Re: In fact, I am a cynical person when it comes to the Israelis, and not in a thousand years, would I have thought of such a self serving plot let alone let lose with an accusation.
That's because you don't read the news enough....
"Islamic" Terrorism, a Bane or a Boon? For Israel's security firms/consultants/experts/... it's a no-brainer:
Tuesday November 13, [2002]
Heavy demand seen for Israeli security products
By Steven Scheer
JERUSALEM, Nov 13 (Reuters) - From gas masks to anthrax antidotes, demand for Israeli security products and expertise has jumped in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the United States.
Israel's Ministry of Industry and Trade said on Tuesday inquiries have come from all over the world, initially from the United States and now from Europe and Asia.
``The world has changed; people used to think terrorism was local in Madrid and Israel,'' Max Livnat, senior director of the ministry's Investments and Promotion Centre, told Reuters after a news conference. ``Now, everyone in the world feels that he is threatened.''
He said he has been deluged by phone calls in the past two months from companies seeking to get in touch with the more than 100 Israeli gas mask suppliers, high-tech and biotech firms and security training centres.
``Israel may be the country with the most expertise over the past few decades in fighting against terrorism and in developing technology and training of people,'' Livnat said.
Erella Shwartz, research and development manager at Shalon Chemical Industries, said the firm has moved to a 24-hour production cycle to meet the demand for gas masks and other products to provide protection in the event of nuclear, biological or chemical attacks.
``We have to supply hundreds of thousands of masks, and we are getting inquiries from the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan,'' Shwartz said. ``But we cannot supply all the demand right now.''
Shalon, she said, is boosting Israeli employment at its factory to 600 from 125 over the next month, and the company is in talks to open a manufacturing plant in the United States.
``There is great demand for Israeli masks and Israeli products,'' Shwartz said, noting particular interest in gas masks for children and infants.
Similarly, Magal Security (NasdaqNM:MAGS - news), which makes outdoor perimeter security fences, said it expects sales to soar in 2002 from an estimated $40 million in 2001.
``We believe the orders and supply will be in the second half of 2002,'' Magal chairman J. Even-Ezra told Reuters. ``Our products are not something you buy over the counter.''
He declined to predict by how much sales will rise next year but said airports could be big customers.
``We never stop developing new technology,'' Even-Ezra said. ``We always have to be one step ahead of the terrorists. We spend 10 percent of our revenues on R&D and developing new technologies.''
Information security also is in high demand with the increased threat of hackers and viruses, according to computer and network security start-up Aliroo.
Aliroo Chief Executive Meir Zorea said October was the company's best-ever month, with sales growth of 30 percent.
aliroo.com |
