illrir ----
As Israel Awaits An Iraq War
that certain large public parks
have already been earmarked as
sraelis, like people every-
emergency cemeteries in case
where, have their eyes
of large numbers of casualties.
fixed on that yet-
8. But we have other con-
unknown date when the
cerns as well. Will Sharon and
U.S. will attack Iraq.
the Likud really win the Jan.
But for Israel there are far-
28 election, as forecast? Will
reaching implications which
other parties join in a national
will deeply affect life in this
CARL
unity
coalition? How will the
country. The mood in Israel
ALP ERT
Arabs
vote, if at all? What
today? Not panic, not fear, not
Spe cial
about
the
religious vote? The
confusion, but a great many
Comm entary
policies of the state will be
questions, some related to the
determined accordingly.
Iraq crisis, and many more
9. Let's not forget the economy.
growing out of the country's other
Unemployment is rising. Will we still
unique problems.
have a job in mid-year? Will our store
In general, folks don't often discuss
or business be able to stay above
these matters, except in family circles,
water? What will happen to the Tel
but probe the mind of an average Israeli
these days-and one is apt to find the fol- Aviv stock exchange?
10. And speaking of water — the
lowing questions, seeking answers.
winter
has made a good start, but
1. When will the U.S. strike?
we're going to need a lot more rain to
Immediately after our elections at the
replenish our dangerously diminished
end of January? In mid-February? It's
water reserves in the Sea of Galilee and
important for us to know.
in the underground aquifers.
2. How will the Iraqis react? Last
11. Oh yes, terrorism. Will it con-
time, they rained 39 Scud missiles on
tinue, decline, expand? What should
Israel and it was a miracle that only
our policy be? Fight it vigorously?
one fatality resulted. But this time
Offer the Palestinians a generous com-
there is talk of deadly biological or
promise?
chemical weapons of mass destruction.
12. In the meantime, how will we
3. In case of a major bombing of
be affected by the growing wave of
Israel will we react by counter blows
anti-Semitism in the world? Will the
against Iraq? And if so, how will the
world clamp down on Israel and com-
Muslim-Arab world react?
pel it to accept a well-armed, hostile
4. We are told to be ready. Shall we
state of Palestine next door?
prepare sealed rooms in our homes
13. Will our kinsmen overseas, col-
and check our gas masks? The boxes
lectively known as world Jewry, stand
containing the masks carry a note to
by us through thick and thin? Is there
the effect that they should not be
any chance of large-scale immigration
opened until there is need. How can
from the diaspora?
we practice?
14. Will those few naive, humanity-
5. What should we stock up on?
loving
Jews in Israel and abroad, who
Bottled water, we are advised, in case
are today loudly making common
of a break in the drinking water sup-
cause with the Arabs, finally awaken
ply. How much non-perishable food?
to the fact that they are acting as
How long will the crisis last?
unwitting collaborators with a people
6. To leave the country and take
who have made it clear that their goal
What we hope will be a short vacation
is the ultimate destruction of Israel?
overseas, or remain stoically at home,
There are more problems as well,
or seek some domestic resort here, like
but despite them all and despite the
Eilat or the Negev, far from thickly
tension, life appears to go on almost
populated areas which will be prime
normally. Weddings and bar mitzvahs
targets? Jerusalem is considered safe
take place with rejoicing. Crowds turn
because the Muslims will not wish to
out for sports events. Children go to
endanger their own holy spots.
school daily. Books are published and
7. Shall we pessimistically check our
read. Television programs are followed
wills? After all, it has been announced
avidly and folks pursue their hobbies.
Carl Alpert is a U.S. native who made
Security precautions are evident, but
aliyah in 1952. He is former head of the these are now accepted as part of nor-
mality. After all, we have been through
Zionist Organization of America's edu-
times like these more than once in our
cation department. His e-mail address is
short recent history. ❑
alpert@techunixtechnion.ac.il
Haifa
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