Israel bans the iPad over Wi-Fi fears

Israel has banned the US iPad from entering the country

Concerns about Wi-Fi interference have prompted the Israeli government to block the entry of Apple's iPad into the country.

Reports in The Christian Science Monitor and Israeli newspapers claim that officials have stopped travellers bringing the iPad through airports.

The block is reportedly down to worries that the iPad's US Wi-Fi settings are not compatible with Israel's wireless networking hardware, and could cause network interference.

Visitors who have their iPads confiscated can reclaim the device on leaving the country, but must pay a storage fee.

Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

The ban follows news that non-US customers expecting to get their hands on an iPad this month will be disappointed.

Apple said that strong demand in the US had led to a shortage that would push the international release of the device back from late April to late May.

The company claims to have sold 300,000 iPads on the first day, and 500,000 in the first week.

Apple has not been without its critics, however. The company has drawn fire for the iPad's lack of Flash support and distribution delays, and the company's obsessive control of the App Store service.