New campaign promoting Salute to Israel Parade in honor of Israel's 60th anniversary will see New York City streets carrying banners with images of prominent Israelis in hope of conveying full spectrum of country's diverse society in world's first multicultural capital.
The smiling face of the American-born captain of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team, Derrick Sharp, will be joined by those of eight other well-known Israelis as part of the Consulate General's "Faces of Israel" campaign to promote the "Salute to Israel Parade." Sharp, who moved to Israel from Florida in 1993 and became a naturalized citizen. He also plays for the Israeli national team.
The massive rally will be held on June 1 in celebration of Israel's 60th Independence Day.
Spanning 46th to 97th Streets, each banner will be topped with an American and Israeli flag and feature the face of a different Israeli citizen.
Among those whose portraits will be displayed is Dao Rochvarger-Wong, who arrived in Israel as Vietnamese refugee (with the so-called 'boat people'). The group was granted citizenship by then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin. Dao now represents Israel’s Bank HaPoalim in Singapore.
Others participating in the campaign include Israeli Arab diplomat Rania Jubran, violinist Miri Ben-Ari, Soviet-born 'Star is Born' contender Sasha Grishkov, former Miss Israel Mirit Greenberg and celebrated vocalist Cabra Kasai, one of many Ethiopian members of the Idan Raichel Project.
Assaf Shariv, consul-general of Israel in New York, said the goal of the project “is to introduce Israelis as they are. Millions of people will walk along Fifth Avenue during May and be exposed to these portraits that show the incredible diversity of Israeli society. It is a society in many ways, similar to that of New York - a fascinating combination of immigrants who have come together to create one multi-faceted society. This is the Israeli story.”
The first Waldorf-Astoria Collection hotel will be introduced to Israel in 2010, with the Waldorf-Astoria-Palace Hotel expected to open in Jerusalem. The execution of the agreement signed between the Hilton Hotels Corporation, which will manage the hotel, and IPC Jerusalem Ltd was announced Sunday - 20th of April.
According to estimates, some $100 million will be invested in the new hotel. The hotel will be build on the impressive building of the former Palace Hotel, at the intersection of King David, Agron and Mamila Streets, just steps from the Old City.
Built in 1929, the Palace Hotel was used in the past as the office of the Industry and Trade Ministry.
In the new hotel, which will see the historic facade of intricate stone carvings and decorative arches fully restored, will include 220 rooms and suites, a swimming pool, a 500-square-meter (5,382-square-feet) spa and three restaurants, as well as extensive conference and meeting facilities. In addition, approximately 30 Waldorf-Astoria Collection residential apartments are expected to be developed on the site.
The Waldorf-Astoria brand has so far been given to five properties, four of them in the United States (the most famous one is the hotel in New York City's Park Avenue) and one in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.
IPC Jerusalem Ltd. was founded in 2005 to acquire the development rights to the former Palace Hotel and Customs Building, the site on which the complex is being constructed. It is owned by members of Canada's Reichmann family.
U.S. President George W. Bush is likely to visit Masada during his visit to Israel next month for Israel's 60th anniversary celebrations, according to U.S. sources.
Organizers of Bush's planned two-and-a-half-day stay said they had been searching for a symbolic location for the president to visit, but wanted to avoid one that might stir controversy like the Western Wall, Golan Heights or Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron.
Bush, accompanied by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, would visit the ancient mountaintop fortress where Jewish rebels made their last stand against Roman legionnaires.
During his stay, Bush will address the Knesset and give a speech detailing the history of U.S.-Israeli relations and his vision of its future.
White House staff said they were interested in organizing a meeting between Bush, his wife Laura and a group of recent immigrants to Israel.
Bush will hold meetings with Olmert, President Shimon Peres, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak. He will take part in a conference organized by Peres that will include presidents and heads of state from around the world.
U.S. sources added, however, that the itinerary is in its initial stages and could change.
"A lot depends on security arrangements," one of them said.
Officials from the Prime Minister's Office, President's Residence, Foreign Ministry and the White House met last week to discuss the visit.
