Going abroad, Israelis? Leave your bullets at home

An Israeli was released Wednesday from a day of detention in an Egyptian jail after two M16 bullets were found in his bags Tuesday night.

By HERB KEINON
Bullets [file] (photo credit: REUTERS)
Bullets [file]
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Foreign Ministry has a tip for young Israelis traveling abroad: don’t only check before leaving for passports, tickets and sunscreen — also ensure there are no stray bullets in your backpack.
An Israeli was released Wednesday from a day of detention in an Egyptian jail after two M16 bullets were found in his bags Tuesday night, the Foreign Ministry announced. “This is the third case in Egypt over the last month alone where Israelis were arrested after bullets from their army service were found in their bags.”
The tourist was released with the help of Israel's consul-general in Egypt.
“The Foreign Ministry urges Israeli tourists, before traveling, to check their bags and ensure there is no ammunition or bullets,” a ministry statement said.
According to the ministry, a lack of attention to this matter could create “unnecessary distress and risks, including arrest.”
Last week another Israeli tourist, Nir Itachi, was arrested and released by Egyptian police after bullets from his days in the arm were found in his bag.
Two years ago a female in her 20s — just five days after her release from the IDF — was arrested at the airport in Bangkok where 13 M16 bullets were found in her backpack.
And a number of Israelis have over the last few years been arrested for the same infraction in India, with one — Gili Heskin — held in 2005 in an Indian jail three weeks, and then under house arrest in India for three months, because a bullet shell was found in his bag.