 | | An Israeli 4th grade student tries on a gas mask |
Israeli schoolchildren had some poignant questions for a soldier introducing them to gas masks as part of preparations for possible Iraqi missile attacks should the United States go to war in the Gulf. "What happens if I throw up inside my mask?" and "How many minutes will the war last?" were just some of the queries voiced by the 9- and 10-year-olds in a Jerusalem school. While the United States readies for possible conflict in Iraq and Israel gears up for feared Iraqi missile strikes, soldiers are visiting classrooms across Israel to acquaint youngsters with the protection they would need in the event of chemical or biological attack. "The kids get a chance to practice with the gas mask kits brought into the schools and then can go home and explain to their parents and even grandparents," said Bilha Noy, head of the Education Ministry's psychological and counseling service. In the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq launched 39 conventional Scud missiles at Israel, causing heavy damage to property. In one classroom for 9- and 10-year-olds at a Jerusalem school, a boy tried on a gas mask with the help of the soldier instructor. As he lifted his head to look at his classmates, they burst into laughter. In kindergartens, gas masks are added unobtrusively to the pile of toys so they become a familiar sight, but only the teachers are instructed in their use. Coming face to face with the black rubber masks elicits not only laughter. "For me, it is frightening," said 10-year-old Neta. "And when they explained to us how to use the gas mask, I got even more scared. It is so complicated to put on and there is also the antidote and you have to be in a sealed room." According to Noy, fear is both natural and expected. "Our goal is not to comfort, but to say yes, it is frightening, but if you obey instructions and do what you are told to do, your chances of surviving are higher," said Noy. (Agencies) | 以色列士兵在學校向孩子們介紹如何使用防毒面具，因為如果美國和伊拉克在海灣地區開戰，伊拉克很可能會發射導彈，以色列不得不為此作些準備。然而，孩子們向士兵提出的問題令人感到心酸。 在耶路撒冷的一所學校，這些9到10歲的孩子們經常問道"如果我戴著防毒面具的時候嘔吐怎么辦？"，"戰爭會持續幾分鐘？"。 美國已經準備好可能對伊拉克作戰，以色列也在積極準備防范伊拉克導彈襲擊。以色列士兵們來到全國各地學校，教孩子們萬一遭受生化武器攻擊，如何進行基本的自我保護。 教育部心理咨詢服務的負責人比爾哈·諾伊說："孩子們有機會練習使用士兵們帶來的防毒面具，等他們回到家，就可以告訴他們的父母甚至祖父母那是怎么回事了。" 在1991年的海灣戰爭中，伊拉克向以色列發射了39枚常規飛毛腿導彈，造成了巨大的財產損失。 在耶路撒冷一所學校里，一班9至10歲的孩子在學習使用防毒面具。一個男孩在士兵的指導下戴上了防毒面具，當他抬頭看向同學們的時候，大家爆發出一陣大笑。 在幼兒園，防毒面具被悄悄地放在了一堆玩具中，這是為了讓孩子們對它感到熟悉。但是只有老師知道使用方法。 然而，和這些黑色的橡膠面罩打交道并不只會令人發笑。 10歲的內塔說："我覺得很害怕。當他們教我們怎么用防毒面具時，我更加害怕了。要學會戴上這東西，還有解毒劑，還必須呆在密閉的空間，這太復雜了。" 而在諾伊看來，害怕是很自然的，也是意料之中的。 他說："我們的目的并不是去安慰別人。是的，這的確令人恐懼，但如果你遵照說明，按照他們教你的那樣做，你就有更多活下來的機會。" （中國日報網站譯） |
Updated: 2003-01-10 01:00
