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Arab/Muslim States

Israelis unprepared for Syrian gas strike


By Stan Goodenough
July 10, 2007

Less than half Israel’s citizens have gas masks, and many masks of those who do have are out of date.

According to reports in Israel Monday, the country will not be equipped with effective protection against non-conventional attack for another two years.

Israel’s leaders, who face the threat of war virtually 24/7 in any given year, have to judge when and where to direct the resources for Israel’s defense.

While rumors remain rife, and some intelligence estimates continue to give substance to the likelihood that war could break out with Syria sometime this year, the Olmert government does not seem to be taking the threat as seriously as it might.

Sunday saw a mere NIS 100 million ($24,000) allocated to the Home Front Command for the acquisition of gas warfare protection kits.

Concerned home front officials say they will be looking into ways to acquire all necessary equipment from local or US firms in the event of an emergency.

Damascus, meanwhile, continues rattling its swords.

The Jerusalem Post reported Monday Syria is believed to have a large stockpile of chemical and biological weapons.

“According to the Global Security Web site, the Syrian arsenal is comprised mostly of large amounts of Sarin and mustard gas and [Syria] is reportedly producing and weaponizing VX. The US … has estimated Syria to possess several hundred liters of chemical weapons with hundreds of tons of agents produced annually.”

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