Last update - 00:00 25/10/2006
Egypt: Two Israelis arrested illegally crossing into Sinai
By Yoav Stern, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Egyptian security authorities detained two Israeli men who crossed the border illegally near a holiday resort popular with Israeli tourists in Sinai, security officials said on Wednesday.
The Foreign Ministry said Raz Arzi and Ofer Golan, who were arrested near the Taba resort, were being questioned by Egyptian security officials. Their remand has been extended by 15 days.
Arzi and Golan attempted to enter Sinai legally last week, but one of them was denied entry by Egyptian officials. Afterward, they decided to enter the penninsula some kilometers north of Taba, where there was no fence, and were caught by Egyptian authorities.
Israelis do not need visas to enter Sinai but are required to go through passport control at the border. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
Most people arrested for illegal border crossing in Sinai are usually trying to reach Israel to find work. It is rare for Israelis to be caught
sneaking into Egypt, though three were caught in the same spot a few weeks ago.