Mofaz: Israel's greatest danger is terrorism, not Iraq

Jerusalem Post ^ | Feb. 14, 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

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Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz, said at a meeting of city council leaders Friday that Israelis would receive a few days notice if a need arises to take protective measures against missile attacks.

Mofaz stressed that Israel was not going to war. "This is an American campaign in Iraq. It will not be similar to any one of the wars that we have known. The threat is not great. We are properly prepared. The Americans intend to minimize Iraq's capacity to harm Israel. Israel has an active defensive system which is the best in the world", said Mofaz.

Mofaz added that Israel has a double-layered anti-missile defensive system of Patriot missiles and Arrow missiles.

Mofaz stated that Israel's greatest danger still comes from terrorism, and not from Iraq. "There is no country in the world more experienced than us in fighting terror", he said.

Mofaz repudiated rumors that the war in Iraq would start this Saturday evening. "This rumor is untrue. The time-frame we are talking about is at the end of February, beginning of March.

The Defense Minister arranged for the meeting with city council leaders due to the growing number of city councils (especially in central Israel - Ramat Gan, Tel-Aviv, and Bnei Brak) asking for emergency plans and information.

The councils' main concern is the evacuation and relocation of residents should their areas come under missile attack.

Council leaders asked Mofaz what areas they should evacuate their residents to should the need arise. Mofaz replied that there was no need to focus on evacuation at his time. "I do not suggest you busy yourself with population relocation now; not at the start of the war, and not after it", he said.