ISRAEL: Border crossings, Part 2

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My departure from Israel went quite smoothly, with only minor hassles and a short Q&A. As mentioned previously here, Israelis seem to be feeling pretty relaxed these days.

One curious point: I noticed that pre-flight security measures at Ben Gurion Airport were actually a lot mellower and less invasive than at any American airport I’ve been to in the last few years.

I didn’t have to take off my shoes or my belt when going through the X-ray machine. The lady in front of me came through carrying a bottle of water.

So here’s the question I’ll put forth for discussion: Are Israeli security standards lax? Or is much of the stuff we’re put through by the TSA just unnecessary fluff designed to demonstrate vigilance?

— Ashraf Khalil in Chicago