ABSTRACT
As so often in the field of counter-terrorist discourse, the Israelis claim special, if not superior, expertise in countering threats to aviation that they insist is the result of longer and tougher experience on the front line of defence against terrorism than anyone else can boast. Specifically, Israeli security officials claim to have developed the most effective approach to airport security against persons attempting to board aircraft with intent to wreak violence. They tend to characterize their approach as a security technique – even sometimes a “technology” – that is politically neutral and universally applicable, and can thus be exported abroad. Indeed, evangelists for the Israeli approach have fanned out throughout North America and Europe, spreading the word of a “better way” to secure air travel from terrorism – with considerable success.
