Originally Posted by
M60_to_LGA
I think being Jewish and, even more so, speaking Hebrew makes a big difference.
Originally Posted by
Amanda2001
When I searched this topic online, it seems like it is more common for arabs and Muslims and the alike. I don't even have any middle eastern blood in my family and I don't look like one. My family have been in North America for generations.
Originally Posted by
Pickles
I am Jewish and speak Hebrew, and I can tell you some of my experiences coming into Israel that also involved the back room and security officers asking pointed questions.
Officially racial profiling isn't part of the security measures, I'm sure it must take some part (e.g. if there was a "point system" where 10 points gets you the full body search, being Arab might be +1 point, whereas the reasons for your visit by itself could well be worth 10 points).
I've had many "white looking" friends visiting and being given that treatment, in one case it was due to entering from Jordan and leaving via TLV, in another it was due to a very short leasure visit (<24 hours) so all in all it seems to me to be pretty objective and not prejudiced.
That being said it's never a great experience especially on the first visit and I can see why it will deter a lot of people from coming back unless they have a good reason to, I've had my share of unpleasant experiences with the US CBP, doesn't mean I won't fly there again