The Israelis are using the denial technique to stop potential attacks by racially profiling those of Arab descent. In the U.S. this is illegal to do, but some terrorist experts say that this specific practice is the reason there hasn't been an attack/hijacking on an Israeli plane for decades, even superseding reinforcing the luggage compartments with armor, reinforced cockpits, and armed marshals. Now there is a debate in Israel in the Supreme Court about its legality.
In the U.S. this policy wouldn't work for a couple reasons: 1) It's illegal and is not likely to pass scrutiny, 2) Focusing on a certain race (how can people always tell the race of a person?) will eventually overlook other people that are terrorists. The U.S. policy is to randomly check passengers which so far, with the increased security measures, seems to be effective enough. Thoughts?
~Greg
5 comments:
This article makes it seem like Israel is certain that racial profiling is saving lives. It does make sense to be particularly hard on a certain race if that race seems to consistently supply terrorist, but won't that change the individuals that terrorist group sends to Israel. It would be very easy for a terrorist group to send an American recrutee because Israeli security is more relaxed towards them. It is like what we talked about in class, terrorism is a Darwinian process, it evolves. As Israel starts to put more pressure on Arab travelers then terrorist groups will change the nationality of the terrorists that they send to Israel.
Like we have seen in the past with terrorist groups, they will adapt to any attempt you put forth the stop them. If people states start racially profiling people as a counter terrorist tactic, then terrorist groups will find different types of people to fill in. Like using women or handicapped people for suicide terrorism. There has to be a better way to stop terrorists...
The Israeli government might feel they are safer by instituting racial profiling methods...but there is a valid argument against that. What they might be doing actually is alienating the Arab population of Israel and making other Arab nations resentful. The fact of the matter is a terrorist could be anyone, therefor their energies might be better served in other counter-terrorist methods.
I agree with Heymann who mentioned that the level of security in the U.S. matches the level of the terrorist threat. I don't think civil liberties should be given up to ensure greater security. My civil rights are extremely important to me; I would rather keep my civil rights and be a little less safe.
Is it a civil liberty to be able to walk through an airport without being searched? I believe law enforcement should be looking for trends in who is committing terrorist attacks and focus on preventing attacks. If there is a trend that blond males from Utah are carrying out a large number of attacks, then I expect to be searched more frequently. Israeli security has noticed certain patterns and is using this knowledge to prevent further attacks. If terrorists adapt to their system then Israeli security will in turn have to adapt.
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