South Africa slams El AL for stringent security checks

The young man or woman seated near you could very well be EX-IDF, who carries a weapon under his jacket, and his purpose in flying is to protect the aircraft and it's occupants If the cabin gets warm and he's still wearing his jacket, feel further assured, he's one of ours, not one of theirs Feel better now?

I am a white male silver haired Irish old age pensioner. I have travelled several times with El Al to Israel. I am very jealous of my civil and human rights.I have to say that they have never been violated by El Al. And, if the man next to me is carrying a gun for my protection - Good! I never saw the programme, but if a person tells a lie to El Al security agents, then their motives should be explored. This story has 'no legs'.

The hijackers that destroyed the Twin Towers, etal, were mainly Saudi's, who are quite friendly with America Furthermore, the lousy neighbors have continually attacked Israel, starting all the wars since 1948 Return to making the holes in your Swiss Cheese, it's like the rest of your arguments, full of holes

If El-al had been checking the passengers/baggage for "Emperor Kanishka" on 1985/06/22 (and also a CP-air flight bound for Narita that same date), most of the 258 Canadians, 71 Indian citizens, and 2 Japanese baggage-handlers murdered by Inderjit Reyat would still be alive today!

I think they go overboard with there security checks, i wish there was another airline with a direct flight

Maybe SOuth Africa should be a little more concerned with who goes through it's airports than picking on El Al for doing their job in protecting passengers. By it's lack of understanding, South Africa is becoming a haven for terror organizations who abuse it's openess to plot against the west.

"Let`s just say it`s better to fly El Al and be safe, then worry about your OTHER airlines airplane being hijacked for nefarious purposes" How true. If I were on a plane I would glad that stringent security checks had been carried out.

Hey, if you do not like El Al's racial profiling, which Israelis have mastered, and El Al's desire for safety, fly Air Iran. They do not care who flies with them. Good work El Al!!!

There are good reasons for all of these so called pointless questions. You think that in the middle of a long line of passengers the ELAL security people get kicks out of asking questions that serve no purpose Your grandfathers name, your previous name .. if you have a forged passport you can come with a well rehearsed story then they ask you really were not expecting because it sounds pointless and you haven't rehearsed that point you might make a mistake They don't care about your grandfathers name but questions like this are designed to catch you out. I was in the UK recently & I have an Israeli passport, I do not have an Israeli accent & he suddenly broke into english even though my hebrew was fine Then he asked me why I have an Israeli passport I said I live in Israel I made alliyah 10 yeaars ago so he asked why did I make alliyah &one of the questions was he told me I have a nice suitcase do I remeber where I bought it? Seemingly stupid questions & they can pic up on

You are not the only one with such a kind checking. The first time might be hard, but you get used to it.Do not take it as an personal insult. People are doing their work and they do it well.EL Al is surely one of the most ideal target for the extremist islamic terrorists .

El Al is an astoundingly safe airlines. This is because of the technical excellence of it's operating staff and flight crews and because of it's strong security practices and philosophy. If El Al's practices offend someone I suggest they take Air Chance instead.

Strange,I have never spent more than 5 minutes with El Al security who have always behaved correctly and yes even friendly. The cabin crew have improved out of sight over the years the "attitude" is no longer there in my experience but can still be found on some other airlines. Shalom

I fly to and from Israel once a month, for work, SINCE 5 YEARS. Only once I flew with El Al coming back from Paris to Tel Aviv: I was kept standing in the middle of the check in area for 2 hours and half,asked the most idiotic questions (what is my grandfather's name, what was my previous name, why I travel alone..) with all passangers looking at me like a potential terrorist who was trying to sneak in some terrible weapon. I sweared to never fly El AL for the rest of my life, which I will do.

Whenever possible I always fly ELAL in spite of the sometimes humiliating interrogations by security personnel. When I finally get on the plane I feel secure. I know I will arrive safely. I tend to recognise the Israeli armed security staff by the fact that they wear a coat thought the flight to conceal their hand guns which is reassuring. Stop those nonsense Kaff?.r.

....and for once proably even an undeserved one. But again, would Israel be subject to so many terror threats with a different behaviour towards her Palestinian neighbours...???

For being accurate ? these security checks are intended more for the safety of the planes and not for the safety of the people! In Paris, for example, more than 100 El-Al passengers, mostly Israelis, must wait in line in Terminal 2, in a totally unrestricted aria, for more than half hour, being an easy target for a terrorist act.

