Israeli Civil Defense Exercise To Simulate Bio-weapons Attack

TEL AVIV — Israel has completed plans for a major civil defense exercise.

The Defense Ministry has approved an exercise in northern Israel meant to defend against a biological or chemical weapons attack from Lebanon or
Syria. The two-day exercise, called Orange Flame-6, would seek to coordinate between military and civilian authorities.

“Exercise Orange Flame-6 will take place as part of a number of exercises in the field of unconventional terrorism,” the Defense Ministry said on Nov. 22.

The statement said the exercise, scheduled for Nov. 30 through Dec. 1, would simulate the outbreak of a biological weapons attack meant to spread an unspecified contagious disease in four cities in northern Israel. During the drill, the Defense Ministry, responsible for protection against any weapons of mass destruction attack, would work with the Health Ministry to identify the threat and counter any epidemic.

“The aim of the exercise is to improve and increase the capabilities of the state of Israel to handle an unconventional terror attack,” Deputy Defense Minister Zev Snir said. “It is important that Israeli citizens know that there are people in the defense establishment, as well as the other relevant authorities, whose permanent job is to prepare the state of Israel to handle these types of threats.”

More