Just another example of amateur hour on behalf of the Israeli government, there are becoming too many incidents to count. Its embarrassing, Israel's government and civil service, from the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, down to these civil servants, are fit to work for a banana republic. How ridiculous to detain a former US Government Minister for 2 1/2 hours because of her name?? What a joke.

Same incident keeps repeating itself at BG airport where travelers with Arabic or muslim name are detained and humiliated for no reason. While I understand the security concern, thorough checks can still be done without humiliating the traveler. This practice hurts Israel more that helps. Staff at BG airport should be trained on performing their job while keeping in mind they are dealing with human beings who should be treated with respect.

What a bunch of moronic clowns.

I visited Israel about 2 years ago and was due to fly back to the UK. A very enthusiastic female soldier or what ever she was, questioned me as to why I was in Israel, did I have any affiliations with a religious organisation/s, took my passport away to show her supervisor. Now, as I pointed out to her, I can full well understand scrutiny when entering Israel but not in leaving the country. The fact that I was a 60 year old disable person did not seem to flit through her grey matter. My surname is not arabic it is Italian but because I was born in London she assumed that I lived in London. (Resident in Scotland) I was treated as suspicious.......... Well, for the record, us "Old Fogies" still have life in us and we want to hang on to it.....Just a tiny bit of common sense and good observational skills would have made her see the blind obvious.

I am not suprised at all,as my own parents were humiliated and treated lousy by airport security,not becuose of a surname but becouse of a Abu Dabi stamp in there passports.They dont visit anymore becouse of Israeli security

thank you airport security for doing your outmost trying to keep all flyers safe! but in this case it was an over zelous action, and a sincere, heartfelt appology is in order! and make sure she'll get the royal treament while she is in israel! i am sure she knows and understand the reason for a miss step like this.

BECAUSE AS SOON AS ARRIVED WE ARE ALWAYS TAKEN TO THE VIP ROOM. WHILE THE BAGAGES ARE BEING CHECKED IN ACCORDANCE TO THE NORMAL ROUTINE PROCEDURES. IN THE MEAN TIME WE WILL GET TO MEET OUT SECERTARIES AND MAIDS, WIFE CHILDREN AND OUR DOGS/PETS. WE HAVE A SHORT BREAK- CHAMPARI AND ETC.... LATER THE OFFICERS WOULD INFORM THAT WE ARE WELCOME TO ISRAEL. ALL OUR BAG WILL BE IN THE VAN AND CAR..AND OFF WE GO TO OUT HOME.....EVERYTING TAKEN CARE OF-ISRAELI OFFICERS ARE VERY POLITE AN CLASSY ! INFACT I MUST SAY THAT THE ISRAELI IMMI AND CUSTOMS ARE A CLASS OF IT OWN LIKE SINGAPORE CHECKING IN AND CHECKING OUT PROCESSES- 10 MINUTES. WE ALSO VENTURE GO ABOUT SHOPPING AND BUY CIGARS, AND OUR WINES AND SPIRITS AT THE DUTY FREE.... FOR ME ARRIVING AT THE BG HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PLESSURE ! ONCE MY ELCRTIC SHAVER WAS BROUGHT TO THE HOME BECAUSE I LEFT IT BEHIND ON SEAT THE PLANE. THEY EVEN BROUGH TO ME THE BOOK I LEFT BEHIND- ' THE HEBEREW REPUBLIC- BY BERNARD AVISHAI " EL AIR AND BG AIRPORT MANAGEMENT IS VERY SMOOTH !

It's the fault of the Muslims that you got stopped and interrogated for having a Scottish surname? Does that even make sense?

Just answer the questions and move on. You expect these very same people to put their lives on the line for you. Let them do their jobs. Humilitating experience because she expected special treatment and didn't get it.

The arrogant Donna Kebab Shalala wanted to be treated like a queen ,which rightly cut no ice with the seasoned israeli security people. Shalala's attitude plus ten shekels will achieve a cup of coffee .She should get over it and move on ......millions of others have.

Those security guys at that there airport mama .They asked me ; ehhh , did anybody give you something to take with you like a present? and I began to cry mama .Then the young security guard ,she said ; Did you pack this beg (sic) yourself ? and I really began to cry mama .Then I told them ; "Do you know who I am ,young lady ? " and the security girl replied NO . Then I started to cry mama .

