♥ღ♥10 facts about Israel that you didn’t know♥ღ♥. The most interesting facts about Israel Israel has the most colleges in relation to population

1. Israel is a paradise for tourists. There are excursions here to suit every taste. Religious tourists can go to biblical sites. You can visit Christian Jerusalem or Jerusalem of three religions, where you will be taken to places significant for Muslims, Christians and Jews. Those who like to improve their health and soak up the sun can go to Dead Sea, where you can not only lie in salt water and not drown, but also visit hydrogen sulfide and mud baths. Men will be interested in an excursion to the Tank Museum under open air where military equipment is collected different countries and years. Not far from the museum is the Latrun Monastery of the Virgin Mary, where silent monks live. There is a small cozy shop at the monastery that sells wine and brandy. Those interested will be given a tasting. In the same area is the Mini Israel Park, where all the significant sights of Israel are presented in miniature. The park will be interesting for both adults and children. For flora lovers, the Utopia Park is open, where orchids grow and butterflies soar. And women should check out the Diamond Exchange in Tel Aviv, where experienced gemologists will help you choose a stone to suit your taste and budget.

2. Israel is a desert. When approaching coastline you will see nothing but sand and houses the color of sand. But once you get on the ground, your first impression will change. There is a lot of greenery here: cacti, palm trees, lawns. All lawns have an irrigation system. You can calmly lie down on the grass to rest, which is what not only tourists do, but also local residents. But there is plastic grass on the road dividing alleys; you don’t need to lie on it.

3. Ben Gurion - man and airport. It has been voted the best airport in the Middle East three times by the Airports Association International. They say that only two suitcases out of a thousand are lost at Ben Gurion. Tested on personal experience: on one of our flights, another passenger took my bag by mistake; the bags turned out to be exactly the same. And I found his bag on the conveyor belt. That same evening they delivered it to me in another city.

4. The capital of the country is Jerusalem. The main government institutions are located there. But Tel Aviv is recognized as the business center of Israel, where the headquarters of international corporations and the consulates of most countries are located.

5. Just as in Russia every city has Lenin Street or Lenin Square, and sometimes both together, so in Israel every city has a street named after David Ben Gurion or Theodor Herzl. In general, the ideologists of Zionism are glorified here in every possible way.

6. The institution of official, that is, formalized by the registry office, marriage does not exist. They tried to push through the bill more than once, but it did not get the required number of votes in the Knesset (local parliament). Therefore there is only religious marriage. Only representatives of one religion can get married. Interfaith lovers will have to travel to Cyprus or the Czech Republic, where you will be signed in the town hall in 5 minutes. Israel recognizes marriages performed in other countries.

7. Due to the current situation, the so-called “Paraguayan marriage” is widespread. This is a marriage that does not require the presence of both parties at the ceremony. It is concluded by a notarized power of attorney for marriage from the future spouse. The marriage certificate is certified by the Israeli consul in Paraguay and officially recognized. Such a marriage is recommended for couples who fear that if they leave, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will refuse to let their spouse, a citizen of another country, into the country.

8. The week starts on Sunday. And on Saturday (Shabbat) everything dies out. Although, as local residents say, it is no longer the same as 15 years ago, some shops are open.

9. The population of the entire country is equal to the population of half of Moscow. A quarter of them are Russian-speaking immigrants from the CIS countries.

10. The official languages ​​in the country are Hebrew and Arabic (this is the second language, but the main one is Hebrew), but English (signs are even duplicated in it), Russian (where would we be without it), Georgian, French and Amharic are also recognized.

11. There are probably not as many French people in France as there are in Israel. There is even a joke about this: “If you want to learn French, go to Eilat.” (Eilat is a resort and the most Southern City country located on the shores of the Red Sea).

12. Hebrew is a simple and very logical language. You just need to get used to it, especially to the fact that the alphabet has no vowels and is written from right to left. The urge to open books from the beginning, and not from the end, as expected, is difficult to overcome.

