A nationwide training exercise got underway today, 17 Sivan 5773. Operation, “Turning Point 7” will test the response of government agencies, the IDF, Israel Police, local and national government, and all first response and emergency agencies. Simulated chemical warfare attacks with “major hits” in homefront targets are part of the three-day event as the nation seeks to maintain a high level of preparedness in light of threats along Israel’s borders, particularly from Syria.

At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu announced the start of National Emergency Preparedness Week as the IDF Homefront Command runs ads in newspapers informing citizens nationwide how much time they have to run to bomb shelter. The ad advises residents to be familiar with the closest shelter and to maintain vigilance as to the time one has from hearing a siren to get to a shelter. Unlike maps distributed by the IDF Homefront Command in the past, this map includes the entire country, from the Golan Heights to Eilat, Tel Aviv and Gush Dan as well as Jerusalem and the Shomron.

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The prime minister added, “Today we will start national emergency week. Home Front Protection Minister Gilad Erdan will brief us in detail on the issue. The threats against the Israeli home front have significantly increased in recent years. Israel is the most threatened state in the world; it is under missile and rocket threat. We are prepared for any scenario.

“In recent years we have significantly increased the preparedness of the home front vis-à-vis such attacks and other stacks. We are investing billions so that the home front will be better protected and better prepared. We are investing in Iron Dome, sirens, shelters, structural reinforcement, and improved early warning systems. We will make legislative changes so as to adapt the legal reality in the State of Israel to the security reality and the concomitant threats.

“An appreciable proportion of these changes have already been seen. It was possible to see them in the functioning of the home front during Operation Pillar of Defense, but even so one must remember that it is difficult to achieve complete protection. In the end, no protection can be a substitute for the striking power of the IDF and the stamina and strength of the Israeli public in time of attack.

“I thank – in advance – the public, ministers and ministries for their cooperation, for the important work of the IDF and Home Front Command. Through cooperation we will be better prepared. Thank you.”

On Monday, 18 Sivan, sirens will sound around the country at 12:30 and once again at 19:05. School, government offices and agencies are among those taking party. Families are urged to use the opportunity to drill responding to the shelter, Homefront Command officials add. In addition to sirens the SMS text message system will be tested along with other first alert notification systems being used today by the IDF.

IDF Spokesman Brigadier-General Yoav Mordechai calls on all citizens to cooperate with military commanders by following instructions. All citizens are to head to shelters when the sirens are sounded, whether at home or in the workplace. Mordechai adds the nation’s hospitals will operate on a regular schedule despite the nationwide drill. Motorists of public and private vehicles should continue driving when the sirens are heard.

Citizens wishing to report problems with sirens in their area are urged to phone 1207. Regarding issues pertaining to shelters, citizens should turn to local city officials. For additional information one may visit the IDF Homefront site at www.oref.org.il.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)