Sorry we shot your laptop
By Techgirl

There are some things which are difficult to understand.  There are some things which are impossible to comprehend.

If the security officers of any country feel that a laptop is not just a computer they can put it through an X-ray machine and even take it apart.  Or take it into custody for further investigation.  But why shoot the laptop?

And the victim was an American laptop belonging to an American student entering Israel. Possibly, her only mistake was she entered Israel via Egypt.  Israel and Egypt have had a peace treaty for many years. Israel and USA are the best of friends. So, how could this happen to an American?

American student, Lily Sussman, 21,  blogged about how she was questioned for two hours before a security officer told her that they had fired 3 bullets into her Apple Macbook. The Israeli security official them apologized: "I'm sorry but we had to blow up your laptop."

Lily Sussman blogged:

“
I’m sorry but we blew up your laptop (welcome to Israel)

I was sitting on the deck overlooking the Red Sea. Israeli security officers (most who looked around 18 years old) had completed around two hours of questioning and searching me. They had pressed every sock and scarf with a security device, ripped open soap and had me strip extra layers. They asked me tons of questions–where are you going? Who do you know? Do you have a boyfriend? Is he Arab, Egyptian, Palestinian? Why do you live in Egypt? Why not Israel? What do you know about the ‘conflict’ here? What do you think? They quizzed me on Judaism, which I know nothing about.

Then they asked me to wait. Since they had asked for friends and families phone numbers I assumed they might be calling to verify my answers to questions or confirm I really had extended family in Tel Aviv.  An announcement played over the sound system, interrupting my break in the sunshine. First in Hebrew, then Arabic, then in English. It was something along the lines of,” do not to be alarmed by gunshots because the Israeli security needs to blow up suspicious passenger luggage.”

I went inside to check on my bag. I had left it unattended, where they instructed. It was still there so I went back outside.

Moments later a man came outside and introduced himself as the manager on duty. And then, “I’m sorry but we had to blow up your laptop. “

What….all my client case notes and testimony, writing, pictures, music and applications. Years of work. NO!!!! What?? Are you insane?? What were you thinking? THAT’S ALL MY WORK!?
“

After the media picked up the story, Israelis have offered to fast track her compensation for the laptop.

Techgoss note:  Techgirl is a senior Tech journalist who reports on the IT, KPO and KPO Sectors for a leading media house.  In her spare time, she dabbles in satire in her blog http://techgirltalk.blogspot.com