ISRAEL/JERUSALEM: SCHOOLS SEALED AGAINST POSSIBLE CHEMICAL ATTACK FROM IRAQ.

Record ID: 355685

  • Title: ISRAEL/JERUSALEM: SCHOOLS SEALED AGAINST POSSIBLE CHEMICAL ATTACK FROM IRAQ.
  • Date: 19th March 2003
  • Summary: (U4) TEL-AVIV, ISRAEL (MARCH 19, 2003) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. GV: EXTERIOR OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 0.06 2. VARIOUS: MEN PUTTING PLASTIC ON CLASSROOM DOOR; CLOSE OF MAN SEALING SCHOOL WITH DUCT TAPE; VARIOUS OF MEN SEALING CLASSROOM WINDOWS (8 SHOTS) 1.26 3. GV/PAN/CU: HOLIDAY DECORATIONS ON CLASSROOM BLACKBOARD; CLOSE OF DECORATED GAS MASKS
  • Embargoed: 3rd April 2003 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: TEL AVIV, ISRAEL/ JERUSALEM
  • Country: Israel
  • Reuters ID: LVA553OJ20LMT1UPBU90B0YC1325
  • Story Text: Although the Israeli prime minister has said there is
    little risk of Iraq hitting Israel with missiles during any
    war in the Gulf, Israeli citizens, hospitals and schools have
    begun sealing rooms against chemical or biological agents in
    accordance with a government order.

    During a meeting with Israel's president, the U.S.

    ambassador to Israel has said that they are devoting
    "considerable attention to western Iraq" and are doing
    everything "to prevent any harm coming to Israel."


    Ordinary citizens, hospitals and schools in Israel
    began sealing rooms against chemical or biological agents in
    accordance with a government order issued on Wednesday (March
    19) in case Iraq attacks Israel with non-conventional weapons
    during a United States (U.S.)-led attack against Iraq.

    Israeli media said the public could soon be advised to
    unpack government-supplied gas masks and try them on, or be
    told to carry them wherever they go once U.S.-Iraqi
    hostilities erupt.

    While Israeli children are on holiday for the Jewish
    holiday of Purim, schools began sealing rooms with plastic
    sheeting and duct tape. To date, the Israeli Ministry of
    Education has instructed children to continue to attend school
    following the two-day holiday break.

    Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said on Wednesday (March 19)
    there was little risk of Iraq hitting Israel with missiles
    during any war in the Gulf but reassured Israelis that the
    armed forces were ready for the worst.

    Sharon praised the United States for its determination to
    strip Iraq of alleged weapons of mass destruction -- Saddam
    denies having any -- but distanced Israel from the U.S.

    actions.

    Israel has prepared a multi-billion dollar missile-killer
    system developed after the 1991 Gulf war when 39 conventional
    Iraqi Scud missiles hit it.

    Providing an overall protective "umbrella" is the
    Israeli-built Arrow system, developed in a partially
    U.S.-funded $2.2 billion project, which although not yet
    battle-tested is believed capable of killing incoming Scuds at
    atmospheric level.

    "We believe that we have worked together in order to
    minimise that risk. As you know, the United States and its
    fighting allies are devoting, will devote, considerable
    attention to western Iraq. We have worked with Israel over the
    past years to develop the Arrow anti-missile system. We are
    working together with respect to Patriot missiles so we are
    doing everything we can to prevent any harm coming to Israel.

    But the authorities here are doing what they have to do to
    protect the population," U.S. Ambassador Dan Kurtzer told
    reporters during a meeting with Israeli President Moshe
    Katzav.

    Israel stayed on the sidelines of the 1991 Gulf war,
    mindful of Washington's concern to maintain Arab participation
    in its international coalition. But this time Israel has made
    clear it reserves the right to retaliate.


    jg/ds

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