13. There are few words in Hebrew, and there are generally four times fewer verbs than in Russian. Therefore, at the very least, you will be able to express yourself quite quickly; it will take about 6 months, subject to constant conversational practice. It will take much more time to read philosophical works, but you will pick up “Shukovsky” (from the word shuk - market) Hebrew quickly.

14. You can live your whole life in Israel and practically not know Hebrew, even Israelis born here will understand you. But as a job you won’t be able to advance beyond being a salesperson in a store selling souvenirs for Russian tourists. To find Good work, you need to know Hebrew.

15. And here is Russian folklore from repatriates from the CIS countries: “I live in a hole, I swim in a hole,” which translated means: “I live in an apartment, I swim in the sea.” Apartment in Hebrew - dira, sea - yam :)

16. The climate is humid and hot. In winter, however, it is quite cool: +15 degrees here feels the same as “0” in Russia.

17. Here you can easily meet a girl in sandals and a fur coat, or vice versa in short shorts and a T-shirt, but in fur boots.

18. Around June, swimming in the Mediterranean Sea becomes extreme. A myriad of scalding jellyfish approach the coast. Their venom leaves severe burns on the skin. It is better not to swim and wait until the number of these sea inhabitants decreases. When they leave, droplets of poison will annoy vacationers for another week, so take a bottle of vinegar with you. If the burn is large, then until professional medical assistance is provided, vinegar will save you.

19. It is almost impossible to buy land as your own. Private sector there is, but the land is leased for almost a century. A 3 room apartment without repairs it will cost approximately 200–250 thousand dollars. That's why many people live in rented housing for decades or take out a mortgage.

20. average salary here it is 2 times higher than in Russia, but at the same time the prices for a number of goods are 3 times higher. Therefore, if you receive 2000 thousand dollars here, you will pay half for renting a small apartment, a quarter will go to food and household goods.

21. Utility bills eat up another quarter of your salary. Electricity is 2 times more expensive, water is almost worth its weight in gold. Everyone has a filter at home, since drinking from the tap is not recommended. Otherwise, the kidneys will contain not only sand and stones, but also bricks for building a house :)

22. Everyone has split systems in every room in the apartment. But they try not to turn them on and tolerate them until the last moment, both when it’s hot and when it’s cold, electricity is expensive.

23. If you got here personal car, get ready to pay 7 shekels ($2) for a liter of gasoline. And the price is constantly rising. But locals are ready to spend any amount just to go to own car, and not on public transport.

24. By the way, every Thursday evening and every Sunday morning it’s impossible to squeeze into buses and trains without special skills. The reason is that soldiers are allowed to go home from the army on weekends. Almost everyone is released one by one, no matter where they serve, and every 2 weeks.

25. The population of Israel today is about eight and a half million people. Therefore, if we take the dynamics since 1948, when only 806,000 people lived in Israel, which allows us to say that the population has grown 10 times over the course of 67 years.

It is worth saying that about 6,251,000 people, or 74.9%, live in Israel; in addition, the second largest nationality is Arabs. They are home to 1,730,000 people, which is about 20.7%. In addition, there is a category of “others” - these are Christians, people who are not Arabs, who have a different religion. This class also includes repatriates who do not have a religious affiliation, but were repatriated using the Law of Return. About 364,000 people in Israel fall into this category, which is 4.4%.
These statistics take into account all Jews who live in the lands of Judea and Samaria, while the Arab population living here, who do not value kosher products, is simply not taken into account.

Every year, approximately 176 thousand children are born in Israel and about 44 thousand die. At the same time, children are most often born in Jewish families, while among Arabs there is a slow decline in numbers.

It is worth saying that in Orthodox families, the number of children can reach 6-7, an ordinary Jewish family - 2-3 children, a religious family - from 4 children. In Muslim families you can find from 2 to 4 children. Of the total number of people living in Israel, one can single out Bedouin families, in which there are from 4 to 6 children and who are very fond of receiving Jewish gifts.

