How To Call Israel From US
Quick Reference Summary
To call Israel from the United States:
011 + 972 + Area Code + Local Number
Examples:
- For Jerusalem landline: 011 + 972 + 2 + XXXXXXX (7 digits)
- For Israeli mobile phone: 011 + 972 + 5X + XXXXXXX (7 digits)
When it’s 12 PM (noon) in New York (EST), it’s 7 PM in Israel (7 hours ahead).
How to Call a Landline in Israel
Calling an Israeli landline from the United States requires following these specific steps:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Israel’s country code: 972
- Dial the area code (single digit for landlines)
- Dial the local phone number (typically 7 digits)
For example, if you’re calling a Jerusalem number that would be written as 02-123-4567 in Israel, you would dial 011 972 2 123 4567 from the United States.
It’s important to note that when dialing internationally, you need to drop the leading zero from the Israeli area code. So if the number in Israel starts with 02, you would dial just the 2 after the country code.
How to Call a Mobile Phone in Israel
Calling an Israeli mobile phone follows the same pattern with some differences:
- Dial the US exit code: 011
- Dial Israel’s country code: 972
- Dial the mobile prefix (starting with 5, then another digit indicating the provider)
- Dial the rest of the mobile number (typically 7 digits)
For example, if the Israeli mobile number is 050-123-4567, you would dial 011 972 50 123 4567 from the US.
All Israeli mobile numbers begin with 05, followed by another digit that indicates the mobile service provider. Remember to drop the leading zero when dialing from the US.
Understanding Israeli Phone Numbers
Israeli phone numbers follow a structured format that’s important to understand for successful international dialing.
Landline Numbers
Israeli landline numbers consist of:
- A 1-digit area code preceded by a zero when dialed within Israel (drop the zero when calling from abroad)
- A 7-digit local number
Total digits: 8 (including area code with zero) when dialed within Israel; 7 digits plus area code without zero when dialed internationally
Mobile Numbers
Israeli mobile numbers have:
- A 2-digit mobile prefix (starting with 05, then another digit for the provider)
- A 7-digit personal number
Total digits: 10 (including mobile prefix with zero) when dialed within Israel; 9 digits when dialed internationally (after dropping the leading zero)
Area Codes for Major Israeli Cities and Regions
When calling Israel, you must include the area code (without the leading zero) as part of your call. Here’s a list of major Israeli cities and their corresponding area codes:
| City/Region | Area Code |
|---|---|
| Jerusalem | 2 |
| Tel Aviv & Central Region | 3 |
| Haifa & Northern Region | 4 |
| Beer Sheva & Southern Region | 8 |
| Nazareth & Northern Region | 6 |
| Eilat | 8 |
| Dead Sea | 8 |
| Netanya | 9 |
| Herzliya | 9 |
| Ra’anana | 9 |
| Ashdod | 8 |
| Ashkelon | 8 |
| Tiberias | 4 |
| Safed (Tzfat) | 4 |
| Kfar Saba | 9 |
| Petah Tikva | 3 |
| Modiin | 8 |
| Rehovot | 8 |
| Rishon LeZion | 3 |
| Holon | 3 |
| Bat Yam | 3 |
| Ramat Gan | 3 |
| Givatayim | 3 |
| Bnei Brak | 3 |
| Beit Shemesh | 2 |
| Acre (Akko) | 4 |
| Nahariya | 4 |
| Karmiel | 4 |
| Kiryat Shmona | 4 |
| Afula | 4 |
| Hadera | 4 |
| Kiryat Gat | 8 |
| Sderot | 8 |
| Netivot | 8 |
| Ofakim | 8 |
| Arad | 8 |
| Dimona | 8 |
| Mitzpe Ramon | 8 |
| Yavne | 8 |
| Or Yehuda | 3 |
| Ramla | 8 |
| Lod | 8 |
| Rosh Ha’ayin | 3 |
| Kiryat Ono | 3 |
| Caesarea | 4 |
| Zichron Yaakov | 4 |
| Ariel | 3 |
| Ma’ale Adumim | 2 |
| Katzrin (Golan Heights) | 4 |
Mobile Phone Networks
Israeli mobile numbers always start with 05, followed by a specific digit that indicates the mobile network provider. When calling from the US, remember to drop the leading zero.
| Network | Prefixes (Drop leading 0 when dialing from US) |
|---|---|
| Pelephone | 50 |
| Cellcom | 52, 53 |
| Partner (Orange) | 54 |
| HOT Mobile | 55 |
| Golan Telecom | 58 |
| 019 Mobile | 51 |
| Rami Levy | 56 |
When calling an Israeli mobile from the US, dial 011 972 5X XXXXXXX (where X is the second digit indicating the provider).
Time Difference
Israel follows Israel Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+2 in winter and UTC+3 in summer (when Daylight Saving Time is in effect).
The time difference between the US and Israel depends on your location in the US and the time of year:
- Eastern Time (ET): Israel is 7 hours ahead (winter) or 6 hours ahead (summer)
- Central Time (CT): Israel is 8 hours ahead (winter) or 7 hours ahead (summer)
- Mountain Time (MT): Israel is 9 hours ahead (winter) or 8 hours ahead (summer)
- Pacific Time (PT): Israel is 10 hours ahead (winter) or 9 hours ahead (summer)
Israel usually changes to Daylight Saving Time in March and back to Standard Time in October, but exact dates can vary from year to year.
Special Numbers to Know
Service Numbers
- 1-800: Toll-free numbers (cannot typically be called from the US)
- 1-700: Local-rate numbers (cannot typically be called from the US)
- 1-900: Premium rate services (cannot be called from abroad)
Emergency Numbers
- 100: Police
- 101: Ambulance (Magen David Adom)
- 102: Fire Department
- 112: Universal European Emergency Number (works in Israel)
These emergency numbers cannot be dialed with the international format from outside Israel.
Calling Business Extensions
When calling an Israeli business with extensions:
- Dial the full international number as usual
- Wait for the automated system to answer
- Request your party or enter the extension when prompted
Many businesses in Israel, particularly those with international connections, have staff who speak English. English is widely understood and spoken throughout Israel, especially in business contexts and tourist areas.
Best Time to Call
Considering the significant time difference, finding the right time to call Israel from the US requires some planning:
- US East Coast to Israel:
- Best time: 8 AM – 11 AM EST (3 PM – 6 PM in Israel)
- Business hours in Israel: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (1:30 AM – 10 AM EST)
- US West Coast to Israel:
- Best time: 9 AM – 11 AM PST (7 PM – 9 PM in Israel)
- Business hours in Israel: 8:30 AM – 5 PM (10:30 PM – 7 AM PST)
Remember that the Israeli work week runs from Sunday through Thursday, with Friday and Saturday being the weekend. Many businesses close early on Friday afternoon for Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath).
Call Israel For Less With Phone Card Choice
Calling Israel from the United States can be expensive with regular phone services, but using an international calling card offers a cost-effective alternative for staying connected with family, friends, or business associates in Israel.
Our customers who regularly call Israel appreciate the crystal-clear connections and economical rates, whether they’re calling Jerusalem landlines or mobile phones in Tel Aviv.
Calling to a landline in Israel? See our best international calling cards for Israel here.
Calling to a mobile in Israel? See our best international calling cards for Israel here.
Using our service is simple and straightforward:
- Dial the local access number provided with your card
- Enter your 10-digit PIN number
- Dial Israel (972 + area code without the leading zero + local number)
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To get started with calling Israel at affordable rates, visit our website or call our customer service for personalized assistance.
