Jerusalem – With the possibility of a Syrian attack on Israel looming in the shadows of a seemingly pre-destined U.S. military strike, a shortage of beard-fitting gas masks and protective hoods has left Orthodox Jewish men scrambling for protection, while community leaders step up the pressure on the Israeli government to quickly address the shortage.
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THE WASHINGTON POST (http://wapo.st/19ZHyiP) reports that the demand for gas masks and hoods has skyrocketed since U.S. intelligence confirmed last week that Syrian civilians were killed by chemical weapons.
Sources say Orthodox Jewish men, who have reported to distribution centers to obtain their masks, have been told by government officials that a shortage of protective masks has resulted in the remaining supply being held aside for the elderly and those with respiratory issues.
In 2012, the Israeli government announced all citizens would be provided with protective masks in the event of a chemical attack.
Orthodox Shas party leaders are pressuring Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to quickly order a mass production of the Bardas, a hooded protective device that covers the entire head, and which was made available to bearded Israelis during the Gulf War.
Meir Green, an Orthodox Jew who was unable to obtain a Bardas, said, “If, heaven forbid, the masks are needed, there won’t be time to shave, even if a razor were available.”
By design from Lapid to eliminate the Haredies.
“Orthodox Jewish men scrambling for protection, while community leaders step up the pressure on the Israeli government to quickly address the shortage.”
Are these the same orthodox men that refuse the government to join the army and beat up the soldiers that will be going out to protect them?
You would think that there would be enough demand for a beard fitting mask that they would be abundant. Did the Israeli Workings screw up or did the orthodox with beards fail to support their own cause by not participating in Jewish society enough to see the problem in advance. Get them in the future.
so shave
Ok get the wacko conspiracy theories ready!
Go sit in yeshiva.
How can a country that is always at the brink of war not have enough gas masks???
During the Gulf War there were far fewer Haredim.This segment of the population refuses to do civic duty, relies on government handouts and now has more demands.Their Torah learning shall save them from a gas attack. Whoever wants a more expensive device should pay his own way.
I want full credit for asking about this last week. The same thing happened during the last two gulf wars.
Not enough beard fitting gas masks? make a protest that might help.
I made Aliyah last year and got my and my familiy’s masks a couple months later. Why are all these people scrambling at what might be the last minute?
oh well. Good bye then.
Wait, doesnt the chairiedi learning protect chariedim? why the need for beard gas masks?
What is interesting is that the whole issue of beards is totally al pi kabala. The gemara says one is obligated to shave before holidays in order not to enter in an ugly state. How did it become the universal custom to have long, untrimmed beards, against the gemara? And who would advocate this when it could be dangerous?
and what about all non-israeli citizens in israel? all yeshiva and sem students? they don’t qualify either to get a gas mask!!!