Over the next few weeks, Israeli and U.S. preparations will focus on meticulous security arrangements that will involve thousands of police officers.
UCLA professor Saul Friedlander receives prestigious general nonfiction award for his book on history of Jews in Hitler's Germany. He won the Pulitzer Prize on Monday this week for his book "The Years of Extermination: Nazi Germany and the Jews, 1939-1945," the second volume of his seminal history of Jews in Hitler's Germany.
Friedlander is a UCLA professor of history, whose parents died in the Nazi Holocaust. His book was nominated in the general nonfiction category.
"It's a special honor because it ties me even more to the country of which I'm now a citizen," said Friedlander, who became a US citizen seven years ago and won the German Booksellers Association's 2007 Peace Prize for his work on documenting the Holocaust. "I’m thrilled. It's a great honor," he added. "It’s an important prize because it's an American prize that has a great meaning in this country."
Friedlander, who holds UCLA's 1939 Club Chair in Holocaust Studies, is considered one of the world's premier historians in the field and his books the definitive work on Jews during the rise and terror of the Third Reich. Last year, he received the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the Frankfurt Book Fair's top award. Friedlander grew up in a French monastery in the 1940s, not knowing that his Jewish parents had perished in the Holocaust. When he was 13, a Jesuit priest told him what had happened to the Jews of Europe."That changed my whole life," Friedlander said in a 2001 interview. "In a way, my Jewish identity was restored."
The Ministerial Committee marking 60 years of independence to Israel, headed by Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila, has approved the first list of events and projects that will be held and implemented in the 60th year of Israel's independence. Events celebrating Israel at 60 will be held in 2008 and 2009 (Shvat 5768 to Tevet 5769). The 60th Anniversary Administration, headed by Minister Ruhama Avraham Balila, is currently in the process of concluding the programs that will involve collaboration with various Government Ministries and national institutions.
The site will be updated during the next few monthes.
The Vatican's official travel agency, will begin operating six weekly charter flights to Israel starting Wednesday. The agency will also be offering additional flights to Israel from Naples, Sicily, Bergamo and Brescia.
To this end Romana Opera has chartered planes from Italian cargo airline Mistral Air, which will bear the travel agency's logo.
The Israeli Tourism Ministry's efforts to attract Catholic pilgrims to the local holy sites have resulted in a 70% increase in tourism from Italy last February.
The ministry's director-general, Shaul Tzemach, estimated that the new endeavor will result in some 7,000 additional hotel reservations, particularly in Bethlehem.
"The Catholic pilgrim is interested in visiting the traditional Christian holy sites," he said, adding that the Tourism Ministry will work to increase the number of flight routes to Israel to accommodate the pilgrims.
Some 500,000 pilgrims visited Israel in 2007, marking a 25% increase from the previous year. About 80,000 pilgrims visited the country in January and February of 2008, up 30% from the same time last year.
Meanwhile, the final preparations are underway for the fifth annual Pilgrimage Marathon for Peace, which is scheduled to take place Passover Eve. During the event, pilgrims will march from Bethlehem to the Temple Mount in Jerusalem's Old City to promote peace in the region.
Pope Benedict XVI has a sweet tooth, and there is nothing like kosher cake to feed it. As it turns out, a renowned kosher bakery in Rome’s ancient Jewish ghetto is one of the pope’s favorite places to visit when it's time for desert.
There are few people in Rome that do not know the famous Boccione bakery in Rome's ancient ghetto, established in 1555. Alongside a prominent local synagogue and Jewish schools stands the bakery, renowned for making traditional treats by hand for hundreds of years.
“One of the pope's doctors stopped by the bakery en route to administering a routine checkup of the pontiff and introduced the pastries to Benedict,” recalled bakery owner Wilma Limentani.
“I guess he enjoyed the biscotti and 'Jewish pizza' (an almond-and-raisin confection),” noted Limenati who was recently surprised with a thank-you letter from the Vatican.
Ever since the papal endorsement, business has certainly picked up at Boccione with curious customers lining up to see just how good “Jewish pizza” really is.
