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Katz, offers helping hand
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
Photo: AFP
Abdulmutallab, behind attempted Christmas Day attack
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Katz vows to aid US in aviation security

Transportation minister promises US deputy secretary of homeland security to make all Israeli knowledge, experience on aviation security available to US

Two weeks after attempted Christmas Day terror attack on Detroit-bound plane, Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz met with US Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Jane Holl Lute on Wednesday and told her that Israel can assist the United States in dealing with terror threats on civil aviation.

 

The Transportation Ministry reported that the deputy secretary requested information on aviation security and the meticulous security measures taken in Israeli airports.

 

Minister Katz assured her he would make available to the US all the information and experience Israel has accumulated in the matter.

 

Following the meeting, the minister instructed security elements in his office to boost cooperation with the American Transportation Security Administration, and to coordinate the transfer of operational intelligence in real time.

 

He also ordered professional work groups and joint projects towards the development of advanced technological systems be launched.

 

Katz expressed hope that the US will find a way to lead the struggle against global terror, as it has done in the past in many different issues.

 

"It is sad that the situation in the world today has come to resemble what we know and have been dealing with for years," the minister said, adding that "Israel would love to assist and cooperate with the US – the leader of the free world."

 

During the meeting, Lute highlighted the productive cooperation her country has had with the Transportation Ministry's security department over the years.

 

After the meeting, Lute visited Ben Gurion International Airport, where she examined the security system, including the new biometric system, Unipass, which allows passengers to go through all the stages of air travel, from the security check to boarding, on their own.

 

The system was first launched in Israel on Tuesday, as part of an Israel Airports Authority pilot.

 


פרסום ראשון: 01.06.10, 14:54
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