https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/israelIsraelhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-airport-security-is-getting-in-really-that-toughSecurity and checks at airports in Israel can be quite strict and thorough. Here's what you need to know to make it a smoother process.2019-09-02T10:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-airport-security-is-getting-in-really-that-toughhttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Arriving by aircraft you will notice a couple of security guards waiting when you go up the escalators from your flight &ndash; if you&nbsp;act suspicious they will not hesitate to stop you. But if you dress nicely, seem a part of another group or a family they are less likely to bother you.<br /><br />If you are stopped for questioning, having the telephone number of friends or colleagues in Israel who can vouch for you always helps the process, and if&nbsp;traveling as part of a group, security will usually question you separately before cross-checking your accounts.<br /><br />Be aware that passengers who have recently visited Arabic countries (except <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/bahrain" target="_blank" title="Travel Safety Advice for Bahrain">Bahrain</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/north-africa/egypt" target="_blank" title="How to Travel Safe in Egypt">Egypt</a>, <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/jordan/weird-and-strange-jordan" target="_blank" title="8 Local Laws in Jordan">Jordan</a>, Mauritania and <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/qatar/crime-customs-and-the-qatari-way" target="_blank" title="Is Qatar Safe?">Qatar</a>) may be subject to further questioning.<br /><br />Bag inspection, both by machine and hand, is routine and should be expected, in addition to repeated interviews about what you intend to do while traveling in Israel.</p> <ul> <li><a href="#tel-aviv-airport-security">Tel Aviv airport security</a></li> <li><a href="#email-inspections-by-israeli-airport-security">Email inspections by Israeli airport security</a></li> <li><a href="#will-i-be-targeted-when-arriving-in-israel">Will I be targeted when arriving in Israel?</a></li> <li><a href="#airport-departure-security-in-israel">Airport departure security in Israel</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="tel-aviv-airport-security">Tel Aviv airport security</h2> <p>Ben Gurion International Airport, the country's largest in Tel Aviv, is also one of the world's most secure airports.<br /><br />All cars, taxis, buses and trucks go through a preliminary security checkpoint before entering the airport compound.<br /><br />Armed guards spot-check the vehicles by looking into cars, taxis and buses, exchanging a few words with the driver and passengers. <br /><br />Armed security personnel stationed at the terminal entrances keep a close watch on those who enter the buildings. <br /><br />If someone arouses their suspicion or looks nervous, they may strike up a conversation to further assess the person's intent. <br /><br />Plainclothes armed personnel patrol the area outside the building, and hidden surveillance cameras operate at all times.</p> <h2 id="email-inspections-by-israeli-airport-security">Email inspections by Israeli airport security</h2> <p>Security checks may not stop at your luggage.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-approves-email-checks-at-the-border/" target="_blank" title="Israel approves email checks">Since mid-2012, immigration and security officials have asked certain inbound visitors to open their email accounts</a> or Facebook pages to be inspected. Several Palestinian-Americans and known Palestinian sympathizers have been subjected to this new type of search, and have been refused entry to Israel.</p> <p>Read the details of their cases in this <a href="http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2012/06/05/israel_asks_arab_visitors_to_open_emails_to_search/?page=full" target="_blank" title="Boston.com Report">Boston.com report</a>.</p> <p>According to the report, Israeli officials admit they use ethnic profiling, calling it a 'necessary evil' to maintain security.</p> <p>This means intending visitors of Arab or Indian descent, or those known to have publicly supported the Palestinian cause will be specifically targeted for this type of interrogation.</p> <h2 id="will-i-be-targeted-when-arriving-in-israel">Will I be targeted when arriving in Israel?</h2> <p>If you have a history of publicly supporting the Palestinian cause, or have publicly advocated sanctions against Israel, then the Israeli authorities will probably know about it and you may very likely be interrogated in this way.</p> <p>If you have not publicly supported the Palestinian cause and are genuinely visiting Israel and the West Bank for a vacation, BUT are Islamic, of Arab or Indian descent, or have an Arabic or Indian name, you still may be asked to open your email and social media accounts.</p> <p>It doesn't matter that you are not carrying a computer with you, the security agent will ask you to log-in on one of theirs.</p> <p>You may be asked if you feel more Arab than American (or British or whatever nationality you are). Think carefully about your answer.</p> <p>It doesn't sound fair or 'right', but for the time being it's a reality.</p> <h2 id="airport-departure-security-in-israel">Airport departure security in Israel</h2> <p>When&nbsp;leaving the country, you must arrive at the terminal at least three hours before your flight, as Israeli security procedures can be time-consuming.</p> <p>Departing passengers are personally questioned by security agents even before arriving at the check-in desk. <br /><br />This interview can last as little as a minute, or as long as an hour if a passenger is selected for additional screening. <br /><br />Luggage and body searches may be conducted. <br /><br />After the search, bags are placed through an X-ray machine before passengers proceed to the check-in counters. <br /><br />Occasionally, if security has assessed a person as a low risk, they will pass them straight through to the check-in desks, bypassing the main x-ray machines.</p>Getty Images/PhotoStock-Israel 1969439154 Getty Images Flying over the Israeli coast in an approach to Ben Gurion Airport, Israelhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/the-complexities-of-israel-visasYou need a visa to get into Israel, but that visa may not allow you entry to neighboring countries. 