Police shoot U.S. student's laptop upon entry to Israel

An American student entering Israel from Egypt via the border crossing at Taba two weeks ago stood stunned as Israeli Border Police officers determined her laptop computer was a security threat and shot it three times.

Lily Sussman, 21, wrote on her blog that the police officers subjected her to two hours of questioning and searches, before firing three bullets into her Apple Macbook.

Sussman said that she then heard an announcement on the loudspeaker that "was something along the lines of, 'Do not to be alarmed by gunshots because the Israeli security needs to blow up suspicious passenger luggage.'" Moments later, Sussman wrote, a man came to her and introduced himself as the duty manager, who told her: "I'm sorry but we had to blow up your laptop."



"The security officers did not ask about my laptop prior to shooting it," Sussman said. "They used the term 'blew up' when they told me they destroyed my laptop. I don't know why they shot it."

The Israel Airports Authority said in response that, "A [security] check performed on the lady's luggage signalled the need for security personnel to follow procedure. The police who carried out the operation in question were called to the scene. We suggest you approach the Israel Police for any additional information."

Sussman managed to salvage the hard drive and security officials at the crossing gave her an address where she would be reimbursed for her mangled laptop.