Want to Buy an Ereader for Israel? Don't Buy the iPAD.

I recommend that you buy yourself an ebook reader if you're making aliyah and want to be able to access and read books in English while living in Israel. An ebook reader is a electronic device designed for reading digital books and periodicals. With an ebook reader, you can download and read books in English from anywhere in the world, within a matter of minutes.

There are currently 3 main manufacturers of ebook readers: Amazon's Kindle, Barnes & Noble's Nook, and now — Apple's iPad. Apple’s iPad (considered to be in a category between the smartphone and the laptop computer) is the newest ebook reader to the market, released earlier this month on April 3rd.

At this point, however, it is not legal to have an iPad in Israel. Israel's Communications Ministry has blocked imports of iPads and ordered customs officials to confiscate the units when people enter the country carrying iPads. Israel says the wireless technology that Apple uses in the iPad is not compatible with the country's wifi standards. Ben-Gurion International Airport's customs division has impounded 10 iPads so far.

UPDATE 04/19/2010: The Wall Street Journal openly wonders why Israel is banning the iPad.  They write that: "Some technology experts have speculated the ban could have to do with fears that the more powerful wireless frequency used by American devices could interfere with Israeli military communications technology."