Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Report: Would Israeli Tourists Misbehave in UAE?


Sun 29 Nov 2020 | 09:20 PM
Rana Atef

The UAE received the first Israeli tourist group yesterday after signing a normalization agreement between both states.

Israeli officials expressed their concerns due to the negative Israeli stereotype common in the Middle East.

Therefore, the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu advocated the publication of a “code of conduct” of instructions for Israeli tourists who will visit the UAE according to The Times of Israel (TOI) two weeks ago.

“I suggest that you really educate the Israelis,” Netanyahu expressed according to TOI. So, Tourism and Strategic Affairs Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen announced  the preparation of educational outlets with "do and don’ts."

In the same context, French Monto Carlo issued an overview of the Israeli tourists' negative behaviors in the Asia and Gulf region.

The website explained that Israeli tourists' presence becomes unwanted in Europe and Asia after a series of improper situations. Also, many hotels reject hosting them due to their annoying behaviors including robbery and fraud.

Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi explained that Israelites need to know how to behave in the UAE as the Emiratis “are very sensitive and Israelis sometimes don’t know how to behave.”

He asserted his concerns that Israelis will represent their “ugly side,” TOI reported.

On her behalf, worldwide Israeli singer Yasmin Levy wrote in an article entitled "UAE, Be Ready! Israelis Are Coming." It was published in the Haaretz.

She warned the Emirates against the shocking behaviors of the Israelis including stealing every carriable object such as lamps, towels, and paintings.

She added, that they are trouble makers and spark many fights.

Monte Carlo expressed that Egyptian hotels are suffering from Israelis misbehaviors. They asserted their hate towards Palestinians, listening to Hebrew music loudly, and attack employees.

Regarding Israeli tourism in Turkey, many hotels refuse the Israelis presence although Turkey receives almost 1 million Israeli tourists every year.

Despite the conflict between Israel and Turkey, the flow of Israeli tourists to Turkey is still normal due to Turkey's low prices in entertainment and hair transplant.

In addition, a number of robberies were reported in the hotels were visited by Israelis and Israeli officials. The report added that almost half-million towels, a huge quantity of Shampo, and table sets were missed.

Last month, the Cabinet of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), headed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, approved a peace deal with Israel, dubbed as the Abraham Accords that aims to normalize ties between the two countries.

The agreement, which was brokered by the US, was signed in Washington by the UAE and Israel in August to normalize ties.

The cabinet’s approval comes ahead of the first official visit by a UAE government delegation to Israel.

The cabinet expressed its confidence that the deal will help pave the way for peace and stability in the region as it strengthens bilateral relations.

It also added: “the Abraham Accord would be an avenue of peace and stability to support the ambitions of the region’s people, and enhance efforts for prosperity and advancement, especially as it paves the way for deepening economic, culture and knowledge ties.”

The UAE and fellow Gulf state Bahrain in September became the first Arab states in a quarter of a century to sign agreements to establish formal ties with Israel, forged largely through shared fears of Iran.

The two sides signed memoranda of understanding on economic cooperation at the summit, Sky News Arabia reported airing footage of the signing.