Prime Minister Netanyahu at chemical warfare drill in J'lem says defense would "preempt" any attack targeting Israel.
By JPOST.COM STAFFNetanyahu at J'lem national emergency week drill 370(photo credit: Amos Ben Gershon / GPO)
Israel has the world's most advanced - and most threatened - home front defense, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said during exercises held in the Jerusalem front Wednesday under the framework of "national emergency week".Netanyahu said the drill, named Steadfast Home Front 1, simulating chemical missile strikes on a residential area was meant to protect Israeli citizens from the increasing threats that continue to mount around them."We will make sure defense preempts an attack," he said amid the Jerusalem exercise also attended by Home Front Defense Minister Gilad Erdan, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Benny Gantz and Home Front Command officers.Israel on Sunday began a two-day nationwide chemical warfare drill. The drill was performed to test Home Front readiness to an unconventional weapons attack, the level of communication between civilians and authorities and municipalities' preparedness for emergency."Israel is the most threatened state in the world," Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said Sunday at the start of "national emergency week."Speaking at the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday, the prime minister said that the threats against the Israeli Home Front have significantly increased in recent years, pointing to missile and rocket threats. "We are prepared for any scenario," he stated.On Monday, two air raid sirens were sounded nationwide as part of the drill.Yaakov Lapin contributed to this report.
