Jerusalem Travel Answers

There are a zillion internet horror stories about all sorts of things but that does not mean they are true. Many are not (propaganda), most are over-exaggerated for effect (human trait), a few will contain truths but will rarely include all relevant information. In short, there will always be bias and you should take that into account. I can only tell you what a close friend (British) experienced about 8 years years ago. There was no problem on entry. He was with a group which visited Palestine as well as elsewhere in Israel, though not an organised commercial tour. On exit, each group member was questioned at some length, individually, and some cameras were taken away. No strip searches. My friend's camera was not taken. He did not enjoy the questioning but returned home with his photos intact. I don't understand your comment about 'Palestinian territories'. If you have booked an organised tour then simply tell the truth if questioned and have the documents ready to prove it (you'll have them with you anyway, presumably). I don't think you should let internet horror stories put you off in any way, but I do think you should use common sense about what you do, where you go and what you photograph. I would visit Israel like a shot, given the funds and opportunity, and certainly wouldn't let internet horror stories worry me.

thanks

Do keep watching this thread. I'm certain other VT-ers will be able to tell you recent personal experiences to reassure you further.

Take horror stories with a grain of salt. Fact is, however, that immigration controls/security clearing is something they take very serious in Israel. Anyone who has travelled via Ben Gurion Airport will confirm that the procedure takes longer and is morge diligent than at most other international airports. Strip searches are not customary though and taking the camera with you is not a problem either. Especially if you are on an organised tour and thus probably travel with some kind of voucher or other documents. If you have an Arab name and looks I suppose you are more likely to be controlled at checkpoints, especially should you happen to be there at a time when some security alert is raised. I´m sure it sucks if you feel like the victim of a blame game. On the other hand, all these controls and security measures sadly have a very real background, and in the end you as a visitor profit from an efficient security.

english name and perants many thanks.

I agree with the previous replies. Just bear with the questioning, no harm is intended, tell the truth and everything will be fine. The aim is really not to humiliate or embarrass any visitor, or to doubt your honesty, but just to make sure that the country remains safe for its residents and visitors alike. I'm sure you'll come back with a lot of good and positive experiences.

I read other forums and I believe you wrote the same thing on a different forum a number of weeks ago. You were re-assured there as to the inaccuracy of your statements. Your point in posting the same thing all of the place is????

People often do post the same question in several travel forums: that isn't at all unusual, in my experience. I see no reason why someone should not post a question here to get the opinion of Vt-ers as well as seek those from other websites. If we counsel against believing internet horror stories then. logically, we should also counsel against automatically believing what any one person or group of people says. Asking the same question of several different groups makes perfect sense to me.

FACT: I have visited Tel Aviv twice. First time (Dec of 10)I flew into the airport and took the train to the end of the line, north of Haifa, then back to the airport, flying out the morning after my arrival. I had NO problem at all with security!!! I fould it FAR less problematic that airports in the USA. Second trip (Oct 11)I arrived by boat and again had NO problem.

The first time I was in Israel I had to cut my visit short because of a family emergency back home. So I had to change my flights. I was questioned thouroughly because of that and it took a long time. Everybody was very polite and I completely understood the need for the questions. Just tell the truth and allow enough time at the airport so that you won't get afraid of missing your flight. I've had to take the batteries out of my camera when flying to London from Frankfurt, that's just a normal procedure which is done at random checks.

Security in Israel is very thorough and handled in a different manner than in the US and Western Europe. As someone already said it may not be "PC" but it has proven itself and it works. So you won't find an elderly woman being put through the paces just because she was the random passenger chosen and you won't be made to take your shoes off "just because". What you will find is that everyone is questioned and if there is cause then more questions will be asked. There is no problem taking your camcorder in with you - thousands of tourists do that all the time. Taking batteries out is just a precaution and is done in many places - it poses no risk to your equipment. Come - if you come in peace and want to enjoy this beautiful, amazing country - you will be warmly welcomed and will have a great time.

