Over zealous security

A tale of over-zealous security at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv.

I am an American citizen. I went to American schools my entire life, graduated from an American university and work as an architect in City. Why was this happening to me? It all started with a simple question. “What is your father's name?”

“Bassam.”

“Okay, please wait a few moments in the waiting room over there.”

Little did I know that my father's Arab name would make me guilty until proven innocent. A “few moments” would turn into a 14-hour nightmare at Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. …

It is worth reading the full article. Israel has legitimate security concerns, but this is quite a horrific story.

I visited Israel in 2009, and had a lengthy search and interrogation process at the airport. This was to be expected though as I was flying in from (and before that , and Egypt). There were lots of questions about why I had gone to those countries, who I had visited there, what I planned to do in Israel etc. And my luggage was searched from to bottom. I had no problems at all with this, as I understand their need to keep their citizens safe.

However if I had been declined entry, and held in custody like these two American girls were, I'd be pretty upset also.

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