Keeping in Touch

The postal service in the West Bank is a part of the Israeli mail system; refer to the Communications section in Israel for more details. All major towns in the West Bank have at least one post office, where Poste Restante is available; letters should be addressed to the main post office in the town nearest you, West Bank, via Israel.

The telephone system in the West Bank is also integrated in the Israeli telephone network, operated by Bezek. All services, including collect and calling card calls, are available from any private or public telephone. Beige public telephones, operated by telecards, are conveniently located in most post offices, where you can also purchase the cards. Relevant area codes are (02) for East Jerusalem, Ramallah, and the South, and (09) for Nablus and the North. You may further identify the location of specific numbers by studying the first two digits (Ramallah: 95, Nablus: 37, East Jerusalem: 89, and Bethlehem: 74).

Direct international calls to Arab countries (except Egypt) from Israel or vice-versa are officially impossible but, like all other technicalities in the Middle East, this can be overcome, specifically through the use of an American or European satellite. These services are not usually advertised, so ask around if an emergency arises. The international phone code for the West Bank is the same as thai of Israel (972). For more information, refer to Communications in the Israel section.