Israelis book holiday homes as attacks loom

By ABRAHAM RABINOVICH, Herald Correspondent

JERUSALEM - Tens of thousands of Israelis are planning to sit out the looming war with Iraq, should it come, in rustic cabins and hotels with a view instead of basement air raid shelters.

Vacation sites around the country, normally empty in the middle of winter, have been booked solid for the end of the month by Israelis anticipating that the American attack will begin then.

Unlike the first Gulf War in 1991 when Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat termed residents who left the city for peripheral areas deserters, such relocation is not viewed as a moral lapse this time around.

Some mayors in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area have even made twinning arrangements with mayors in outlying areas to house residents fleeing the prospect of Iraqi missiles in schools and even in tent camps. In 1991, Israel was hit by 39 missiles, mostly in the Tel Aviv area.

Government officials have made clear they have no objection if anyone wants to leave the urban areas although they caution mayors against stirring panic by promoting their sleepaway arrangements. The Government has drawn up a list of 330 facilities outside likely target areas which could accommodate 190,000 persons, including community centres, schools, and former hotels should residents of non-twinned communities want refuge.

Unlike 1991, when the firing of Scud missiles continued over several weeks, officials say there is only a small chance of Saddam Hussein being able to fire missiles this time before he is overwhelmed.

If missiles are fired, it is not considered likely that the Iraqis will be able to get off more than a handful. The concern this time, however, is that they might use chemical or biological warheads.

In an effort not to stir panic, the Government has until now declined to urge the public to prepare sealed rooms as it did well before the previous Gulf War.

The Home Front Command has said it will issue instructions at the appropriate time to the public to buy plastic sheeting to cover windows and to purchase bottled water.

The public, however, has been told to bring in old gas masks for updating.

Herald feature: Iraq