Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., April 08, 2008 Nisan 3, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:45 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert: Emergency drill is not cover for attack on Syria By Barak Ravid and Yuval Azoulay Israel's largest-ever emergency drill starts today to test the authorities' preparedness for threats such as a missile attack on central Israel. Ministers will go over various scenarios in which thousands of missiles and rockets are fired at Israel, incurring many civilian causalities. There will also be scenarios including the use of non-conventional weapons. Advertisement "The drill is no front for Israeli bellicose intentions toward Syria," Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said. "Its aim is to check the various authorities' ability to carry out their functions." "The Syrians know they have no reason to interpret this drill in any other way," Olmert said. He addressed news reports over tensions between Israel and Syria, and said talk about the possible outbreak of hostilities should be toned down. "We still have an interest to carry out peaceful negotiations with the Syrians, who know what our expectations are of them and know we know what their expectations are." The drill will include a simulated missile attack on civilian areas - some missiles with chemical warheads. The Home Front Command, national emergency authority, government ministries and emergency services will take part. The Israel Defense Forces said yesterday that the exercise aimed "to prepare the different services and institutes operating in the civilian environment for various emergency situations." It said the exercise was "not planned in relation to any current events." At 10 A.M. on Tuesday, a siren will sound throughout the country and children from kindergarten up will practice emergency procedures. State employees are also expected to drill emergency procedures at their workplaces. Just before the siren, the new Home Front broadcasting center will be unveiled under the command of Gadi Sukenik, a former commando and anchorman for Channel 2. The center will broadcast for an hour instead of Channel 33, which usually broadcasts Knesset proceedings. Local governments will then join the exercise, following instructions to be given on the spot. The exercise will continue throughout the week, with scenarios including a simulated hazardous-material spill in Haifa Bay, the rescue of survivors from a collapsed building in the Meron and Nazareth areas, and the firing of ground-to-ground missiles equipped with chemical warheads. During the exercise, Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak will conduct situation reviews and make decisions based on the various scenarios as they unfold. MDA goes underground A new underground Magen David Adom emergency service headquarters in Haifa will be unveiled during the nationwide drill. Located underneath the central bus station, the center cost NIS 1.5 million to renovate and is equipped with state-of-the-art technology. MDA's Haifa branch said the headquarters was built as a result of lessons learned during the Second Lebanon War, when the Haifa area was hit by dozens of rockets and missiles fired by Hezbollah. It can lodge MDA staff and their families for long periods of time. "Its spaciousness will give its teams more room for operational and administrative functioning," said Shimon Biton, MDA chief in the Haifa area. "No doubt, the MDA's preparedness has undergone serious change, and it could be said we've taken a couple of steps forward." Bookmark to del.icio.us   In his father's memory Gilad Sharon's son plans to write his father's memoirs as he lies in a coma. Jammed FM Police close an English radio station which encourages Israeli-Palestinian dialogue.

Today Online Ben-Eliezer: If Iran attacks, we will destroy it Responses: 206 U.S. evangelist pledges $6 million in contributions to Israel Responses: 151 U.S., Israel fear Iran has N. Korean nuclear know-how Responses: 131 Akiva Eldar: Time for Bush to intervene in Mideast peace talks Responses: 74 More Headlines 21:27 Erekat: Peace process credibility 'eaten up' by settlement activities 02:03 Home Front civil defense drills to continue with 10 A.M. siren 02:36 Opposition to national service in Israel's Arab sector is bitter 23:13 Ariel Sharon's son to pen memoir touching on father's life 12:01 Polish PM: I didn't know about my grandfather's Nazi past 00:33 Friedmann lashes back at Supreme Court and Barak 21:46 Police close English radio aimed at Israeli-Palestinian coexistence 19:36 Court rejects Katsav's plea to postpone hearing on sex charges 21:35 Gov't mulls marking Israel's 60th anniversary with tax cut 22:42 Palestinian, 15, dies after hit by bus carrying settlers in W. Bank 21:54 UN official: Gaza medical system in 'pathetic state' Previous Editions Select Day 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar 25 mar

Special Offers Advertisement Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Behind the Z Word Scholarly essays, commentary, podcasts, blogs and much more. NEW! Dan Boutique Jerusalem Hotel Hip Dan Hotel in Jerusalem. Attractive Introductory Rates Pardes Institute Summer Sessions Study Jewish texts and issues in Jerusalem, Co-ed, All Levels FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved