A jewish question

[GS Tone]

Hi am planning a trip from london to Dakar and back, and one of the guys who would like to come is jewish (by birth not practising) and wordered if there is likely to be any problems at any of the borders or in the countries we will be going through
Cheers

[Caminando]

Surely the problem lies not in being Jewish, but in being an Israeli or if you have visited Israel? The Israel thing is quite understandable, but no-one has an issue with Jewishness, as far as I'm aware......

[airamerica]

That friend has a British passport?

[Stephano]

Originally Posted by GS Tone

Hi am planning a trip from london to Dakar and back, and one of the guys who would like to come is jewish (by birth not practising) and wordered if there is likely to be any problems at any of the borders or in the countries we will be going through
Cheers

Tony,
Whether practicing or not, your friend shouldn't have any problem at all. There is actually a long history of Jewish communities in Morocco and Mauritania although a lot chose to move after the creation of Israel.

There's some background info here.

Added to that, Jews and Christians are regarded in Islam as "people of the book" whose religions are generally respected within Islamic communities. Jerusalem prior to the creation of the state of Israel was an example of one such city in which all three religions co-existed peacefully.

Have a great trip.
Stephan

[m37charlie]

As far as the Israel question is concerned: we travelled from Eilat to Sinai and back a few years ago with no problems. An Israeli acquaintance told me recently there were Israelis visiting Libya!! Considering the former radicalism of Qadaffi, that's surprising. I don't think an Israeli stamp in the passport would stop entry to Mauritania; I believe the two countries maintain diplomatic relations. However it could be a problem for Morocco; the two countries had ambassadors but something happened in 1999 or 2000.

Charlie

[GS Tone]

Thanks guys this will put his mind at rest
yes he does have an english passport
these days you probably have more to be worried about being English than jewish!
Thanks again
Tony

[Roman]

Originally Posted by GS Tone

these days you probably have more to be worried about being English than jewish!

Never mention you're English. Just pretend to be British :-)

[budapestbamako]

I've travelled extensively in Morocco, Mauritania and Mali as a Jew. I've been welcome everywhere and treated with more respect that in some parts of Europe.

Morocco is a very moderate Islamic state. They have low level diplomatic relations with Israel through representative offices.

Mauritania is the only Islamic country in the world which has an Israeli embassy not as a result of a peace treaty. The other two are Egypt (Camp David 1979) and Jordan (Washington 1993 - i might be wrong. don't quote me on this one.) In Mauritania there are Israeli investments and business people working. Even if you have an Israeli stamp in your passport you'll be fine.

In Mali and Senegal they practice a very tolerant and friendly version of Islam. One time I had lunch at a high level government official's private residence. The man was a devout muslim who made the Haj several times. When I told him that I was Jewish, he said that this should be an example for the rest of the world. A jew and a muslim should always be able to sit at the same table and have lunch without any issues. To me that sums up the Jewish question in West Africa.

[Osama Radzi]

Originally Posted by Stephano

Tony,
Added to that, Jews and Christians are regarded in Islam as "people of the book" whose religions are generally respected within Islamic communities. Jerusalem prior to the creation of the state of Israel was an example of one such city in which all three religions co-existed peacefully.
Stephan

Very True Stephano & Caminando youre right too, some countries you might have problem entering & also even an Israel stamped!
But since your passport says youre a British, I dont think there should be any problem, like the others mentioned above.

I never got my American visa after several attempts while in Toronto. Finally "they" said I have to apply from my country of origin.
Okay fine! BL*% #@y
When I got back home "they" still refused to issue me a visa & said I had no social or economic ties to prove that I dont want to be an immigrant....:confused1:



Ride Safe/Save/Sober

[Caminando]

Originally Posted by GS Tone

Thanks guys this will put his mind at rest
yes he does have an english passport
these days you probably have more to be worried about being English than jewish!
Thanks again
Tony

Tony - maybe you arent aware that there's no such thing as an English Passport. It doesnt exist and never has.