You step into Ben Gurion Airport in Israel and the first thing you notice is the security. Instead of checking your bags and then waiting to be inspected, you are immediately greeted by security agents and Israeli Defense Force solders while your bags are still in hand. You are asked questions, one after the other, as they inspect you closely, scrutinizing your face for signs of nervousness or anxiety. This is the reality of security in Israel and the truth is, it is working. Not a single flight has been hijacked from Ben Gurion International Airport, though countless attempts have been made. And this is in part due to racial and behavioral profiling.

Is profiling morally acceptable? It is difficult to come to a definitive conclusion on the issue as it brings into question individual rights and stereotyping based on skin color, age, gender and nationality. In such a politically correct age, it's hard for us to admit that racial profiling can sometimes be a positive thing. As Adam Somberg, a Jewish senior at my high school said, "Well, obviously racial profiling is not an ideal way of doing things, but given the circumstances today, obviously the vast majority of Muslims and Middle Easterners are not terrorists, but recently the majority of terrorists are Middle Eastern or Muslim. If security is a priority, being politically correct when safety is at risk seems inefficient. Yes, it's an uncomfortable topic to deal with, but the fact of the matter is that terrorism is currently associated with the Middle East."

The issue has been in the spotlight recently since Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's nearly successful attempt to destroy a flight bound for Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas day. In the wake of this scare, debates rage over the best way to protect citizens in the United States and people worldwide. New guidelines for airport security have recently been imposed. For example, increased screening has been mandated for passengers from 14 different countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Nigeria—all of which have a significant or majority Muslim population. Clearly, governmental agencies are beginning to recognize the potential value of profiling and the flaws in our current security system.

However, in Israel, the reality that profiling can be useful had already been readily acknowledged. For years, people coming into the airport from many Arab countries are subject to increased screening and security measures. Behavioral profiling is routinely used. Security at Ben Gurion airport as such is acknowledged to be the strongest in the world. However, it is important to note that the volume of travelers through Ben Gurion International Airport is significantly less than that of a large international airport in the United States. Despite this, I personally think that by adopting Israel’s strict security measures, we can achieve better security—even if these measures may be viewed by some as infringing on individual rights or as “politically incorrect.”

People who have traveled to Israel seem to agree that they felt safer there, despite concerns over terrorist attacks. Lily Bienstock, a senior at Newark Academy in Newark, N.J., said that, “Security was really different in Israel than in the United States. I felt a lot safer there. Someone interviewed me and it was just more careful.” Dr. Lillesol Kane, a teacher at my school, recently visited Israel. She agreed that she felt safer there, citing better security in the airport as well as on public transportation: "Well, for instance, I took the train in Israel and before I took the train, you had to pass the luggage through security. There were many more checks and security catches. I feel so much safer in Israel. Go into any cafe, any shopping mall and you're checked.”

Dr. Kane, however, also acknowledged that racial profiling was used. “They absolutely use behavioral and racial profiling. For security, it's obvious you give up some freedoms in order to maintain security.” She personally did not agree with racial profiling, believing that individual rights trump security concerns.

Others seemed equally dismissive or unsure about whether racial profiling is morally acceptable. Lily Bienstock said, "I don't think racial profiling is always a good thing. I think people in general should be checked extensively. I don't know if it's always accurate." Alyssa Leight, another Jewish senior at Newark Academy, agreed with her on the issue. "Honestly, I don't think racial profiling is appropriate and I couldn't tell you if I think it works. I know my dad looks kind of Middle Eastern and he gets stopped all the time. It's ridiculous."

Regardless of the implications of racial profiling, it is inevitable that it will be talked about more and more in the coming months as our country struggles to figure out how best to protect our national security. My suggestion? We should look to Israel as our example—racial profiling or not—as they seem to have created a solid, secure system.

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Emma Stein is a senior who currently attends Newark Academy. She serves as editor-in-chief of the literary magazine, in addition to being on the editorial staff of the paper. Emma also works on the editorial board of the Jewish literary magazine Nu. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing and art.