Playground of Glitter and Gold

LAP OF LUXURY The unapologetic opulence seemed endless: 24-carat gold leaf interiors 17 different types of pillows embroidered silk wallpaper jewel encrusted headboards and indulgent personal service that spoils you rotten (Photos: )

D ubai. A land of unimaginable riches and unbridled arrogance of Arab oil sheikhs in flowing robes and bulging pockets where everything has to be the best and where pomp and affluence has reached its peak. And while Dubai is a member state of the United Arab Emirates and at least officially has a nonexistent relationship with the State of Israel there are ongoing reports of clandestine cooperation between the two countries. Israeli businessmen politicians medical-conference attendees and sports players have over the past few years been entering Dubai with prior arrangements.

The policy for visitors to the emirate of Dubai and the entire UAE is explicit: they have nothing against Jews they just don’t recognize Israel. For years the common wisdom was that Jewish visitors to the UAE made sure not to have an Israeli stamp in their passports (tensions escalated in 2010 when Mossad agents allegedly killed a Hamas operative in a Dubai hotel) but today at least officially that’s supposedly no longer a problem — at least when entering Dubai which is considered the most tolerant of all the emirates. (Even Israeli passport holders who cannot legally enter the UAE can today transit through the Dubai airport or any other UAE airport if not actually entering the country.)

I didn’t take the chance though. Together with my traveling partner — my brother — we entered the UAE on our American passports (credit to our American-born parents) even though mine was issued in Tel Aviv and listed that city as the place of my birth. That fact didn’t seem to bother the immigration officials though: US passports are treated with great honor in the UAE — no additional visa necessary.