except in a state of emergency. The law’s provisions concerning inter-
rogation methods have not been made public.
In 2005, at the time of writing, the ISA has reached another turn-
ing point necessitating yet another change—this time more evolu-
tionary than revolutionary. It is required to assess opportunities of di-
alogue with the Palestinian Authority, in addition to threat warnings.
The future challenges of the ISA are to analyze more than one sce-
nario regarding anticipated developments. Considering that it is dif-
ficult to develop a perfect research team, the ISA is of necessity turn-
ing to academic professionals for their help. The organization is
required to supply various assessments of possible upcoming politi-
cal processes of negotiations in situations of uncertainty. In addition,
the ISA challenge concerns the Jewish sector, especially preventing
Jewish terrorism, and also focusing on subversive individuals among
Israeli Arabs. Dealing with the Jewish and Arab sectors has likewise
to be adjusted to the public mood, which champions human rights.
Since its establishment, the ISA had 11 directors: Isser Harel
(1948–1952), Izi Doroth (1952–1953), Amos Manor (1953–1963),
Yosef Harmelin (1964–1974 and 1986–1988), Avraham Ahituv (1974–
1981), Avraham Shalom (1981–1986), Yaakov Peri (1988–1994),
Carmi Gillon (1995–1996), Ami Ayalon (1996–2000), Avi Dichter
(2000–2005), and the newly nominated Yuval Diskin(2005– ). See
alsoappendixes B and D.ISRAELI SECURITY AGENCY (ISA) LAW.On 16 November 2002,
following more than two years of fierce debate, the Knesset passed a
law regulating the Israeli Security Agency(ISA). The law restricts
ISA interrogators’ use of force against suspected terrorists. It defines
the ISA mandate on issues of counterterrorism, counterintelligence,
and diplomatic security—and how this should be reconciled with civil
rights. The most burning issue has to do with what the ISA calls “mod-
erate physical pressure,” namely, tactics such as sleep deprivation and
shaking meant to coerce terror suspects into cooperating with inter-
rogators. Human rights groups denounce the method as torture.
The new law rules out free use of such coercion by the ISA, but al-
lows interrogators to resort to it if there is evidence the subject is
withholding information on an impending terror attack, known pop-
ularly as a “time bomb.” If the suspicion is borne out, the interroga-134 • ISRAELI SECURITY AGENCY LAW06-102 (03) H-P.qxd 3/24/06 7:24 AM Page 134