Israeli Phone Formatter

Step 1: Identify Phone Number Type

For the full prefix allocation table per carrier, consult references/prefix-allocation.md.

Step 2: Validate the Number

Run python scripts/validate_phone.py --number {input} to validate format and identify type.

If validating manually, apply these rules:

1. Strip all whitespace, hyphens, and parentheses
2. Convert international prefix: +972 or 972 becomes leading 0
3. Match against known prefix patterns
4. Verify digit count (mobile/VoIP = 10, landline = 9)

Common validation errors:

• Wrong digit count: Mobile numbers must be exactly 10 digits with the 0 prefix
• Unallocated prefix: 059 is not currently assigned to any carrier
• Missing leading zero: Local numbers always start with 0 (except toll-free and star)

Step 3: Format or Convert

Local to international:

1. Remove leading 0
2. Prepend +972
3. Example: 052-1234567 becomes +972-52-123-4567

International to local:

1. Replace +972 (or 972) with 0
2. Example: +972-2-625-1111 becomes 02-6251111

Important: Toll-free (1-800), premium (1-700), and star (*) numbers cannot be dialed internationally.

Step 4: Generate Code

When the user needs validation in code, provide a function using regex patterns from references/prefix-allocation.md. Include:

• Input sanitization (strip formatting characters)
• International prefix normalization
• Type detection by prefix
• Digit count verification per type

Example 1: Validate a Mobile Number

User says: "Is 052-1234567 a valid Israeli phone number?" Actions:

1. Strip formatting: 0521234567
2. Match prefix 052 = mobile (Cellcom)
3. Verify 10 digits total Result: Valid Israeli mobile number (Cellcom). International: +972-52-123-4567

Example 2: Convert to International

User says: "Convert 02-6251111 to international format" Actions:

1. Strip formatting: 026251111
2. Match prefix 02 = Jerusalem landline
3. Drop leading 0, prepend +972 Result: +972-2-625-1111 (Jerusalem landline)

Example 3: Batch Validation

User says: "Validate this list of phone numbers for my CRM import" Actions:

1. Run python scripts/validate_phone.py --batch --input contacts.csv
2. Report valid/invalid counts with specific errors per row Result: Summary table with validation status per number

Scripts

• scripts/validate_phone.py -- Validates, formats, and converts Israeli phone numbers. Supports single number validation, batch CSV processing, and format conversion between local and international. Run: python scripts/validate_phone.py --help

References

• references/prefix-allocation.md -- Complete Israeli phone prefix allocation table per Ministry of Communications, including carrier assignments for mobile prefixes (050-058), area codes for landlines, VoIP ranges, and special service numbers. Consult when implementing validation or identifying carriers.

Error: "Valid prefix but wrong digit count"

Cause: Mixing up mobile (10 digits) and landline (9 digits) lengths Solution: Mobile/VoIP numbers always have 10 digits including the 0. Landlines have 9. Count digits after stripping all formatting.

Error: "Number starts with 05 but prefix not recognized"

Cause: Not all 05X prefixes are allocated. 059 is currently unused. Solution: Check references/prefix-allocation.md for current allocations. Allocated mobile: 050, 051, 052, 053, 054, 055, 056, 058.

Error: "Cannot convert toll-free to international"

Cause: 1-800 and 1-700 numbers are domestic-only Solution: These numbers have no international equivalent. If the user needs international reach, suggest providing a standard landline or mobile number instead.