Magal Security Systems
Israeli perimeter-security and border-protection company in Yehud, spun out of Israel Aircraft Industries in 1984, which supplied intrusion-detection systems for the West Bank barrier and the Gaza fence; owned since 2021 by Rafael's subsidiary Aeronautics
| Magal Security Systems
| |
|---|---|
| Trade name | Magal Solutions |
| Logo |  Magal Solutions logo |
| Type | Subsidiary of Aeronautics Ltd (Rafael Advanced Defense Systems) since February 2021 |
| Founded | 27 March 1984 (incorporation; predecessor department of Israel Aircraft Industries from 1969) |
| Headquarters | Industrial Zone, Yehud, Israel (P.O. Box 70, Industrial Zone, Yahud 56100, in 2004) |
| Industry | Homeland security; perimeter security; border protection |
| Parent | Aeronautics Ltd |
| Homepage | magalsolutions.com |
Magal Security Systems, now trading as Magal Solutions, is an Israeli company that designs and installs perimeter intrusion-detection, surveillance and command-and-control systems for national borders, seaports, oil and gas sites, prisons and other critical sites.[1] It began in 1969 as a department of the state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries and was incorporated as a separate company in 1984.[2] In 2002–04 it won most of the Israeli Ministry of Defence contracts for intrusion-detection systems along the West Bank barrier, and it also fitted systems along the Gaza Strip fence.[2][3] In February 2021 it was bought by Aeronautics Ltd, a subsidiary of the state-owned arms maker Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.[1]
History
In its 2003 annual report Magal said that "Our predecessor commenced operations in 1969 as a department specializing in perimeter security systems within the electronics division of Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd., or IAI". In April 1984 it bought that department's assets from IAI, and it was incorporated on 27 March 1984. It listed in March 1993; in 2004 it traded on Nasdaq and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange as MAGS. Its offices and factory were "near Tel Aviv, Israel, in the Yahud Industrial Zone", with the postal address P.O. Box 70, Industrial Zone, Yahud 56100.[2] Its chairman and chief executive was then Jacob Even-Ezra, and its president Izhar Dekel.[2] The company said that it had "installed several hundred kilometers of these perimeter systems along Israel's borders", and that sales to the Ministry of Defence and the Israel Defense Forces made up 22.5%, 15.9% and 27.2% of its revenue in 2001, 2002 and 2003.[2]
Acquisition by Aeronautics (Rafael)
The company says that "Magal was acquired by Aeronautics Ltd., a subsidiary of RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., in February 2021 and has since operated as the group's HLS solutions integrator". It markets its systems for "National Borders", seaports, oil and gas, airports, government buildings and "Correctional Facilities", and says it was ranked first for homeland security in the 2026 Dun's 100 defence-industry ranking.[1]
West Bank barrier and Gaza fence
Magal's 2003 annual report said that in September 2001 it won a $1.4 million Ministry of Defence contract for "restoration work along the Gaza Strip border", and that in July 2002 it received a $1.5 million order "to install additional perimeter intrusion detection systems along the Gaza Strip border".[2]
In the same report the company said that "In 2002, the Israeli Government announced the construction of a perimeter system to seal off parts of the West Bank", and that "In September 2002, we won 80% of the bids published by the MOD for the installation of intrusion detection systems along the seam line between Israel and the West Bank". By 2004 it had won contracts worth about $19 million covering about 150 kilometres. It also noted that, "following the UN resolution to refer the question of the legality of the seam-line perimeter systems to the International Court of Justice in the Hague", international opposition had led the government "to change and shorten the route".[2] In January 2004 Magal announced a further $4 million in orders for the "seam line", which its chairman Even-Ezra called "a follow on of previous orders that Magal received in September 2002 for US$15 million".[3]
On 9 July 2004 the International Court of Justice gave its advisory opinion that "the construction by Israel of a wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and its associated régime are contrary to international law". The court found that the wall and its régime breached the Hague Regulations of 1907 and the Fourth Geneva Convention and restricted the inhabitants' freedom of movement.[4]
Senior figures and military service
- Col. (res.) Eran Gabay, chief executive (from 2021 vice-president for strategy): the company says that he "served 27 years in command & operational positions in the IDF, mostly in the Combat Collection Corps, and was the first to be appointed as head of the border defense department in the army". In that post "Mr. Gabay was responsible for the operational concept of Israel's borders, building & training special units for border protection, and leading the R&D of border protection technological systems", and his last post was as defence and military attaché to South America (Combat Collection Corps; Israel Defense Forces). He retired in 2021 as a colonel.[1]
- Hai Hoze, senior vice-president and chief operating officer: "he served in the IDF, 8200 intelligence unit, for 27 years and completed his service as a Lieutenant Colonel" (Unit 8200; Intelligence Corps).[1]
See also
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems
- Israel Aircraft Industries
- West Bank barrier
- Unit 8200
- Cyber and tech firms founded by ex Unit 8200 or occupation forces veterans
External links
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Magal Solutions, About Magal Solutions Magal Solutions, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Magal Security Systems Ltd, Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 US Securities and Exchange Commission, 2004, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Magal Security Systems Ltd, Magal Reports US$ 4 Million Orders for Israeli Seam Line (Form 6-K) US Securities and Exchange Commission, 7 January 2004, accessed 10 November 2026.
- ↑ International Court of Justice, Legal Consequences of the Construction of a Wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory International Court of Justice, accessed 10 November 2026.