Defense establishment to recommend stop to gas mask production
Defense minister to present cabinet with recommendation to stop production, distribution of ABC kits. Defense source cite reasons: Israel achieved deterrence, Syria dismantled chemical arms
Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon will bring to the cabinet's approval the defense establishment's recommendation to stop distributing gas masks, or ABC kits, to the general public starting in the coming weeks.
Later, a further proposal to decrease production of the kits to the necessary minimum for the needs of the IDF forces will also be brought before the cabinet.
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The recommendation followed discussions held by the Home Front Command and are based on situation reports on the threats facing Israel at the moment. "If this is indeed the recommendation, this is a brave decision by Minister Ya'alon," a source in the defense establishment said.
(Photo: EPA)
About three years ago the government decided to resume distribution of the kits to civilians, but defense sources explained that the strong deterrence achieved by Israel alongside Syria's dismantlement from chemical arms have led to the new decision.
Sources also noted that a secondary goal is related to the hysteria created during the rising tensions in the north, as happened about two months ago, when the possibility of an American strike in Syria
became tangible.
In those days, in late August, crowds amassed in distribution centers around Israel, and some panic was registered.
The defense minister has reiterated on all his public appearances, including in recent days, that Israel has well-defined and enforced red lines: Preventing chemical arms reaching Hezbollah from Syria, and preventing the breach of Israeli sovereignty in the Golan Heights.
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