Dr. Hillel Avihai

Research Fellow, International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), Reichman University; Lecturer and Specialist in Aviation Terrorism; Researcher of Skyjack – Aviation Terrorism Research Platform.

Dr. Hillel Avihai is a research member at the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT) at Reichman University in Herzliya. He specializes in the phenomenon of global aviation terrorism, examining its political, economic, and security implications as well as its influence on global civil aviation. His work involves investigating the sources and motives behind aviation terrorism, analyzing major incidents, and assessing human and technological countermeasures to this escalating threat. A central focus of his research is the shift in terrorist tactics, as exemplified by the September 11 attacks, which marked a transition from hijackings intended for negotiation (“rolling terror”) to using airplanes as strategic weapons aimed at designated targets (“immediate terror”).

Dr. Avihai holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations from Anglia Ruskin (Polytechnic) University in the United Kingdom. His academic work is supported by his role as founder and operator of the Skyjack website (www.skyjack.co.il), a specialized platform dedicated to aviation terrorism research. Skyjack serves as both a repository and analytical resource for scholars and practitioners, offering detailed quantitative and qualitative data on every aviation terrorist event since 1968. The site aims to enrich academic discourse and provide historical documentation of aerial violence motivated by political ideology.

Through Skyjack, Dr. Avihai contributes to academic and policy-related discussions by presenting a comprehensive overview of the development of aviation terrorism and its broader implications. His ongoing work helps to shape understanding of how terrorism has evolved in the aviation sector and supports the development of strategic measures to mitigate future threats.