Btw, make sure you have something with you with the logo of the conference, to prove you attended it.

Since we are sharing experiences: This morning I went to Ben Gurion Airport for my El Al flight back to New York City. I wore my Wikimania t-shirt, badge, and lanyard, and prominently carried my Wikimania shoulder bag, along with a Wikimedia shoulder bag. I was asked, among other questions: What was the purpose of your trip to Israel? Didn't that conference end about a week ago? What are your parents' names? Where did you stay in Israel? Near the city center? Do you belong to any community or congregation? Any communities with which you celebrate holidays like the Sabbath? What languages do you speak? Where do you live? What is the origin of your name? An agent asked me about whether I had liquids; I showed my little bottles/vials and was told to put them all into my checked luggage. My bags were X-rayed, my laptop X-rayed separately. Then I was directed to secondary screening. All my bags were opened and hand-searched and swabbed. I was asked about my ZaReason laptop specifically because it's not a brand/model they'd seen before. An agent took me to a curtained, well-used cell with no clock, hand-searched me and swabbed me ("spread your legs," "raise your arms," "now face me," etc.), and took my wallet, passport, phone, shoes, brooch, and overshirt away for inspection. I don't know how long I was there. She eventually returned all my belongings to me; one pocket of my wallet had been unzipped and the contents were scattered in the tub. I could see from a dialog box on the screen that the agents had tried to look at the contents of my phone. I do not know whether they tried to turn my laptop on, or found a way to access its contents. Overall I estimate the hassle took about 45 minutes to an hour. But at least they let me take my laptop on the plane. In contrast, before I could get on my flight from New York to Israel, El Al agents interrogated me and searched me and my belongings for approximately two hours. Worse, they put my laptop into my checked luggage, so I could not do any work on the flight (I had not planned on checking any luggage, just using two carry-on shoulder bags). As part of my search and questioning in New York, an agent took me into an employee break room and hand-searched and swabbed me and took all my belongings to be inspected. I know from mistaken time settings on my phone that they opened my phone and temporarily took out its battery, then had to reset its timezone, the date, etc. I do not know whether they tried to access my laptop's contents. In New York, I showed the agents a bunch of Wikimania conference information printouts, the registration letter, and my business cards, and was wearing my Wikimedia bag. The agents asked, among other questions: Do you have a family? Do you have children? Why didn't you take your husband's name? Why isn't he coming on this trip? Do you know anyone in Israel? Do you have his phone number? What do you do for a job? Do you go to an office? Could you talk me through what you do each day? Did you have to do any special training for that job? You don't have more luggage than that? Where did you go to college? What are the jobs you have had since then? Why have you had so many jobs in the past two years? You say you did some consulting for GNOME; can you open your laptop and show me some work you did for them? Will you be traveling in the area after the conference? The agents in New York were kinder and less brusque than the agents at Ben Gurion, and -- since they'd delayed me for so long -- walked me to the airplane's jetway, ensuring I skipped to the front of the airport security line and any other queues. In both cases I was traveling alone. And in both cases I was myself, a US citizen whose parents and name and skin color came from South Asia. I can't pass as anything else. An agent asked me, at the Tel Aviv airport, what community or congregation I belonged to. I didn't understand at first, and my first thought was, "the free software community, I guess?" The community that congregates at Wikimania, that I'd come to Haifa to celebrate. And my search and interrogation experiences were, to me, the least welcoming thing about my Wikimania. To bring it back to the thread topic: No one asked me about the conference CD. -Sumana Harihareswara Volunteer Development Coordinator Wikimedia Foundation _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

Is not for "no reason", they just think all of us are looking forward for the possibility of live in the "dream land" that is America, and can't believe we would come back after be there[1].

On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 2:51 PM, Béria Lima <berialima(a)gmail.com> wrote: ask in Asians. That's not true. They also use the same principle in Russia. And I think in other countries as well, except Europe, which mostly has visa-free entrance. --vvv _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

Every one of us has received a book „Facts about Israel“. It is a not very neutral one, but that makes it so very interesting.

