US lists Israel among states that ‘promote, produce or protect’ terrorists
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General published the list of “specially designated countries” as an appendix to an unclassified May 11 report–”Supervision of Aliens Commensurate With Risk“–that was publicly posted on the Internet. (The appendix is on page 18 of the document.)
As a matter of policy, according to the inspector general’s report, citizens of Israel and other “specially designated countries” are subjected to a special security screening called a “Third Agency Check” (TAC) when they are actually detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the division of the Department of Homeland Security responsible for enforcing the immigration laws.
Israel’s listing is separate from the Palestinian territories, which also make the list of 36. Of those 36, 31 are majority Muslim, and the rest have significant Muslim populations. Though Israel is on the countries of concern list, the US still considers our strongest MidEast ally a partner against terrorism. So…there’s that.
“The U.S. does not and never has considered Israel to have links to terrorism, but rather they are a partner in our efforts to combat global terrorism,” Christensen said in a written statement. “Countries may have been included on the list because of the backgrounds of arrestees, not because of the country’s government itself.”
“The United States maintains close intelligence-sharing relationships with many of these countries in order to address security issues within their own borders and in our mutual pursuit of safety and security around the globe,” said Christensen.
The list first came to light in 2008. At that time, Israel was not on it. But North Korea was. In the 2011 update, Israel is included while North Korea is not.
Bryan – I think the people at DHS must be demented. This is on par with TSA employees groping a four-year old or a 94 year-old women with an adult diaper they took away from her, while at the same time letting a Nigerian man get through security with an expired boarding pass. Just following orders. (Where have we heard that before.) The whole department needs to be shut down and started over again with some sane individuals at the helm.
No argument from me on that, Jack. Swapping Israel for North Korea on that list is just nuts.
The whole department needs to be shut down and started over again with some sane individuals at the helm.
Wrong.
The whole department just needs to be shut down.
Well, Jack and Bryan…it is clear that you have not fully appreciated the level of sophistication of this administration’s security apparatus.
The Nigerian man was let through because the TSA believed he may have been carrying the inheritance documents they needed to sign to obtain several million dollars.
And based upon the underwear bomber getting through security, TSA officials were asked what might trigger their suspicion these days, they responded,… “Depends”.
It is clear that you do not share the wisdom and experience of the TSA who can spot the key suspicious factors between a frail, wheelchair bound, 95 year old white lady….and an expired boarding pass, no passport, wrong name on the ticket, Ethiopian adult male…three times and ten expired boarding passes on his person…threat to security.
It takes a level of enhanced training to spot the real dangers here.
At the polling booths in Philly, at the borders in Arizona, and at the TSA lines at every airport…you are getting the “redistribution” of law enforcement. With a little of the in your face…how do YOU like it?
This is not coincidence. It’s payback for perceived mistreatment and slights. At the DOJ, it’s virtually official policy.
Putting Israel on this list is the equivalent of the raised middle finger during the debates with Hillary. “Oh, you are reading too much into it, there is nothing there”. Could be true that there’s nothing there…but, I tend to doubt it.
cflbleachers – spot-on (do you hear me laughing all the way to your monitor? terrific piece).
This isn’t quite as kooky as it sounds, since there are a million Israeli Arabs (in addition to the Palestinians in the territories) of questionable loyalty and intent.
Not so much. Those Arabs are Israeli citizens. They may support Islam, and they may have problems with the existence of the State of Israel, but none of them want to be part of a Palestinian State. They know how good they have it as Israeli citizens. Their standard of living would go way down without Israel, and they flippin’ well know it. No problems from them.
This is just giving Israel the finger. Let’s harass their citizens traveling here. Obama got punked by Bibi. This is just petty payback.
They offer the usual deniability, but their actions speak so loud, I cannot hear a word they’re saying.
Israel is a terrorist hosting country!
The settlers are extremist!
Mossad goes from countries to countries commit terrorist acts!
USS Liberty!
Isreal has one of the highest rankings in human trafficking and prostitution!
Major of the US esctacy comes from Israel.
Israel rank high in body organ stitching also!
Hi, Mohammed!
(Just playing the odds…)
I bet Obama himself probably pushed for this behind close doors. I guess he just can’t help himself – and has further kissed his reelection goodbye.
The muslim roots-part of Obama is hard for him to keep under wraps. This is a man who studied at an Indonesian madrassa for years during his formative years. Here is a man who has displayed contempt towards Israeli leaders when they’ve come to the White House, a man who was backed Israel so much into a corner he was lectured by Netanyahu in his very house, a man who’s had to back off statements, a man who’s had to bite his tongue in order to damage control his knee-jerk reactions and address jewish voting groups through gritted teeth.
Any jab he could indirectly throw at a jewish state he loves to do, such as this. Obama is doing a fine job of making even Jimmy Carter look evenhanded in his thinly-veiled attacks on Israel. However Obama has no problem bowing and kissing the hand of Saudi Arabian royalty.
Gimme a break. If ANYONE is a terrorist, perhaps they should investigate our very own president!