I travelled through Ben Gurion airport last december and I can say I was very irritated with their controls. They kept asking about my trips in Malaysia and even asked me to tell them the names of my contacts there, then all my lagguages got checked either with machine and by security and I even got accompanied by the security lady to the check in so she could make sure I would walk 12 meters without putting something in the lagguage she just checked. After all they did all they thought necessary and for sure I will not fly there in the near future, at least untill I keep travelling to Malaysia.

Just back from Israel (last week) and travel annually. Questions at the airport can get irritating (and note it is harder to leave Israel than it is to enter) but it is better to be safe than sorry (and I have been shocked by other airport check-ins whose 'security' questions are a joke). Security personnel are always polite if persistent. Sometimes they ask the same questions - it's OK to be sharp/angry in replying. If they are concerned about the security/safety of passengers, they will persist in asking questions. All luggage is screened before check-in. If there is concern about items, you will be asked to open bags. One one occasion, I've had my camera taken and checked - no battery removed though. It was returned immediately. On one other occasion I've been asked to start my laptop. So percentage wise, not much has happened (and this with a traveller who, on recent trip, had leads for laptop, 3 mobile phones (don;t ask), camera battery charger etc in my hand-luggage). This is also during a time period when I have travelled in and out of Israel 10 times or so in the last 8 years. And just because I've been before does not make the questioning on leaving any less. Always tell the truth when going through. So if you have been on a trip, tell them. Organised visit to Palestinian Authority is fine - fear for security personnel is you meet someone and they give you something - ie you become an unknowing mule. Go - enjoy. It's amazing. Been to Malaysia? It's a country that refuses to have diplomatic relations with Israel and is very vocal in doing so - so, sorry Xaver, that's why they are particular about where you have been.

your mistaking me withsome else.if you cannot give an intelligent answer why bother

Clive, I think you have a lot of intelligent and very helpful replies on this thread. It wold be useful to have some feedback from you which relates to those replies, and perhaps more questions if you have them?

the replies i have recived have all been very helpful i thank every one who answered my question and put my mind at rest. i was applying to the post who said i was asking the same question all over the internet 2 weeks ago witch i did not, even if i did i cnnot see the problem of asking knowledgeable people the question. they obviously havent experieced the problem. i spent 5 hours in toronto they was even going to cut my case open because i could not find the key quick enough. ripped christmas presents apart i was taking for my mother and ruined the stay thinking i was a terrorist.so thanks all for the info and looking forward to visiting a place i always wanted to see. many thanks

I am sure you will have a fascinating trip. Do please come back and tell us how you got on, so we can update our own information. :-)

If you are not the same person I apologize for what I wrote. The reason it DOES make a difference is there are a number of people who seem to post 'horror' stories on the internet for the sole purpose of discrediting Israel. BTW I do disagree with the person who said it is okay to get angry when they ask the same question more than once ( and they frequently do) It is never okay to be anything but cool, calm, patient and honest! The security personnel at the airport have an awesome job. They are responsible for protecting the lives of many hundreds of people. If one of them messes up and allows the wrong thing on a plane the results could be the downing of an aircraft ( that is why there is security LEAVING Israel as well as entering) I have close to 50 trips to Israel under my belt. Most of the time I go right through, Other times I have been singled out for an extra peek at my suitcase. I won't even begin to attempt to figure out the reasoning behind their actions. All I know is I fly safe!

Part of the questioning is to obtain, quickly, a psychological profile. It is a human trait to get annoyed when asked the same thing several times over: serious would-be threats (including drug runners etc) are trained to be cool, calm in the face of annoying situations. It's a classic training scenario for El Al security. I'm not saying get angry and start yelling etc, but frustration at being asked the same question is a honest response - and honesty is what security is looking for.

I think that when you depart for Israel is when you will be grilled. Having been three times in the last few years, I was never questioned entering the country but at the airports New York, Amsterdam and Istanbul I was thoroughly investigated. Leaving on the other hand is a pain but if you are truthful then just be patient and everything will be kosher. If yo uare Flying El Al, which I will never do again, be prepared for even more stringent questioning. Cheers