Counterterrorism and Employment: An Israeli Perspective

Abstract

Israeli public and private sector employers have dealt with security issues longer than employers in most other countries. This Article surveys the Israeli experience, relying on both published and first-hand accounts of Israeli practices, and examines which features can be translated to U.S. employers. In particular, Israeli high-tech firms have largely relied on an informal contact network as a key part of their screening processes for the purpose of hiring employees. This network is in large part based on relationships developed in the course of service in the Israel Defence Forces. In contrast, the security establishment has developed a sophisticated screening process reflective of Israel's security reality. A comprehensive and sophisticated threat assessment is a most important element of this process. In addition, Israeli businesses expend significant resources in plant and facility protection which includes both the actual protection and training of guards. The Israeli model, while obviously expensive, provides several useful, if costly, models for U.S. employers in a more security conscious age.

Keywords: Employment, Security, Israeli experience, Informal Contact Network, War on Terror, Employee Vetting, Threat Assessment, Plant/ Facility Protection

JEL Classification: K30