iPad Is Banned In Israel

The Israel government has barred importation of the iPad and is also seizing units from tourists who attempt to enter the country with one of Apple's new tablet-style computers.

Israeli officials told the Associated Press that the ban was imposed because the iPad's Wi-Fi connection uses a frequency that conflicts with Israeli standards for wireless networks.

"If you operate equipment in a frequency band which is different from the others that operate on that frequency band, then there will be interference," Nati Schubert, a senior official with the Israeli Communications Ministry, told the AP.

Israeli customs officials reportedly confiscated 10 iPads at airports Thursday from travelers attempting to enter the country with the devices.

In an interview with the Israeli publication Haaretz, Communications Ministry director Eden Bar Tal defended the ban.

"The goal is that all citizens enjoy the use of wireless networks in this country; importation of a device which is not suited to local standards is likely to cause them harm," said the director. "We are concerned with one thing only, that no wireless technology will trample the wireless connections of other users," the director added.

The Israeli Ministry of Communications claims the iPad uses Wi-Fi signals that are more powerful than those used in their country and also across Europe.

On Wednesday, Apple announced it was delaying the introduction of the iPad to Europe but did not cite Wi-Fi compatibility problems as a factor in the decision. Rather, Apple said it simply had ran out of the devices due to overwhelming demand in the U.S.

Apple said it sold more than 500,000 iPads during the first week of availability.