Security in Israel

My friends and family always worry about my safety when I am in Israel.  If they only knew just how safe I feel when I am there!

Everywhere you go, you will see the IDF soldiers dressed in uniform, carrying their weapons.  I must admit, the first time I witnessed this in 2007, I was a bit unnerved.  But as time passed, it just became "normal" for me.  The soldiers are everywhere...in the malls, on the buses, in the restaurants.  It's like having your own personal army wherever you roam! 

When you walk into the entrance of a mall, your belongings are searched.  There are always security detail that look into purses, bags, backpacks, strollers, etc.  Men are generally wanded and/or patted down.  The guards get to know you after a time, and conversation may ensue, but they still check your bags. 

If you go into the mall's parking garage, each car is stopped and the under-carriage of the car is inspected with mirrors, and you must open the trunk for a search. 

Once inside the mall, some stores have another layer of security.  Our grocery store (located inside the mall) had someone checking bags on the way in AND out.  If you had a receipt, you could bring the bag into the store, if not, you had to leave it with the guard.  Then upon exiting, you had to show your receipt for the items purchased. 

The airport security is another story.  Before you even enter "Airport Road", every vehicle is stopped by the Police or Army, not sure which.  You are asked where you came from, where you are going, and sometimes travel details.  They don't just wave people through.  It's quite a drive from that inspection point to the terminals. 

Once inside the terminal, you have Israeli Airport personnel who will direct you to where you need to go.  I have heard that most of these workers have just finished their 2-3 years in the Army.  They are ALL about security, let me tell you!  It's total interrogation!  They take your passport....check it thoroughly....they want to know WHY you are here...who did you stay with, where did you go...what is in your bags...and don't get the least bit nervous at the questions, for that will bring the higher ups to question you further...because if you are nervous, then you must be hiding something! Right? 

Twice I had the extended questioning.  (2 out of 12 times isn't too bad, I guess!) The first time was in 2011, my friends and I were taking a trip to Turkey for 5 days.  Security kept wanting to know why I was in Israel.  I told them I was visiting my friends.  "Why do you stay so long?"  (You are granted a 3 month visa when you enter as a tourist). Because I love Israel and want to be here. "What are you doing for work?"  I am retired. "Why are you going to Turkey?"  Because I can!  It's a travel bargain and I want to see another part of the world!  I don't know what was so 'suspicious' about me.  I wasn't nervous--I had nothing to hide. I was 'visited' by 5 different people, including one supervisor, all asking me the same questions while each former interrogator would just stare at me.  (Trust me, I am nothing to look at!) It seemed kind of amusing after awhile.  What in the world about me, little Miss Plain Jane, was so interesting to the Israeli Airport Authorities?  I have no clue.  Although when I told them I was going to make Aliyah, after again wanting to know why I had racked up repeated visits to Israel, they lightened up a bit.

The second incident was earlier this year.  I was leaving after a month's visit, and was singled out again. Lucky me.  A mutual family friend had driven me to the airport in the middle of the night.  Normally we all get to visit, but he had other obligations during my stay, so I only got to see him on Day 1 and Day 32.  He decided he was going to accompany me to the final security area.  I thought to myself, bad idea, cause I know we were being watched (and perhaps even being listened to?) after he did not show a flight ticket and passport to the first agent.  He's Israeli and fearless.  I guess I'm just not there yet or don't have that much chutzpah.  Remember, I'm still the polite little American who obeys the rules.  Written or unwritten!

So we get to the second person who asks for my passport, which I gave her.  They ask for Aryeh's too.  "I'm not traveling.  I'm just escorting her to the security gate".  "You can't do that, sir".  "Sure I can!  What's the harm?"  This brought the higher ups.  He pulls out his wallet when they ask for his ID...all he had was an old, expired license from New York when he had lived there....and did not have his Israeli ID on him.  Not a good move.  Makes him--and now perhaps us-- look very shady!!  He argued with them that he has a right to see me off, and he is not going anywhere.  We were stopped at every turn, and he gave them his objections in loud, argumentative Hebrew, and they would shrug their shoulders and let us go.  Israelis can do this, somehow, some way.  DO NOT TRY THIS if you are any other nationality!

So, for whatever reason, I tripped their profiling system.  But all in all, I don't mind being questioned if that's what keeps TLV a safe airport.  Although I am curious if the same sort of thing has happened to anyone else out there!!  :)