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Postal services in Israel
The Israeli postal service has many branches throughout the country, and the post office provides a wide variety of services in addition to mailing letters and packages, including banking, currency exchange, and Western Union transfers. That said, reliability can be inconsistent – many expats report delays and occasional lost items, particularly with international parcels. Patience is key.
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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 also broadcast in English on the radio and television at specific times of the day. The English-language service of Israel’s public broadcaster, KAN REKA (100.3/101.3 FM), offers news updates in English at scheduled times throughout the day.
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.