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Israel Ends Ban on iPads, But What About the 3G Model?

Just under two weeks ago, Israel laid down a ban on bringing the new Apple iPad into their country, a ban no one knew about until travelers began to have their iPads confiscated at Israeli airport customs.

Why did Israel deem the device dangerous? Well, it wasn't that it was dangerous, but that the country didn't know much about it and they were concerned that it didn't meet European standards of wireless connectivity (which means the iPad's connectivity might have been too strong for them). Finally, Israel has concluded their testing of the iPad, found it to be just fine, and have lifted the ban. For the twenty or so iPads they did confiscate, the owners may return for them, but they will most likely not be refunded for the "storage fee" they had to pay while the iPads were held by customs.

Now we have one final worry: what will happen when the iPad 3G releases in a few days? Will Israel want to take a two-week look at that one too? All we can suggest is getting a good, inconspicuous case for the device and hoping that the customs agents have had their coffee.

Related Stories:
· Israel Approves iPad Imports [Mac Observer]
· Israel Bans the iPad; Gadgets Will be Confiscated at Airports [Jaunted]
· The TSA is Cool with iPads, But What About International Airports? [Jaunted]
· iPad Travel news [Jaunted]

[Photo: Jaunted]