What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel? Israel is one of the most visited countries in the Middle East. It’s due to Jerusalem. We summarized everything you need to know about Israel in this post.
What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel? There is no denying that Israel is popular tourist destination in a region plagued by violence. Jerusalem is currently under the authority of the State of Israel and the Israeli police is all over the Old City. The Old City holds religious significance to the three major religions in the world — Judaism, Christianity and Muslims. With such importance, it could be one of the safest cities to visit in the Middle East.
The Old City’s security is ridiculous. Every inch of the city is patrolled by Israeli police; furthermore, there are cameras on every laneway and corner. It’s the holy city where I don’t think any terrorist can infiltrate it with explosions or let alone any firearms. The security is pretty insane.
Israel is an extremely paranoid country. There’s a big bull eye’s on the country due to religious and political beliefs; however, I’m going to leave those topics off this entry. With that said, Israeli TSA simply profile people based on their names, passport stamps and appearance. Delays are expected like death and taxes. Now, what you need to know about visiting Israel. There are a few things people should know before traveling to Israel: What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Arriving In Israel What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
I have a U.S. passport, so I didn’t find it difficult to enter Israel. I did see Muslims being detained and interrogated when they were trying to enter the country. However, leaving the country is another story.
Leaving Israel What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Now, this is what you need to know about visiting Israel. Everyone who has gone to Israel will share the same story — Leaving Israel is hell. The Israelis TSA do extensive searches and questioning when you’re trying to leave the country. I’ve heard stories where the Israeli TSA have asked tourists to open up their Facebook to verify their identity. Furthermore, they assign people on their potential risk and people get slapped with a bar code. It’s definitely not like the Las Vegas airport where everyone is hungover.
The first number on your bar code determines a person’s potential risk; the numbers are from 1 to 9. I was given 5s and 6s when I boarded any plane originating within Israel. The higher the number the longer your delay. Lastly, 7 or higher are restricted to groups they view as terrorists (i.e., Muslims). What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Here is my story. I took a day trip to Petra from Tel Aviv. I was interrogated at the Sde Dov and Eilat airports due to a number of things. The TSA gave me an extra hour of questioning because of two reasons — my Egyptian/UAE/Jordan visa stamps and the added visa pages in my U.S. passport. I was given 5s and 6s on my passport/boarding passes at the Ben Gurion, Sde Dov, and Eilat airports. Now, imagine if I was given anything higher. I would have probably missed my flights. What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Travel Itinerary What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Visiting other countries? Here’s what you need to know about visiting Israel. It’s no secret that the Israel government and other Muslim governments don’t agree in terms of politics. There are certain things to know ahead of time when booking your travel itinerary. Israel doesn’t stamp your passport, but the other Muslim countries do. The best way to visit the Middle East is to visit Israel first then make your way through the Muslim countries. Israel will not give you a hard time because there will be no traces of Muslims visas and vice versa. There will be minimum delays when you’re at the airport. What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Israel To Egypt or Egypt To Israel What You Need To Know About Visiting Israel Jerusalem
Going to Egypt? Here’s what you need to know about visiting Israel. There are no advertised flights between the two countries, but that doesn’t mean that there are no flights. EgyptAir has a subsidiary airline — Air Sinai — that offers direct flights from Cairo to Tel Aviv in an unmarked airplane. This is due to the political differences between the two countries. It can only be booked through a travel agent or at the EgyptAir desk in Cairo International Airport. I found out about this flight after I book my flight from Cairo to Tel Aviv with a layover in Amman.
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