Security forces took part in a nationwide emergency drill this week, practicing their response to disaster scenarios. Civilians joined in for the first time on Tuesday as sirens wailed throughout the country. While most were not asked to actively participate during the alarm, schoolchildren and teachers were told to descend to bomb shelters, where they stayed for approximately 10 minutes.
Some politicians and former IDF officials criticized the drill, saying it frightened civilians and could increase tensions with neighboring countries. Defense officials rejected the criticism and said the drill was important for national security. Young students and their parents defended the drill as well, saying they wanted to be prepared in case of attack.
In the above video, Arutz Sheva's Yoni Kempinski reports from Givataim.