Israel Matzav

Israel's security cabinet approves limited reservist call-up

The Israeli government keeps telling us that we should go about our daily business, and that they don't expect Bashar al-Assad to attack us, but they're preparing all the same. The security cabinet has approved a limited call-up of reservists, which is usually a sign that they expect something to happen.

Security sources would not specify how many reservists were to be called up, or to which units, though some reservists attached to the Home-Front command were expected to be among those called up.

In addition, the sources said that the government approved the deployment of advanced anti-missile batteries in the north.

The security cabinet was briefed by Chief of General Staff Benny Gantz, as well as other senior defense officials.

The information presented at the meeting indicated a "low probability" that Syrian President Bashar Assad would respond to US military action by striking Israel. Nevertheless, the sources said, Israel was preparing for any eventuality, which explained the limited reserve call-ups.

Following the security cabinet meeting, the second urgent security consultation in as many days, Netanyahu issued a statement Wednesday saying Israelis need not alter their daily routine.

"The IDF is ready to defend against any threat and prepared to respond severely against any attempt to harm Israeli citizens," he said.

I can tell you that I was in town today, and saw someone with a stroller with about half a dozen gas masks piled on it. Someone else stopped them and asked them where they got it. The answer was a major street in a completely different part of town. Yes, there is a run on gas masks. Glad we got ours a long time ago.

Labels: Bashar al-Assad, chemical weapons, gas masks, Syrian army

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:12 PM