Security, Privacy and the art of Discrimination

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Knesset ruling follows public outcry after improper treatment of an Arab Israeli teacher, who underwent a strip-search.

The Knesset Public Petitions Committee decided on Monday that Israeli Airport Authority officials will meet with people who have been forced into invasive security checks. The meetings, which will involve Arab MKs will be part of an attempt to enlighten airport officials on the often humiliating security searches that Arabs have to go through.

AN EL AL plane at Ben Gurion International Airport – Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons

Haaretz newspaper reported that the decision follows last month’s public outcry over the treatment of Knesset Public Petitions Committee and Arab Israeli teacher who was strip-searched while flying with her Jewish students.

MK Adi Kol, chairperson of the Public Petitions Committee, said about the decision, “The possibility of meeting a person who has undergone the process is likely to engender basic sensitivity that would prevent such incidents in the future.”

Haaretz reported that the airport authority’s legal adviser Aryeh Shaham adopted the committee’s recommendation. However, he made a point of saying that the airport does not engage in any type of racial profiling.

Ben Gurion Int’l Airport on the outskirts of Tel Aviv, July 25, 2007 – Photo: Jack Guez -AFP/File

“The procedures aren’t different for this or that person, and the check isn’t based on population group,” Shaham said. He also criticized Israel’s Supreme Court of creating difficulties for the airports authority with their “strict supervision.”

Shaham also noted that “from a statistical point of view, barely 5 percent of minorities are checked.” He also claims that of the 50 complaints filed last year against the Eilat Airport, where Shehadeh was strip-searched, only 9 of them were brought by Arabs.

Yet Arab MKs are adamant that Arabs are treated differently in airport security checks.

“Instances of humiliation are the rule and instances in which there is no humiliation are the exception,” Balad MK Jamal Zahalka said. Hadash MK Afou Agbaria also confirmed that he has in the past been forced to undergo humiliating security checks at Israel’s airports.

Air Port Security and Civil Rights in Zion

By Jonathan Danilowitz ( Guest Blogger)

The views expressed of Jonathan Danilowitz in this blog are not necessary those of Stephen Darori, a Rip Roaring Right Wing Zionist and never ever ashamed to admit so - Jonathan if you look like an Arab,Dress like an arab, Speak like like an Arab, Identify  with  in Hamas,Fatah,Hezbollah and dress your kids up as suicide bombers for Purim....you will be tagged as a potential one yourself and personally my policy with such explosive  people... is shoot first and if you made a mistake ... "whoops" is a great and acceptable excuse ( too) 

http://www.quora.com/Living-in-Israel/What-is-the-most-embedded-picture-in-your-mind-with-regard-to-terrorist-and-terror-attacks-in-Israel-What-is-it-like-to-live-through-an-attack-Please-add-pictures-where-ever-possible?share=1

Last week a local newspaper ran an article about an Arab woman (a teacher) who was searched and questioned (much more than other passengers, according to her) at an Israeli airport. The teacher was accompanying a group of students and was embarrassed, shamed, inconvenienced and “denied her civil rights”.

I have no doubt that she deserved better treatment. I have no doubt that the search was unpleasant and degrading, to say the least. I share her dismay.

I recall the last time I went through security at an American airport. I had to get to the airport 3 hours before my flight. I had to wait on line endlessly with all the other passengers going through security. We all had to remove our shoes, belts, jackets, hats. We all had to take out our laptops, cellphones and tablets. Many passengers had to give up bottles of perfume, cans of shaving cream, tubes of toothpaste; nail scissors, nail files, and the likes. Because I had an Israeli passport I was doubly scrutinized. The snail-like line was interminable. When I finally finished, I tried to make sure I had everything. I did, but I’ve heard hair-raising stories of lost everythings – from belts to wallets to cellphones. The crowds, the rush, the hurry to catch a flight – it’s a recipe for disaster.

I also recall when all this began. (Years ago one could arrive at the gate 10 minutes before a flight , check in there and zip onto the aircraft.) Arab terrorists began hijacking planes. So airlines hired in-flight security guards (guess who pays? You, the passenger.) Then things got worse so they started  airport security checks (yes, the cost is added to your flight ticket price). Finally 9/11 and all hell broke loose. Security staff, security equipment, endless hassles, delays and inconvenience – and again – the passengers pay, both in time and money.

It’s very sad. It does not diminish the unpleasantness of the teacher’s inconvenience, but it does help to remember the source of all the unpleasantness. She is not to blame. But airport security in Israel (and indeed, anywhere) exists to ensure that all passengers arrive at their destinations safely.

Even at greater inconvenience to some.