Israelis Jittery Over Syria, Stock Up On Gas Masks
JERUSALEM — More than 1 million Israeli children started their first day of school Tuesday as Israel waited to see whether the United States would attack Syria over chemical weapons, and whether the Jewish state would pay a price for it.
Schools held outdoor welcoming ceremonies despite the gathering signs that the United States and its allies will strike at President Bashar Assad militarily for his alleged gassing of his people to halt a rebellion.
Some Israelis said they were jittery, and there has been a run on gas masks in recent days. The Israeli army said it was making preparations for possible attacks, and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange dropped amid war fears.
Yet supermarkets, restaurants, theaters and beaches are as lively as ever, and even in the north, which has been hit by missiles in the past, the many inns that cater to tourists saw no drop in travelers.
"This is Israel," said Adi Lipkin, a high school teacher shopping for a hat in a Jerusalem clothing store. "There's a crisis every couple of years, so we don't get worked up until there's really something to worry about."
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http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/08/27/israel-syria-gas-masks-preparations/2707731/