El Al, Israel’s national airline, inaugurated service to Toronto on March 31 amid the tightest security precautions ever taken at a Canadian airport, much of it sensed rather than seen.
Several hundred passengers lined up three hours before take-off time for the direct flight to Tel Aviv to undergo the meticulous searches of their baggage and persons that has made El Al the acknowledged leader in security measures among the world’s airlines.
Two armed Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers watched the lengthy procedure. But there were many non-uniformed security personnel on hand, both Canadian and El Al’s armed guards in plainclothes. Neither El Al nor the Canadian authorities would confirm rumors that nine guards armed with Uzi submachineguns were stationed at the ramps and on the runway.
Because El Al is a prime target of Arab terrorists the airport unions representing baggage handlers, machinists and ticket agents had to be satisfied that security would be adequate. Airport employees interviewed by the media said they had confidence in El Al’s ability to forestall terrorist acts. But one ticket agent expressed concern that Canadian security guards were so bored they didn’t pay attention to baggage checks.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