Following meeting with Israeli ambassador to Vatican, Italian island's local archbishop plans to urge his believers to visit Holy Land in honor of Jewish state's 60th anniversary.
ROME – Hundreds of the world's rich and famous arriving at the Italian island of Sardinia on their luxurious yachts on an annual basis may soon discover that the island's residents prefer to tour a different country - Israel.
In honor of the State of Israel's 60th anniversary, local archbishop Sebastiano Sanguinetti plansto urge his believers to visit the Holy Land. Israeli Ambassador to The Vatican Oded Ben Hur, who is about to complete a successful tenure in Rome, met with the island's senior church officials, who promised him that a first group of 300 pilgrims will leave for Israel just before the Jewish state's Independence Day.
Israel Government Approves “Open Skies”
Acting late in January on a proposal by Minister of Transport & Road Safety Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli government approved the minister’s ”open skies” policy and has also decided to increase from 50 percent 80 percent its participation in the security costs of Israeli carriers. Within the framework of its approval the government stated that “the Minister of Transport will weigh whether to approve designated carrier status to an additional airline on regularly scheduled routes and whether to cancel El Al’s status on certain given routes."
In response, El Al said that “it welcomes this decision and believes that as a result, Israeli carriers will be in a position to cope with the challenges of expanding the number of seats they offer and in increasing competition with foreign airlines.” In the wake of the decision, Arkia Israeli Airlines has announced its intention to apply for designated carrier status on a number of routes between Israel and cities in Europe, the United States and the Far East. It has received Ministry of Transport approval already as Israel’s second designated carrier on the Tel Aviv-Paris route, where it plans to double its three weekly flights to six and to add a seventh this coming summer. The airline has applied for similar status for Kiev too, where it would like to be granted permission at first to operate two weekly regular charter flights on an annual basis. Israir also has also applied for designated carrier status on regularly scheduled routes, including: London; Berlin; Moscow; Amsterdam; Rome; Kiev; Munich; Verona; Milan; Budapest; Las Vegas, and Miami.
Ben Gurion Airport ranks best in Mideast.
International quality survey finds Israel's national airport best in region; terminal ranks second in category of airports.
In the survey, Israel's Ben Gurion national airport was ranked the best passenger terminal in the Middle East and was rated the second best airport in the category of terminals with 5-15 million passengers a year, after Central Japan.
The ASQ rankings are based on the results from nearly 200,000 questionnaires completed by passengers in 2007. The survey captures the passenger’s immediate appraisal of 34 airport service factors, from check-in through to departure at the gate.
For the third year in a row, Asia Pacific airports garnered the three top positions in the ‘worldwide’ category, with Seoul’s Incheon International Airport coming in first, Kuala Lumpur International Airport second and Singapore Changi in third place.
The Israel Airports Authority said in response that "for several years now, the Ben Gurion Airport has been ranked in top places in the world in a variety of categories.
Israeli film wins audience prize at Berlin Film Festival
Eran Riklis' 'Lemon Tree' wins Panorama section of 2008's Berlinale, beats 51 films in the running, sets new voting record. 'Getting an audience prize has significant affect on movie's chances of exposure,' says Riklis
Israeli director Eran Riklis' "Lemon Tree" won the Audience Prize at the annual Berlin Film Festival Saturday after getting a record of 20,000 votes.
The "Lemon Tree" was showcased as part of the Berlinale Panorama section, which screens independent films. Viewers were able to vote both through the festival's official website and with ballots given at the beginning of each screening.
"This has been an amazing week," Riklis said. "About 1,000 people attended the first screening and it was very exciting. I got a good feeling from that screening… it had a very diverse audience and so did the four screenings that followed – they were just packed. The last screening we had, in east Berlin, had over 100 people waiting in line. The reviews were also very good, and that has its affect on the professional level; there was just a very good vibe.
"Hiam Abbas is the reigning queen of Berlin, everyone loves her" said Riklis of his leading actress. As for the prize, Riklis seemed content with the win: "Getting an audience prize is a vote of confidence and also carries significant weight as to the movie's chances of exposure.
