Israeli Stamp in your passport ?

[aseanaero]

What problems or issues can arise from having an Israeli Entry Visa Stamp in your passport when travelling to other middle east countries ?

I may have to go to Tel Aviv for a business meeting and would rather be fully aware of any problems this may cause for travel to other countries in the future.

[BRS_flyer]

You will be denied entry to the majority of middle east countries if you have evidence of a visit to Isreal in your passport, expeptions being Egypt, Jordan and apparently its not too much of an issue in the UAE.

Have never tried it but I belive that Israeli authorities understand this and if you request may stamp a piece of paper which is stapled in your passport which you can then remove after you leave the country.

[Whitelighter12345]

as well as denied entry in some asian countries. stamp on piece of paper would be very wise, or change your passport

[lekkerste]

I've done two Saudi trips as crew, in the recent past, with an Israeli entry stamp in my passport. I didn't encounter any problems.

[aseanaero]

For me Indonesia and Malaysia would be the 2 countries I would most worry about as I live in Jakarta and travel to Malaysia on occasion

I am checking with the Indo immigration guys now and see what they have to say

ANSWER: Indo Immigration said no problem

[parabellum]

Your Foreign Office will possibly issue you with a second passport. I have a UK passport and travelled on a second one for about twenty years.
I always gave the reason for my application as , "For travel between countries of sectarian, religious and political differences". Initially it was renewable every year but after about five years it was renewed for ten years. The first one may have to be sponsored by your employer.

[aseanaero]

"For travel between countries of sectarian, religious and political differences"

I like that , well put

[Papa Sierra]

I was last in Tel Aviv 2 years ago meeting a cargo aircraft I was due to fly out on as a crew member. On arrival the authorities obviously aware of the difficulties an Israeli stamp in my passport could cause, actually gave me the option of not having the stamp if I didn't want it. I opted not to have the stamp and in the event my flight was cancelled and I returned to UK as SLF on BA. I had absolutely no problems departing Tel Aviv without an entry stamp in my passport.

[mutt]

Indonesian friends crossing from Egypt to Jordan last month spent 8 hours trying to convince the Israeli authorities that they werent a threat and were actually just on vacation, they got deported back to Egypt whilst the rest of their tour group went into Jordan, even with all the crap, the Israeli authorities were good enough not to stamp their passports but inserted a stamped card instead

Mutt

[Paulok]

Travel To-From Tel Aviv

I live in the Middle East and used to go to Tel Aviv all the time in my previous job. When you get there ask immigration to not stamp the passport and they will oblige. I often found that getting out was a lot harder than getting in . It is a good idea to get a letter in Hebrew from whomever you are visiting stating the reason for the visit and duration.

[davidjohnson6]

If you have an Israeli stamp in your passport (as opposed to having an Israeli passport), the only countries where immigration are likely to give you problems are:

Bahrain (not sure on Bahrain), Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen

If you have an Israeli passport, you are likely to find rather more countries proving troublesome to visit.

[Dan Winterland]

It is GCC policy not to allow entry to people with Israeli stamps in their passports. The GCC countries are Saudi Arabia, Bahrein, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE and Oman.

It's not always enforced. I have heard that Oman is not too fussed about it. Those who have posted here are probably lucky that the immigration officer didn't notice the stamp.

[parabellum]

If you had a Bahrain stamp in your passport it was possible that you would be refused entry to Iran as Iran claimed Bahrain as its own and didn't recognise Bahrain as being an independant state. Does this still apply?