Terrorism is a plague on the world, and no country is immune from its effects. Even here in the United States—the greatest country in the world—we have fallen victim to the twisted ideology of terrorism. This includes not only international terrorism from the likes of Al-Qaeda, but from domestic groups such as Antifa and BLM. While the United States is a leader in so many different arenas, there is one country that is the gold standard for dealing with terrorism. That country is Israel.

Why the USA Should Take a Page from Israel’s Playbook Regarding Terrorism

Israel is a unique country in that it has experienced terror as a constant from the day of its birth. The Israeli people know the term “living with terror” as more than a catchphrase.

As I pen this article, Israel is once again under attack by Hamas or Harakat al-Muqāwama al-Islāmiyya, meaning “Islamic Resistance Movement.” Their charter and mission are the elimination of Israel and the death of all Israelis.

Editor’s Note: This article was written in 2021.

This is difficult for some people to wrap their heads around. Imagine that you live in a state the size of New Jersey, and the people living just on the edge of your state line want to kill you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The result of this constant threat is the development of real-world security measures.

In the security industry, Israel’s tactics are considered “no joke,” which is high marks from people who do this for a living.

“Over the past 50 years, the Israeli government has developed numerous measures to prevent terrorist attacks or mitigate their effects,” wrote Dr. Jonathan Tucker, an expert in arms control and nonproliferation policy.

“The primary goals of the counterterrorism strategy are to prevent terrorists from influencing the national agenda and preserve the psychological resilience of the civilian population. Many of the lessons learned by Israeli counterterrorism experts are relevant to the current United States.”

Israel’s overall strategy of fighting terror is a comprehensive approach that was developed out of ongoing learning efforts. Understanding the goals and strategy of the enemy and the context in which it operates and being agile enough to adopt adequate responses that build on former solutions rapidly, enabled Israel to become a world leader in the fight against terror.

Airport Security

One area where Israel shines is in airport security. While this might bruise some feelings, the U.S. Transportation Security Agency (TSA) can take many lessons from the Israelis. I say this from experience as a person who travels constantly for work.

I’m also a part of the security industry and see the TSA process as little more than politically correct theater. I have personally witnessed TSA agents pulling an elderly woman out of the line and executing a pat down. Simply because she was the random number that they used.

The Israelis profile passengers, and it works. What baffles many security professionals in Israel is why we in the United States waste so much time scanning and screening people who are obviously not threats.

Preventing Terrorism Through Profiling

Amotz Brandes, profiler for El Al Airlines said, “Everything is about profiling, and not the silly racial profiling of which Americans are so afraid. Profiling for the Israelis is a constant process of identifying suspicions and refuting them.”

I have dug through volumes of security journals and have yet to find a case of a 75-year-old grandmother trying to hijack a plane. The security at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport goes much deeper than just profiling people. It is managed in concentric rings and starts with traffic entering the property.

Any vehicle arriving at the airport must first pass through a preliminary security checkpoint. There, armed guards search the vehicle and talk with the driver and occupants to gauge their demeanor and intentions. All vehicles are subject to a weight sensor, a trunk x-ray, and an undercarriage scan. This is to ensure the vehicle does not hold anything dangerous.

The terminal building is full of sophisticated cameras and surveillance devices. In addition to technology, there is a real human factor as well. Plain-clothes officers patrol the area outside the terminal building. Likewise, armed security personnel patrol the terminal and keep a close eye on people entering the terminal.

They do not hesitate to engage people if they suspect any anxiousness or odd behavior. All departing passengers are questioned long before they ever get to the gate. To say these people take security seriously is an understatement.

Another great example is the fact that they do not subcontract any security services. It is all done in-house by trained professionals. The lion’s share of day-to-day security falls into the realm of the Israel Security Agency (ISI).

Israel’s “Unseen Shield” Against Terrorism

Better known by the acronym Shabak, the ISI is Israel’s internal security service. Its motto is “Magen veLo Year’e”—“Defender that shall not be seen” or “The unseen shield.”

The agency’s headquarters is in Ramat Aviv, a northern neighborhood in Tel Aviv, on a hill north of Park Hayarkon. It is one of three principal organizations of the Israeli intelligence community, alongside Aman (military intelligence) and Mossad (foreign intelligence service). These agencies work together to provide world-class security in a very dangerous environment.

Country First Protection

Of course, security in Israel goes far beyond the airport. There are military and security personnel at every major public gathering area, as well as along the borders. Many of them are in plain clothes to blend in.

Beyond that, there is an almost unified social conscience and awareness of the danger they face. While there might be political differences, an overwhelming majority of Israelis understand the challenges they face and unify around them. The United States can learn a lot from this ideology of “Country First.”

There is mandatory military service of three years for every man and two years for women. Not only does this help citizens get a better understanding of the threats they face, but it also helps train a population in danger. They learn that they are fighting against terrorists, whose form of warfare targets civilians. So, reject basic moral and legal norms.

Israel Bases Its Tactics and Philosophies in Reality

All in all, Israel’s security tactics and philosophies are based on reality and experience. They do what they do because it works. There is very little tolerance for those clutching their pearls and whining about social justice.

Putting feelings above facts can cost lives, and the Israelis have no interest in that. I have always been a student of those who have “been there, done that.”

There is no other country in the world that can offer as much regarding security experience as Israel. We would be wise to take their tactics to heart and help make America a safer place.

This article was originally published in the Tactical Life October/November 2021 issue. Subscription is available in print and digital editions at OutdoorGroupStore.com. Or call 1-800-284-5668, or email subscriptions@athlonmediagroup.com.