I arrived in Tel Aviv today to almost no fanfare. I saw Hugh Grant in London's Heathrow airport. For some strange reason, all I could think of was that I really wanted him to know that I saw a freeze-tuition poster once that said "We need Huge Grants" with his picture on it.. When I got into Tel Aviv's Ben Guiron airport, I was given the first taste of the racism imbued within the society. As I went through the security check, I found myself surrounded by fellow Muslims. As I looked around, every Palestinian or Muslim who came through the line was sent for a search. On the same token, not a single person in the "detailed-search" line was not Palestinian or Muslim.. We all just stood in that line, each surrounded by a team of young women (the Israelis are required to serve 3 years of mandatory military service, and the women often carry out their duty in so-called "support" roles). All of us insisted on speaking in English when we were addressed. It was obvious that all of us spoke some other language, but none of us dared utter a word of non-English -- especially to each other. After searching my bags and discovering underwear, a laptop, and my camera, I was asked to go for a body search..
"Excuse me?" I started, with true confusion.
"You know.. I want to frisk you.. I want to make sure there's nothing under your clothes" she replied, herself confused at my reluctance.
I entered this little dressing room, and it became quite apparent that she was the one who wished to frisk me (and beyond).
"I want a man to do this." It was my right to ask, and I knew it. She smiled. "Do you want to go back to Canada?" Her accent was something right from a movie. I knew I had lost..
"Alright.." I conceded "but all you're going to find is that I'm all man"
I really should have quit while I was ahead. She smiled again, patted me down, gave my boys a good squeeze, then told me to turf the pants, shirt, and undershirt.
I stood there for no more than two minutes in my tightie whities, but I sure know what I'll never say to a border guard again. : )
I will be in training Sunday, and on Monday, we head off to Jenin. I can't wait to get down there so I can get to work!
tarek : )