Isreal & America

[mharky]

I was wondering if someone could help me out.

Whats the deal with being Americans and Isreal, is it that you aint allowed in ISR if your from USA??? I might have this wrong but its somthing like that i think, somone i know had some problem coz they had a US visa stapled in their passport.

so, whats the deal, have i just made that up, its definetly some contry around there and the US (dont go saying IRAQ)

[PorkyFatBoy]

I think what you might be getting at is that if you get an Israeli stamp in your passport, then try to go to Syria or Lebanon (and probably most other middle eastern countries) then they won't let you in. I think this applies only to US and not UK passort holders.

Used to have a similar problem with South African stamps and the rest of Africa when there was apartheid.

[gross2006]

Best way round such a problem is to get two passports.... use one for each set of countries....

[PorkyFatBoy]

Doesn't that only work if you fly direct from London and not if you try to go directly between the countries concerned, since they can see from your ticket where you've come from?

[Guest]

Contact the embassy and they'll tell you if not most decent travel agents have the info. If yo haven't resolved it by Thurs I'll try and find out when I go and toil at one.

Hocolite

[mharky]

I'm not gong to Isreal or America. I just wanted to know. Although Israel are bidding for JWOC 2008. I was just wondering thats all.

[Guest88]

If you go to Israel, then best to get a new passport before visiting any other countries in the Middle East. Certainly used to be the case - believe still so.

Although I think you can ask the Israelis not to stamp your passport - then you are ok.

Lonely Planet Thorn Tree forum or guidebook is maybe another place to ask as well as the middle east embassies, as it is not unknown for the embassy (or the airport staff) to get it *wrong*...

[LostAgain]

There are a number of countries that you would be advised to use a second passport for.

Israel is one, particularly if you want to travel other Middle Eastern Countries. It also applies the other way, expect a hard time at many border control points if you get your passport stamped in the middle east.

Any of the "Dodgy" states, Yemen, North Korea, Afganistan, Pakistan, Burma, any country ending in "stan" will all end up with you receivng the third degree on entry to the USA. Having said that, just entering the US as an "Alien" gives them additional reason to be obnoxious!

I have 2 passports to cover these issues, but you need good reason to get a second passport and will have to justify it and may need a business reason.

[harry]

they'd better not have jwoc in israel then if it means usa won't compete. well i guess it would open the competition up for other countries to win medals.

[mharky]

classic

speaking of which, we should apply to hold JWOC in conjunction with the 2012 Olypmics, Epping Forest me thinks

[Nails]

ha ha

[gross2006]

I have 2 passports to cover these issues, but you need good reason to get a second passport and will have to justify it and may need a business reason.

In fact you can have up to three passports. When I got my second one I simply said to the issuing authorities that it was required for business / sporting reasons. No questions asked