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CNN Saturday Morning News
Israelis Prepare for Iraqi Attack
Aired December 07, 2002 - 09:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: During the Persian Gulf War, Iraq fired multiple Scud missiles into Israel. And now Israeli officials say they are prepared in case war breaks out and Iraq attacks again.
Here is Chris Burns to tell us more about that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Jerusalem, a shopping mall in the midst of a holiday shopping crunch as the country prepares for war.
The Israeli government insists it's ready if Iraq fires chemical or biological weapons at the country, but it's calling on help from shoppers here.
(on camera): It all seems a bit surreal -- pick up your jeans, pick up your sneakers, do some holiday shopping. And in the meantime, the government makes it easy to come and trade in your gas masks.
Come on down, let's have a look.
(voice-over): One of about three dozen centers across the country exchanging old masks for new ones and training how to use them. Eight-year-old Nathaniel Gelkop must grow up fast.
(on camera): What chance will there be that you might have to wear this, what do you think?
NATHANIEL GELKOP, JERUSALEM RESIDENT: The chances that I have to wear this, they might be lucky. But from Iraq, like, warning America, sending the bomb.
BURNS: What does his mom, Nava (ph), think?
NAVA GELKOP, NATHANIEL'S MOTHER: We try not to think about it all the time because you can't live like this.
BURNS: Preparing for the unthinkable, Israeli authorities stage rescue drills, this one in Tel Aviv. The scenario, a chemical attack and guerrilla assault with 700 killed or injured.
Emergency workers are being inoculated for smallpox. The government says it has enough stocks to immunize all 6.5 million Israelis if necessary. Israel is also counting on antimissile defenses and is seeking more, all part of an effort to reassure the country. After all, Iraq fired dozens of Scuds at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.
UZI LANDAU, INTERNAL SECURITY MINISTER: This as the lowest probability they will be successful, then this is exactly what we are today preparing ourselves for.
BURNS: There have been reports Israel has too few shelters, and that its gas masks need improvement. Some prefer to put it all on the mental back burner.
(on camera): Do you think the country's prepared?
SUSANNE SAPIR, ENGLISH TEACHER: I hope so.
BURNS: Are you prepared?
SAPIR: No.
BURNS: Why not?
SAPIR: In denial, like you said. I don't want to prepare for war. I don't want to be in a war.
BURNS (voice-over): Preparing for the worst while trying not to think about it. Not an easy task amid the holiday bustle.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BURNS: So why isn't there more of a frenzy to prepare for war? Keep in mind, this is a country that has been if a state of war since 1948. Probably the other factor is that at this point, the showdown isn't imminent, but it could be close, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: So Chris, how would Israel retaliate should the Scud missiles fly their way again?
BURNS: Well, that is a good question. And it is a wildcard, because the Israelis are insisting on their right to defend themselves. However, U.S. sources say that they are calling on the Israelis to show restraint. That's the last thing they want is for Israel to jump into a conflict like that, attack Iraq, and perhaps turn some moderate Arab countries against any kind of a coalition against Iraq, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, Chris, thank you very much. Chris Burns standing by for us in Israel.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired December 7, 2002 - 09:48 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: During the Persian Gulf War, Iraq fired multiple Scud missiles into Israel. And now Israeli officials say they are prepared in case war breaks out and Iraq attacks again.
Here is Chris Burns to tell us more about that.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CHRIS BURNS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In Jerusalem, a shopping mall in the midst of a holiday shopping crunch as the country prepares for war.
The Israeli government insists it's ready if Iraq fires chemical or biological weapons at the country, but it's calling on help from shoppers here.
(on camera): It all seems a bit surreal -- pick up your jeans, pick up your sneakers, do some holiday shopping. And in the meantime, the government makes it easy to come and trade in your gas masks.
Come on down, let's have a look.
(voice-over): One of about three dozen centers across the country exchanging old masks for new ones and training how to use them. Eight-year-old Nathaniel Gelkop must grow up fast.
(on camera): What chance will there be that you might have to wear this, what do you think?
NATHANIEL GELKOP, JERUSALEM RESIDENT: The chances that I have to wear this, they might be lucky. But from Iraq, like, warning America, sending the bomb.
BURNS: What does his mom, Nava (ph), think?
NAVA GELKOP, NATHANIEL'S MOTHER: We try not to think about it all the time because you can't live like this.
BURNS: Preparing for the unthinkable, Israeli authorities stage rescue drills, this one in Tel Aviv. The scenario, a chemical attack and guerrilla assault with 700 killed or injured.
Emergency workers are being inoculated for smallpox. The government says it has enough stocks to immunize all 6.5 million Israelis if necessary. Israel is also counting on antimissile defenses and is seeking more, all part of an effort to reassure the country. After all, Iraq fired dozens of Scuds at Israel during the 1991 Gulf War.
UZI LANDAU, INTERNAL SECURITY MINISTER: This as the lowest probability they will be successful, then this is exactly what we are today preparing ourselves for.
BURNS: There have been reports Israel has too few shelters, and that its gas masks need improvement. Some prefer to put it all on the mental back burner.
(on camera): Do you think the country's prepared?
SUSANNE SAPIR, ENGLISH TEACHER: I hope so.
BURNS: Are you prepared?
SAPIR: No.
BURNS: Why not?
SAPIR: In denial, like you said. I don't want to prepare for war. I don't want to be in a war.
BURNS (voice-over): Preparing for the worst while trying not to think about it. Not an easy task amid the holiday bustle.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
BURNS: So why isn't there more of a frenzy to prepare for war? Keep in mind, this is a country that has been if a state of war since 1948. Probably the other factor is that at this point, the showdown isn't imminent, but it could be close, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: So Chris, how would Israel retaliate should the Scud missiles fly their way again?
BURNS: Well, that is a good question. And it is a wildcard, because the Israelis are insisting on their right to defend themselves. However, U.S. sources say that they are calling on the Israelis to show restraint. That's the last thing they want is for Israel to jump into a conflict like that, attack Iraq, and perhaps turn some moderate Arab countries against any kind of a coalition against Iraq, Catherine.
CALLAWAY: All right, Chris, thank you very much. Chris Burns standing by for us in Israel.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
