[img]96|left|Shachar||no_popup[/img]Dateline Jerusalem — I always seem to set off alarms. This morning when I entered the building where I work, the metal clasps on my jacket set off the alarm when I went through the metal detector. Tonight when I went through the metal detector at the train station, the security guard had me remove my jacket and took a wand to me. The wand beeped loudly. Perhaps it was the buttons on the sleeves of my sweater, but that seems highly unlikely because it only beeped when the wand went down my spine. When I moved to Israel, some people said I had nerves of steel. Maybe they were right.
Once when I traveled to Israel several years ago, my luggage was full of pots, pan, and canned food because not everything here is kosher, let alone Glatt kosher. I wanted to make sure I could eat while here, so I brought my own food and cookware. As my suitcase went through the x-ray machine at the airport, alarms went off because of the metal inside. All passengers in line had to leave the area so potential problems could be checked out.
Problems Are Caused by Meddlers
Security is a priority in Israel. Therefore I do not mind the metal detectors, the x-ray machines, the dogs sniffing for explosives, or security personnel searching my purse and packages whenever I enter the train and bus station, the market, the mall, the bank, my office building, or most public places.
It is part of the way of life here. I do not feel it is obtrusive. In fact, I welcome it because I know we are safer this way.
As long as the security wall/fence separates Israel from Palestinian areas, the chances of suicide bombers and terrorist activity are almost non-existent. Only when the world pressures Israel to tear them down or open up the checkpoints are Israeli lives endangered. When other countries dictate to Israel about its sovereignty or security, that is when Israeli lives are at risk. Otherwise, I believe Israel is safer than most countries.
Not only does Israel have various security measures, people here are more vigilant about their environment. It is not unusual for Israelis to point out suspicious activity to security personnel, or to use their cell phones to call about abandoned packages or luggage left for only a few moments. Israelis observe people's clothing, facial expressions, and mannerisms. With all the lines we stand in, there isn't much else to do.
One of the great feelings is knowing that every bus, train, street and public building has soldiers walking about with rifles and guns. In fact, on many an occasion it was an off duty soldier who killed a terrorist even before the police arrived on the scene, thereby limiting the number of casualties and victims of the terror.
In a way it reminds me of the old Wild West, the time when guns were on every man's hip and a small derringer in every woman's purse.
Please Hold My Gun While I Dance
Yet, there is no such thing as a concealed weapon here. Everything is blatantly out in the open in Israel. Soldiers are not the only ones who walk around with weapons. At a recent wedding I attended, a gun-toting guest asked someone at my table to hold his weapon so he could go out on the dance floor. Of course, not everyone “carries,” but because both men and women are drafted into the military here, most people have a healthy respect for the care, maintenance, training and use of weapons.
Because Israeli society is so security conscious, I feel an absolute freedom to live my life to the fullest. In the States, I did my banking by mail or internet because Los Angeles once led the nation in armed bank robberies. In Israel, I do not think twice about entering a bank. In the States, I was afraid of “home invasion robberies. ” I kept my doors locked at all times, especially when I was at home. Here there is the occasional burglary, but no one is home at the time. In the States, the perpetrators specifically seek out inhabited houses so that they can terrorize families while they rob them. That does not happen in Israel. People are different here. Where else in the world can women and children walk on the streets alone at night without worrying about molestation, rape or assault?
Of course, perhaps because so many people are in prayer here, Hashem (G-d) is looking after the Israeli people.
It is difficult for me to describe the absolute calm in the air, as though I can feel Hashem's presence at all times. Perhaps that is why crime rates are lower. Even when there is a rocket or missile attack, or a suicide bombing, the number of casualties and victims is disproportionately low in relation to the damage that could have occurred. But it is also true that the Israeli mentality of protecting family from danger takes precedence over that of our enemies who use their families as human shields.
Since I tend to set off alarms wherever I go, I consider myself “quality assurance” with respect to the adequacy of security measures.
How fine-tuned is the metal detector or how vigilant are the security personnel?
It is a good thing to know that most people are doing their job, keeping me and others free and safe.
L'hitraot. Shachar
Shachar is the Hebrew name of a California-based attorney and former Los Angeles County deputy sheriff who moved to Israel 2 ½ years ago.
