After five weeks in Peru, we crossed the border into Bolivia via Puno - and experienced first-hand how a bit of anti-Israel sentiment can have palpable affects in the real world.
We'd planned to enter Bolivia on our Israeli passports, for the simple reason that Americans visiting Bolivia are required to pay a $160 "revenge visa" fee, whereas Israeli's pay only $60.
But when we arrived at the Bolivian consulate in Puno to fill out the paperwork, we were informed that ever since last summer's war in Gaza, Israelis are not allowed to enter Bolivia at all.
Needless to say, we've met countless Israelis in Bolivia, each with his or her own story of how they got in. Many bribed their way into the country, tucking a few dollars into their passports as they approached the border. Others entered the country via Chile or Argentina - it seems only the crossing at Puno is problematic.
In any case, the ones who suffer most are ordinary, hardworking Bolivians: Israelis are wonderful, enthusiastic tourists who'd be happy to pump hundreds of thousands of dollars into the Bolivian economy - if only they were allowed in.
