Where I Stand — Mike O’Callaghan: Smell of rain and war

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 9:34 a.m.

TEL AVIV, Israel -- Is there any good news I can send from Israel? Yes, the drought has broken after several years and the results will be another year of delicious fruits and vegetables in stands all over this country. My favorite juice man on Ben Yehuda Street was eager to talk about the rain as he squeezed grapefruit for my drink. There is nothing sweeter than the grapefruit, orange and carrot juice sold in small stands in and around Israel's towns and cities.

Other than the rain, there isn't much to celebrate in Israel. The bombing of a bus in Haifa resulted in the deaths of 15 people and the wounding of several dozen more. Most of the dead were high school teenagers and, according to the Jerusalem Post, at least 33 victims were still hospitalized late Wednesday night. Also reported among the dead was Avigail Leitner, a 14-year-old U.S. citizen. The suicide bomber, a member of Hamas, is reported to have been carrying a letter praising the 9-11 bombers.

South of here, in Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces continue their efforts to cripple the Hamas leadership structure. Until last summer the terrorists in Gaza had been ignored by the IDF. That all ended when bombs and bombers were traced back to that area.

Israel's role in the bigger political picture has also contributed to an economy sliding downhill. 'We are on hold until the Iraq war has been completed," an Israeli businessman told me. The Israelis can easily recall the Scuds fired by Saddam Hussein during Desert Storm in 1991. Few are convinced that their country won't again be a target when the Americans strike Saddam during the coming weeks. They are also certain that acts of terrorism will increase and possible rocket attacks from Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon will be experienced. During Desert Storm the Palestinians stood on rooftops cheering as Scuds went overhead toward heavily populated Tel Aviv and Ramat Gan. Today, Saddam is still their hero as he makes funds available for the families of suicide bombers.

When arriving at the Tel Aviv Airport in 1991 I was issued a gas mask. None were given to incoming visitors this week. Nevertheless, there has been a rush on civilian gas mask centers during recent days. This was triggered when an IDF spokeswoman advised that people without proper equipment should get it now.

Three days ago U.S. and Israeli soldiers set up Patriot anti-missile batteries around Tel Aviv. Unlike 1991, the Patriots aren't the sole defense against missiles. Israel has great hopes that its new Arrow-2 anti-missile batteries will intercept incoming missiles at high altitudes. This will leave the Patriot-2 batteries to make interceptions at lower levels. There is reason to believe the new and improved Patriot will be more effective than the early model used here 12 years ago.

Although my sleep hasn't been disturbed by sirens, there is much to remind me of 1991. During Desert Storm the Israelis quickly adopted a lifestyle demanded by the arrival of Scuds late at night. Twelve years later, I find citizens thinking, and sometimes saying, let's get it on and over with. They know from past experiences that a full-scale war isn't too far in the future. They also know that no matter who fights the war, their homes and families will be targeted by hate.

At the request of President George Bush the IDF didn't fire back at Saddam in 1991. Now, at the request of President George W. Bush, Israel's leaders expect to play by the same rules. I would say that all bets are off if Saddam fires a chemical or biological weapon into Israel. Just in case Hezbollah fires long range rockets into Israel the providers of those missiles, Iran or Syria, may also feel the sting of an IDF attack.

Before getting too serious I'm going outside for a walk in the rain.