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.