Of particular interest to Israel were the reports emanating from Iraq yesterday and today that coalition forces had uncovered two chemical-weapons production factories. One of them was located 150 kilometers south of Baghdad, while the site of the other has not been publicized. American sources later said that that the second factory may not have been producing weapons of mass destruction, after all. Pentagon officials said that "caution" should be exercised in future reports such as those regarding a "major Iraqi chemical weapons manufacturing plant" in Najaf, 160 kilometers (100 miles) south of Baghdad.
Preliminary reports stated with almost total certainty that the structure was indeed a chemical/biological weapons facility. UN weapons inspectors, however, stated that they had operated in Najaf and were unaware of such a facility. Caroline Glick, a Jerusalem Post correspondent covering the war from Iraq, released first reports of the chemical plant.
In other Iraqi war news of Jewish interest, the British Defense Ministry has allowed 15 Jewish soldiers fighting in the Persian Gulf to remove from their dog tags the label identifying them as Jews. The soldiers expressed concern that this identification would endanger them in case the Iraqis take them captive. JTA notes that it is Britain's practice to note the soldiers' religion in case a chaplain is needed.
Associated Press reports that the U.S. military is permeated by technology developed in Israel, including the Army's Hunter drones, fuel tanks on its F-15 fighters, and more. Targeting systems on the U.S. Marines' Harrier jets were made in Israel, and payloads on B-52 bombers are Israeli-designed Popeye air-to-surface missiles, otherwise known as AGM-142's. The AP report also notes other Israeli-made or designed weapons and systems used by the U.S.
Preliminary reports stated with almost total certainty that the structure was indeed a chemical/biological weapons facility. UN weapons inspectors, however, stated that they had operated in Najaf and were unaware of such a facility. Caroline Glick, a Jerusalem Post correspondent covering the war from Iraq, released first reports of the chemical plant.
In other Iraqi war news of Jewish interest, the British Defense Ministry has allowed 15 Jewish soldiers fighting in the Persian Gulf to remove from their dog tags the label identifying them as Jews. The soldiers expressed concern that this identification would endanger them in case the Iraqis take them captive. JTA notes that it is Britain's practice to note the soldiers' religion in case a chaplain is needed.
Associated Press reports that the U.S. military is permeated by technology developed in Israel, including the Army's Hunter drones, fuel tanks on its F-15 fighters, and more. Targeting systems on the U.S. Marines' Harrier jets were made in Israel, and payloads on B-52 bombers are Israeli-designed Popeye air-to-surface missiles, otherwise known as AGM-142's. The AP report also notes other Israeli-made or designed weapons and systems used by the U.S.