Life in israel

'There is no normal life here': three Israelis, three years after October 7

Three people reflect on the moments, choices, and unexpected journeys that began with the trauma of October 7

People holding up portraits of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza gather at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv in October 2025. Premium
Israelis have continued to work, study, and raise families, even as reminders of three years of war remain part of the landscape of everyday life.PremiumPremium

We're just in survival mode': Israel's new normal after October 7

A partially torn poster of a hostage kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas is seen at a public plaza in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art.

Farewell from the Report: reflecting on three years of upheaval - from the editor

A hot day at the beach in Tel Aviv.

Tel Aviv ranks 34th globally, highest in Middle East, in Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index


Israel Story podcast is back with a new season of off-beat tales

The show focuses on real life in Israel, not the Israel of tourism posters or news headlines, and tells fascinating stories that you would likely never hear if you did not tune in.

 ISRAEL STORY'S Mishy Harmon with his staff.

Quality of Life Index: Kfar Saba leads, Jerusalem ranked worst

Kfar Saba, Ramat Gan and Rehovot led the quality of life index of large cities, while Jerusalem, Bat Yam and Ashdod were the lowest ranked large cities.

Kfar Saba

Memories of serving in the Mishmar Ezrachi

Yehudit Collins and her husband Chaim joined the Civil Guard in 1979.

Chaim and Yehudit Collins on duty with the Mishmar Ezrachi in 2003

Living your life with integrity every day

These days of the coronavirus are challenging all of us to think about what is most important in our lives.

A girl plays on the beach as Israel celebrates its Independence Day marking the 71st anniversary of the creation of the state, in Tel Aviv, Israel May 9, 2019

Life in the shadow of the coronavirus - analysis

It's better than a lockdown, but it is not a return to life before corona. Rather, it is life in the presence of corona.

A cyclist takes a picture at the Barceloneta beach during the hours in which individual exercise is allowed outdoors, for the first time since the lockdown was announced, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Barcelona, Spain, May 2, 2020.

The planned residency tax reform – a potential blow to hi-tech relocations

It seems the Israeli Tax Authority has become fed up with the Israeli tax residency tests under the current law.

Calculating taxes

OUT THERE: Serendipity

Thirty-four years ago, after being in this country for about three years, I was off to the University of Illinois to study journalism.

An illustration by Pepe Fainberg

Getting up on the wrong side of the bed

Sound advise on what to do on rough days.

A person in bed (Illustrative)

Survey: Israeli bus journeys take 20% longer since 2011

According to the survey, the level of satisfaction from public transportation services in Israel is among the lowest in Europe.

An Egged bus in front of the Jerusalem Central Bus Station

Israelis to enjoy one less hour of work per week

Starting April 1, the workweek will be cut to 42 hours, after which employees will get paid overtime.

Computer keyboard [illustrative].