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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-26, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2003. PAGE 7. Israeli tells of life amidst the conflict Understanding the risks Aharon Yarden (son of Brussels resident Sandra Clark) with his three-year-old son Alon, is aware of the potential for attacks on his Israeli homeland, but continues life as normally as possible during the war in Iraq. (Photosubmitted) injections of Atropine, a drug used to counteract the effects of nerve gas, but often lethal if the gas is not present. Another person died after sealing themself in an airtight room then decided to cook on a barbecue. They suffocated, said Yarden. “It was because of panic.” “People are dying from panic. There are assumptions and interpolations. There is a contest in the media to see who can have the best interpretation of events.” Situated close to the war zone, Yarden said they can watch Al Jazeera television (Iraq’s main broadcaster) and see images North Americans do not. “We see American prisoners. There is no censorship.” Yarden said images out of Syria also do not comply with American censorship rules. Though many of the pictures on their sets, may be very different than in Canada or the United States, Yarden said there is one benefit to the war. “It is the only time we get good television shows.” When a crisis arises in the Middle East, scheduling and broadcast changes allow Israelis to watch a lot of British comedies. He noted though that the Israeli population is quite resentful about the security precautions which have been implemented. Residents had to refresh their gas masks and have them with them at all times, particularly children. “Children will not be allowed in government buildings without masks,” he said. Being forced to have their masks opened when the attacks started, Yarden said they will all have to be replaced. Yarden and his wife Galit have a three-year-old son who was not happy when his parents first put his mask on him as a test. Yarden said forces have been building up in the region for six months as the pressure on Iraq to comply with UN resolutions increased. Yarden said Israeli citizens have a bigger worry coming from the Palestinians, the Hizbollah and Syria. There has already been talk of their supporting Iraq, said Yarden, and that would most likely make Israel a target. The longer this drags out the more likely they will get involved. “You can’t have a surgical war when you go into the cities. It gets dirty. They will be sending a lot of Americans home,” he said. In describing the coalition’s method of attack, Yarden said, “The Americans are using a Vietnamization instead / of a Lebanese style. They should leam from Israel in the war on Lebanon.” “The people of Israel are more afraid of what will happen after the war,” he said. Doug Gough, R.I.B. (ONT.) CAIB, Manager IVES INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. - BLYTH OFFICE 184 Dinsley St. W. Box 428 Blyth, ON NOM 1H0 Tel: (519) 523-9655 Fax: (519) 523-9793 All Classes of Insurance WWW.IVESINSURANCE.COM By Janice Becker , Citizen staff Though the conflict between coalition forces and Iraq may be a world away, nightly news images bring the tragedies closer to home. However, for one former Brussels resident and now an Israeli, Aharon Yarden (aka Alan - Sandra Clark’s son), the war in the Middle East has brought new concerns to a region often torn by strife. In a phone interview early Monday morning, Mr. Yarden said there has been little real change in his community. He lives on a kibbutz named Jezreel, in occupied territory just two miles from Jenin. However, there is change in the fear and panic levels of Israelis, he said. “It is media-based and media- inspired. It is a virtual war that doesn’t exist. There has been a lot of comparison to the Gulf War (1991) when we did receive missiles,” he said. “People were expecting the same this time and some still are.” He said the people of the region are being “psyched out” by the media propaganda. People are killing themselves by reacting to a perceived threat with panic. Twelve children have died from Brussels Optimist Club 4th Annual Fundraising Dinner & Auction Saturday, April 5th Brussels, Morris & Grey Community Centre Proceeds to Jesse's Journey - The Foundation For Gene Cell Therapy and to Brussels and Area Community Betterment Smoking bylaw moves step closer There were winners and losers when the Huron County council committee of the whole moved closer to approving a smoking bylaw. In a 9-8 recorded vote, councillors accepted the bylaw which will see exemptions for specific institutions. While restaurant and bar owners in attendance at the March 18 meeting continued to express their displeasure at a bylaw which they expect to ruin their businesses, long­ term care residents and psychiatric patients will be amongst those still allowed to light up. Third-floor patients at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital in Goderich will be exempt from the smoking bylaw and hotel/motel and bed and breakfast owners will have the choice to decide if specific rooms are smoking or non-smoking. Smoking in common areas of these establishments will still be banned. For residents of long-term care facilities, a room may be designated for smoking. The bylaw is to go before county council April 3. It still requires a majority of lower-tiered municipalities to approve the bylaw. If passed, it would come into effect Sept. 2. NOTICE TO THE RATEPAYERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CENTRAL HURON Interim Tax Bills first installment is due March 31st, 2003. If you wish to use the monthly pre-authorized payment plan, please contact the Municipal Office prior to December 31st, 2003 for the 2004 taxation year. Special Guest Speaker: John Davidson Founder of Jesse's Journey Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to view auction items with dinner commencing at 6:30 p.m. with live auction to follow. Everyone at the dinner will have the opportunity to purchase a ticket to win a 3 night stay at the Flamingo in Las Vegas as well as 2 Mezzanine level tickets to see Celine Dion live in concert at the MGM Grand. Donations for the Live or Silent Auction would be greatly appreciated. Please contact: Gerry Wheeler 887-6233, George Langlois 887-6727, Kevin Deitner 887-6502, Doug McArter 887-6963. TICKETS ARE ONLY $20. PER PERSON AND AVAILABLE FROM ANY OPTIMIST MEMBER OR THE PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE.