When I finish work in Jordan, I will make my way to Turkey. I can fly directly or go overland -- through Lebnnon and Syria. I spent the week considering those options and their implications.
I don't know as much about Syria or Lebanon as I would like. I have met lovely people from both places, and hope to meet many more. My trusty Lonely Planet guidebook includes gorgeous photos and rapturous comments from people who have been there. The book assures me that if I went to either country, I would feel safe and welcome.
I was all ready to go until I learned that visitors who have previously traveled to Israel are forbidden to enter Syria and Lebanon, and several other countries in the Middle East. Anyone with an Israel stamp in their passport will be turned away. Those without Israel stamps are asked if they have ever been to Israel -- or, as Syria's visa application calls it, "Occupied Palestine." According to the guidebook, Israeli officials will stamp extra pieces of paper instead of a passport if the traveler so requests. Some Americans carry duplicate U.S. passports for this very purpose.
So, if I wanted to go to Syria or Lebanon, I would have to 1) produce a passport with no Israel stamps and 2) state that I have not been to Israel. Apparently (according to my guidebooks), lots of people who have been to Israel do it all the time.
I had the privilege of traveling to Israel in January 2002 on a Birthright Israel trip. I have since replaced that passport, so that wouldn't be a problem. But lying about the fact that I haven't been to Israel -- in response to direct questions -- is a BIG problem for me. I don't feel comfortable lying or breaking laws under any circumstances. And even if I did, the Syrian and Lebanese borders probably wouldn't be good places to start.
Conclusion: I'll fly to Turkey.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment