Israel

Israel is the only country to have simultaneous free trade agreements with the European Union, the United States, and the European Free Trade Association.
Peace between Israel and Palestine is uncertain as violence erupted in the fourth quarter of 2000.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has had a negative impact on tourism and foreign investment.
Real GDP growth is expected to grow steadily despite violence with projections of 4.3% in 2001 and 5% in 2002.

Israel pursues a liberal import policy and is largely open to U.S. products.
- Agricultural products are the exception and may be subject to slightly stricter regulations.
Israel’s distribution and sales channels are similar to most industrialized countries.
Approximately 25% of Israel’s population resides in or around the area surrounding Tel Aviv.
Using agents and distributors as intermediaries is more popular in Israel than direct marketing.
- U.S. companies often use these intermediaries to sell to the market.
Israel’s consumer market is open to a variety of products and services. For example, franchises have become increasingly popular.

Israel and the U.S. share similar business environments.
Punctuality is strongly encouraged for meetings and appointments.
Israelis are usually direct and well prepared for meetings.
Israelis dress less formally than their counterparts in the U.S. but formal dress is acceptable.
English is the accepted language of business.
The typical Israeli business week lasts 40-45 hours from Sunday to Thursday.

Do’s

Be prepared to offer business cards that are either in English or Hebrew and English
Shake hands upon introduction.
Use titles or surnames.
Always accept an invitation and bring a gift (i.e. flowers or a good bottle of wine).

Don'ts

Businesswomen shouldn’t offer to shake hands first.
Don’t serve pork.
Don’t eat with your left hand.
Politics is a sensitive issue. Don’t bring it up unless your Israeli counterpart does.

Israel is a parliamentary democracy with no written constitution.
Israeli legal system is based upon legal precedence and common parliamentary practices.