A young Israeli man from the Jerusalem area who recently returned from a vacation in Sinai has come forward with a disturbing account of what he says happened at the Taba border crossing on his way home. According to him, while passing alone through the Egyptian side of the crossing – just steps from the Israeli border – he was sexually harassed by three Egyptian police officers.
"I came back from Sinai on Saturday. I was alone and was sexually harassed by three terrible police officers at the border crossing, right before re-entering Israel," he said. "It was horrifying, shocking, unpleasant, and violating. I'm sharing this to say that it exists – that it can happen.
"I had such an amazing time in Sinai. I enjoyed every moment, and of course, this isn't going to ruin my experience there or what I took away from it. I will go back to Sinai and do it again soon. But I'm writing this to warn you and to recommend not going to the border alone – not on the way there and not on the way back."
"I thought about how this must happen to women far more often, and my heart goes out to you especially. Go to Sinai – it is so beautiful, stunning, and worth it. Just always remember to look after yourselves."
Bribery demands and rising crossing costs
The young man's testimony joins a string of recent reports of outrageous conduct by Egyptian security forces at the border crossing – among them, demands for "baksheesh," an Arabic term for bribe, from Egyptian officers.
In some cases, officers delay travelers with various pretexts or hint that a direct cash payment will expedite bureaucratic processes, secure the release of a confiscated item, and allow them to continue on their way.
Since the outbreak of the latest war with Iran, travelers have also been contending with a significant rise in crossing costs. Both Egyptian and Israeli crossing fees have gone up, making a Sinai vacation more expensive than ever before you even before you reach the beaches. Egyptian authorities now charge $120 per person just to cross the border.
