Egypt - Israel

aphanra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cairo http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dahab
Me and a friend of mine, we are planning to attend an Arabic language course next summer, so we have decided to stay for a month in Cairo.
We will visit some other places in Egypt together but the course is sunday to thursday, so we do not know yet which places would be the best choice for "weekend brakes", I mean, it is really possible for instance going to luxor and come back in 3 days?

After the course I will spend just on my own a few days (on the way to Israel) in Sinai, probably Dahab and some scuba diving.. But my big issue now is entering Israel via Taba. I know it is not a problem at all, but some friends have told me it can be overwhelming and frustrating entering Israel with an egyptian stamp, plus a turkish, moroccan and syrian one in my passport.
My way back home is through Tel Aviv airport and being rejected and loosing the flight will make my trip a real misery no doubt....

LiamMc

Are you an EU passport holder? (I'm presuming)

You will be in for a long interview process at Israeli Immigration (maybe up to 5 hours, maybe up to nine ours).
I don't know their decision.

The visit to Syria will interest them. You need to present to them that it was purely tourism. Provided this does not contradict the Syrian visa stamp in your passport or Syrian visa extension (more than two week stay). If the visit was part of a wider tour of the region and stamps to show that, all well and good. You do not have any friends in Syria nor are you likely to return. You've seen that country already.
If the Syria trip is not part of the current trip, it may help.

The stay in Egypt will interest them. If again you can show that you were a mere tourist in Egypt that would be okay. Even travelling to Israel "to see the other side" before you go back home. If the Egypt visa is not a tourist visa. Then tell them what you were doing.
Why Arabic? "I'm just interested in different cultures". If you have studied other languages let them know Arabic wasn't on the top of your list. But you will have to prove you know a little bit of the other languages you say you know.

Obviously, you made a few friends in Egypt but nobody close. And if they ask for anybody give them the name of an Official at the school you studied.

Do you have stamps to other regions of the world (1. USA or Canada 2. Australia 3. E. Europe or S.E. Asia 4 Sth. America) it shows you are a bit of a world traveller and are just a bit curious about stuff. Also the USA stamp show you havn't been refused to a proper place.

Israel do refuse tourist because of Travel History just like some of their well documented neighbours. Same, Same.

Is it possible to get a new clean passport?

You may have to pay full price but you have avalid reason to change it, you don't make the Immigration Policy of other countries, this time it is not considered your fault.

Cairo is stinking hot in the summertime.

But I hope you have a great trip

Liam.

biko

I've only gone the other way, from Israel to Egypt which wasn't any bother but I was told that entering Israel can be very daunting indeed with Arab stamps in the passport. As Liam said, other stamps, especially a US stamp, will be helpful.