"Winning the Audience Prize is aligned with my perception of making movies, meaning that movies are made for the audiences and therefore belong to them," he said.
The Berlin Festival's Panorama showcased 52 movies this year, 19 of which were documentaries. Australian director Julian Shaw's "Darling! The Pieter-Dirk Uys Story" won second prize. Coming in third was Germany's Samson Vicent's "Erike Rabau - Puck of Berlin".
Israeli director Amos Kollek's "Restless", also featured in the festival, won the Union of German Cinema award and received a warm welcome by the foreign press covering the event.
Israeli Foreign Ministry, New York Consulate launch online voting campaign to ensure Jerusalem will be featured in new, worldwide edition of board game. Consulate to pitch Tel Aviv for game's wildcard run; voting to end February 28th.
The Hasbro Toys Company, manufacturer of Monopoly, has recently announced it will be issuing a special edition of the popular board game, under the title "Global Monopoly".
The company has asked the playing public to vote on which of the world's 20 leading cities they would like to see featured in the game, listing 68 cities to choose from on its website.
Israel's capital of Jerusalem is currently ranked in seventh placed – a ranking which prompted the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the Israeli Consulate in New York City to launch a voting campaign among Israel supporters in the US and around the world, calling all to log on and vote for its induction in the game.
Once the game's 20 cities are determined, Hasbro plans to open a second vote, this time for the two cities which will be featured as the game's "wild cards". The Israeli Consulate intends to enter Tel Aviv in the running.
David Saranga, consul for media and public affairs at the consulate, who initiated the campaign, said that "its primary goal is informative – creating a direct link between Israel and Jerusalem as its capital for millions of people around the world.We also intend to pitch Tel Aviv for 'Global Monopoly' as well, as the cosmopolitan, vivacious, cultural city it is."
Hasbro's monopoly is one of the world's best selling board games, sold in 103 countries, in 37 languages.
Earthquake felt from Nahariya in the north down to Beersheba at 12:36 pm. Epicenter near Tyre, Lebanon.
At 12:36 on Friday afternoon an earthquake registering 5.3 on the Richter Scale was felt by residents across Israel. The trembling lasted for 19 seconds and shook structures in many major towns and cities.
Reports of shaking were received from Nahariya in the north down to Beersheba. Magen David Adom emergency services said there were no reports of injuries, but several people suffered from shock.
The quake's epicenter was located 15 kilometers (10 miles) northeast of Tyre Lebanon, or 70 km (45 miles) northeast of Haifa.
"It was really cool. The quake was pretty strong," says Shahaf Cohen of Haifa . "Everything in our house shook; so did the house itself. A few aftershocks followed the initial quake. It lasted for about 20 seconds."
Shai Hadad of Petah Tikva was working at his computer when the quake hit. "The chair and bed moved from side to side. Then I felt another weaker quake," he said.
The quake was the strongest to hit Israel in recent years.
The earthquake also shook Beirut, other parts of Lebanon and the Syrian capital of Damascus.
New exhibition in Jerusalem tries to capture essence of city's Katamonim neighborhood. 'Rehavia is pretty, but for us Katamonim is very different. People know each other, like it was before,' one artist explains.
More than 10 local artists gathered for an exhibition last week entitled, “South of Rehavia.” As one of the organizers explained in her opening remarks, Rehavia has the reputation of being the cultural pinnacle in Jerusalem, but that Katamonim has a different attitude that they are proud of.
On display at the “South of Rehavia” exhibition were various oil and acrylic paintings, photographic works, and several freestanding designs of various materials.
One of the artists featured at the exhibition was Chanchal Banga. Originally from the Bombay area of India, Chanchal has postgraduate degrees in print making from both Indian and Israeli schools, including the Bezalel Academy.