Whether its Switzerland, or the EU, profiling is a fact of life. Sure, one does feel sorry for those that arrive at airports or train stations in Europe, however, again this is an active modus operandi. El Al, is no doubt the safest airline, in fact its security arrangements are copied by many. South Africa, has many political issues with Israel, nonetheless, South Africa is one of the most dangerous countries on the planet. Ask those that have been carjacked, those that live behind electrified razor wire fences or the growing anti Jewish/ Israeli orientated government. Good day from snowy civilized Swiss Alps.

With all the racist antisemitic outbursts by South African politicians it is clear they don't want the route.

El Al is protecting everyone from the "Durban spirit" translated into terrorism. El Al has the same stringent security measures that make her among the safest airlines. Instead of whining, South Africans should be grateful, specially prior to the Soccer World Cup, when security will be crucial. They better hire Israelis than complain against them.

Let's just say it's better to fly El Al and be safe, then worry about your OTHER airlines airplane being hijacked for nefarious purposes

Yes, Israeli security is pretty tight. But how many would want to fly on an airplane that has no security procedures? People that look like Arabs are in fact getting a second look. Just because all 19 of the 911 hijackers were Arabs, some may say that is unfair. Some may say that is a coincidence. Who is to say that the next group of hijackers might not be Eskimos? So, this guy with the hidden camera... what was his agenda, exactly? The article does not say.

El Al is one of the worlds safest airlines. It is KNOWN for it's very strict adherence to best operating practices. It is KNOWN for it's VERY strict security. Anyone who wants to fly safe is wise to take El Al and go along with it's security practices. Anyone who doesn't want to have the hassle should take Air Chance. This is an opinion which someone at Haaretz or in Israel considers subject to censorship. Why? What makes the opinion that El Al is safe because it does EVERYTHING as safely as possible subject to censorship?

El Al released a statement in response saying "the Foreign Ministry is responsible for this subject, and they are taking care of the matter." Quick! Someone call Washington!

Anybody boarding an El Al plane undergoes intensive scrutiny, but those of certain backgrounds are condidered high profile. The airline couldn't feasibly inspect all 350 passengers the way it inspects the high profile paseengers. Anyone who is blind the wish of millions of individuals to blow up an Israeli plane is denying reality.

If south africa has problems having tight security, cancel them, period. No one should compromise on security issues because someone, regardless of whether or not its a nation or an individual, feels uncomfortable with the security regulations. It will only be at south africas expense: they'll be losing the money, potential business earnings, etc. So, let them lose business and money for their rediculous assertions.

i am white and travelled with my jewish partner to israel 3 years ago....they grilled us like crazy, but i was happy to know that i was on a safe flght...el al keep up the good work!

The obligations of EL AL are with its passengers and crews and not with the government of South Africa. Have the terrorists of 9/11 passed the stringiest security checks used by EL AL, they wouldn't had a chance.

Having been the subject of El Al's proceedures for many a year and having at various times rebelled against it in my own way, I think the SA government are right. It is ethnic targeting - and it's fundamentally wrong morally and from a security point of view. A potential terrorist wouldn't use someone who was dark skinned - think about the attempted attack on an El Al airliner from London in 1986. The Syrian agent used an Irish lady to carry the bomb on board. Also in South Africa, there's more anti-semitism amongst the white right than the black left.

South Africa would be well advised not to cancel El Al's route there as it would greatly hurt their tourism industry. When something's wrong, you fix it - you don't destroy it!

Ummm...El Al is too stringent on security checks? REdiculous. I have flown with El Al and I take pride in the fact that they do not mess around. Racial profiling at the surfice sounds bad. But lets face it, statistically speaking, there is a certain 'look' that they are after. Im sure an old white lady with thick glasses and a Canadian passport wont have as much trouble. Im ok with that.

I watched the documentry by Carte Vlanche via youtube. I think the El Al security agent did an excellent job. Like it or not the South African dark skinned fellow wasnt travelling yet he lied to the El Al security officer that he was waiting for a friend. The officer detected the lie and kept on going back to him. i really dont get the point that Carte Blanche were trying to get.

El Al has HAD to have very strict security for many decades. If you want maximum security fly El Al. If strict security provisions offend you. Fly Air Chance.

i feel more safe when i fly el al but the young people in the security checks sould be more polite.

Its not enough that the authorities here practice their own form of racial discrimination but they have to do it in South Africa as well, of all countries.You can't go racially profiling people and hope to get away with it,especially in South Africa.El Al prices are a rip off anyway.

The South Africans should be more concerned as to the discrimination practiced by the European Immigration officials when direct flights from "South Africa" arrive in Europe. (The Immigration Officials are on the Jetway to examine the passports of the dark skinned passengers)