Eighteen senior Israeli Police officers visited Palm Beach, Florida, this week as part of a 10-day educational seminar sponsored by the American Jewish Committee. The original purpose of the trip was to instruct the Israeli policemen in American law enforcement tactics. But in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, the Israelis were called upon to give their American counterparts tips on handling terrorism.

"When we first heard about this trip, we were told that the Israeli police wanted to learn from us. Now, regrettably, we must learn from them," said Palm Beach County Undersheriff Ken Eggleston during a short introduction to the Israeli officers on Sunday. "Since September 11, every American has had to walk in your shoes," he told his visitors.

Eggleston said he's interested in learning how Israelis

"Just walk with your eyes open and your mind working" - Israeli police officer's advice to American counterparts

deal with hazardous materials, intelligence gathering and first response to acts of terrorism.

"The citizens of Israel live productive lives amidst the daily threat of terror," he said, adding that Americans must learn to learn by their example.

"We've been dealing with terrorism for 50 years and we will share everything we know," promised Yarkon district chief Asst.-Cmdr. Uri Bar-Lev, who spoke to reporters at the Palm Beach Sheriff's headquarters. "We are under siege, and you are under siege."

Bar-Lev, former commander of the Israeli Army's counter-terrorist unit and head of the delegation, detailed to members of the Sheriff's command staff and County Commissioner Mary McCarty the violence Israelis see every day. "The main issue is to cooperate and share our knowledge," he said.

Over the next few days, the Israeli officers will train with the Palm Beach police's "Terrorism Response Task Force," a unit formed just last week. The aim of the project is to train American officers, who have the equipment but lack the experience in dealing with terrorist threats, WPBF (West Palm Beach Florida) television reported. According to the report, Florida police will engage in everything from firearms training to information gathering techniques.

Eggleston added that the Israeli officers would participate in ride-alongs with local patrol deputies and learn how the Sheriff's Office conducts neighborhood patrols.

One of the problems observed on the trip, according to Lt. Col. Avi Biran, commander of Netanya Police, is that U.S. federal police agencies do not share information with local police as much as they should.

The Israeli officers also planned to tackle the original focus of their visit, planned well before the recent terrorism attacks on America. They are scheduled to participate in a multi-ethnic panel, organized by the American Jewish Congress, with local residents to talk about policing concerns. Included in the group will be African-Americans, Mexicans, Colombians and Haitians. Palm Beach County is also home to one of the largest Jewish and Palestinian communities in the United States.

Israelis tell American policemen to stay alert
Palm Beach was the last stop on the American tour for the Israeli police officers. Previously they had toured police agencies in Boston, New York and Washington. On Friday they met with New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, and then visited "Ground Zero" to pay their respects to the fallen in the September 11 terror attacks.

Last week the delegation met with the head of one of Boston's busiest crime districts and with a lieutenant from the Community Disorders Unit, which investigates hate crimes. The officers also met with the head of security at Boston's Logan Airport.

When speaking with local law enforcement officials, the Israelis were called upon to advise on how to protect against terrorist attacks. They showed a video depicting the suicide bombing at Tel Aviv's Dolphinarium Disco on June 1st, in which 23 young Israelis were killed. Their advice to local police and the public was to be alert.

"Just walk with your eyes open and your mind working and take into consideration that everything, everything can be hazardous to your health," Police Lt. Col. Danny Kuffler said.

"They were able to share with our intelligence people and some of the people out in the streets the issues that they deal with," Boston Police Chief James Hussey said. "They've been dealing with it in their country for quite some time," he said.

At a forum in Brookline, Massachusetts, local residents had a chance to learn more about combating terrorism, WCVB, TheBostonChannel.com reported.

"Since they've worked with terrorism for many years, I'm sure that there are many things that the United States, the police, the government, the military, can learn about how to deal with terrorism every day," said Judy Catz, who attended the forum.

"I think terror is a daily mission in Israel," Israeli Police Maj. Diane Sheetrit said. But she added that lives must not be governed by fear of terrorists. "We have to continue our routine lives. We are all mothers and fathers and workers. You have to continue everything and not let terror influence your lives," she advised.

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