RESPONSE
THE ENTIRE LAND
IS THE FRONT*
*David Ben Gurion, 1948
Samantha Rubinsztejn describes how Israel meets CBRN threats from all sides
November 2011 drill simulating a CBRN attack. Photos by Pvt. Topaz Luk, IDF Spokesperson Unit.
On visiting the Syrian Border in September 2011, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak downplayed the threat of chemical weapons against Israel in saying “None of our enemies will dare use chemical weapons against Israel, not now and not in the future”. He added: “our adversaries know very well why they should not even think of using chemical weapons against Israel”. A year later, the Syrian rebels are still fighting President Bashar al-Assad.
W
hen al-Assad’s regime eventually falls, Hezbollah – Iran’s proxy terrorist group – is likely to inherit Syria’s
chemical arsenals, which consists of, allegedly, several tons of mustard, blister, and sarin nerve agent. Terrorist networks infiltrating the rebel groups may also get hold of these deadly weapons. In response to the growing threats, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly affirmed in October 2012: “Israel will do everything it takes to ensure Syria’s chemical weapons do not fall into the hands of terrorist organizations —
68 CBNW 2013/01
and if such a situation arises, then Israel will weigh a military option.”
A red line on Iran Despite international pressure, Iran is still pursuing the development of its nuclear programme. According to Israel, they completed the first stage of uranium enrichment and are at 70% of the second stage. Iran openly claims its will to annihilate Israel. Facing the world at the United Nations General Assembly, Mr Netanyahu advocated for the enforcement of a clear red line on Iran. For those who doubt it, deterrence is still at the core of Israel’s response to the
threat of a NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) attack. Historically, Israel’s deterrence strategy has been achieved through military hegemony in the region and its supposed possession of nonconventional weapons. It is known as ‘the Samson option’ – the Israeli concept of mutual assured destruction. Iran, Syria and the new regimes in Egypt and in Libya could have a great impact on NBC proliferation in the Middle East. Indeed, their NBC arsenal could be disseminated to terrorists groups throughout the region. For instance, the revolution in Libya revealed an unknown chemical arsenal from Col.
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