{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a18c72069630795d8cfed98/6a20a15af8e85cfadaf537bf?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Buying Our First Car: Life as an Israeli New Citizen","description":"<p>In this episode of <em>Shalom from Tel Aviv</em>, host Paul Maleary checks in with Nigel Lithman KC to discuss the practical realities and unexpected hurdles of adjusting to life as a retired new citizen in Israel. </p><p><br></p><p>Nigel shares a breakdown of his eventful week, shedding light on the nuances of local culture and public services</p><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>The Car Buying Conundrum</strong>: Nigel recounts his chaotic experience purchasing a car, noting that Israeli law prevents individuals from buying a vehicle until they have officially made <em>Aliyah</em> (gained citizenship). After choosing a light blue vehicle, a change of heart forced them to undo the paperwork for a right-hand drive model.</li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Driving and Infrastructure Reality</strong>: He reflects on the harrowing nature of Israeli traffic, citing a recent trip to Jerusalem where a standard 1-hour and 40-minute drive devolved into a three-and-a-half-hour traffic jam. Nigel jokes that the true existential threat to Israel isn't international conflict, but rather the local driving habits and a failure to clean up dog waste. </li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Financial and Bureaucratic Hurdles</strong>: Navigating foreign driver licensing rules requires Nigel to take eye exams and medical tests to convert his English license after a year. Furthermore, because of Foreign Office travel advisories, securing vehicle and medical insurance is highly complex, with car insurance premiums skyrocketing to around £5,000. </li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Travel and the Reliability of El Al</strong>: Discussing flight options via Wizz Air through Luton Airport, Nigel notes the cultural quirks of seat-shuffling often practiced by ultra-Orthodox passengers. He commends Israel's national carrier, El Al, emphasizing that they deserve patronage for flying uninterrupted through every war the country has faced. </li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Contrasting Healthcare Systems</strong>: Nigel compares the UK's NHS with the Israeli healthcare system, praising the latter's incredible speed and efficiency. He recounts a personal emergency where his wife was triaged, received a CT scan, met with a urologist, and was discharged within three hours on a Saturday night—all for less than £1,000 via a provider network. </li></ul><p><br></p><ul><li><strong>Demographics in Healthcare</strong>: Addressing external claims of \"ethnic cleansing,\" Nigel shares his research on the highly integrated nature of the Israeli healthcare system, highlighting that Israeli Arabs make up 21% of the population but account for 25% of physicians, 27% of nurses, and 49% of pharmacists. </li></ul><p><br></p><p>#Israel #TelAviv #Aliyah #ElAl #DrivingInIsrael #IsraeliCulture #Jerusalem #Haifa #HealthcareInIsrael #ImmigrationLife #NigelLithmanKC #PaulMaleary #WizzAir #ExpatLife #MiddleEastCulture #MedicalInsurance #IsraeliArabs #Podcasting #LifeInIsrael #Ashkelon</p>","author_name":"Paul Maleary"}