Israel’s Top 25 bloggers
Israel has a fine collection of English speaking bloggers, some of whom are regularly called to the front line during times of huge international media interest (as in the recent Gaza war, for example). Other bloggers just amaze and delight us with their own unique take on life in the Holy Land.
Our collection below includes the best of the best, 25 bloggers that we feel you should be taking a look at, especially if you’re interested in knowing how the Holy Land really ticks…
Note: This list includes blogs that have been updated recently, while blogs that are either too political or too right/left wing aren’t here. Some blogs that should be on this list haven’t been updated for some months, hence their absence.
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Lisa Goldman - AKA On the Face. Israel-Canadian. Freelance journalist/writer. Resident of Tel Aviv. The unofficial queen of Israel blogging. Two excellent articles here and here. Needs to practice her beer drinking. |
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Liza Rosenberg - AKA Something Something. A writer, a mother, a coffee drinker, and an ex-blogging partner of mine. An excellent article here. |
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What War Zone - Because the Middle East is funny. Benji’s comical look at life in the Holy Land might just put you off your visit. Or leave you begging for more. |
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Dutchblog Israel - Observations, articles, opinions etc. in Dutch and English. The author, Bert de Bruin, is a Dutch-Jewish historian with an interesting view of the Holy Land. |
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Jerusalemite - Jerusalem culture guide, quite possibly the most resourceful and informative Jerusalem content on the entire internet. They kinda like Jerusalem. |
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Israelity - The reality of daily life in Israel. Israelis blog their daily thoughts, experiences and insights. It’s the real Israel, not the media’s Israel. |
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Not a Fish - The meaningless chatter of your regular split personality Israeli mother no longer trying to make sense of current insanity. |
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Tel Aviv Guide - A great guide to the City That Never Sleeps, reviewing the best hotels, top restaurants and trendy nightlife spots. Discover all the places you simply can’t miss in Tel Aviv. |
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Green Prophet - The Middle East has never been greener - Cleantech and Green Living from the Land of the Prophets. |
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Israellycool - Inside the mind of an Ozraeli. Aussie Dave also does a lot of live blogging in times of interest. |
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The Big Felafel - Essential tips for living in Israel. Molly, Rebecca and Shira write about the joys of living in Israel and provide some great tips and tricks for surviving in the Holy Land. |
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Oleh Girl - Made Aliyah in August 2005. Yael writes about making a life in the Holy Land, with all the trials and tribulations that involves. |
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Expat Egghead - An expat living up North and proud of it. Has been blogging since 2002, making him a real veteran of the anglo-Israel blogging scene. |
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Isrealli - Yes indeed, the state of Israel’s official blog, or rather the Israeli consulate in New York’s official blog. Some good cool stuff here. |
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Stefanella’s Drive Thru - A writer-type-editor-producer person living in Tel Aviv, she writes about goings on, Israel, U.S., observations, movement, travel, humor, fashion, fun! |
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Jerusalem Wanderings - Daily life in Jerusalem, thoughts on the peace process, on the people living in this country, brainstorming, dreams, and personal stuff. |
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Jewlicious - A pool of writers that have made this site quite possibly the King of all things Jewish. |
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Goy’s Guide to Israel - A goy (a non-Jew) writing some excellent stuff about living in the Holy Land, including this. |
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Cousin Lucy’s Spoon - Some kind of memoir by an American-Israeli, and famous for her Friday afternoon soup meetups. |
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Zalul - The official blog of the Zalul Environmental Association, an Israeli environmental NGO with the goal of protecting the seas and rivers of Israel. |
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Raanana Ramblings - Thoughts from a busy Mom in Ra’anana, Israel. |
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One Jerusalem - A news blog type magazine, has some good articles on the latest Israel news, politics, people, pictures, video and more. |
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Ouriel Ohayon - Professional Internet geezer, French, writes about all the good techy things (often Israeli intiated) that we should know about. |
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Nizo’s Blog - An insanely libidinous Palestinian muses on the Missile East and more…enjoys freckled redheads, baklava and chiseled chins. |
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Ze Beseder (It’s OK) - A blog from a North American, non-Jewish immigrant learning to adapt to Israeli culture. |
About the Author: Ashley intended staying in Israel for a couple of months...18 years later, married to a local girl with 2 (er, make that 
Ouriel Ohayon | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
thanks for the mention!
