ISRAEL: GERALD M STEINBERG
Israel's very small territory, exposed borders and the constant threat of terror since independence in 1948 have made border security a central element in defence policy. The emphasis on border control can be seen in the suppression of the Palestinian terror campaign between 2002 and 2005,which included suicide bombers, car bombs and drive-by shootings. During this period, Israeli casualties dropped from hundreds of deaths annually to almost zero.
The strategy – developed and applied systematically – consists of three core dimensions: physical separation, consisting of separation barriers, check points and patrol roads; detailed real-time intelligence, based on integrated technology and human sources, on both sides of the divide; and territorial control to limit or, where possible, prevent the import of weapons to Palestinian areas. As a result, the weapons, explosives and access available to terrorists in the West Bank have largely dried up.
In Gaza, effective control of the perimeter has halted all infiltration into Israel, but the porous Egyptian border with Gaza has allowed Palestinians to bring in rockets and related technology. The impact of these attacks is limited by real-time intelligence and rapid IDF (Israel Defence Forces) response, targeting the Palestinians firing rockets.
Looking to the future, and the threat of increased attacks from terror groups based in Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere, as well as attacks supported by Iran, Israel will expand the three-tiered border security strategy to include co-operation with Jordan and Egypt.
Gerald M Steinberg is Professor of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University, and directs the interdisciplinary programme on Conflict Management and Negotiation.
USA: DEBORAH W MEYERS
In the post 9/11 era, there is a far deeper understanding that border security has to be about more than simply preventing illegal immigration across the southern border of the United States. The problem is that it’s slow to make that adjustment. Although there is a growing focus on security at legal points of entry, and there’s been a greater emphasis since 9/11 on visa policy, the bulk of resources in the US continues to be directed towards the border with Mexico, which is principally a mechanism for illegal workers to cross.
Unlike in Europe, the threat of terrorism in the US tends to come from those who are foreign born. Securing legal points of entry, visa policy information sharing and intelligence – those are the areas that are newer, where greater work is needed.
In the long run, the US, Canada and Mexico will co-operate to protect the security of North America. The borders will increasingly be pushed out overseas, to points of departure. We will check people when they apply for their visa, before they get on the plane – after all, if they’re planning to blow up a plane, the landing check doesn’t matter.
Developed countries around the world are all facing similar issues and the same challenges. At the moment the US is talking about copying an Australian system whereby a person can’t even get a reservation from a travel agent unless they are found to be clean.
Deborah W Meyers is a Senior Policy Analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, Washington DC.
NETHERLANDS: MONIQUE VAN OPSTAL
As a member of the 1985 Schengen Agreement, border control in the Netherlands is based on harmonised EU rules. The Netherlands has external borders – seaside and airside – and the government wants to simplify border passage. Due to a growing number of passengers at the major airports, and with limited possibilities to extend the size of these airports, government authorities, airlines and those managing the airports are being forced to improve facilities in a smarter way.
In 2001, the Netherlands started a fee-based registered traveller programme, called Privium, for business travellers and other frequent users. By using biometric technology, borders are made more secure and there is also a reduction in passenger queues. A registered traveller programme also enables the government to use resources and staff more efficiently. In addition, a new pilot scheme has started recently. To save time, travel documents are scanned and EU passenger databases are searched while passengers are waiting at border control.
Apart from assisting bona fide travellers by using registered traveller programmes, the Netherlands will be focusing on the general use of biometrics at borders, a more efficient practice of checks and procedures for vulnerable groups of travellers, the use of pre-arrival passenger information, and a possible joint border operation centre. Many challenges lie ahead of us.
Monique Van Opstal is Policy Officer for the Immigration and Naturalization Service at the Dutch Ministry of Justice