Every year, up to 32 thousand new repatriates come to Israel, and in total, since the declaration of Israeli independence, more than three and a half thousand repatriates have moved to live, which amounted to about 41.9% of the total population. Of this number, a third of all repatriates come from Asia and Africa, another two thirds came from Europe, including from the countries of the former USSR, as well as America.
According to religious preferences, Jews are divided into secular - about 43% of the total number of Jews, 20% consider themselves traditional, while separating themselves from religious ones, 15% are traditional religious Jews, 10% are religious and 9% are Orthodox. As we see, National composition Israel is not very colorful, but it has its own specific characteristics.

26. Patriotism is developed to unprecedented heights. Almost all young people, even repatriates who came here as teenagers, consider it their duty to serve 3 years in the army. They say that if not them, then who will protect their parents and home.

27. Relationships with neighboring countries Israel is tense. Here, more than anywhere else, the phrase “If you want peace, prepare for war” is relevant. And Israeli citizens are ready 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

28. Many citizens carry weapons. Most often this is a service weapon. Security officers, guards, etc. Not to mention conscripts who generally go on leave with machine guns. It's wild at first, but then you get used to it.

29. In front of the entrance to every shopping center (canyon), government agency, school and university there is a metal detector frame and one or two security officers. While you pass through the frame, your bag will be opened and the contents examined. And absolutely without demand. They take safety very seriously here.

30. Police cars ply here often. But they do not harass civilians and tourists. However, I once observed the following picture: on a three-lane road, a policeman stopped a minibus for speeding. The minibus moved in the far right lane and stopped there, the police car stopped at middle lane, blocking traffic. The policeman came out, asked the minibus driver to get out and very violently and loudly explained to the minibus driver that he was wrong. Onlookers gathered. I got a temperamental servant of the law, although that’s all there is to it. East after all.

31. There is practically no crime in Israel. As local residents say, they simply have no time to think about all sorts of nonsense, since they have to work very hard. Parents calmly let their minor children go out all night.

32. Currency exchange is mainly done by Georgians. Inexplicable but the fact.

33. Trains in Israel are double-decker. Be sure to take a ride :)

34. Israel is famous for its medicine. And she is really at a very high level here.

35. A working citizen does not have to worry about his health; insurance will even pay for expensive tests and procedures if they are necessary.

36. There are many old people in Israel, due to their long life expectancy and good medicine. And they do not sit at home, but remain socially active. If there is a need, a social worker will be assigned to the elderly person, who will help around the house, prepare meals and keep company on walks.

37. The children here are plump, especially the girls. There are generally fewer women in Israel than men, so even not very attractive representatives of the fairer sex can easily find a mate.

38. There are many children in Israel. If you believe the statistics, then approximately 3 children per woman. The country owes this high indicator to religious citizens whose families have 5–7 children.

39. The local population is very friendly, they will help you and explain things in plain language. If you speak a little Hebrew but make mistakes, you will be corrected without any malice or ridicule.

40. There are no stray dogs, but cats great amount. When kind local residents go out to feed stray cats, a whole flock of 20–30 quite heavy faces comes running. They don't starve here. Even pigeons calmly pass in front of their noses, absolutely without fear for their lives and health.

41. There is a problem with insects in Israel. Cockroaches are the size of American cockroaches - 5 centimeters in length. If you leave a piece of chocolate on the bedside table overnight, the ants will eat it and drag you into the anthill. Therefore, everything edible, including potatoes, must be stored in the refrigerator, and not in a bag in the pantry. It is better to store cereals and pasta in sealed glass jars, otherwise the weevil will not sleep and will completely destroy everything.

42. In cafes and restaurants in Israel they feed for slaughter. If you order chicken tabaka, be prepared to receive a chicken the size of an adult chicken. And if you want to try pork, then you have a direct route to Russian establishments. Pork is not a kosher product.

