Falafel

Why falafel is at the heart of Israel’s 'Operation Dugo' Holocaust remembrance

Operation Dugo grew out of David “Dugo” Leitner’s personal tradition of eating falafel every January 18, the date linked to the start of the Auschwitz death marches in 1945.

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana and Member of Knesset Michael Biton prepare falafel in memory of late Holocaust survivor David (Dugo) Leitner at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, in Jerusalem, on January 14, 2026.
 An illustrative image of falafel balls.

In the Kitchen with Henny: Shuk-style celebration

 Falafel

We went out for falafel with NIS 20 – and in these cities, we got change

 Authentic falafel made at home

Five simple ingredients: Authentic falafel made at home


The ultimate homemade falafel: Easy, authentic, and perfect for hosting

When aiming to host and feed many guests effortlessly, nothing beats homemade falafel. Learn how to prepare it at home without any hassle.

 What's left? Just pitas, maybe some good tahini, and a bit of spice

Humus Shel Atar: When in doubt – eat hummus

A smooth texture that was just right, not too firm and not too soft.

THE HUMMUS at Humus Shel Atar.

Mia Khalifa, Jewish woman exchange verbal blows over anti-Israel stance

Lebanese-American adult film actress Mia Khalifa, whom ISIS once threatened to kill over a culturally-insensitive adult film, has been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.

  Mia Khalifa arrives at the 2022 Latin American Music Awards at Michelob ULTRA Arena on April 21, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Holocaust survivor David 'Dugo' Leitner passes away at 93

Leitner started a tradition in Israel of eating falafel on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

President Reuven (Ruvi) Rivlin hosts Holocaust survivor David “Dugo” Leitner and his family on January 19, 2019, to a falafel lunch

Hummus with a side of tax evasion: Where did NIS 120m. go in the falafel industry?

Money believed to be undeclared to VAT from hummus and falafel shops prompted an investigation.

 TO MAKE THE claim that any food, be it hummus, falafel or kubbeh, is inherently one culture or another is doing a disservice to the generations who have honed and preserved those recipes.

Falafel: What is the Middle East's most iconic food? - explainer

Whether in a pita or lafa, with hummus or tahini, eaten by Israelis or Arabs, falafel is nothing short of emblematic of the region and its culinary traditions.  

Three falafel and salad-filled pitas.

Israeli falafel wins! World's best falafel in world's 9th happiest state

It should come as no surprise that Israel was recently named the best place to eat falafel. Yemeni Jews made it popular in the 1950s and it’s now Israel’s national dish.

 Tomer, Aharon and Oz Ben Hur offer freshly fried falafel balls at the Ben Hur Falafel restaurant in Tel Aviv.

Haifa, Tel Aviv top 10bis list of best cities in world for falafel

Haifa was number one, scoring 9.07, followed by Tel Aviv at 8.7 and Beirut and Jerusalem at 7.92.

Hummus and Falafel, Israel's favorite chickpea-based dishes

Petah Tikva man chokes on falafel, saved by EMTs passing by

When United Hatzalah volunteer EMT Neria Cohen left a Petah Tikvah store, he heard a commotion – along with cries for help – coming from the shop next door, where a man was choking on falafel.

Three falafel and salad-filled pitas.

Where to eat the best falafel in the world

10Bis did a survey of falafel in cities around the world and compile a top-10 list.

Three falafel and salad-filled pitas.