Mathias Schindler, 15/08/2011 18:53: > On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 21:59, Иванов Вячеслав<v.ivanov(a)amikeco.ru>

I haven't had the pleasure to read it yet; I only know that (probably) because of the things I received at the conference they inspected my luggage very carefully after the otherwise very lucky (less than 2 min long) questioning, and they were very surprised when I told them that it was a gift of the state itself... The most suspect item at the wonder-machine, though, was a deck of playing cards which have then been analyzed almost one by one. Nemo _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

On 08/10/2011 06:05 PM, Sumana Harihareswara wrote: This is simply racism and harassment. There can be no excuse for that kind of treatment. If this is the way even a citizen of the western world is treated, I can understand very well why there were (almost?) no members of the Arab world in Israel. I find it regrettable that next Wikimania is going to be in Washington D.C. Airport harassment might not be as severe as in Israel, but perhaps severe enough so that Arab Wikimedians are prevented or discouraged from attending. Don't get me wrong, Wikimania in Israel was fantastic and D.C. will probably be, too, but we have to focus more on accessibility for *all* Wikimedians. Regards, Tobias _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

On Aug 11, 2011, at 9:49 AM, "church.of.emacs.ml" < church.of.emacs.ml(a)googlemail.com&gt; wrote: While no one has the power to exempt anyone from security checks (in fact, whenever former Secretary of State Colin Powell travels, he gets the full check to show that everyone has to follow the rules), we can coordinate with TSA, tell them about our conference (including how tech-oriented some of the attendees are), and ask them for advice to make the security check process as simple as possible. My impression, though, is that while Israeli security focuses on you as a person, TSA mostly focuses on your stuff. Follow all their rules (take out laptop for separate x-ray scan, only small bottles of liquid, etc.) and I think you will be fine, but unfortunately I only have the perspective of a white US citizen. I actually think the bigger obstacle will be obtaining a visa, for those who don't live in visa exempt countries. As mentioned earlier, we will do everything in our power to make the process easier; we will even be looking into visa scholarships. It helps that the US State Department knows what Wikipedia is and that they have sent people to two Wikimanias, 2006 and 2011. James _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

We at Wikimedia Israel are not ignoring the stories told on this thread, actually we're taking them very much to heart. We are now considering a strong letter of complaint to various government agencies and a demand for formal written apology. Details will follow once we have decided on our course of action. Harel Cain Secretary, Wikimedia Israel On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 11:07, James Hare &lt;messedrocker(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: -- Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur. _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

Uh? :-? By the way I agree, but looking at some of the lots of the trainees the situation might improve in the future. :-p

@ TLV T3 Departure floor In addition to the previous mails, I'd recommend who plans railway trip to arrive your departure station enough earlier than your train, specially if you are in Jerusalem or perhaps a place easy-to-reach from the West Bank. Security check at Malha Jerusalem Station would be as serious as at the airport. Though they keep being polite but the check on me took over 10 minutes. I was asked by two officers respectively to show them my passport, open every bag, what I bought in the Old City, and then again explain what almost each item in the bags was, and which places I had visited during my ongoing trip, specially in the West Bank, which Arab countries I had visited both in this particular trip and in the past and finally if I carried weapons. Finally they had me go through with smiles and best wishes on trip, so generally there was no problem at all, but if my schedule had been tight, it might have caused problems. On Wed, Aug 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM, Federico Leva (Nemo) &lt;nemowiki(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: -- KIZU Naoko / 木津尚子 member of Wikimedians in Kansai / 関西ウィキメディアユーザ会 http://kansai.wikimedia.jp _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

I flew home on Friday. Unfortunately I had been unable to find anyone capable of printing a Tshirt with "Do I look like the sort of person who packs my own luggage?", or at least not on a Tshirt in my size (walrus). And as promised I hadn't made a Wikimania CD. It took me 40 minutes to get through security, check in and passport control, and unlike in Heathrow I didn't have to remove my shoes or belt, or even discard my water. After I said that I had received a gift while I was in Israel they were a little interested in my Wikimania bag, and I had to dig it out of my backpack and let it be cursorily inspected. Maybe next year we can make the bag from Hemp and include in it some sparklers or small fireworks for the closing party with perhaps a blade or some scissors for people wanting to customise their badges. As one of those who argued against holding Wikimania in Israel, I must say that I was very impressed at how well the whole thing was done. I think that the organisers did a brilliant job, I liked the food, and they even had sufficient WiFi. The music at two of the parties was a bit loud for socialising, but that's probably me showing my age. However I don't think this was really a completely Global Wikimania. As some of us feared it would be, this was a Wikimania that largely missed the Muslim world. I don't think that this is the fault of the organisers, but clearly holding our annual conference in Israel during Ramadan was not the best way to encourage people from Islamic countries to attend. I hope that in future we can make sure that Wikimania is more inclusive than that. WSC 2011/8/18 Harel Cain &lt;harel.cain(a)gmail.com&gt; _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

