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Click on the links below to view information on a specific country.
 Population: 5,842,454
Literacy rate. 95%
Life expectancy at birth: male 76.57 yrs, female 80.67 yrs
Infant mortality rate: 7.9 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate: 1.67%
GDP growth rate: 2.1%
GDP per capita: £12,300
Unemployment: 9.1%
Inflation 1.3%
TI index: 6.6
Climate: temperate; hot and dry in southern and eastern areas Time: GMT + 2 (GMT + 3 from March to October). Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. 3pin plugs are standard; if needed, adaptors can be purchased.
Websites: The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with news about Israel is at http://www.mfa.gov.il/mfa
The Israel section of the Nations Online site is a source of information on a variety of topics and offers many links. The site can be found at http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/
The political situation is now so much in flux that extreme care should be exercised when considering working in this country. Apart from the problem with the Palestinians, there is a basic schism in Israeli society due to the differences between the fundamentalists and the rest. If you can get to see the film, “Kadosh” (Sacred) you will gain much useful background information. The country’s principal debtor and provider of aid is the USA. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, so many immigrants came to Israel that the economy was affected, but not wholly in a negative sense – the immigrants brought with them much technical and scientific expertise and are now being profitably integrated into society. Work is available in summer camps and in the settlements, although this last may involve some element of danger. Check very carefully as to local political conditions before travelling.
Entry requirements
You can enter the country on a tourist visa, but must be sponsored by a school to apply for a work permit. If you wish to travel on to any Arab country except Jordan and Egypt, you must have no Israeli stamps or visas in your passport.
Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Polio and Typhoid.
Tax and Insurance
Tax is up to 40%. If you are not Jewish, you must have your own health insurance.
Gap Year Programmes
Click here to find gap year programmes and placements in Israel
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