Israeli Business Etiquette Tips

Business people looking to establish and grow a presence in new Israeli markets will benefit greatly from practicing proper Israeli business etiquette. Being familiar with and practicing this etiquette will give you an advantage when working with your Israeli colleagues.

Please keep in mind that the Israeli culture plays host to a number of different religions, including Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Business people should always be cognizant of a colleague’s religious beliefs and tailor the behavior accordingly. By demonstrating proficiency in Israeli business etiquette, you will impress your colleagues and demonstrate your aptitude in Israel’s business world.

Israeli Business Meeting Etiquette

Proper business etiquette for Israeli meetings is distinct from that in the United States and in many other countries. Here are some business etiquette tips to help you appropriately interact with your Israeli colleagues:

• Dress in business casual after the first meeting - Men should wear polo shirts and women should wear dresses or slacks and blouses. At the first meeting, dress the way you would dress for a meeting in your home country.
• Know your colleagues’ religious views - Keep in mind that dress code differs for business people interacting with religious Israeli colleagues. In this case, business people should dress conservatively. Women should cover their elbows and knees. Men should wear white shirts and dark suits.
• Provide an agenda - Israelis have hectic schedules and tend to multitask.
• Research your Israeli colleagues - Please be aware of your colleagues’ English language skills and tailor your remarks accordingly. If you don't speak Hebrew, consider hiring a Hebrew translator or interpreter to demonstrate your professionalism and facilitate communication.
• Move to a first name basis quickly - This helps establish a comfortable business atmosphere. However, use titles and surnames upon initial meeting.
• Be prepared to discuss - Israeli business people love to talk and want to know more about you. Start conducting business only after everyone has gotten a chance to know each other.

Other helpful Israeli business etiquette tips include:

• The official work week is Sunday to Thursday. The Jewish Sabbath starts at sunset on Friday and lasts until sunset on Saturday. Muslims do not work on Friday. Some Christians do not work on Sunday.
• Expect to be interrupted. Israelis do not see this as rude. Israelis speak in a straightforward way and sometimes answer questions that were asked of someone else. Please do not be offended by this speech pattern.
• Provide engraved business cards. They will impress your Israeli colleagues. Please thoroughly read any business cards that you receive before putting them away. Go that extra mile and impress your Israeli colleagues by providing them with a Hebrew translation of all your pertinent documents.
• Please print business materials in English. This is the official language used in Israeli business interactions.
• Meeting protocol varies depending on the religion of your colleagues. If your colleagues practice Orthodox Judaism, women should refrain from any physical contact with males.
• Please do not schedule meetings in September or October. Many Jewish holidays occur in these months. Also please be aware that business hours are shortened for Muslims in the month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during daylight hours.
• Please do not bring up the Arab-Israeli conflict or the Holocaust when speaking with Israeli colleagues.
• To avoid embarrassment, please be aware that many Israelis keep kosher. Learn proper kosher practices. You will not be served meat and dairy during the same meal, nor will you be served pork or shellfish.

Values Honored in Hebrew Speaking Countries

• Religion
• Aggressive Communication
• Kosher Practices

About Foreign Translations, Inc.

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