Israel Orders Delay in Its Plans to Issue Gas Masks to Civilians

A controversy over gas masks for Israeli civilians erupted again Wednesday as the army announced that the masks are ready for distribution but that government officials have ordered a delay.

The army said gas masks could be placed in the hands of all 4.5 million citizens within four or five days. But Foreign Minister David Levy told Army Radio that Iraq’s President Saddam Hussein could interpret a decision to distribute the masks as a provocation.

“It could be interpreted as a preparation of an Israeli step, and this could be used as an alibi by that dictator to do something,” Levy said.

Defense Minister Moshe Arens also is said to be pondering whether the distribution of gas masks might be used by the Iraqis as an excuse to attack Israel.

Since Iraq’s Aug. 2 invasion of Kuwait, the Israeli news media have carried articles and pictures on the use of gas masks.

On Wednesday, the daily newspaper Yediot Aharonot reported that civilians were buying gas masks at shops in Tel Aviv. It quoted one buyer as saying, “By the time the army distributes the gas masks, it will be too late.”

Moshe Givati, a reserve army colonel who used to be in charge of civil defense in the Tel Aviv area, criticized the government for delaying distribution of the gas masks. Israel has enough gas masks for the population and tourists, too, Givati said, but “if the masks stay in storage, they will help no one.”

He recalled that the Iraqi leader had used poison gas in his war with Iran and added: “He made the threat against us. What are we waiting for? To see if he is really capable? Let us distribute the masks now and at least we will be ready.”

Earlier, the government had held up distribution of the masks because it was thought they would deteriorate on closet shelves. But Brig. Gen. Yishai Dortan, the chief of army engineers, said the masks are the “best in the world” and would provide good protection for soldiers and civilians alike.