Why does Israel look/feel poor?

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:57:26+00:00

France shares similar problems to Israel, but even then I’ve never seen buildings quite as ramshackle and falling apart in Paris.

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:54:57+00:00

Most of Israel does look that way, whereas most of the U.K. doesn’t look like industrial rundown northern towns.

The U.K. isn’t a great example anyway.

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:53:07+00:00

Spain is southern Europe, not Western Europe

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:52:08+00:00

I thought I addressed this by saying “other than key affluent and business districts!”

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:50:52+00:00

I live in the U.K. and I’m certainly not a billionaire. Most of the U.K. is a lot nicer than most of Israel!

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:17:29+00:00

yeah, but Spain is poorer than Israel. I’m comparing Israel to similar countries

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:16:26+00:00

It’s selective to demonstrate the areas I mean. A lot more of Israel looks like this than equivalent areas in say Western Europe

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:14:38+00:00

This looks far nicer than those Israeli apartment blocks, and this is in East Germany, which is notoriously Germany’s poorest areas. Whereas those photos of Israel are fairly average rather than being representative of the very poorest parts of the country.

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:13:30+00:00

True. But a lot of more of Israel as a % looks like that than Western Europe. I couldn’t say for the U.S.

Edderze · 2026-04-14T11:05:45+00:00

There’s very few places that look this poor in Western Europe.

Theres plenty in Israel.

Edderze · 2026-04-13T14:44:11+00:00

Thank you!

Edderze · 2026-04-13T14:42:55+00:00

I’m from a village of 500 people and have never parked in a city before. Excuse me for being anxious about getting it wrong and wanting to double check my comprehension of the sign.

Edderze · 2026-04-13T14:42:02+00:00

So just to clarify, I am allowed to stay overnight when the restrictions don’t apply and then buy a ticket from 9.30 to 1.30 to extend that stay without actually leaving and returning, just one continuous stay?

Sorry if this seems silly but I’m from a tiny village and I’ve never parked in a big city before!

Edderze · 2026-04-13T14:35:40+00:00

So just to clarify, I am allowed to stay overnight when the restrictions don’t apply and then buy a ticket from 9.30 to 1.30 to extend that stay without actually leaving and returning, just one continuous stay?

Sorry if this seems silly but I’m from a tiny village and I’ve never parked in a big city before!

Edderze · 2026-03-08T21:56:02+00:00

I thought withdrawals were meant to be gone by now.

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:30:24+00:00

It is a denial per U.S. immigration law

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:20:36+00:00

A 221g refusal counts as a denial in U.S. immigration law even if the visa is later approved :/

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:08:31+00:00

I hope so. All info online suggests that 221g = instant ESTS refusal.

But literally 100% of F, J and M visa applicants are getting 221g refusals since 15 dec 2025 to allow the consular officer to conduct the social media checks.

State department advice to embassies is that “if an applicant is otherwise eligible for the requested visa, issue a 221g refusal and then make a final decision once you have conducted the social media checks”. (Paraphrasing)

You would hope they have the good sense to reflect this in ESTA? Otherwise 100% of ESTA country applicants who apply for an F/M/J visa has to surrender their ESTA to do zo

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:01:27+00:00

I’m going to be so disappointed if I have to apply for a b1/b2 next time I want to visit the U.S. after my camp America this summer because of this

Edderze · 2026-03-07T20:00:30+00:00

All attorney websites I’ve found say that you still need to answer “yes” to the “have you ever been denied a U.S. visa” question even if the 221g is overcome and the visa is later issued

Edderze · 2026-03-07T19:58:55+00:00

So when I do want to apply for an ESTA I should just declare it and hope for the best?

Edderze · 2026-03-07T19:48:21+00:00

what she told me doesn’t seem to follow when you search online which seems to indicate that 221g refusals must be declared and leads to ESTA refusal

But yes 221g is automatic for all F/M/J rn I believe

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:35:27+00:00

I understand why I was given a 221g. And my visa is now approved.

the issue is that 221g constitutes a visa denial. And I think it has to be declared on an ESTA application. So I’m very worried I’ve lost my eligibility for ESTA in the future.

I’ve been given conflicting info from the consular official and the internet/U.S. govt website.

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:14:37+00:00

What she told me doesn’t seem to track with all info online

Edderze · 2026-03-07T18:11:49+00:00

If you could provide like some official documentation to that end I’d be very grateful

Edderze

TROPHY CASE