Originally Posted by
tomas.t
Well, the Israel stamp is proving problematic since I really want to vacation in Beirut. Of course, I can request a new US passport but I'm not motivated to go through the hassle; I can travel to many other parts of the world and countries not yet visited. I can also wait until my current passport expires in 2015. Or I can try to obtain the Lebanese visa here in the US., though it would be a disaster if I arrived at BEY to be turned away from entering into the country despite having the visa.
That's a silly reason not to visit! You don't have to wait until you visit BEY or until your passport expires. If you don't have an Israeli passport you can request they don't stamp and they will politely comply. There are some reports that the agents can get cross if you ask they don't stamp, but they will accommodate your preference.
As an aside, I have absolutely no interest visiting a country that discriminates and refuses entry to people based on who they are and where they have traveled.