43. In general, with regards to cuisine, it is very diverse here. After all, repatriates from many countries came to Israel. Some borrowed dishes have become national. Like, for example, the Yemeni skhug (something like adjika). It is eaten mainly with meat, but some people also add it to borscht :)

44. Also national dish is hummus - a snack made from chickpea puree, which is drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with various seasonings and eaten with pita bread. Some Russians call it sealant because of its appearance, but it is very tasty.

45. Falafel - deep-fried balls - is also made from crushed chickpeas. The dish is Arabic, but it is very popular in Israel. There are even croutons with Falafel flavor. They go very well with beer.

46. ​​There are a lot of Russian stores with signs in Russian, with Russian-speaking sellers and Russian products. But I still haven’t found the classic Doctor’s sausage.

47. If you like low-fat kefir, do not trust the inscription in Russian “Kefir 3%”, in terms of thickness it resembles 15% sour cream, you have to transfer it from a bottle into a mug with a spoon. It is better to take the 1.5% Israeli-made analogue, it is more similar to the usual product.

48. In supermarkets, prices are higher than in the market, and much more so. Therefore, most people shop at the market, where the vegetables are even cleaner than in stores, and the potatoes are all washed. The choice of fruits is colossal, and they are not considered exotic in Israel.

49. Can you imagine what an oriental bazaar is? Sellers don’t just shout, they yell, and not just any words, but simply make sounds so that people pay attention to their point of sale.

50. If you come across a bakery on your way, don’t pass by. The baked goods are simply amazing: mini-pizzas, pies with potatoes, tuna, spinach, cottage cheese, etc., not to mention classic oriental sweets. Lick your fingers.

51. The most significant of all the religious holidays in Israel (which is not really a holiday, but rather a day of remembrance and mourning) is undoubtedly Yom Kippur or Judgment Day. On this day there is strict fasting and you cannot drink water. It is forbidden to even brush your teeth or wash your face. Driving a car and talking on a mobile phone are also taboo, radio and television do not work. But the children have plenty of freedom - they ride bicycles and roller skates right along the roadway, even on the tracks.

52. As in any country in the world, being a tourist and living in it are two different things. But in Israel this contrast is particularly felt.

53. Both boys and girls serve in the army, thin and fat, tall and short, healthy and not so healthy - everyone finds something to do.

I have been living in Israel for several years now, and now I have a desire to introduce you to this amazing country. I'll start with a review of the simple facts. From them it is already clear how different this country is from others.))

1. The working week in Israel begins on Sunday. Many also work half a day on Friday.
2. The shops, shopping centers and other establishments close after lunch on Friday until the end of Shabbat (Saturday evening). Transport also stops running. So, it is advisable to purchase groceries in advance.
3. In Israel, there is no change of seasons that most people are accustomed to. For example, I miss colorful autumn leaves and snow before the New Year. Although this is not a matter of precipitation, but of the mood that each season brings. It’s warm here all year round, which is definitely a good thing. Best time For beach holiday- May-June and September-October. In August it is very hot. In winter it rains heavily for several days, and sometimes even snow falls in the north. Then the Israelis come in droves to look at this miracle and play snowballs with the children.
4. There is no central heating in Israel, and the floors in the apartments are tiled. All because of the almost year-round heat. The problem is that in winter the house is very cold. However, it can be hot outside during the day. We literally go for walks more often to warm up.)) Moreover, there is no hot water - it is heated only by solar boilers.
5. Israel has three seas: Mediterranean - along west bank countries, Red - in the south in Eilat and Dead - famous health resort.
6. - the lowest point in the world. Due to the high concentration of salt on it, it is easy to stay afloat, but it will not be possible to swim in the standard way. In addition, you should not stay in it for more than 10 minutes. There is a whole tourist town with hotels and spas on the shore.
7. Eilat is a famous Israeli resort in the south of the country, located on the Red Sea on the border with Egypt. As a tourist, you can go diving and watch the underwater world colorful fish and corals. Also from Eilat there are excursions to the city of Petra (Jordan), which is one of the new wonders of the world.
8. - the most big lake in the country, the lowest on the planet, a place of natural “forays”, and also the only source until recently fresh water in Israel. Now the country has already developed its own system for desalinating sea water, but local residents are still economical about its use.

