Business trip to Israel

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• Strong security at Tel Aviv airport that almost denied me the entry in 2012.
• Generally relaxed atmosphere and sandy beach with bars just a few meters away from the sea in Tel Aviv.

I had the opportunity to visit Israel on two occasions: in 2012 as a short business trip and in 2022, when I properly travelled around the country for 9 days, visiting South and North Israel.

In this article I describe my business trip to Israel in 2012: strong security check that almost finished my trip upon arrival, relaxed atmosphere in Tel Aviv.

More articles about Israel adventures are available here:

I visited Israel on a business trip in 2012. It was a short trip that didn’t allow me much sightseeing, but only a glimpse of this unique Middle East country located on the Mediterranean Sea. I landed at Ben Gurion Airport nearby Tel Aviv. An extensive presence of security guards, police with dogs, and customs officers made me feeling unpleasant. I had never before been greeted by such a hostile group of government officials.

They were almost kicking me out of the country as soon as I stepped out of the airplane.

The immigration officer carefully reviewed my documents, direction of my hotel, asked questions about the purpose of my visit, my profession, background, etc. She was fundamentally in search of a question that would lead to a response from me that fell short of her expectations, which she could use as a basis to expel me from Israel.

“Give me name and surname of a person who is waiting for you outside!” was the crucial question.  I didn’t know, because the company I was visiting, sent a driver to pick me up and transfer to the headquarters.

What a problem!

“How can you not know, who is picking you up? You don’t have an official invitation letter from CEO of the company!” were some of the most dramatic statements by the official.

I expected that she would send me straight to the boarding gate, but then, suddenly, she stamped my passport and I was ready to pick up my luggage.

Beside formal meetings that took place in Industrial zone of Yokne’am Illit, I managed to visit downtown of Tel Aviv and stroll around the nice area on the beach. The environment was truly captivating, characterized by bars along the coast providing basic tables and chairs. I took pleasure in resting my feet in the sand, enjoying the gentle sea breeze, and savoring the most expensive cocktail of my lifetime.