Security issues

This is a constant aspect of Israeli life, and I won’t minimize it.  Despite what you hear and read, however, you are safer in Israel than in many major American cities, especially now with far less terrorism in the cities than was true in the awful years of 2001-03.  Here is a sobering statistic.  My hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio had some 80 homicides in 2006 out of a population of 350,000.  Extrapolated to a population the size of Israel’s 7,000,000 people, that would be the equivalent of 1,600 dead in just one year.  Yet there have not been that many people killed in terror attacks in 61 years of Israel’s history!  So where am I safer?

Every time I have traveled to Israel, I felt utterly safe at all times.  Neither I nor the friends I traveled with were ever afraid.  Don’t believe the media image!  Just pay attention to the news, ask for local advice on conditions in more sensitive areas, and use common sense.  Remember you won’t be in Gaza. Throughout the country, you will see armed soldiers or civil guards, some in uniform, some not. It does not mean something untoward is happening.  It is just a fact of life, and you will get used to it. Some Israeli civilians carry pistols, especially in Jerusalem.  Do what I do – if the Israelis around you look concerned, worry.  Otherwise, don’t.  Many restaurants, hotels, museums, or other public places have a security guard at the door who will check your bag, perhaps your ID, and you.  It’s a shame it has to be, but their presence makes me feel safer, not less so.  Some restaurants add a very small surcharge on the bill to pay for security; while you are not required to pay it, I do.  It’s obviously worth it. Never leave a bag or item of luggage unattended in Israel, at the airport or anywhere else.  If you do, you are both taking a huge risk and may well return to find that the bomb squad has arrived and blown up your bag.  Similarly, when approaching many religious or political sites, or other public places, you will need to open any bags, back-packs, or purses for inspection, as noted above.  It’s routine, and you’ll quickly get used to it.At the airport (your flight to Israel if on El Al; any flight going out) you will be subjected to intense questioning by Israeli security agents, some of which may seem pointless and intrusive.  I get asked where I learned Hebrew and for the names and addresses of all of my Israeli friends.  It can be intimidating.  Just answer honestly and keep your cool.  They are looking for nervousness, unrest, and inconsistency.  Your bags may be searched – mine

were in 1993 – and I mean searched: everything taken out and carefully felt by hand.  The airport also uses more sophisticated X-ray techniques these days, and you may be asked to open just one bag because something unusual was seen on the screen.  That happened to me in both 2005 and 2006, and was no big hassle.  But the experience is  very different from US airport security, and, frankly, it’s far more effective. 

I’ve heard Israelis say that “you screen things.  We screen people.”  Don’t take it personally – the security agents cannot read minds or hearts.  You also need to understand that there is an overt profiling aspect to Israeli security.  If you are of Arab ancestry or “look Middle Eastern,” or have visited Arab families or areas, you will be subject to far more questioning and perhaps searches than others.  If you are Jewish, it will probably be easier.  Is this racist?  Perhaps to some degree it is.  As a non-Jew who speaks Hebrew, they don’t quite know what to make of me, and I was very upset when I was pulled out for two and a half hours of  intensive  questioning and the complete item-by-item search of my luggage in 1993, all because I had stayed with some Israeli Arab friends and  don’t otherwise fit the profile of Christian  visitors to Israel.  I even wrote a half-dozen complaint letters to everyone from the Prime Minister on down.  After the September 11 attacks, I would be far more understanding that Israelis don’t have the luxury to debate the

need for this in a world where there are people trying so hard to kill them.