Favorite photo: shore Dead Sea and infinity. Yes, yes, on the left is salt!
This is what swimming in the Dead Sea looks like.))
On the shore of Lake Kinneret (Sea of ​​Galilee).

1. In Israel they do not mark the standard New Year. It has its own holiday - Rosh Hashanah, which begins on different dates every year according to the Jewish calendar. Usually this is September-October.
2. There are generally a lot of holidays and weekends in Israel. This year, almost the entire month of October consisted of non-working days: starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Sukkot. During Catholic Christmas this year it will be Purim in the spring, when everyone puts on carnival costumes, and then, almost at the same time as the celebration of Orthodox Easter.
3. On Yom Kippur (Judgment Day) in Israel, all roads are blocked and transport stops running. All day long you can freely roller skate, bicycle, or simply walk along any streets of the country.

1. Despite the fact that half the country remains like this, Israel has a huge number of parks, trees, and flowers. Everything was planted by human hands, and each bush had a water supply system. There is also a gorgeous park in the center rare plants and orchids.
2. The currency of Israel is the new shekel (formerly there were Israeli lira).
3. The official capital of Israel is not Tel Aviv, as many are sure, but Jerusalem. Although the first is certainly the cultural, economic and tourist center of the country.

View of Tel Aviv from ancient Jaffa.
Viewpoint in Jerusalem.

1. In Israel 2 official languages- and Arabic. However, many local residents speak English well. revived from a language that was considered bookish for several centuries.
2. Israel is home to more startups than anywhere else in the world and a huge number of entrepreneurs.
3. One of the oldest Israeli universities, the Technion, is located in Haifa. It has the highest rankings among technical universities in the world.
4. Any person with Jewish roots from 18 to 26 years old has the right to a free 10-day trip to Israel to get to know the country, culture, and traditions.
5. Haifa - one of Israel's most important coastal cities Mediterranean Sea. The city is located on Mount Carmel and is famous for its seaport.
6. The world's smallest metro, 2 kilometers long, is also located in Haifa. Its name is "Carmelite". These are 6 stations and a train of 4 cars that pass through a mountain tunnel along cable car. Thus, from the lower city you can get to the top in literally 10 minutes.
7. Since many Christians live in Haifa, before Christmas and New Year, a Christmas tree and a menorah (symbol of the Jewish holiday Hanukkah) are placed in the main square of the city, and the street is decorated with garlands and decorations. We even have a tradition - to walk here every year on December 31st. You feel like you are in pre-holiday Europe!

View of Mount Carmel and the Mediterranean Sea in Haifa.
Walk through the Bahai Gardens in Haifa.
View of sea ​​port and the lower city in Haifa.

1. Israel has one of the longest life expectancies - 82 years.
2. In Israel, not only men, but also women are liable for military service.
3. Israeli cuisine is something special! Falafel, hummus, pita bread, sesame seeds, olive oil, sufganiyet donuts for Hanukkah... If you order breakfast or dinner in a cafe, you will be served a huge portion, and even with additional goodies.

2. The population of Israel, according to the Central Statistical Office, as of April 27, 2017, was 8,680,000 people. Israel ranks 93rd in the world in terms of population.

3. Israel has the most museums per capita in the world.

4. Israel is in second place in the world in terms of book production per capita.

5. Israel is one of eight states capable of launching its own satellite into space.

6. The Dead Sea coast is the lowest landmass on Earth.

7. In 1964, Israel became the first country to establish a Motorola subsidiary outside the United States. Motorola in Israel specializes in providing unique communications solutions in areas such as control systems, building monitoring terminal systems for the postal service, and developing products and software solutions for cordless phones. Israeli engineers working for this company in Haifa, developed the first mobile phone.

8. Israel has the most scientists per capita.

9. The first antivirus was developed in Israel in 1979.

* The cell phone was developed by Israelis at Motorola Israel, Israel's largest research center.

