Not Like in America

February 4, 2007 - 1:40 PM by Avi

Israeli bureaucracy is often seen of as the bane of Israeli life. Horror stories abound, especially about Misrad HaPanim, the Ministry of the Interior, with reports of people entering but never leaving due. North American immigrants often compare it to the mythical efficiency of American offices. Well, Anna had a different experience. In fact, she had her best experience at any government office at Misrad HaPanim!

I just had the best experience with a government office I have ever had in my life–Israeli or American.

People were not lying when they said the Misrad HaPnim (The Ministry of the Interior and holder of the keys to visas, passports, and national ID cards) branch in Gilo was nothing like the one in town, which is a bastion of bureaucratic moronitude employed with the bitterest human beings in the country that would not be out of place in a Soviet socialist republic.

…

But, I need a teudat ma’avar (temporary passport) in order to leave the country, so I gathered the required documentation (and money), steeled myself for the worst, and set off. Albeit a little later than I had planned.

The office opens at 8, and I wanted to be there right on the dot so as not to have to wait on line at all. I didn’t end up leaving my houe till 8 though, so I was a little concerned. But by 8:20 the taxi had dropped me off in Gilo, where he claimed the office was located.

….
The room was empty, save for one man being assisted. I sat down and about thirteen seconds later it was my turn. I told the woman I needed a teudat ma’avar, so asked for my ID and my money, and that was that.

As I waited for the receipt to print, I asked her when I could expect to receive it. “Two or three weeks?” I suggested. I had heard it takes about two weeks, but I wanted to let her know I had a little leeway.

“What?” she replied. “You think you’re in a America?”

Now, normally when an American gets that response in Israel, it means the American has just complained about something that is done in a way that is less than stellar here that normally functions quite smoothly and logically in America. So I was a little worried, as it takes a few months, not weeks, to get a passport in America.

“You’ll get in three or four days, registered mail,” the kind employee informed me, as she handed me the receipt.

Incidentally, the clerk was right. Four days later (with the weekend in between), Anna received her teudah delivered right to her door, where she could bask in just a few moments of Zionist glory. Now that’s what I call service!

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