Born in Iran, have lots of -stan stamps in my passport, will I have trouble going to Israel for family hol?

[Gemzooks]

Apart from the 'born in Tehran' thing, I have stamps for Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and DH has those plus Afghanistan (we lived and worked in Kazakhstan for 4 years).

We also have Dubai stamps.

I am British (not ethnically Iranian)..

I've heard horror stories that we'll be questioned for hours.. can anyone offer advice? planning a week in Eilat with our 2 year old son over new year..

I used to work with a guy who had to travel to Israel plus other "non compatible" countries. He actually had TWO passports. So one with the stamps, one without. Probably an expensive option though....

PS if it's just for a holiday, I would go somewhere else....

It's not that expensive to have two passports - I have two due to having to go to all sorts of places for work and not being able to be stopped from travelling if I have to put it in for a visa. I had to write a letter about why I needed one.

Couldn't you just renew your passport early ?

A friend of ours has 2 passports.

Can you get a fresh passport?

thanks for replies... don't want to get new passports just for this, just wanted a week in the sun without food poisoning.

Think I will just brave it out and answer their questions..

Passport Agency can issue people with 2 passports for just this situation.

Speak to them first.

why would you go to israel for a holiday? I mean if you don't actually have relatives you need to visit. eilat is a concrete dump, by all accounts.

go somewhere else.

cos I'll be 7 months preg, last hol before DC2 arrives, really want to get some sun and nice swimming, no food poisoning unlike Egypt, been there before about 10 years ago and enjoyed it.. it's not the loveliest resort or anything but good for hol with DH, 2 year old DS and bump.. also am partly Jewish, speak a bit of Hebrew etc..

Presuming you're flying with El Al, you will get one hell of a grilling. The first time I visited Israel, I had the 10-minute 'friendly chat', once I'd got a few Israeli stamps in my passport, they were slightly more relaxed. It may be a good idea to check with the Israel Tourist Board or maybe the Israeli embassy. I know that sounds OTT, but Israel is like that - AFAIK, it's the only country where they x-ray your luggage after you've got off the plane.

PS If you fly El Al and go on an early flight, avoid the scrambled eggs, they can be dodgy

You'll be grilled, definitely. Most non-Israelis entering the country people are, and you will probably be subject to a more thorough grilling than normal (Israeli security staff are all about 21 and very pumped up and scary!). I would apply for a new passport if I were you.

You'll have more problems if you ever want to go to any of those countries with an Israeli stamp in your passport, though, to be honest.