Owner still awaiting compensation

Israeli Border Police allegedly destroyed a MacBook Pro owned by Lily Sussman, a student and US citizen who was recently interrogated while crossing from Egypt into Israel, according to her blog. The guards thoroughly searched Sussman's belongings while asking questions about people she knows, where she is traveling, her stance on the local conflicts, and her family, among other things.

The student noticed an announcement over the sound system that suggested visitors have no reason to be "alarmed by gunshots because the Israeli security needs to blow up suspicious passenger luggage."

After expressing her frustration with losing all of her work documents and personal content, the Israeli security allegedly took her outside to show her the damage. The notebook had not been "blown up" by an explosive, but rather destroyed by three bullets. Interestingly enough, the interrogators never asked her for the password to search the contents of the computer.

The Border Police told Sussman that she would be compensated for the MacBook Pro. It is unclear if she will be fully reimbursed for the loss, as the funds will be delivered after approximately one month. Fortunately the bullets did not strike the hard drive, which was recovered from the mangled MacBook.

"Though a visual and poignant incident that captures a lot of sentiment and fault with Israeli policies and practices, unfortunately there are many more issues to get riled over," wrote Sussman. "Let’s redirect the outrage over the laptop and focus on more serious grievances?"

by MacNN Staff