Israeli Tourist Denied Booking in Sinai Resort Due to Israeli Passport Security Policy

In early August, an Israeli woman named Yuli planned a vacation with her husband in Sharm El-Sheikh, Sinai, a destination they frequently visit. After booking a room at the Riviera Resort Apartment, she received a message from the resort stating they could not host tourists holding Israeli passports due to security reasons. The resort explained that their security team would reject entry for guests with Israeli nationality and required a passport copy for approval, which they could not accept if it was Israeli.

Yuli, who was born in Russia but holds only an Israeli passport, was surprised by this unprecedented request, as she has traveled to Egypt many times before using her Israeli passport without issue. She immediately canceled her reservation and booked another nearby accommodation that explicitly welcomed Israeli guests. She emphasized that this was the first time she encountered such a restriction despite years of visiting Sinai.

The National Security Council of Israel recently raised the travel warning for the Sinai Peninsula to level 4, citing a high threat to Israeli tourists and advising against travel there. Despite this, many Israelis continue to vacation in the area. Yuli noted that while this incident was unusual, many resorts have historically welcomed Israeli visitors warmly, even during tense periods.

This case highlights the ongoing security concerns and complexities Israeli tourists face in Sinai, where some resorts enforce strict policies based on nationality, reflecting broader regional tensions and official travel advisories.