Entering Israel after Syria (via Jordan) - True or False?
 

I'm planning on driving to Israel via Turkey, Syria and Jordan in April with the family (3 kids) and then getting the car shipped to Italy from Israel. From the digging I've done I can see some debate around Carnet requirements, the obvious issues with trying to go from Israel back through Jordan and Syria or from attempting to get into Israel directly from Syria all of which I'm aware of.

However I can see no issue with driving into Israel with a Syrian stamp on my passport. OK so they are still at war technically and I might get asked a few more questions (ok maybe a lot more) but it is possible right?

My paranoia stems from a well travelled friend who has spent a good amount of time in the Middle East. She says she's talked the ins and outs of this around with everyone and is adamant that as "Israel and Syria are officially at war and either country will not let you in if you have any stamps in your passport from the other country in your passport". She even called me a plonker. I've wasted loads of time on this now and appreciate some experience thoughts. So true or false - am I plonker? :funmeteryes:

Hi,

I have been to Syria, Jordan and Israel two years ago. I had the carnet but none of them ask for it. On Israeli border took us 6 hours and they questioned me for about an hour. But I think my beard did not help, so make sure you are cleaned shaved. No problems with passport stamps.

I am not sure how it is today but I hope this helps,

All the best

The Israelis are used to people showing up at the border and appreciate that they had to cross through some unfriendly countries to get there. It's going the other way that is the problem.

I motorcycled thru Syria and Jordan in 2008 (fantastic experience with the locals, border officers and Police) but never been to Israel.

I know a guy that crossed into Israel for a benefit ride for friendship between Europe and the Holy Land (much advertised here in Italy) and received a really bad treatment from the Israeli border guards: if I recall well from the book he wrote and from his direct words, he and his travel companion had all their stuff taken out from their motorcycles panniers by the soldiers' hands, and rudely thrown on the ground for inspection.
They also spoke to them rudely and with no liking at all...

He told me he did not have a good memory of the border guards there, that dealt with him very badly even if he came from Italy (a Country that is not an enemy to Israel at all!) for a benefit purpose.
As he entered Israel, the people there were friendly, though.

She was pretty adamant. I intended to get the car shipped from Israel and wanted to book it in advance. Has anyone on this forum been refused entry on the basis of a Syrian stamp? When I google there's a fair few that have done it - anyone else on this forum?

I've traveled extensively in the middle east and that route should not be an issue. Syria will not let you in with an Israeli stamp in your passport but the other way via Jordan should be OK. YMMV.

I did it in 2009: all overland from Italy to Egypt via 9 countries, including Syria, Jordan and Israel. Then again from Egypt into Israel and finally into a cargo vessel from Ashdod to Salerno.

Technically there is no particular problem in crossing the Aqaba-Arava border (Jordan-Israel) even if you have a Syrian stamp in the passport. You will be questioned for a while, because the Israelis will need to know the at least the reasons of your trip to Syria.

In practice, the real issue is that you and your vehicle/luggage will be completely checked at the Israeli border. For me it was a very big issue because I was travelling with a fully equipped campervan and I had to completely unload it to let the Israely check every item (including the toilet paper).

Good luck!

I used to travel for work in Near-Middle east in the 90's.
IIRC, you can't ask for a vis to Syria (jordan, I can't remember), UAE, Saoudi Arabia, Koweit etc... if there is a stamp from Israel on your passport. At this time, I had to use 2 French passport (one called a Professionnal Passport with limited validity of 2 years) was to enter in Israel only so the stamps did not show in my other passport for other countries.
Having 2 passports is also very useful when one passport is at the different embassies waiting for Visa approval.

Now, I have the Canadian and French passport which makes things even simpler.

We applied to the UK passport office for a 2nd passport to avoid this very issue and we were able to obtain another passport. PM me if you want details


Martin