Damascus Blank
Is it possible to avoid all Israel entry/exit stamps?
Hi, I have a week and a half off (11 days) and I really wanted to spend it in the middle east. My top 3 goals are the Pyramids of Egypt, Jerusalem, and Petra. After I looked around, it seems the only way I can do all 3 in such a short amount of time is if I base myself in Eilat and cross the borders each time to spend a few short days in Petra and Giza.
However, I’m concerned that so much traffic in and out of Israel will make it difficult for me to avoid getting a stamp in my passport. I want to go to Damascus and Beirut in the future, so I can’t have an Israeli stamp. It’s one stamp upon arrival at Ben Gurion, two in/out of Jordan and two more for Egypt plus the departure from Israel, so at least 6 stamps to avoid in all. Is it possible for Israel to stamp it on a blank sheet of paper instead, or will I get hassled for requesting this, and especially so many times? I’m already traveling by myself, which probably doesn’t help my image.
It is true that you can get that paper stamp, with the absence of a regular stamp indicating that you have never been to Israel to Syrian or Lebanese officials. However, the irony is that the Jordanian and Egyptian stamps are going to be the ones that betray you to those officials, since the visas for entry/exit on the Israeli border are specific enough to equal proof that you have been to Israel according to their standards.
It’s probably exponentially more expensive, but what you can do is fly into/out of Israel, and then ask for the option. True, Israeli officials usually don’t like having to do this; however, they understand that it’s needed for many people so they will probably do it for you. This way, the Egyptian and Jordanian stamps that are given on the Israeli border aren’t shown on your passport, and they will never know that you have been to Israel; rather, have been to Egypt and Jordan with regular visas.
Traveling by yourself should make no difference to the Israelis.
Also, you can renew your passport, gaining a clean one without evidence that you have been to Israel.
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