Israel Steps Up Measures for Civil Defense

Israel today stepped up its readiness to defend against an Iraqi attack, calling up some reserve troops and urging citizens to protect their homes against chemical weapons.

The U.S. Embassy advised the 70,000 to 100,000 Americans living in Israel and the occupied territories to leave.

Israel’s Education Ministry said it was setting up special classrooms to seal off in case of attack. Supermarkets announced special hours after the Jewish Sabbath ends at sundown Saturday to allow shoppers to stockpile emergency supplies.

A poll showed 55% of Israelis believe a war will break out. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has threatened to attack Israel if his country is hit by U.S. and allied forces in the Persian Gulf.

Grocery stores were crowded today with shoppers buying staples for an emergency. In Tel Aviv, one station dispensing government-issue gas masks was so crowded that those waiting in line had to help unload a truck full of the masks.

TWA and Israel’s El Al Airlines scheduled extra flights to the United States on Saturday night from Ben Gurion Airport.

U.S. Embassy spokesman Don Cofman estimated that 70,000 to 100,000 Americans live in Israel, including many with dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship.

The American advisory warned that “increased tensions due to Iraq’s failure to comply with the U.N. Security Council resolutions may lead to demonstrations, terrorist attacks and other hostile actions against the U.S. government and U.S. citizens in the area.”