Some years ago I went to a stand-up comedy night at Camden Lock, in North London, in aid of the charity Jewish Care.
Biggest laugh of the evening greeted a routine by the multi-talented Bradley Walsh, then starting out on his road to stardom.
It went something like: I m thrilled to be taking part in a gig for Jewish Care. I ve just got back from a week s holiday in Israel. Well, I say a week. Actually, I spent 48 hours in Eilat and five days answering questions at the airport.
His knowing reference to the rigorous security precautions on the Israeli airline El Al brought the house down. And this was before the terrorist attacks on 9/11 turned air travel into a jobsworth s paradise.