Exhibit paintings by Chanchal Banga (Photo courtesy of Chanchal Banga)
Chanchal has lived and worked in Israel with his wife, Sigal, for seven years now. Speaking of his neighborhood, Chanchal said, “Rehavia is pretty, but for us Katamonim is very different. People know each other,” he said, “like it was before.”
One of the paintings that Chanchal had on display was of a typical Jerusalem stone apartment building in the center, surrounded by a broad pink border. He explained that, “The pink symbolizes Jerusalem as we see it. The house is both Katamonim and Rehavia. The differences,” he continued, “are only in mentality.”
Kids as inspiration
Chanchal explained some of the inspiration and message behind his works is that, “Life is temporary.” He said that he tries to provide contrasts to everyday life through his paintings. But sometimes inspiration is much closer to home, as Chanchal explained that his 4-year-old daughter inspired the second painting on display at the exhibition. A second daughter born Sunday could also be the inspiration for future work.
Chanchal’s resume includes a long list of exhibitions and workshops in both Israel and India, and he travels back and forth between the two places frequently. In Israel, he was the recipient of a fine arts fellowship from the government in 2001.
Australian Tennis Open: Ram, Erlich win men's doubles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia.
The Israeli duo defeated Michael Llodra and Arnaud Clement 7-5, 7-6 (4) in the final of the men's doubles tournament and celebrated like only they know how. After the French duo sent the ball into the net on match point, Ram lifted his partner in the air before Erlich returned the favor by giving Ram a piggy-back ride round the Rod Laver Arena centre court.
"This is an unbelievable moment. It's a great, great moment for us," Ram said after the match. "I've won two Grand Slams in the mixed doubles, but that's not even close to what I'm feeling at the moment." "I've been waiting for this moment since I was born," an emotional Erlich said after the two accepted the trophy. "It's an amazing experience. As a kid looking at the TV, watching the Grand Slams, I never believed I'd be here. It's an amazing tournament. It has an amazing atmosphere. It's an amazing title to win."
Shahar Peer makes Australian open finals
Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer, along with Belarusian partner Victoria Azarenka, defeated Chinese pair Zi Yan and Jie Zheng 6:0, 5:7, 6:7(3) Wednesday to make the women’s doubles final of the Australian Open tennis tournament.
Peer and her partner will receive a $223,000 cash prize. Their rivals for the tournament finals have not yet been determined.
ISRALIE MOVIE For OSCAR
Great achievement for local cinema as film depicting last days of military occupation of Lebanon by Joseph Cedar lands nomination for Best Foreign Film at US Academy Awards. First for an Israeli movie since 1984. Israeli film 'Beaufort', directed by Joseph Cedar and based on the best-selling novel 'If Heaven Exists' by journalist Ron Leshem is among the five films nominated for Best Foreign Film. The movie centers on a unit of IDF soldiers in southern Lebanon in the lead-up to Israel's withdrawal from the territory in 2000.
The Shalom Marathon – Dead Sea Half Marathon – February 16,2008.
The starting point for all races is the Ein Gedi Spa, some 80 kilometers (50 miles) east of Jerusalem and 4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi.
2km Children's Race
For children up to 14 years of age. From Ein Gedi Spa in the direction of Masada 1 kilometer and back, along the sand-track parallel to the Dead Sea Shore.
Starting time for race: 8:45AM, February 16th, 2008
Assemble at Ein Gedi Spa (4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi). Racing direction will be south on Route #90 towards Masada and back. (Visit Masada, Herod's stronghold, during your free time)
10km Race Walking
From the Ein Gedi Spa 5 kilometers in the direction of Masada and back.
Starting time for race: 8:30AM, February 16th, 2008
Assemble at Ein Gedi Spa (4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi). Racing direction will be south on Route #90 towards Masada and back. (Visit Masada, Herod's stronghold, during your free time).
Handbike Half-Marathon
From the Ein Gedi Spa to Masada and back. For physically disabled.
21.1 kilometers
Starting time for race: 9:10 AM, February 16th, 2008
Assemble at Ein Gedi Spa (4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi). Racing direction will be south on Route #90 towards Masada and back. (Visit Masada, Herod's stronghold, during your free time).