* Most of the Windows NT and XP operating systems were developed in the Israeli branch of Microsoft.

* Pentium MMX computer technology was developed at the Israeli branch of Intel.

* The Pentium-4 and Centrino microprocessors were entirely designed, engineered and manufactured in Israel. Most likely, your computer's Pentium processor is made in Israel.

* ICQ instant messaging technology was developed in 1996 by four young Israelis.

* Israel ranks fourth (after the United States, Russia and China) in terms of air force capacity. With a diverse fleet of aircraft, Israel has more than 250 F-16 aircraft, the largest F-16 fleet outside the United States.

* Israel ranks first in the world in the number of computers per capita.

* 24% of Israeli workers and employees have university degrees, 12% have advanced degrees, as a result of which Israel ranks third in the world (after the USA and Canada) in terms of the level of education of the population.

* Israel has the most scientific papers per capita - 109 pages for every 10,000 people, in addition, Israel ranks among the leading countries in the world in the number of patents filed per capita.

*Israel has the largest number of start-up companies in the world when measured as a proportion of its total population. It is Israel, after the United States, that occupies a leading position in the world in the number of opening companies (3,500 companies, most of which are engaged in the development, improvement and implementation of high technology).

* With over 3,000 high-tech start-up companies, Israel has the highest concentration of high-tech companies in the world, with only one exception Silicon Valley USA.

* Israel ranks second in the world in terms of capital investment in enterprises, just after the United States.

* After the US and Canada, Israel has the longest list of companies on the NASDAQ.

* Grown in the Middle East for centuries date palms. On average, a palm tree reaches 5–6 meters in height and produces about 14 kg per year. dates. Israeli trees produce a yield of about 150 kg. per year and are low enough to allow harvesting from the ground using a short ladder.

* Israel has independent production of turbogenerators for power plants and modern tanks and air defense missiles.

* Israel has the highest average standard of living in the Middle East. Annual income per person in 2000 was $17,500 - higher than in the UK.

* Israel has the highest percentage per capita of biotech companies opening.

* Israel is the only country in the Middle East with a liberal-democratic government, and it is more liberal-democratic than any other country in the world.

* When Golda Meir was elected Prime Minister of Israel in 1969, she became the second woman in world history to be elected to lead a country.

* When the US Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya was destroyed in a terrorist attack, it was the Israeli rescue team that arrived on the scene first within 24 hours and saved the lives of three people by freeing them from the rubble.

* Israel ranks third in the world in terms of entrepreneurship development and first in the participation of women and people over 55 years of age.

* Israel has the largest percentage of emigrants in relation to the total population. Immigrants come in search of democracy, religious freedoms and economic opportunity.

* Israel was the first country to sign the Kimberley Protocol, an international standard certifying diamonds that proceeds will not be used to support illegal military groups.

* Israel ranks second in the world in the number of new books published per capita.

* Israel is the only country in the world that entered the 21st century with steadily expanding areas of green space. This fact What is especially remarkable is that it occurs in a climate zone that is considered a desert.

* Israel has the largest number of museums per capita, more than any other country.

* Medicine: Israeli scientists have developed the first fully computerized, radiation-free method for diagnosing breast cancer.

* An Israeli company has developed a fully computerized system for error-free drug distribution, thereby eliminating human factor when dispensing medicines. For example: 7,000 patients die every year in American hospitals from improper dispensing of medications.

* Israeli company Given Imaging has developed the first swallowable video camera, small enough to fit inside a pill. It is used to view the intestines from the inside; the camera helps doctors diagnose diseases of the digestive tract.

*Israeli scientists have developed a new device that monitors heartbeats through complex system sensors and helps the heart pump blood. This discovery may save many lives of people with heart disease.

* Israel leads in the number of scientists and technologists employed in the workplace - 145 specialists for every 10,000 people. For comparison: USA - 85, Japan - 70 and less than 60 in Germany. With 25% of them working in their specialty, Israel also ranks first in this category.

