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Israel conducts massive defense drill

Posted: Tuesday, June 02, 2009 12:55 PM
Filed Under:

By Paul Goldman, NBC News Producer

TEL AVIV – Israel is preparing for the possibility of war and it appears to be serious about it.

At 11 a.m. on Tuesday, sirens blasted the air, sending millions of citizens into the nearest bomb shelter in the country’s biggest-ever civil defense exercise. The drill is part of a five-day training code-named Turning Point III. It involves simulated rocket and missile attacks on Israeli cities and also preparations for a nonconventional strike.

Most of the kids from the Elharizi School in Tel Aviv were giggling in class as they waited for the siren. Their teacher was trying to get them to act seriously, but the loud siren did the job for her. You really can't stay too calm when you hear a blaring sound, wailing up and down, representing one thing: war.

VIDEO: Israel conducts massive defense drill

The kids, all the way from grade one to seven, made their way in pairs to the neat and clean shelter. They were told beforehand that they could bring games to play with while they waited for the all-clear sign. So the packs of cards came out, and most of the kids seemed happy to miss class and play their favorite game. 

Dozens of senior military and government officials from around the world, including representatives from the U.S. National Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), observed the school drill to see what lessons for emergency preparedness they could take back to their home countries. The officials said they were impressed with the calm conduct of the students who conduct similar exercises several times a year.

"Very impressive," said Andrew Slaten, the FEMA representative from Washington, D.C. attending the event. "We have a very long and active relationship with Israel’s home front command. So it’s a great opportunity to be here today to be able to experience the way that they have taken national preparedness to a comprehensive level – lessons that we can take back to the United States."

A dozen kids were asked to pretend they were wounded so medical teams could practice on them. One girl was crying her heart out so much that NBC News cameraman Dave Copeland and I looked at each other with surprise. It turned out she was in a state of shock and was really overwhelmed by the commotion. Her teacher was called and eventually managed to calm her down.

The simulation comes at a time of rising Israeli concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but Israeli officials insisted that the drills were not a direct response to those fears.

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Comments

When you live by the sword then you shall die by the sword!  When a religious group attacks a culture of people in order to take everything they own they deserve to be attacked! Jewish is a religion and that is all it is.  You cannot be born jewish anymore than you can be born catholic!

rider83 (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:53 PM)

The Palestinians have been kicked out of every Arab country in the region, only Israel have provided them a home land, only Israel has promised them more land for certain conditions. It is time for the Palestinians to set their priorities for their future and their future rests soley with Israel.

Buster, New Jersey (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:54 PM)

Israel is trying to divert attention away from a two state solution. Boycott Israel and American businesses that support them.

Santer, Atlanta, GA (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 3:57 PM)

John is an idiot. U can't deal with someone who won't even admit you exist.
Religious fanatic's minds sets are based on deep rooted beliefs that what they believe in is the only way.
I have to admit myself, as a Christian, my way is the only way. Jesus says there is no way, before the Father, but through me. NO WAY!
Unfortunately someone has to be wrong.
Israel, KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN AND CHECK YOUR 6. We are going to have to let God sort it out.

Mac, Hou,Tx (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:02 PM)

I wonder if this drill in preparation of a "defensive" action?. Hmmm?

Counrty Joe and the Fish (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:02 PM)

Bravo, Ray Manhattan. People need to remember that "Palestine" was a creation of the British when they took over the region from the Ottomans. The "Palestinians" in the West bank are Jordanians (another invention of the British), and those in Gaza are Egyptians. I don't see anyone clamoring for Jordan or Egypt to take back their citizens. The "Palestinian" cause predates the 1967 war, even prior to the annexation of Gaza and the West Bank by Israel. The Arabs want Israel gone; the "palestinian"'s plight is simply a convenient excuse. There has been a Jewish presence in Israel for 3500 years- the Muslims haven't been around for half that long. The Romans took Israel from the Jews;the Byzantines (Western Romans) inherited it; the Caliphate Arabs took it from them when they waged Jihad across the Middle East and Northern Africa in the 8th century); the Seljuk Turks, and then the Ottomans took it from them; and finally, the British took it after WWI, splitting the area into 2 parts- Palestine, and Transjordan, with Palestine further divided by the UN partition into the Jewish stae of Israel, and the West Bank (which became part of Jordan, along with Transjordan. The Arabs response to the partition, 20 years before the West Bank and Gaza were issues, was an attemt at annihilation of the Jewish state- and so far, 61 years later, only Egypt and Jordan, the 2 countries who lost the territory disputed by the Palestinians (only Syria gripes aboutthe Golan), are the only ones who have normal diplomatic relations with Israel and recognize Israel's right to exist. Odd, no?
    The land of Israel was and will always be that of the Jews; we don't see Israeli Jews who were thrown out of Iraq, Iran, Syria asking for their land, homes, businesses, etc back (about 800,000 of them)- perhaps those countries should give the Jews former properties to the "palestinians", and call it square?

