Israel bans the iPad

Customs officials have banned anyone, even tourists, from bringing Apple's new iPad into the country.

Officials are said to be concerned over the tablet's wireless signals and how they could interfere with other devices. The ban on anyone bringing an iPad into Israel will stand until officials confirm the device complies with local transmitter standards.

The Associated Press has reported that the US Federal Communications Commission allows Wi-Fi capable devices to broadcast at higher power levels than are allowed in Europe and Israel. Nati Schubert, a Senior Deputy Director for the Communications Ministry, said that the iPad’s strong signal could throw off others' wireless connections.

"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," said Schubert. "We don't care where people buy their equipment. ... But without regulation, you would have chaos."

The move could also have serious repercussions for the country’s software developers who make a living developing apps.

People currently entering the country with an iPad will have them confiscated and held by customs, for a daily storage fee, until their owners leave the country.