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Preparing for the Worst: Israelis Receive War Prep Instructions
CNSNEWS.com ^ | 2/05/03 | Julie Stahl

Posted on 02/05/2003 2:35:51 PM PST by kattracks

Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) - Israel's Home Front Command began distributing booklets to the public this week telling people how to prepare for war as part of stepped up preparations ahead of a U.S.-led offensive against Iraq.

Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz said on Tuesday that a U.S.-led attack on Iraq seems inevitable.

"It is my impression the Americans are determined to go ahead [with the attack]. I can say with all due caution that it appears that the assault is inevitable," Mofaz was quoted as saying.

Mofaz said that Israel's preparations for such a case are proceeding as planned and he said that there is no reason for the public to become overly concerned or change their daily routines.

Israel has been preparing for the possibility of war for the last year and half but those preparations have accelerated in recent days, according to a military source.

"Recently we distributed a brochure for the population by mail to every home in Israel," said the source who asked not to be named.

The booklet - more than 50 pages with color pictures - explains different missile threats Israel might face from Iraq; why it is necessary to prepare for the possibilities; and how to do so.

It includes sections on what to do from the moment the warning sirens sound to how to deal with the emergency situation. It describes and illustrates how to prepare a shelter or seal a room, how to take care of children, how to use gas masks, how much basic food items per person one should store, and what other equipment may be needed.

A room in the home sealed with sheets of plastic and masking tape is Israel's answer to the chemical and biological threat, since many Israelis do not have bomb shelters.

The original pamphlet is in Hebrew but will be ready for distribution in English, Russian, Amharic (Ethiopian), Spanish, French and Arabic in about a week.

"It is not a suggestion; it is not an instruction, but we don't say not to do it," the source said. She added that many Israelis have already purchased plastic sheeting, tape and bottled water supplies believing they would rather be "safe than sorry."

Prior to the 1991 Gulf War, some Israelis prepared themselves in advance but when the order was given to make a sealed room, many more people were caught off guard and had to battle crowds at stores to purchase what they needed.

Nevertheless, the source said it is "not necessary right at the moment" to purchase plastic and tape. The economic situation in Israel is not good and the HFC doesn't want to tell Israelis to spend money on unnecessary items, she added.

"Most Israelis have updated their gas masks. Since September 11, 3.5 million Israelis have updated them. We are in a very good situation," she said. Masks will also be made available to tourists, foreign workers and Palestinians who live in areas under Israeli security control, she added.

All Israelis have gas mask protection kits since just prior to the last Gulf War, but they must be routinely updated and checked.

In 1991, as now, there was fear that Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein might fire missiles equipped with non-conventional warheads at Israel in retaliation for a U.S.-led strike on Iraq.

Iraq fired at least 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the war, causing extensive damage but very few casualties. None of the missiles had chemical or biological warheads.
Israel is much more ready now than it was then, the source said. Since then, Israel has established its Home Front Command to coordinate security and rescue preparations and services.

"Basically, we are ready. But you know there is no limit for being ready," the source said. "[Nevertheless], even if it happens tomorrow, we are ready.""

 



TOPICS: Front Page News; Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 02/05/2003 2:35:51 PM PST by kattracks
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To: kattracks
Iraq fired at least 39 Scud missiles at Israel during the war, causing extensive damage but very few casualties.

I hope there won't be a muzzle on Israel this time. A SCUD on random civilians is a WMD, and should be responded too in a way that we know Israel can respond.

2 posted on 02/05/2003 2:42:33 PM PST by evolved_rage (Kill a commie for mommie)
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To: kattracks
bump
3 posted on 02/05/2003 3:47:47 PM PST by Diana Rose
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To: kattracks
"She added that many Israelis have already purchased plastic sheeting, tape and bottled water supplies believing they would rather be "safe than sorry.""

Probable survivors IMO. Saddam will let loose with all that he has on our troops and Israel.

4 posted on 02/05/2003 3:53:03 PM PST by blam
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To: kattracks
"It is not a suggestion; it is not an instruction, but we don't say not to do it," the source said. She added that many Israelis have already purchased plastic sheeting, tape and bottled water supplies believing they would rather be "safe than sorry."

Indeed. It's better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
5 posted on 02/05/2003 3:53:23 PM PST by RecentConvert
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To: kattracks
Israel is much more ready now than it was then,

And thanks to the appeasers of the world so is Saddam.

6 posted on 02/05/2003 5:41:51 PM PST by TigersEye
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Attack on Iraq Betting Pool
7 posted on 02/05/2003 6:58:46 PM PST by Momaw Nadon
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