Going to the middle east, Question about crossing israeli check points?!?

I am leaving in two days to the middle east to visit some family back home, we will be staying in Jordan for the most part but for a few days we will be going to the West Bank in Palestine and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with crossing the israeli check points and will I have a problem taking my camera with me? I have heard stories from friends of them taking things and keeping them because they my find it "A threat". I finally have a nice set up going and would hate for something like that to happen while on vacation. Hoping someone can give me some insight or thoughts on this!

Thanks

If you're returning to Jordan after your West Bank visits I'd suggest leaving the camera in Jordan. My experiences with security in Israel is that there is no fooling around. If you've got something they think is a threat you'll be lucky if all they do is take it away.

Take the cheapest point and shoot you can afford to lose?

If you're that worried, how about getting a letter from your embassy listing your equipment and vouching for you?

I doubt you've got that much to worry about in any case.

I know a guy in Israel who shoots pictured from a remote control plane. He gets great photos.

Thanks for the info guys, I wasn't too worried cause I heard some people saying that it won't be a big problem but then others had said its really just your luck. I would hate to leave it behind cause it will be such a beautiful place to shoot, and also I don't really have people in jordan that I can leave it with knowing that it will be 100 Percent safe. I guess I have some thinkin to do!! Thanks again

MikeFairbanks wrote in post #12706569
I know a guy in Israel who shoots pictured from a remote control plane. He gets great photos.

what does this have anything to do with the checkpoints?

Don't ever try crossing the border between Syria and Israel, very few people have got through, unless you have a real legit reasons to cross that way, being a tourist isn't one of them. It would be ok if you crossed between Jordan and Israel, so long as you don't photograph the security measures at the border checkpoint. My guess if you do, is your asking for trouble if you do try photograph the security at the checkpoint.

it's not like they've never seen a DSLR before... what's the big deal?