The article discusses the impressions of 130 US public safety officials who attended a four-day conference on counterterrorism in Israel . It is something that savvy law enforcement, fire, and emergency service agencies have been doing since 9/11 . Israel has more experience dealing with terrorist and their attacks than any other democratic country in the world. This analyst attended an informal nine-day informational tour with Israeli emergency responders and, like the attendees at this conference, came way with profound admiration for the effectiveness and efficiency of Israeli first responders.
The Israelis have been dealing with terrorism since 1948. During the period of September 2000 through July 2004, Israeli authorities claim that they dealt with over 22,000 terror events, including over 550 suicide bombing attempts with 138 being successful, and Israeli Defense Forces thwarted close to 70% of the attacks. During this same period, they experienced over 8,000 deaths and injuries from terrorist attacks. The Israelis possess a unique perspective on counterterrorism preemptive measures and antiterrorism preventive measures. In a January 2004 interview, then Minister of Interior Security Tzachi Hanegbi stated that ?effective intelligence was the key measure? with their success in thwarting the terrorist attacks. He continued to say that it took time to build an effective intelligence system with a robust human intelligence effort that has penetrated the terrorist cell networks in surrounding Arab cities. Additionally, the Israelis have refined the dissemination method that allows them to get actionable intelligence down to the police officer on the street and the shop owner in his establishment in a timely manner. Effective intelligence, coupled with an aggressive offensive campaign to eliminate terrorist leaders and bomb-makers, has assisted in reducing the number of successful attacks, claimed Hanegbi.
Antiterrorism preventive and security measures in Israel are a way of life; they have become part of the culture and visible armed security is everywhere: cafes, restaurants, shopping malls. As discussed in the article, Jerusalem has continually improved and monitored video surveillance , much like CCTV systems in London.
Because of the size of Israel and the number of attacks, they have become a leading expert in antiterrorism and counterterrorism measures. The attacks over the years have allowed them to refine their response. They spend a great deal of time in emergency response planning, drills, and exercises. Additionally, the post-event activities are handled much differently than they are in the US . In Israel, the goal is to reopen the attacked area as quickly as possible; the crime scene examination and the collection of evidence is greatly reduced by US standards. Whereas US first responders can spend days processing a crime scene, the Israelis will spend hours.
Many of the plans, procedures, and protocols used by the Israelis would not be tolerated in the US, for a variety of legal and cultural reasons. However, there is still much for the US first responder community to learn from the Israelis as we anticipate and prepare for the next terrorist attack on US soil.