Half-Marathon
From the Ein Gedi Spa to Masada and back. 21.1 kilometers
Starting time for race: 9:15 AM, February 16th, 2008
Assemble at Ein Gedi Spa (4 kilometers south of Kibbutz Ein Gedi). Racing direction will be south on Route #90 towards Masada and back. (Visit Masada, Herod's stronghold, during your free time).
DID YOU KNOW?
This is a short clip about Israel meant to be used for presentations as an opening clip. It was originally produced for the GA summit of 2004 but improved for the general public. It covers all the positive highlights of Israeli Society and has no political agenda setting. The clip is based on emotive elements and is quite effective.
Finally, A MERRY CHRISTMAS in Bethlehem
For first time a traditional grandeur, as tens of thousands of tourists, pilgrims fill town. Locals hope successful holiday marks beginning of turn for the better Tens of thousands of pilgrims and tourists from around the world swept across Bethlehem's streets Monday evening, in anticipation of the Christmas celebrations in town and the mass at the Nativity Church set for midnight. Diplomats stationed in Israel and the Palestinian Authority, including thQuartet'senvoy to the Middle Eats Tony Blair and US Consul General in Jerusalem Jacob Walles, will also takepart in the ceremony. 100% occupancy rate at hotels The celebrations were launched Monday noon with the arrival of Latin Patriarch Michel Sabbah in Bethlehem. Palestinian sources reported that movement through IDF roadblocks was generally made smooth and easy. Encouraged by renewed peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, Christian pilgrimsfrom around the world converged on the town of Jesus' birth on Monday to celebrate Christmas.
"I'm Catholic. I always wanted to see the beginning of Christianity, the whole history. It's something you grow up with," said Kristin Obeck, a 37-year-old schoolteacher from Richmond, Virginia. Tiago Martins, 28, from Curitiba, Brazil, said the new peace talks had prompted him to visit Jesus' traditional birthplace for the first time."If you can't be with family, it's good to be here where it all went down," added David Collen, 23, of Hickman, Nebraska.While many celebrants appeared to be curious teenagers and other local residents, Israeli tourism officials said they expected some 20,000 visitors to cross from Jerusalem into neighboring Bethlehem. They said that was an increase of about 50 percent over last year, though well below the peak years.
Tourism workers handed out sweets and flowers to pilgrims, and smiling Israeli soldiers posed for pictures with travelers. A four-story cypress tree, strung with lights, hung with red and gold globes and topped with a yellow star, towered outside the church. Children and teenagers strolling through the square wore red-and-white Santa Claus hats, with some wearing full Santa regalia. Balloons bobbed from vendors' stands and strings children clutched in their hands. After nightfall, the square was lit in a sea of red and yellow lights and Christmas stars.
"This year is much better than the last seven years for tourism," said shopkeeper JacquesAman, whose wooden handicrafts shop offered crosses, rosaries and nativity scenes. "The atmosphere is better in general. There is relative calm, from the security standpoint."
Israelis and Russians will soon stop needing visas to visit each other's countries, under a new agreement reached by representatives of both foreign ministries in Moscow last week.
Government sources said the Russian government is expected to approve the new consular agreement soon after Christmas. Once the agreement is approved, the visa requirement should be eliminated within 90 days, they added.
In Israel, the main push for eliminating the visa requirement came from the Tourism Ministry, which estimates that abolishing visas would increase Russian tourism to Israel by about 100,000 people a year.
65,000 pilgrims to arrive in Israel for Christmas
Known by millions around the world as ‘the Holy Land', Israel is an exceptional country. Some 65,000 Christian pilgrims are expected to arrive in Israel for the Christmas holiday, said the Tourism Ministry This is an estimated 50% increase compared to last year.
Until the end of 2007, about 1 million Christian tourists are expected to visit the country.