David Cohen, Niskayuna, NY (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:03 PM)

Lest we forget the Isrealis went the way of peace by giving up significant land and stopping settlements. Their reward: They were seen as weak and the terrorist bombings began targeting packed buses and school children. Please know your history before proposing the future.

Chuck McGlothlin, Ft. Lauderdale Fla. (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:03 PM)

Maybe if they could just give up their faith and become like the people of this country and be sheeple and not think for themselves.

helen johnson osceola ar (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:04 PM)

america allegiance to isreal is strained...it will only become ore strained as a America takes on a stronger latino culture with little ties to Isreal or symoathy for the cause.

my advice is for Isreal to rebuild its coalition with catholic america.  that worked well for them.. teaming up with Bush and the neocons was a disaster .
Blacks and Latinos are not a natural fit and have many other pressing issues to confront.

Isreal should rebuild theess ties by recognising the past support and sacrifice they recievced from American Catholics and ask for continued support .

Jim, Arlington (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:05 PM)

Funny how we are a nation that displaced its own natives, admitted it was wrong then help do the same to the Palestinians. A test? How about, get ready for war folks. Isreal is a nuclear power as well, and you dont see Iran getting ready for war over it. Some people just decide that they are "the deciders" and poof! Your in the axis of evil!

G-MUN (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:09 PM)

The rest of the world is moving toward peace? Are you nuts? Just because our ostridge in chief has his head buried in the sand, does'nt mean the rest of us can't see what Iran, and N. Korea, and the Muslem radicals are building up to. Get your act together, because in a very short time the west will be in the fight of it's life for survival.

larry fairchild white haven, pa (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:16 PM)

  Israel is smart-prepared for rocket attacks and other things,having a bunker to hold out in is smart-we need to do that here.Israel has may arabs all around them and want to destroy them,Israel we hit Iran if there nuke program is not stopped.Go Israel.

stephen,norh carolina (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:18 PM)

Israelis have a modern democratic society with the rule of law.  How many Arab countries can say that; same goes for countries with large Islamic percentages.  When many of the surrounding countries are antagonistic towards Israel, how else should they respond.  If there were less hate on the Arab/Muslim side, there would be a greater chance for peace; remember what Golda Meir said, "there will be peace when the Arabs love their children more than they hate Jews."  Just remember that was said by a grandmother from Detroit.  

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:22 PM)

Israel was there thousands of years ago, before any of the surrent Palestinian lands that Arafat tried stealing.  Yes, there were some countries (or empires) like Syria and Iran.  So.... let the Arab troublemakers take back their Palestinian comrades in arms... as it is now, other Arab countries don't want these jerks, so why should Israel give up land for a group of mental misfits who are hell-bent on Israel's destruction?  I think Israel should have taken out every single nation that attacked it in 1948, 1967 and 1973.  All of those countries should have been turned into suburbs of Jerusalem.  Iran's 'Ahmanutjob" should be removed and replaced with an Israeli governor, as should the leaders of Syria and Egypt and others.  C'mon, Israle - get on the offensive!  And tell the US to mind its wown business while you're at it!  How would the US like it if another country was telling it what to do.  Go, Israel!!

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:23 PM)

It is time for the Israelis to prepare to fight Iran, as Iran is going to take it to them at some point anyway, they have made that clear enough through their hardliner President, Ahmedinijad, who is a psychotic, beady-eyed fanatic. Iran asked for it and asked for it.  Now they are most likely going to get it, and it will be game on, people. WWIII is near, I fear. This has been comiong for ages and ages, and now it is here. Is anyone really suprised? Does anyone think this is about Palistine alone? Iran is the cause, they are an Evil Empire, sorry to have to say it. NOw, they are going to have Hell to pay, as the Israelis have nowhere to go,  but down and out. if it is out,  they aren't going alone, plain and simple.

Dblur (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:23 PM)

If the Palestinians (Hamas, et al) were to stop their aggression, Israel would stop. If Israel were to stop, the Palestinians would not continue.

Joe Average, Denver, CO (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:25 PM)

Well, well ,this is really interesting. But the lowest common denominator always rules out. In this scenario there are two.
 1) Isaac and Jacob

 2) BIBLE!

If you know nothing or very little of either subject, you are talking with half truths, opinions, and hearsay. Talk all you want, but there is nothing to your words.
 And to those of you who are praying for PEACE for ISREAL. Realize this, WHO are you praying to? The very GOD that gave them the land in the first place.
And the second things, be careful what you ask for.
The talk of Armegeddon, is not solely aimed at Isreal,
It will be for the entire world. Are you ready for that?
"It will come like a thief in the night, so ready youselves. There is no one who knows the day or hour of my coming, except the Father and Son."
Again, BIBLE..!!!!! READ IT!
Have a nice day everyone and GOD bless.

Roseville, Ca (Sent Tuesday, June 02, 2009 4:25 PM)



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