For the uninitiated, here is how a typical passenger screening unfolds in Israel:

Before check-in, the passenger walks up to a row of 25 desks with a young female ex-military officer standing at each one.


PASSENGER: Hello.

OFFICER: May I see your passport please. (scrutinizes passport) How long were you in Israel?

PASSENGER: About a week.

OFFICER: Which hotel did you stay at?

PASSENGER: The Hyatt.

OFFICER: May I see your check-out receipt?

PASSENGER: (Digs out the receipt and hands it over.)

OFFICER: Why did you choose the Hyatt?

PASSENGER: I'm a member of their frequent guest program.

OFFICER: May I see your membership card please?

PASSENGER: (Opens wallet and hands over card.)

OFFICER: Where are you from in America?

PASSENGER: I live in Scottsdale. In Arizona.

OFFICER: May I see your driver's license please?

PASSENGER: (Hands over DL)

OFFICER: Were you born in Arizona?

PASSENGER: No. I was born in Michigan.

OFFICER: In which city?

PASSENGER: In ********

OFFICER: And which high school did you go to?

PASSENGER: ******** High School.

OFFICER: And which elementary school did you go to?

PASSENGER: ********* Elementary School.

OFFICER: And what was the name of your first grade teacher?

PASSENGER: Mrs. Magoo

OFFICER: Did you visit Jerusalem on this trip?

PASSENGER: Yes, it's a very beautiful city.

OFFICER: Did you take any tours?

PASSENGER: Yes, I went up to Haifa and also Yad Vashem.

OFFICER: May I see the receipts for these tours?

PASSENGER: (Getting impatient) Is there a problem? Why are you asking for these receipts?

OFFICER: (Stares at passenger coldly)

PASSENGER: (Digs out receipts)

OFFICER: What was the name of your tour guide at Yad Vashem?

PASSENGER: I don't remember.

OFFICER: What about the guide at Haifa?

PASSENGER: Sorry, but I don't remember that either.

OFFICER: (Looks through passport again) I see that you visited Egypt last year.

PASSENGER: Yes I did.

OFFICER: Why did you go there?

PASSENGER: To see the pyramids, go to the Cairo museum. That kind of stuff.

OFFICER: Did you go anywhere other than Cairo?

PASSENGER: Yes, I went to Sharm El Sheikh to dive in the Red Sea.

OFFICER: Are you a certified scuba diver?

PASSENGER: Yes.

OFFICER: May I see your certification card?

PASSENGER: (Digs out PADI card)

OFFICER: Just a moment.

The security officer walks away for about five minutes. Then a different officer walks up to the passenger and starts asking THE EXACT SAME QUESTIONS all over again.

Then she leaves and is seen talking with the first officer to compare your answers.

This intensive screening process is how Israel helps protects itself while surrounded by an army of potential terrorists.