In spite of these precautions, it is not possible to hermetically seal out all terror incursions. Yet, every effory
must be exerted because the applying of anti-terror procedures saves lives.
Anti-terror planning is a time and money intensive activity. Intelligence seeks to learn about the enemy, how he
operates and where he is most likely to attempt to strike.
Israel has not been able to eradicate all the terrorist acts aimed at its citizens, but it has sent the message that it
is vigilant and that no effort is being spared in the identification, the pursuit and ultimately the destruction of the
sowers of terror. The people of the United States who have been living a life of freedom and security will need to
adopt similar and perhaps, even more intensive tactics.
Anti-terror devices, whether they be forward looking infrared (FLIR) night vision goggles, fences sensitive to the
touch, explosive detection technology, and most recently security devices based on bioinformatics, are
essential in protecting against terror and provide a feeling of security resulting from the knowledge that practical
steps are taken before the terror is unleashed.
Recently, I was hosted at an Academy specializing in anti-terror procedures. There foreign trainees undergo
anti-terror training, including the use of sophisticated weaponry, using live ammunition. Israelis, veterans of
decades of experience in combating terror were transfering this know-how to them. They teach the techniques,
necessary for carrying out the demanding duties of guards, not the least to a head of state. Their instructors,
mostly graduates of elite commando units, insisted on raising the level of performance. The bullets ripped into
the targets which were automatically replaced with new ones. It was a a highly efficient training process.
Terrorists and those who send them on their deadly missions should be aware of the Biblical message and stern
prophecy: "In the street the sword will make them childless; in their homes terror will reign". (Deut. 32:25)
Modern day terrorism takes many forms. It could be a bomb placed in a city or school bus or in a civilian vehicle.
It includes the killing of children in school classes, or suicide bombers exploding themselves in public places,
murder in civilian communities or just direct mortar or machine gun fire aimed at a civilian population.
Part of everyday life in Israel is having armed guards positioned at the entrances of kindergartens and public
schools. Security men stand in front of movies; supermarkets and places of worship.
Leaving the country entails a long check-in procedure, which includes questioning by airport security personnel,
a thorough X-raying of hand bags, and the passing of luggage through low pressure tunnels, CT scanners or
"sniffers". All of these are techniques in high technology in the war against terror.
El-Al, the national airline has anti-terror operatives stationed on its planes. Cockpit doors are bullet and tamper
proof.