Shalom From Tel Aviv with Paul Maleary & Nigel Lithman KC

In this episode of Shalom from Tel Aviv, 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.

Nigel shares a breakdown of his eventful week, shedding light on the nuances of local culture and public services

• The Car Buying Conundrum: Nigel recounts his chaotic experience purchasing a car, noting that Israeli law prevents individuals from buying a vehicle until they have officially made Aliyah (gained citizenship). After choosing a light blue vehicle, a change of heart forced them to undo the paperwork for a right-hand drive model.

• Driving and Infrastructure Reality: 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.

• Financial and Bureaucratic Hurdles: 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.

• Travel and the Reliability of El Al: 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.

• Contrasting Healthcare Systems: 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.

• Demographics in Healthcare: 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.

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