Israeli nationals, and those with stamps in passport from visiting Israel, not allowed into UAE and other countries!??

[chri'stina 190]

What do you mean you had to beg at the Canadian border for it? I am confused.

I was thinking about the Cuba issue since it's a similar subject. But there are some differences too. There are a lot of Cubans living in this country, many who came over during the window of opportunity for people fleeing Cuba, as granted by the US, because of the leadership of Cuba. There are generations of Cubans living here. They are active in this country. And even now the law about if they touch US soil they are allowed to stay here (or at least go through a process, I don't have the law in front of me so I don't have the exact info)...that is a lot different in my opinion than a country who does not want people of a certain nationality entering at all, and not even anyone who visited that nation. I am not saying the Cuba/US issue is perfect but it's different in many ways.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

Parivar, the Canadian's don't normally stamp US passports to gain entry. We had to get out of our car, and go inside their office to ask for a stamp. It seemed to confuse the officer a bit, but I explained this was to be the first time my new passport was being used, so while we were just going to Vancouver for dinner, I really wanted a stamp. He laughed and gave me my precious stamp.

Edited August 5, 2008 by ready4ONE

[chri'stina 190]

Parivar, the Canadian's don't normally stamp US passports to gain entry. We had to get out of our car, and go inside their office to ask for a stamp. It seemed to confuse the officer a bit, but I explained this was to be the first time my new passport was being used, so while we were just going to Vancouver for dinner, I really wanted a stamp. He laughed and gave me my precious stamp.

Oh, I see.

[Staashi 371]

I agree that each country gets to decide...I just think it's a dumb decision.

You also realize that the USA makes the decision every day, in every country where we have an embassy, as to who gets to come here...and I'm not talking to immigrate...try getting just a visitor's visa to come to the US to go to Disneyworld or see your family - it's impossible for some people.

So, I'm not agreeing with Dubai and the rest of the UAE on what they do to keep out Israelis or Israeli sympathists as they probably see them, but really - this country is just as guilty about keeping out the "riff raff" so to speak.

[Mrs.J06 4]

It's also impossible to travel to Israel with an Iranian/Egyptian etc. entry stamp in the passport.

Our service technicians from Germany all had to have two passports for this purpose, too.

[sereia 0]

It's also impossible to travel to Israel with an Iranian/Egyptian etc. entry stamp in the passport.

Our service technicians from Germany all had to have two passports for this purpose, too.

I know this post is somewhat old and all but I had to put my two cents in because I see a lot of misinformation here.

I went to Israel, Egypt, and back to Israel all within four weeks and was allowed back into Israel after having been in Egypt. Israelis also travel all the time and freely visit Egypt and Jordan themselves.

I also went to Jordan after having been in Israel, and returned to Israel without problems as well...

AND I also have never had an Israeli stamp in my passport. I've just asked nicely at immigration that they not stamp it because I will be traveling to other countries "for business" and I don't want to prevent myself from being able to enter. So no one has ever stamped my passport, but did it on a piece of paper. I've heard sometimes if you piss them off they stamp it anyway (I've heard but never seen myself) but if you're nice I don't see why they would.

I did, however, experience some extra scrutiny at the LAX airport going to Israel after having a Morocco stamp in my passport but only because I was flying on EL AL. People pay extra so that they can fly on an airline that has extremely high standards of safety so they questioned me a bit longer than the other passengers, but I was still allowed to go to Israel! And other people who fly other airlines have virtually no issues from what I've heard.

And as far as how "forward" UAE is... a friend of mine is a well renouned international DJ and was scheduled to perform at a club in Dubai last November. He had a TINY (and I mean a miniscule 2.16g) speck of marijuana he forgot in his pocket and was arrested and sentenced to FOUR YEARS in prison.

I've also read that another man was arrested after a rolled up cigarette was discovered in the sole of his shoe. He was charged with possession of 0.003g of cannabis and jailed for four years.

And reports of a Swiss national who was sentenced to four years in prison in the UAE after three poppy seeds from a bread roll were found on his clothes.

That's forward for ya. lol

And Staashi: I don't believe its fair to compare the US immigration process compared to the UAE, Saudi Arabia (who also bans you just because you are just Jewish and have never even been to Israel!), and whatever other countries ban you for the sheer fact you've been to Israel. Yes, it is very difficult for many to get tourist visas to come to the US (I personally know people who were denied) but they aren't denied strictly because of an entire COUNTRY they are from or have visited. They are denied for various other reasons...

[akdiver 3]

This is really old news - I can't believe you're just becoming aware of this.

[Jenn! 918]

He had a TINY (and I mean a miniscule 2.16g) speck of marijuana he forgot in his pocket and was arrested and sentenced to FOUR YEARS in prison.

I've also read that another man was arrested after a rolled up cigarette was discovered in the sole of his shoe. He was charged with possession of 0.003g of cannabis and jailed for four years.

Just had to say that 2.16g is not really a speck.

(but 0.003g is! )

[sereia 0]

This is really old news - I can't believe you're just becoming aware of this.

who me?!?! I wasn't around for the post...but definitely was aware of this years ago when I first traveled.

He had a TINY (and I mean a miniscule 2.16g) speck of marijuana he forgot in his pocket and was arrested and sentenced to FOUR YEARS in prison.

I've also read that another man was arrested after a rolled up cigarette was discovered in the sole of his shoe. He was charged with possession of 0.003g of cannabis and jailed for four years.

Just had to say that 2.16g is not really a speck.

(but 0.003g is! )

hehe well yeah, but it isn't worth FOUR YEARS in prison!

how bout them poppy seeds???