Israel seems to hail itself to be a democratic nation, often sighting several 'procedures' as defense, or often saying it's because of "security" reasons.
Recently, BA has gone on strike, leaving me to find alternative airline companies in order to come back to Jerusalem. After a fruitless search, I found El Al. I've never flown with El Al before and so I was a bit hazy especially after everything that has been going on in Jerusalem.
As I reached the airport, I've shown my German passport. Security came and asked me, "What is the purpose of your visit?" "Actually, I live in Israel, I'm just a student in university". Faces look suspicious... "where do you live in Israel?" "Jerusalem". "Where in Jerusalem?" "East Jerusalem - Shufat".
That was the buzz word. That was exactly what they were looking for. It was interesting because one word just triggered everything. In a second, the security person rushed off to her colleagues, and within seconds I was told I needed to be escorted for security checks. And so I was escorted. I was told to stay outside, while they took my bag and handbag. 3 if not more, security people went into the other room, cracking open my lock and searching my bag. I was left baffled, not knowing what exactly was going on. I was no stranger to security checks, in fact, every time I left Ben Gurion Airport, I was subjected to number 6 - the highest security number which included a full body search, sometimes a strip search.
After tearing my bag apart, the security woman came back and asked me more questions. It was the same old, same old. "What is the purpose of your visit to Israel?" "How long are you staying?" "Where do you live?" "Where do you study?" "When are you coming back?" "How long have you been living in Israel?" Same old, same old. They've become so predictable that I don't even need to think about my answers. After the checks, I was told that I would retrieve my handbag at the gate; they gave me my passport, my wallet and a receipt.
Finally I reached the gate, when I was told that there was some "problems" with my luggage. Apparently my laptop has set off an alarm that they could not ignore, and thus it was sent to even more security checks. Ironically, they kept asking me for an address to deliver to, and when I told them it was "Shufat" for the 100th time, they said unfortunately they do not deliver to these areas. It does make one thing, have they not listened to anything I have been saying? Are these security people really that stupid and malicious? I've told them at least 10 times that I live in Shufat, so one does wonder why on earth would they ask for my address knowing fully well they cannot deliver there.
After that, I was subjected to a body search, asked to take my top off, and take off my skirt. I remember my mom once asked the security people "why on earth are you doing this?" and then had her name written in the security room. One does wonder, if we are under a regime where criticism is not allowed? Or just simple question asking? I was too tired to argue, too tired to fight, I've been travelling all night and all I really wanted to do is just see my family and sleep.
Finally, I was told that I could not board the plane without the security person. I was the only person who had to be subjected to this treatment. I've come to the conclusion that I was the only Palestinian boarding the plane. I felt isolated, and humiliated.
Sadly, this is only a standardized procedure, which one thinks has nothing to do with "security reasons". Are Jews and Israelis innocent of conducting bombings, attacks, and suspicious behavior, or is it just reserved for us Palestinians?