I flew home on Friday. Unfortunately I had been unable to find anyone capable of printing a Tshirt with "Do I look like the sort of person who packs my own luggage?", or at least not on a Tshirt in my size (walrus). And as promised I hadn't made a Wikimania CD. It took me 40 minutes to get through security, check in and passport control, and unlike in Heathrow I didn't have to remove my shoes or belt, or even discard my water. After I said that I had received a gift while I was in Israel they were a little interested in my Wikimania bag, and I had to dig it out of my backpack and let it be cursorily inspected. Maybe next year we can make the bag from Hemp and include in it some sparklers or small fireworks for the closing party with perhaps a blade or some scissors for people wanting to customise their badges. As one of those who argued against holding Wikimania in Israel, I must say that  I was very impressed at how well the whole thing was done.  I think that the organisers did a brilliant job, I liked the food, and they even had sufficient WiFi. The music at two of the parties was a bit loud  for socialising, but that's probably me showing my age. However I don't think this was really a completely Global Wikimania. As some of us feared it would be, this was a Wikimania that largely missed the Muslim world. I don't think that this is the fault of the organisers,  but clearly holding our annual conference in Israel during Ramadan was not the best way to encourage people from Islamic countries to attend. I hope that in future we can make sure that Wikimania is more inclusive than that. WSC 2011/8/18 Harel Cain &lt;harel.cain(a)gmail.com&gt; _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

Hoi, Having Wikimania during Ramadan will prevent people from attending. The dates for Wikimania next year are also likely during Ramadan. One way of looking at the absence of the Muslim world is that in Alexandria there was a sizable group from Israel. In the end it is about taking the opportunity. The opportunity for most was there with the exception from for instance our Iranian friends who are expressly forbidden to come. Thanks, Gerard 2011/8/21 WereSpielChequers &lt;werespielchequers(a)gmail.com&gt; _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 3:13 PM, Harel Cain &lt;harel.cain(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: It doesn't seem amazing at all to me that El Al invests less suspicion in Jewish citizens of Israel, but that's just me :P _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

I'm in Jerusalem for a few more days, can anyone suggest how I can obtain one of these Wikimania CDs or what it could contain? WereSpielChequers On 9 August 2011 20:22, Nathan&lt;nawrich(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

No bad ill toward the really wonderful organizers of Wikimania (you really rocked !), but to me, this behavior at borders security goes beyond what I consider acceptable. Even if it has no obvious outcome, I would really like that those who had bad experience report it either to their embassy or to Israel officials. Somehow, I think that a 3 hours check, with body search and confiscation of items, for citizens who show really no sign of being dangerous for the State of Israel and which are leaving the country (not entering it) and doing so in non-Israelian flight companies, is simply not respectful of human rights.

On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 4:03 PM, WereSpielChequers &lt;werespielchequers(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: I don't really think lying or deliberately trying to mislead them is the best option. If you didn't get a CD, then just say that. But I guess it's your call.

On Tue, Aug 9, 2011 at 3:53 PM, Theo10011 &lt;de10011(a)gmail.com&gt; wrote: Airport of questioning Yeah, or if there's something that stands out with a local, such as someone from Germany or who has a German-sounding name. (Using German based on experiences I've noticed and because someone mentioned a similar issue with a German-sounding name on another thread, on some mailing list. :-)) -- Casey Brown Cbrown1023 _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l

One of the psychological techniques used by the security agencies is to explicitly ask for something not true and wait for denial. The truth (whether there were CDs or not) is not really relevant to this question - it's how you react. Probably you are suspicious if you answer 100% questions correctly and without any hesitation. Those interviews shouldn't be treated like a school test - it's not about getting as much correct answers as possible. For an example of a successful use of this technique, see Stanley Kubrick's movie "Eyes Wide Shut", the scene during the party at the manor (not recommended for people sensitive about explicit scenes, usual disclaimers apply). //Marcin _______________________________________________ Wikimania-l mailing list Wikimania-l(a)lists.wikimedia.org https://lists.wikimedia.org/mailman/listinfo/wikimania-l