Executive Seminar: Behind the Scenes Seminar of Israel's Counter-Terrorism and Security Operations

Major General (retired) S. Harari will provide an overview of the security threats to Israel. He will emphasize the geopolitical, religious, social and international pressures, and terrorist organizations operating in the Middle East. Participants will discuss to what extent these factors and other factors are important in their home countries and how they differ.

16:30 - 17.30 Secure Borders I: Keeping Threats Out -- The Security Fence

This session, also lead by Major General Harari, includes a visit to a portion of the security fence at Mount Scopus in Jerusalem and a discussion of fence operations and operational problems with maintaining security on both sides of the fence. Major General Harari will discuss the controversies surrounding Israel’s building of a security fence, its effects in preventing terrorists from harming Israeli communities, current and future plans for fence construction, and operational problems in maintaining security on both sides of the fence. Participants will discuss the impacts of the security fence in preventing terrorism and the policy implications for securing borders and containing terrorist threats.

07:30 - 08:30 Breakfast
09:30 - 11:45 Securing Critical Infrastructure: Air Transportation - The Ben Gurion International Airport

Airport security remains a strong emphasis of many countries’ counter-terrorism strategies. In this session, the Head of Security at the Ben Gurion Airport will discuss with participants the security approaches and capabilities at what is often called the most protected airport in the world. Participants will learn about the extensive security strategies that cover all aspects of airport operations from outside the terminal to passenger venues to tarmac operations. Participants will see how human and technical security methodologies and procedures are used to predict threats and deter terrorism. In addition, the session will include information on the extent to which Ben Gurion’s security extends to airline operations overseas whose passengers’ destination is Ben Gurion. Participants will discuss the applicability of the Airport’s approach to other airports which have differing passenger loads and geographical operations.

12:00 - 13:15 Lunch
13:30 – 15:00 Securing Critical Infrastructure: Commerce and the Economy - Azrieli Tel Aviv Shopping Mall

07:30 - 08:30 Breakfast

This session, conducted by Amotz Brandes of Chameleon Associates, will introduce the participants to the overall principles, strategic concepts, and specific methodologies behind Israeli security policies and operations.  The session will feature the strategic thinking behind the design and engineering of the Israeli security infrastructures and the psychology and procedures that motivate the frontline security and law enforcement officer.  Several examples will illustrate the use and impact of the methodologies.

15:30 - 18:30 Balancing Technology and Experience, Privacy and Security II:  Israeli Security Technology Showcase

Counter-terrorism strategies often heavily rely on technology applications. Organized by the Israel Export and International Cooperation Institute, this session will feature Israeli companies demonstrating latest innovations in security technology developed and applied in Israel. Israeli security technology is considered cutting edge and has been widely adopted in numerous venues worldwide. Participants will have the opportunity to have individual discussions with company personnel of interest. To view a map of the Israeli homeland security industry please click here

In Israel, similar to other countries, port security is essential to facilitate and protect cargo and passengers. The Head of Security of the Seaport of Haifa will engage participants in a discussion of Israel�s port security system in Haifa. The Haifa Port is Israel's leading port and is one of the deepest and best protected ports in the Mediterranean. Within range of enemy missiles from the North and a target of terrorist attacks, its security must protect a complex environment of two harbors, with separate conventional, dry cargo, bulk, chemical and container terminals, a free trade zone, a modern passenger terminal, a shipyard for convenient repairs, and fishing and recreational boat facilities. The presentation will describe past terrorist attacks, current and planned protective measures, and Israel's involvement in international cargo security initiatives. The site visit will demonstrate the type of security systems used by Israel to tackle sea-born and land-born threats against ports, vessels and cargo.

Lunch 12:30 – 13:45

Emergency preparedness and response is another important aspect of counter-terrorism strategies. In Haifa, health care services provide mass casualty and disaster emergency response and are targets for attack as well. Dr. Moshe Michaelson, head of the Trauma Unit, and Mrs. Gila Hyams, Director of Nursing of the Surgical Division and Trauma Coordinator, at the Rambam Medical Center will engage participants in a discussion of hospital preparedness for mass casualty attacks and disasters as well as how health care campuses protect their own sites from terrorist attacks. They will illustrate their strategies with examples from Rambam�s 2006 experiences during the conflict with Lebanon, when Rambam�s trauma and intensive care units were expanded overnight, and the inpatient departments were relocated to safe quarters in the hospital basement. Rambam shifted into wartime mode, providing emergency medical care for hundreds of military and civilian casualties from the Lebanon conflict. In addition, for the first time in Rambam�s entire sixty-year history, the hospital operated under direct enemy fire.

In many countries, national security is heavily dependent on border surveillance and counter-terrorism operations abroad. In this session on the Israeli-Lebanese border, a former Field Agent Operator for the Israeli General Security Services will brief attendees on the methods, tactics and operations of Hizzbulla with a first hand view of Hizzbulla outposts along the Israeli-Lebanese border. The former Field Agent Operator was involved in clandestine intelligence operations and counter-terrorism inside Lebanon for almost two decades. In addition, the session will include an overview on the recent Israeli military campaign against Lebanon in February 2006.

13:00 - 14:30 Lunch

14:30 – 16:00 Knowledge Management:  Integration and Transferability of Lessons Learned

In this session, facilitated by Amotz Brandes of Chameleon Associates and Dr. Sharon Caudle of Texas A&M University’s Integrative Center for Homeland Security, participants will discuss the Israeli counter-terrorism concepts and practices that have been the subject of seminar sessions during the week.  This discussion will emphasis policy and operational approaches that might facilitate applying Israeli practices elsewhere and how to overcome challenges in adapting, implementing, and sustaining new strategies based on the Israeli experience.

18:00 � 19:30 Farewell Dinner - Experience Famous Bedouin Hospitality and Tradition