iPad Ban

If you're thinking about taking that iPad to Israel, think again!

The Wall Street Journal released a report recently stating that Israel has banned the iPad. The Apple product's wireless technology is said to threaten interference with other technologies. Reasoning behind this ban has said to be because the iPad was developed in U.S. standards and does not converge with European or Israel standards. This is because U.S. standards allow stronger signals than that of other countries. 

"This device's wireless strengths violate Israeli law and will overpower other wireless devices in Israel," ministry spokesman Yechiel Shavi said.

Apple argues that the iPad has been created in compliance to international Wi-Fi specifications.

People have been flying into Israel for years now with other devices with the exact same configuration. Why is it not that Israel is putting a foot down? is there something fishy going on here?

"Mr. Shavi, the ministry spokesman, said anyone who brought wireless devices configured to U.S. standards into Israel in the past should have declared them to customs officials and could have had their devices confiscated."
Those flying into the country are being denied the ability to keep their devices and are being asked to leave them with authorities in the airport at the cost of a storage fee. At the time of their departure from the country, they may pick their devices back up.

This may be seen as an extreme inconvenience for those who use their iPad as their main source of organization, communication, and information. Those on business trips may want to arrange a different form of technology and return back to their laptops.   

There is a theory that Israel feels that the technology of the iPad undermines their status in the technology industry as a high tech country and influence. Another speculation is that it could possibly interfere with Israel's military "communication technology".

Once Apple has released a version of the iPad that is in accordance with the standards of Europe and Israel, the ban will be lifted.