Keep up the good work....... !! This is how people around will understand the Palestinian issue.

ironically and sadly taking after the blundering American airport insecurity twits. Since most of them know how to use the internet, they could have taken a break from downloading ringtones to look her up.

Dear Prof. Shalala , I am sincerely sorry for your upsetting treatment at Ben- Gurion Airport ,Tel-Aviv . Having personally traveled from their several times ,and as an Israeli citizen ,I have not been immune to a few sharp questions . I understand though that nobody promised it would be pleasant ,but israeli airport security is the best in the world .Security staff are not out to get you I can assure you .Please do not take it personally .Security staff probably hate to have to ask probing and uncomfortable questions just as much as we ,the traveler ,find being interrogated unpleasant .They are looking for potential murderers ,not the likes of you and I .Please keep up your good work and do not let this put you off Israel which ,for all its imperfections ,is a wonderful and vibrant country .Security is merely "A sad sign of the times." ENOUGH SAID.

and bureaucracy are manned by a bunch of fumbling inept idiots who are incapable of discerning between good and bad and right and wrong.

That will cure the M.E. main problem SPOILED CHILD and racism :^(

Is what airport security is .Nothing more ,nothing less (one does not have to enjoy it)

Looks like another idiot who doesn't know that there is a border between the US and Canada.

Are you the bigger idiot that believes US citizens only live within US borders? Surprisingly Arthur there are US citizens here as well as many other countries.

world greatest airport security, whats logical out the states is seen different in the states. El Al airlines does the normal rational things to occupiant's who fly on their planes. BTW she's NO vip she hold's an appointed postion. If one has a arabic name it's wise to check security, due to the habtiual violence at the hands of arabs who live in Israel.

One wonders if the lady will continue to be an active supporter of Israel now that she has first hand experience with the attitude of Israelis toward people with Arabic names.

I am not surprised that donna was badly treated at BG airport. In my opinion, BG airport is just a couple of inches ahead of Maiquetia, Venezuela. The police at BG airport have stoney faces, will not greet you and while you wait in line to go thru' immigration you are made feel like you are offending the authorities for daring to go to Israel- it might be a good idea to learn from Scandinavia, but is like asking an employee of El Al about your missing luggage- you are simply not wellcomed in Israel, and Donna go instead to Jordan, they are much nicer.

you are the idiot. Many people live in one country but are citizens of another and need to pay taxes in both countries. Think before you post, if you can!

Have been from many groups including Jewish, Sikh and various African non Muslim but you know very well that many times desperate people do desperate things to bring attention to their desperate life conditions caused by other ethnic groups who have occupied their homelands and are not willing to allow them the basic human dignity in which to live. Suck that up sweet Scot.

You do not wish this lady dead! Arafat is dead - where the devil have you been - oh, perhaps you were visiting him!!

No Avi, Names are never used. People do it.

First of all any Arab woman who drives in Israel must be nuts. Anyone who drives in Israel is risking their lives and their family's lives because Israelis cannot walk properly let alone drive. Arab women drive in every Arab country except for Saudi Arabia!!!!! Fool. Arabic women use the internet in every Arabic country. Arabic women speak on Facebook - check it out Bob's sick Mom!! and what is more they are clever and educated enough to read, write and express themselves intelligently in at least four languages without any problem as a rule. Most Arabic women speak French, English as well as Arabic and wether you realize it or not understand Hebrew very well because you should know your modern Hebrew is taken from their Arabic and Aramaic, so please Israelis and especially poor Bob's Mom, do not be so smug, where Arabic women are concerned you are eons behind when it comes to freedoms. You can write all the propaganda you want but when push comes to shove, it is not their husbands trotting down to the local reb with their soiled underwear in their pocket once a month while his poor overworked wife waits at home in a cheap hot wig awaiting the horrid man's return to send her if the reb says to a communal ritual bath. How disgusting and you speak about how Arabic women are treated. Let me tell you something - Arabic women pity Israeli women who cannot get a divorce Jewish men who eventually make them pay financially for the divorce and then even demand they never remarry. This is freedom!!! At least in Arab countries women can choose whether they wish to marry or not after a divorce and they do not have to pay for a divorce and are allowed to keep their dowry (that is why they are given a dowry to begin with - in case of divorce or widowhood). Do not pity them, pity us.

Perhaps the people who detained her are radical far-left-wing sympathizers who agree with the boycott? What a great way to discourage people who are anti-boycott!