2019-10-08T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/the-complexities-of-israel-visashttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>Due to ongoing tensions between Israel and its neighbours, travelers must be very careful when presenting their passport to enter or leave <a href="/stories/connection/finding-my-muse-in-the-negev-desert" target="_blank" title="Finding My Muse in the Negev Desert">Israel</a>.</p> <h2>Will I get my passport stamped on entry to Israel?</h2> <p>A few years ago, Israel stopped stamping passports of visiting travelers. To make things easier for&nbsp;travelers to Israel, they now issues slips with stickers on them for you to keep in between the pages of your passport. Keep this on you at all times, until you leave the country.</p> <p>However, if you are working in Israel, they will issue a stamp on your passport.</p> <h2>What's the deal?</h2> <p>There is a huge issue with passport stamps from Israel, as some countries block passports containing stamps or visas from the country. Of course, the countries that have issues with the Israeli stamp are their enemies.</p> <p>These countries include Afghanistan, Iran (but only if your visit was more than 6 months prior), Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.</p> <h2>Be aware of land border stamps</h2> <p>Be aware that the countries listed above will also search for Jordanian or Egyptian exit stamps from land borders with Israel, and will likewise prohibit your entry if they find one.&nbsp;</p> <h2>Stamps from other Arab countries</h2> <p>Likewise Israeli immigration may take a dim view of travelers arriving from Arab countries that are their enemies, but you are unlikely to face <a href="https://againstthecompass.com/en/avoid-israeli-passport-stamp/" target="_blank" title="Visa complications">anything worse than very time-consuming, repetitive questioning</a>. Occasionally, customs officers may get a bit abrasive and strict, however this is rare.</p> <p>Depending on the situation, if you have stamps from other Arab countries in your passport, you should expect to be taken to one side (without any explanation) and eventually questioned.</p> <p>This usually takes around 10 minutes, very rarely does it take an hour or more.</p> <p>Your bags will be thoroughly searched on arrival and on departure.</p> <p>But the key thing to remember is if you have nothing to hide, then, other than the inconvenience of questioning, you should have nothing to be worried about.</p> <p>Think of it as all part of the experience of traveling in this complex region.</p> <p>If you are a young backpacker, especially if you travel alone, it is much more likely you will be <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-airport-security-is-getting-in-really-that-tough" target="_blank" title="Is airport security really tough in Israel?">detained for questioning in Tel Aviv airport</a>.</p> <p>There is a 'selection committee' of 2 security guards waiting when you go up the escalators from your flight, and if you seem suspicious they will not hesitate to stop you.</p> <p>If you dress nicely, try to act like you are part of another group or a family, they are less likely to bother you.</p>Getty Images/Nick Brundle Photography 11004868654 Getty Images Old Jaffa streets, Tel Aviv, Israelhttps://public-web-wn.uat.wng.me/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-holy-sites-how-to-avoid-offenseIsrael has many religious sites important to Jewish, Christian and Muslim people. Find out how to visit these sacred sites respectfully and safely with these tips.2019-12-25T11:00:00Z https://wng-kosmos-wn-cms-uat.kaos.nibit.com.au:443/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-holy-sites-how-to-avoid-offensehttps://www.worldnomads.com<p>The Jewish faith alone has more than 4,000 years of history in Israel. Christians believe Jesus Christ was born in Bethlehem just over 2,000 years ago. And, for 1,400 years, Muslims have held sites in Israel to be sacred.</p> <p>Needless to say it is important when traveling in this region to be attentive to local customs as some are important religious traditions.</p> <h2>No preaching, please</h2> <p>The importation of religious materials for the purpose of preaching is not permitted in Israel. If you do carry any items considered to be religious material (such as a bible), these items might be confiscated.</p> <h2>Dress appropriately</h2> <p>If you choose to enter an ultra-Orthodox Jewish neighborhood, be aware that locals may be offended by anyone (particularly women) who dresses in an inappropriate manner. To avoid an etiquette faux-pas, wear loose fitting long-sleeved pants and a top that covers your shoulders and arms.</p> <h2>Sabbath and Ramadan</h2> <p>On Shabbat or Sabbath (from sunset on Friday to sunset on Saturday) Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods are blocked off, and you should not attempt to drive into them or visit them.</p> <p>During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, eating, drinking, and smoking between sunrise and sunset are forbidden for Muslims (though not for children under the age of eight).</p> <p>As a courtesy, travelers might want to avoid drinking, eating, and smoking in public places in the Occupied Territories like the Gaza Strip and the West Bank during Ramadan.</p> <h2>Public alcohol consumption</h2> <p>Although alcohol will be available in some hotels and restaurants, drinking alcohol elsewhere may cause offense. Avoid drinking in public just in case.</p> <p>Visitors to some synagogues, most churches, and all mosques should be aware that entry will normally not be permitted if your legs are exposed &ndash; so if you are wearing shorts or a short skirt (that goes for women and men) you wil not be allowed to enter. Keep your arms covered too.</p> <p>Women may be denied entry or ordered to wear a robe before entering mosques or synagogues.</p> <p>Just in case, carry a wrap with you to help cover up when required.</p> <p>Mosques will also require you to take off your shoes before entry. Men should cover their heads in a synagogue.</p> <h2>Behavior etiquette in Israel</h2> <p>Public displays of affection are frowned on at religious sites in Israel.</p> <p>Observe appropriate standards of behavior if you are visiting Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods. Acting conservatively is the best approach in these locations.</p> <p>In the&nbsp;<a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-travelling-to-the-gaza-strip-is-it-worth-it" target="_blank" title="Travel to the Gaza Strip: What You Need to Know">Gaza Strip</a> and the <a href="/travel-safety/middle-east/israel/israel-travelling-to-the-west-bank" target="_blank" title="Traveling to the West Bank in Israel: How to Stay Safe">West Bank</a>, public displays of affection may also cause offense.</p>Getty Images/joe daniel price 11028640848 Getty Images The Golden Gate is the only eastern gate of the Temple Mount