* An Israeli company was the first to develop and build a fully operational large solar power plant in southern California's Mojave Desert.

* All of the above was achieved during an ongoing war with an implacable enemy who is trying to destroy this country, in a country that spends more on defense than any other country in the world.

* The Israeli tank “Merkava” (Chariot) was the first tank in the world to have air conditioning for the crew.

* Israeli aviation industry has developed a special air conditioner to which aircraft parked in hangars are connected so that they do not overheat.

* In Israel, for the first time in the world, the study of computers was introduced in schools.

* The world-famous drip irrigation system was invented in Israel.

This year, Yom Ha'atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day, is celebrated on April 23.

On the eve of the celebration of the 67th birthday of the Jewish State we collected 10 little known facts from its complicated history.

1. El Al Airlines had flights to Tehran

Relations between Iran and Israel generally developed quite warmly until the Islamic Revolution, which resulted in the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in ​​1979. In 1950, Iran became the second Muslim country after Turkey to recognize Israel. Iran supplied oil to Israel during the OPEC oil embargo, and Israel sold it weapons. At that time, there was active trade between the countries, and there were regular flights from capital to capital. civil aircraft. A week after the Shah was removed from power, Iran cut off all ties with Israel, and an office of the Palestine Liberation Organization opened on the site of the Israeli embassy in Tehran. Today, even after 35 years of hostility, Iranians have less negativity toward Jews than other Muslim peoples in the Middle East. In 2014, an international survey on anti-Semitism conducted by the Anti-Defamation League found that 56% of Iranians held anti-Jewish views, compared with 80% of Moroccans and 93% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The 2014 documentary “Before the Revolution” talks about the relationship between Israel and Iran.

2. Descendants of Nazis moved to Israel

At least 400 descendants of the Nazis converted to the Jewish faith and moved to Israel - the creators of the film, published in 2013, are sure of this documentary film. Many former Nazis also became Jews or married Israelis, but do not live in Israel. For example, the great-niece of Heinrich Himmler, who married an Israeli Jew and now lives on another continent. In the early years of Israel, there were heated discussions about whether to accept German reparations for the Holocaust or not (in the end, they were accepted). And Germany itself, like everything connected with it, remained an extremely controversial topic for a long time - from 1956 to 1967, films made in Germany were banned in Israel.

3. Ben-Gurion invented couscous

Tiny flour balls of Israeli couscous - ptitim - appeared in the 50s. Then Israeli Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion turned to food manufacturer Osem with a request to develop a local wheat product as an alternative to rice, which does not grow in the country and for which the country simply did not have the money to purchase in conditions of austerity. Ptitim, which was called “Ben-Gurion’s rice,” immediately won the love of the population.

This 1958 photograph of a family sitting in front of a television could not have been taken in Israel because there was no television there until 1966 (Wikimedia Commons)

4. There was no television in Israel until the late 60s

The first Israeli television appeared in 1966, primarily as an additional educational tool for schools. Regular public broadcasting began on Israel's Independence Day in 1968. For the next two decades, Israel had only one channel, and broadcasting was limited to a few hours a day. The second channel appeared in 1986, and cable television came to the country in 1990. Today, Israeli TV is a real source of inspiration for Hollywood. The series “Homeland” (Showtime), “Patients” (HBO), “Your Family or Mine” (TBS), “Devotion” (NBC), “Tyrant” and “Boom” (Showtime) are all remakes of Israeli projects.

5. Elizabeth II's mother-in-law was buried in Jerusalem

Prince Philip's mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, was born in 1885. The girl was born with a diagnosis of deafness, however, she learned English and German in the language of the deaf and mute and even married the Greek and Danish Prince Andrew. During the Nazi occupation of Greece, Alice hid a Jewish woman and children, for which Yad Vashem recognized her as one of the “Righteous Among the Nations,” and the British government as a “Hero of the Holocaust.” In 1967, she moved to London and lived at Buckingham Palace with her son and his wife, Queen Elizabeth II. Two years later, the princess died and her body was placed in a burial vault at Windsor Castle. In 1988, her remains were transported to the monastery at the Church of St. Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives - before her death, she expressed a desire to be buried there. One of the oldest existing cemeteries is located on this mountain.

