Thread by @nfwazwaz

I was denied boarding on @EL_AL_ISRAEL because they claimed that I was a “security risk.” Here is a glimpse of what it’s like to travel to Israel as a Palestinian, even if you’re an American. It all started when I went to go drop off my bags at the counter at EWR.

Before the counter, I stopped at the Israeli security post. I was questioned about where I was traveling, why, etc. Pretty standard stuff. Then the “person in charge” told me that I wasn’t allowed to take any luggage with me on the plane, not even my backpack.

My ticket allows for a carry on and a personal item. I wasn’t allowed to take my laptop, portable charger, any charging wire or electronics. I straight up asked, “Why? Is it bc Im Palestinian?” Without hesitation he said, “Yes, and you’re going to places like Ramallah.”

I started asking others around me if they were also asked to check in their laptop and electronics. They said no. And the guy in charge was getting frustrated with me, saying that I wasn’t allowed to ask other passengers this question.

He asked me if I was married. Had kids. If anyone packed my bag. I told him I packed my bag myself. He came back + insisted someone may have taken advantage of me and put some “dangerous stuff” in my bag. What is that hunch based off exactly??

After complying with his unreasonable demands, I checked in my carry on and backpack. I put my laptop and electronics in my checkin. A yellow tag was put on my bags and passport. I was told that I would have to go through extra security screening when I got to the gate. https://t.co/z71fFN6HgAtwitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Meanwhile, all these other people were sitting at the gate with their bags + laptops. I got pulled to the side by the same man + he had news to share: Apparently when they looked into my laptop, there was an “alert” which according to him means “it contains explosives.”

No, I wasn’t arrested for allegedly carrying a laptop that contained explosive devices. Instead what they said was that they’d have to ship the laptop home or someone would have to come pick it up. He kept insisting that these weren’t his rules. It was the “Israeli government.”

You might be wondering: why on earth would you ship a laptop that you believe contains explosives it? Yeah, I’m not sure either. So any way, I complied. I just wanted to get on the flight and move on.

I was taken into a room for extensive screening. This was run by the Israelis. Took off half my clothes, socks, shoes. Was THOROUGHLY patted down. Head to toe. They swabbed my clothes, my bag, shoes, socks, literally everything.

As I was waiting, I was documenting what I was going through. (As you can see from the pics and videos.) The guy demanded to look at my photos + videos and proceeded to DELETE my pictures from my phone. Invasion of privacy?!

When I asked for his name, he said that I was not allowed to know this information. Mind you, this is all happening in the great land of the USA. I am not even in Israel yet.

They came back with the results for the swabs. Get ready for this: an “alert” came for my shoes and again, they “may contain explosives.” And as a result, I was denied boarding.

They offered to rebook me on another flight. Why would you rebook someone who is carrying around explosives at the airport?! Shouldn’t I have been arrested?

They put me on a @united flight. I checked in my bag. I got to keep my carry on, my backpack, my laptop + chargers. I went thru TSA again. I went thru Israel’s additional screening. And took a seat at the gate.

I thought I could finally just sit in peace. But I was wrong. As I’m waiting at the gate, they announced my name. And I was told “Israel is requesting additional screening.”

The @united employee was barely giving me any information about what was happening. No one was explaining what was going on. He threatened that I could be denied boarding my flight for recording a video. Too bad.

I got escorted to TSA, again. There was like 5 agents huddling together, discussing my situation and referencing an “email from Israel.”

So I did another extensive screening. Another pat down. Head to toe. Swabbed all my belongings. Socks and shoes. Of course, everything was clear. But wait … I was told I had to go thru Israel’s security AGAIN!

At this point, I’ve gone through a total of FIVE security screenings in the span of 7 hours. The Israeli security swabbed all my bags and belongings.

And obviously everything was CLEAR. I did not have explosives in my laptop or shoes! But still, I was given a new boarding pass with the letters “SSSS” written multiple times and highlighted in bright yellow. I was treated like a criminal on the loose. LOL at the TSA Pre check.

I sat at the gate. I’d been at the airport since 9 am and finally boarded around 7 pm. I have no idea what awaited me in TLV airport.

This entire experience has taken an immense toll on me. For hours I felt so sick, my chest was hurting and my anxiety was at an all time high. I was so overcome by the stress and exhaustion, I honestly felt like I was going to faint multiple times.

My flight to my next destination is supposed to be thru @EL_AL_ISRAEL as well. I needed to change it asap. I got on the phone w @Chase, explained everything + I asked to change my airlines.

The @Chase rep called @EL_AL_ISRAEL and there was a note in the system that I was denied boarding at EWR bc I was a “security risk.” They clearly don’t want me to fly their airlines and I don’t want to either! Phone was hung abruptly, and without any resolution. Thanks @Chase

@Chase @EL_AL_ISRAEL One thing I forgot to mention - before even coming back with the swab results for my clothing + shoes, the guy mentioned that they were trying to find another flight for me. For whatever reason, they did not want me on that plane!