Israel Matzav: Israelis barred from Dubai

Israelis barred from Dubai

Speaking of Dubai (seriously this time), in a move that will undoubtedly hurt sales at its airport duty free shop (pictured below - Israelis shop duty free shops around the world 24/7. I've actually been in European airports in the middle of the night and seen Israelis furious that the duty free shops were closed!), Dubai has barred all Israelis from the Emirate - even those carrying a second passport.

Haaretz worries who might be included in the ban.

"We will not allow those who hold Israeli passports into the UAE no matter what other passport they have," Tamim said.

He did not explain what procedures would be used to identify the Israeli visitors, except that the police will "develop skills" to recognize Israelis by "physical features and the way they speak."

It was also unclear if the measure would apply to Israeli athletes competing in international sports events in the Emirates and how it could affect Israel's participation in international meetings here.

It was unclear if the measure would apply to Israeli athletes competing in international sports events being held there, such as tennis player Shahar Peer, a recent semifinalist in the local WTA tennis tournament.

I suppose they could look at cartoons in any Arab newspaper to find out what Jews look like. Fortunately for the tennis federation, the tournament just ended so they have another year to decide whether to ban Shahar Pe'er again. But least you have any doubts, they're not just on the lookout for 'Israelis.' They're looking for Jews.

After announcing the ban on Israelis with dual nationality, Dubai’s police chief, Lt.-Gen. Dahi Khalfan Tamim, said on Monday that authorities in the Gulf emirate would be on the lookout for “Jews.”

A Channel 2 News broadcast Monday night showed Tamim pointing at his own face and saying, “We know how to recognize them.” The United Arab Emirates will “deny entry to anyone suspected of having Israeli citizenship,” he said, adding that Israelis with dual nationality would be denied entry.

Mind you, officially Israelis aren't supposed to go to Dubai anyway, but that's yet another rule that's disregarded.

I guess we'll just have to call Mr. Phelps the next time a Jew wants to go to Dubai. Here's Part 4 of that Mission Impossible episode. For those who missed the previous installments, Part 1 is here, Part 2 is here and Part 3 is here.

Let's go to the videotape.

Israel Matzav: Israelis barred from Dubai