6. Alaska Airlines flew thousands of Jewish Yemenis to Israel

After Israel's victory in the War of Independence in 1948, anti-Semitic riots broke out in Yemen, and local Jews decided to move en masse to the historical lands. James Wooten, president of Alaska Airlines, was imbued with their difficult situation and ordered the organization of flights for repatriates. Between June 1949 and September 1950, as part of Alaska Airlines' secret Operation Magic Carpet, twin-engine C-46s and four-engine DC-4s flew approximately 430 flights, transporting approximately 50,000 Jews from Yemen to Israel. The pilots had to overcome many difficulties: lack of fuel, sand storms, enemy shelling, one of the planes even barely landed due to the loss of an engine. Despite all the difficulties of the flight, all passengers were safely transported to Israel.

7. Golda Meir was the world's third woman to serve as prime minister.

Meir (née Meerson) became Prime Minister of Israel in 1969. Before this, two women had already held such a high position in world history - Sirimavo Bandaranaike in Sri Lanka (1960-65) and Indira Gandhi (1966-77) in India. Meir was born in Kyiv, grew up in Milwaukee and after her marriage moved to Mandatory Palestine. She and her husband settled on a kibbutz, and Golda almost immediately began to be active in the Federation of Workers. Despite Meir's enormous popularity among American Jews, her policies are still quite heavily criticized in Israel - primarily because of the obvious mistakes they made during the war doomsday in 1973, when Meir decided not to launch a preemptive attack on Arab forces on the Israeli border with Syria.

And although the state investigative “Agranat Commission” established that Meir was not directly responsible for what happened, she very soon left her post. She was replaced in 1974 by Yitzhak Rabin, who held the position until 1977. He was appointed prime minister again in 1992.

8. According to Israeli law of 1980, all new houses must have solar water heaters installed.

The law was adopted as a measure to combat the energy crisis of the late 70s - thanks to it, Israel became the first country in the world in terms of the use of solar energy per capita. According to official estimates, today 85% of homes use solar energy to heat water - that's 3% of electricity consumption in the entire country. But today, Israel lags behind other countries in the use of solar energy for other purposes, and more and more developers and homeowners are using loopholes in the law to circumvent the need to install just such a boiler system.

9. Jerusalem's Mount Scopus is not actually part of the West Bank of the Jordan River

Despite the fact that Mount Scopus is located in east Jerusalem, where the Hebrew University campus and the Hadassah Medical Center stand, it has been Israeli since the founding of the state. After the end of the War of Independence in 1949, the hill was controlled by Israeli troops, although it was located in Jordanian east Jerusalem. Every two weeks, under the protection of the UN, Israel transported military forces and supplies to this enclave. The convoy often came under fire from Arab forces, and in 1958 it was attacked, resulting in the deaths of 4 Israeli soldiers and one UN soldier. Mount Scopus became part of the Jewish territory of Jerusalem as a result of the Six-Day War in 1967.

10. Albert Einstein was offered the presidency of Israel

Einstein received this proposal from David Ben-Gurion in November 1952, a few days after the death of Israel's first president, Chaim Weizmann. Israeli Foreign Minister Abba Ebman wrote to the brilliant scholar that the prime minister's offer was "a gesture of the greatest respect that only the Jewish people can have for any of their sons." Enstien responded that he was "deeply touched by the offer of the State of Israel, but with regret and regret must reject it." Einstein did not accept the post, but did not stop worrying about the country. “My connection with the Jewish people has become my strongest human connection since I began to fully understand our dangerous position among the peoples of the world,” he admitted. It is noteworthy that Ben-Gurion officially denied press reports that it was he who offered Einstein such a post. Three years later the scientist died.