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 New York 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 Iran (and before that Kuwait, Turkey 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 top 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.