"There is no defense against a person willing to give up his own life for his political beliefs. Our present society and we as human beings are not geared for this scenario. This is not to say that we shouldn't do anything to protect ourselves but the pendulum has swung to far in the interests of security. "
Sure there is. Even the most militant terrorist who is willing to sacrifice his life will think about the affects on his/her family. In Israel/Palistine, they know who the families are. When ever a terrorist walks into a mall with a bomb and blows himself up, don't bomb a neighborhood in Palestine, or destroy the families house. Kill them. As soon as you can, find the family of the bomber, and kill them. Many people are willing to give their life for the cause, but not many would be willing to give the life of the family too.