It is not only the Arabs. There is a discriminating system of coulered labels at the airport. Many tourists and business travellers say that they will not come for a second time to Israel because of the unplessant treatment at Ben Gurion airport even if they like Israel.

I've gone through them too. My reasons for visiting Israel are unusual (if not completely off-the-wall) and the check-in staff are rarely impressed. It doesn't help that I'm a naturally nervous person, and an interrogation with that bitch with the Hebrew-American accent is enough to make me have a breakdown....

Stick to your guards at German airports if you don't like Ben Gurion. Israeli security people are putting their lives at stake every day to protect civilian lives including arrogant Israel-bashing "tourists".

Hey, guess what? When it comes down to either (a) someone's feelings or (b) surviving a plane trip, I'd settle for b.

My father is dark skinned curly haired and really damn north african looking. The amount of times he gets stopped by cops and has to undergo security checks at the airport in other countries is unbelievable. By the way we're Jewish so maybe #1 you would like to explain to me why the germans always hassle us when we go through your airport. As far as I'm concerned don't come to Israel if a little security treatment is too "tough" for you. Maybe you'd like to do some reasearch on german terrorism which Israel had to deal with in the past. Maybe you'd think a bit before mouthing off over something like security. The security doesn't bother you because they're racist and love to give you a hard time. They do it because we live in a bloody hot bed for terror. Perhaps you'd prefer it if a terrorist blew you up the next time you come to Israel because the security guard who you pinned as racist was not allowed to do their job because of your hurt "feelings". #1 why don't you go whine to Americans about why they now have air marshals on the airplane. Thats also racism huh? I'd rather suffer a little security humiliation then have to lose my life because some ignorant german had their feelings hurt.

The security screeners seem to "randomly" pull everybody out for furthrer inspection if they don't have a Jewish enough sounding name.

As a non-Jew living in Israel, who is married to a Jew I too, have had to undergo humiliating security checks - 2 things I can say - 1. Whilst safety is of papmount importance, what's wrong with a few basic 'please's' and 'thank you's' to the people who are undergoing these checks - I should NOT be made to feel like a criminal and treated with utmost disrespect when I am still a resident of this country, who abides by the law. Basic manners cost nothing and when I have paid the same price as other people on a flight I not only expect safety, but customer service instead of the 'I can ask you what I want and you are scum' attitude given by El Al security staff. 2. Don't fly El Al - it's always 10 times worse when you do - I now fly continental and the checks may well be less stringent, but I am also not made to feel like a lesser citizen. I work in the tourist industry and do all I can to persuade groups to fly with any other airline instead of risking them never coming back to Israel again because of El Al's security personel.

Who is bashing and arrogant here? Thanks god that not all of them are so aggressive and unfriendly like Dan and Raz. #2 I know what you mean. Even when you would travel every week and they know you, nothing changes.

Apparently Mr. Jubran lives on another planet, where he has managed to avoid hearing or reading about Israeli Arab citizens of Israel planting bombs, helping terrorists murder their victims, etc. As for his statement that "we'd blow up, too"; incredibly enough, he even appears unaware of the contemporary Muslim penchant for blowing themselves up in a 'martyrdom operation.' Maybe if your fellow Arab citizens didn't aid and abet the enemy, from Hizbollah to Hamas, Mr. Jubran, all the rest of us wouldn't have to be so nervous and take so many precautions... Or maybe some of you would really, really like to see us lower our guard on those airplaines...

I've experienced extremely unfriendly airport guards in Germany and Austria so spare me your hypocritical bullshit about "friendlieness". It is a two way street.

Israel Arab citizens provide means for their "brothers" to perpetrate terror. They also do not consider themselves (by and large) Israelis first. Remind me why they are NOT automatic suspects? Now as for manners, that's a different issue.

When I got to an air port in berlin, they took the Israelies and put them in another section of the airport where there was an army SUV kinda thing and lots and lots of guards + extra security just because we're israelies. so don't preach discrimination, will ya.

# 1 & 2 have you been through US and Russian airports?

Does any-body know if the home-office is open tomorrow?

my wife is arab and we get scritunized more than average, but that's fine with me. if israel was to go easier on arab travelers i would not feel as safe. it is srael's responsibility to ensure the safety of all travelers. if i and my family have to be checked more thoroughly because of her race, then i gladly accept that and i'll defend israel's right to do so.

In US even if you have to take of your cloths they stay friendly. Rusia I have not been but East Germany in comunist time had a lot in common with Israel today. They take your passport and disapear without a word for 15 minutes, then comes a different guy and asks you the same questions again and disapears as well.....

and Arabs and we will treat the Arabs equaly in the airport.

Unpleasant? Yes, a bit, when I realized that they put a different color sticker on our luggage and sent us for a special inspection after the brief interview, but then I saw an ultra-Orthodox Jew being checked in exactly the same way. So, I guess, having a Jewish name had nothing to do with anything. Besides, the whole thing took only a few minutes anyway. No big deal, if you have nothing to hide. Interesting, that since I had nothing to hide, it wasn’t a big deal for me, while it is for you, John.

Israelis by their nature are not the politest of people. However, in this case, they have a tough job to do. Have you asked yourselves why security has been stepped up throughout the world? Yes, the answer is thanks to the arabs and now muslims in general. From what I see, Israeli citizens have the option of using an electronic palm scanner when going through immigration in Ben Gurion airport. I would assume this facility is also available to arab Israelis. If not I am sure there would be a good reason for this. Israel is definitely not the toughest when it comes to immigration checks, especially if you happen to be an arab or a muslim.

But, they simply put a different color sticker on my luggage and gave all my bags an extra careful screening and then directed me to a counter where a was directed, quite politely to open my luggage. Nobody was rude to any us in any way.

An Arab blowing himself up if it killed a bunch of Jews. No, that could never possibly happen.

In any city around the world,police and customs officers are not supposed to be tourists welcomers:they are in charge of all passengers security,it does'nt matter if they keep silent,since they act correctly,according with security concerns.

you are alive - you could have been a victim of an terror attack - hi-jack and the whole nine yards - what you prefer - to be checked into yout toe nails - or running the risk to be blown to pieces ? Wake up to reality - fly into Switzerland - and see if you have any less checks - or by that matter Germany It looks you are from Mars - get real

ok, there might be a few bad apples in the israeli arab population, but who killed our prime minister Rabeen...an israeli-jewish... so what now? all israeli-jewish are terrorists or murderers?...

your mind by your homegrown Islamic Jihad may be what you call a bitch - was just that woman - that saved your live - since may be just then somebody could have bombed the crap out of you silly man Stay in London please and don't travel - since Switzerland would have done the same to you - so stop complaining

This should be your biggest problem! I've been pulled aside just about every time I've traveled to and from Israel. So? I know plenty of people who fly El Al for the more stringent security -- as I do.

on board - security is for saving lives - if you don't like it stay home on your sofa Security has to be done sadly enough - because there are Islamic crazy heads wanting to blow us up Can you remember 9/11 and past Hi-Jacks ?

complain - I think Mars - just likes to vent the usual hate monger. Not only German airports - no - german border control at highways - their Bundesbahn etc.... even when you come with a Swiss license plate or swiss passport - Mars needs to stay home on the other hand - Mars may be part of an ISM or other group - and those are rightfully specially observed - and should be turned back each time