Herve Kabla | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
You missed one of the best Wordpress blog, located in Israel and managed by Myriam Schwab: http://wordpressgarage.com/
Liza R | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
Great list, Ashley! Well done!
Ashley | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
My pleasure! When do I get my pint?
Ashley | Mar 3, 2009 | Reply
It’s a great blog, but not so Israel-related, so no place on the list (which is for blogs that give us their own take on the Holy Land), sorry.
yipbop | Mar 4, 2009 | Reply
I also run an Israeli Blog.
http://newsbeyondnews.com
Rebecca | Mar 8, 2009 | Reply
Many thanks for listing The Big Felafel! Great job with your blog, by the way.
Robin | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Interesting list…very liberal slant though…not a single “settler” or potential Likud/non Labor-Kadima voter….
Miriam Schwab | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Hey Herve - so nice of you to suggest WordPress Garage for this list! I really appreciate that you thought of it.
Ashley, I do understand what you are saying about it not belonging here because it’s not Israel-focused. Although just for the record we do talk a about Israel there - WordCamp Israel and some Israeli technologies. And I don’t hide the fact that I’m located in Israel, which I’m sure is part of the reason WordPress Garage was hacked twice during the Gaza War - the proud mark of an unapologetic Israeli blog!
Ashley | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Rebecca: pleasure!
Robin: probably is a little left leaning, but I didn’t see a place in this list for hard-core settlers. Though I think Dave from israellycool is a “settler”, correct me if I’m wrong. Anyone wanting info on settlers and their perspective probably knows where to look and would not read this blog/site anyway.
Miriam: don’t worry, you’re on my next list! I’d tell you what it’s all about but then I’d have to kill you…
What War Zone??? | Mar 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks for the mention! (By the way, since this post went up, I built three new settlements.)
Aussie Dave | Mar 12, 2009 | Reply
Hi Ashley,
No, I do not live in the disputed territories, but then again, all of Israel is considered “occupied” by the anti-Israel crowd, so in that sense I am a “settler.”
And yes, if you couldn’t already tell, I am on the Right side of the political spectrum (that is probably why you thought I might be a “settler”).
By the way, nice new haunts you got here. תתחדש
savtadotty | Mar 19, 2009 | Reply
Ashley, I Just learned of my appearance on this list of literate and entertaining whippersnappers… you’re welcome to a bowl of soup any Friday you’re in Tel Aviv. Savta D.
Karin Kloosterman | Mar 27, 2009 | Reply
I beg to differ from Robin’s comment. Not all the blogs on this list are so liberal, but what they do is offer a balanced view.
Thanks for the mention — Karin from Green Prophet
Stephanie | May 11, 2009 | Reply
Cheers n’Beers! Thanks for the Nod!
Lauren | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
I’ve found a few blogs from newer olim; it might be interesting to do something like this from recent olim or olim-to-be
Ashley | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
I got the hint Lauren! But seriously, I will be adding a new section real soon for newbies to the Holy Land. You guys have a fresh look at things, which can help others.
Maya Norton | Oct 16, 2009 | Reply
Hi Ashley,
Appreciate this list. Wondering what your rating system was or where you sourced the list from? Some great blogs from here, but I’m surprised at the rankings. Just curious.
~ Maya
The New Jew: Blogging Jewish Philanthropy & Innovation
- as well as -
Global Voices Online, Israel
Judy Lash Balint | Dec 29, 2009 | Reply
Me too, me too! I’d like you to list my veteran blog too…been at it since 2002! There must be a prize for that, no?? http://jerusalemdiaries.blogspot.com
Thanks and yasher koach for your terrific site..