RE: entering israel with many arabic stamps?

These type of visa questions are so common I decided to write up a section on my website, a page that has proven to be very popular (see the comments below the article for even more info).

The page: http://igoogledisrael.com/2009/09/can-i-visit-arab-countries-with-an-israeli-visa-stamp-in-my-passport/

Another one for you guys:

I hold a Brazilian passport, that was issued in Malaysia. My previous one was full of stamps, among them Somaliland, Yemen, Oman. They will obviously ask why I have a passport issued in Malaysia.
Is it better to have my old passport together or send it home?
I was thinking that might not make a difference, because they will ask all the questions anyway, and I will have to answer truthfully.
I don't have a clue about the names of hotels and other things!! I hope I manege to get in...

Thanks!

I would suggest keeping your old passport with you when you enter but don't offer it for inspection UNLESS asked for it..Whenever I enter Israel I always carry my old passport with me just in case they ask to see it but nobody has EVER asked for it. It's also a good idea to carry any national Identity cards/driving license or ID cards issued by your employer or place of study. In other words, carry ANYTHING that will help satisfy them about your real identity and personal circumstances. Last time I told them I was a student and they immediately asked me show proof of that - luckily I had my university ID in my wallet at the time. You can expect a tough time and long quiz about the places you visited - take some kind of refreshments with you! Good luck.

Hello Guys,
well, I never wrote back my experience there so let me tell you.
We always hear bad news, and usually people don't tell the good ones. I crossed from Jordan to Israel, and the immigration officer asked my plans. After I told her what I was going to do there, she asked me if I had a Hotel reservation or a return ticked. I sad no, but told her the name of the hotel that I was planing to stay.
I also told her that I was planing to go "overland to Turkey". She explained me that I could no go from Israel to Syria, when I said that I was going back to Jordan first. She said " So you don't wanna a stamp?", and stamped a separate piece of paper. When we were talking about Syria, my wife even mentioned Lebanon (I was so mad with her!!!) but the Immigration officer was very kind and polite. On the way out of the country as well. Probably the most friendly Israelis that we met inside of the country. May be I was just lucky but it took us 3 to 5 minutes to get in!!!

The official that checked our passport when crossing to West Bank were very rude.

Cheers,

I agree it isn't all black ... and its good you posted a report quoting your personal experience
to encourage others not to be put off. Some of the young ladies on that border are very helpful and co-operative and as you say, when faced with one awkward official its not fair to tar the
whole lot with one brush. Admittedly the security procedures there are protracted but then this is the nature of the region. Surprised you got through in 5 minutes..... I assume you mean the interview and not the whole crossing procedure because thats impossible.

I have a passport similar to that of the OP and I've always been let into Israel within about 10 minutes of reaching the border agent. A good number of them are fluent in Arabic and have wanted to chat, but nobody's ever "interrogated" me. Maybe I'm just lucky, but I think this idea that you need to expect to be kept in a locked room and strip-searched for hours if you've been to any Arab countries is more a self-fulfilling prophecy than a description of reality.

Hello Mesha,

Less than 5 min the "interview" of course!!
The crossing procedure took longer because of the Jordanian side, bus...
On the Israel side, I would guess 20 minutes. A little mess to drop the bags, but after that a line (almost empty) just for foreigners...