The Israeli and Palestinian Tourism Ministries, as well as the Israel police are currently investing efforts in facilitating the smooth passage of the pilgrims from Jerusalem to Bethlehem and Nazareth and Additionally, in light of the large number of tourists scheduled to arrive in Israel through the Ben Gurion Airport, Taba and Allenby crossings, the Tourism Ministry in cooperation with the Israel Airports Authority are working to make sure that entry into the country is made simple for travelers.
El Al Israel Airlines Ltd. said it plans to buy four Boeing Co. planes and start a code-sharing program with American Airlines, as it seeks to build on growing Israeli tourism.
The code-sharing agreement with American Airlines, the world's biggest airline, will enable passengers to depart on the US carrier from 23 additional North American cities, easing connections to El Al flights to and from Israel.
The agreement will also permit El Al passengers to fly to or from Israel non-stop one way and stop over in one of El Al's European destinations on their return flight.
Also British Midland Airways BMI, the UK's third-largest airline, will start daily non-stop flights from London Heathrow to Tel Aviv's Ben-Gurion Airport in March 2008, becoming the second British carrier to fly that route.
The UK and Israeli governments agreed in September to allow another British carrier to operate the route.
Israel has pushed for a competitive "open sky" policy and reduced the exclusivity of El Al Israel Airlines Ltd., the country's biggest carrier, to trim prices, improve service and expand tourism. Thomsonfly Ltd., the British airline owned by TUI AG, the world's biggest tour operator, said in October it would start discount Tel Aviv flights.
BMI will offer the service starting March 13 2008 aboard an A320 Airbus plane, at 7:15 a.m. from Tel Aviv and at 12:55 p.m. from London.
Chritmas Carol ServiceDecember 16th 2007A Christmas Eve Service of scripture reading and carolsFollowed by a carillon concert and a reception in the YMCA lobby. 26 King David Stree, Jerusalem. Tel: 02-569-2670. Additionally, special Christmas Concerts:
Monday,December 24 – Christmas Eve 13:00 – 13:20
19:00 – Christmas Eve Family Carol Service in auditorium followed
by a short Carillon Concert.
Tuesday,December 25 - Christmas Day 18:00 – 18:30
The concerts' repertoires are varied, including Christmas Carols,
classical music,and folklore.
The Dan bus company along with the Tel Aviv Municipality is now offering City Tour - a tour of Tel Aviv on a bright red roofless bus .
This new GPS guided tourist bus will take you on a two hour journey throughout Tel Aviv, stopping over at the city's various sightseeing attractions and offering comprehensive audio guides in 8 different languages. The bus starts off and finishes off at Reading Power Station and passes through the enchanting neighborhoods of Tel Aviv: Neve Tzedek, Ancient Jaffa, Rothschild Boulevard, Ramat Aviv, Dizengoff Street; and stops off at some of the finest attractions the city has to offer: Kikar HaMedina, The Rabin Memorial, Tel Aviv Museum and more.
As mentioned, the tour lasts 2 hours. Sundays to Thrusdays, the first bus leaves at 9:00, the second at 11:00, and from then and until 16:00, it leaves every hour. On Fridays, the last bus leaves at 14:00. The official prices are: NIS 45 for adults and NIS 35 for children. However, from December 2007-March 2008, a special NIS 10 introductory price is offered to all.
Comedian Jerry Seinfeld, greeted like visiting royalty on his first trip to Israel in 37 years, joked Sunday that things have changed since his teenage days working on a banana farm. When I was here at the age of 15 and I worked in the kibbutz, nobody really was very interested in meeting me. But during his visit to premiere the Hebrew version of his animated film, "Bee Movie," Seinfeld was lionized. He met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and President Shimon Peres, shopped in Tel Aviv, visited Masada and the Sea of Galilee and stopped to pray for a half-hour at the Western Wall.
I love meeting Israeli people. They look at me like a son, said Jerry.
Immanuel Tours Israel Travel blog offers your group a chance to operate your own Blog over the internet, allowing the group to have its own group photo album with each member able to load upto 20 photographs and post his or her comments, experiences or messages on the blog. The blog is for open viewing, allowing your family, friends and relatives to view the blog and the photo album while only group members can upload pictures or post comments.
